Pet friendly holiday cottage, sleeps 6 - Lyonshall, Herefordshire

One of a cluster of Victorian cottages and converted stables within an established Herefordshire estate, this beautifully restored residence is a home-from-home with high-end extras. Sleeping six and pet-friendly, it shares use of a heated outdoor pool. Dating from around 1850, this welcoming holiday home combines original features with contemporary styling to set the scene for a comfortable gathering of family or friends.

Step straight into the kitchen and, together with the adjacent utility room and shower room, you'll find all the essentials of home. Further in, the dining room serves up views onto the garden, with a large vintage table and chairs to seat up to 10. To the other side of the front entrance and handy porch area, the lounge has a choice of seating, a pretty wood burner and TV/DVD.

As bedtime approaches, climb the stairs to three bedrooms: one's a king-size with its own vanity unit, one is a double with a French-style bed and the last is a twin room. A traditional family bathroom completes the first-floor layout. Staying close to its roots, the cottage sits within large open gardens, next to the 18th-century red brick walls of the estate's original kitchen garden.

Fire up the BBQ for al fresco dining on sunny evenings or chill out in the heated outdoor pool – it's shared with the other properties on-site from May to September and may be open at other times by agreement and at additional cost. Up to three dogs are invited to join in the holiday fun here; the small courtyard to the rear of the cottage is enclosed for pet owners' peace of mind. There's much to enjoy in the surrounding Herefordshire countryside ¬– the cottage is 3 miles from Kington, a small town with a big character and historic streets lined with galleries, shops and cafes.

A haven for hikers, Kington hosts annual walking festivals and is the starting point for the 30-mile Mortimer Trail. 12 miles away, Hay-on-Wye is famous for its book shops and festivals, while Hereford, with its cathedral, Mappa Mundi and Chained Library, is 21 miles.