Lavender

A two-bedroom dog-friendly cottage near Wadebridge in north Cornwall, sleeping four. The ground-floor layout has no steps between rooms, and the relaxed interior suits guests who want a practical base rather than something statement-led.

Changeover is on Saturday, with check-in from 4pm and check-out by 9.30am. Inside: one bathroom, dishwasher, washing machine, and WiFi. The kitchen has room to cook properly. Outside, a private garden and driveway parking cover the basics for a dog-owning household arriving with kit.

Wadebridge is the main access point for the Camel Trail - a 17-mile traffic-free cycle route following a former railway line from Padstow to Bodmin Parkway and on to Wenfordbridge. Bike hire is available at the trailhead in town. Padstow's harbour is 7 miles away with Rick Stein's seafood restaurants and the South West Coast Path. Rock and Polzeath on the north coast are reached via the passenger ferry from Padstow. Port Isaac, the working harbour village most visited for its TV location, is a straightforward day trip north. Bodmin Moor is accessible to the east.

Best for: couples or families of four with dogs who want a quiet rural base with cycling and coast path access. Less suited to guests expecting beach-proximity or a seaside atmosphere.