Your duo of salty sea dogs will adore their stay at this 18th-century cottage – the South West Coast Path runs right past the door, and the slipway to Appledore’s estuary beach is within metres too. Enjoy walks through cobbled streets, explore the waterfront, then return home to unwind; the walled courtyard garden gives peace of mind when the pups want a sniff of fresh air.
A blend of period features and contemporary styling sets the scene for a companionable break at this former fisherman’s abode. Inviting sofas, a stone fireplace and a beamed ceiling welcome you into the lounge where, on cooler evenings, the high-end Everhot electric heater is a perfect paw-warmer. Along the hallway, the chic kitchen has a window-seat so you can chill out while dinner cooks. Dish up in the dining room, and the dogs can lie before an ornamental stone fireplace as they await any leftovers. A cloakroom completes the ground-floor layout. Settle the pups for the night, then head upstairs to find a family bathroom and three bedrooms: a king-size room with a reading area, another king-size room which can be made up as a twin on request and has its own en-suite shower room, and a cute single bedroom. Dine alfresco and let the dogs cool down in the enclosed private walled courtyard.
A public car park is 150 metres away; once you’ve unloaded, forget about your vehicle and immerse yourselves in village life. Appledore is always a hive of activity with welcoming inns, eateries and shops, plus a promenade that’s perfect for walkies. Jump on a ferry to Instow and the dogs can dash around the sand dunes; alternatively, it’s 3 miles to Westward Ho! where the long, sandy beach is backed by the grassland of Northam Burrows Country Park. The South West Coast Path offers longer walks around the Taw-Torridge estuary, or you could sniff out the Tarka Trail – one of the country’s longest traffic-free paths – from the historic port town of Bideford, 3.5 miles upriver. For a change of terrain, Clovelly’s steep cobbled streets are 14 miles away.