Dog friendly cottage, sleeps 7 - Sherborne (7mls SW), Dorset

Brilliantly located for adventures, this welcoming home is a top destination from which to explore. Set in the heart of Hardy Country, there are a plethora of pretty, quaint villages nearby and the beaches of West Bay are just 21 miles from your door. Sleeping seven guests over four bedrooms with two four-legged friends welcome, spend time snuggled by the open fire, dine al fresco and bask in the fresh air, or get competitive in the games room.

Perfect for all occasions, the lounge has French doors for sunny days, an open fire for chilly days and all the space you need to get comfortable in front of the TV. Spend quality time together cosied up on the sofas and chairs and indulge in the light airy ambience of this room. With hungry mouths to feed, head into the kitchen where you can experiment with flavour and get cooking.

Plate up informal meals at the kitchen table or serve up a feast in the dining room. If you’re graced with BBQ weather, step out into the enclosed garden where steps up lead to a lawn and the patio is perfect for dining alfresco. End your night in the garage for a game of table tennis before climbing stairs to rest your head in one of four first-floor bedrooms.

Rise and shine and head downstairs to the snug where you can curl up with a good book to get your day off to a relaxing start. With so much to see, plan your time wisely and head up and out to explore each day. Walk straight from your door and through the local village in search of nearby pubs where you can enjoy a pitstop.

Pack your bucket and spade and head 23 miles south to the vibrant seaside resort of Weymouth where sections of the beach welcome dogs all year round and you can splash in the sea and build sandcastles all day long. A 9-mile trip will take you to historic Sherborne with its pair of castles and abbey.