DOG FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION THIS SUMMER

This beautiful country house is actually run by dog owners so they know a thing or two about looking after your pet, who is welcome on all the ground floor rooms, the top suites and the garden lodges. There's a Doggie Dinner B&B rate which includes a choice of dishes (usually including chicken or beef) with home made gravy plus bones to gnaw on. There are spare leads and water bowls should you have misplaced yours and plenty of scoop sacks on hand. And what's in it for you? Stunning premises, grounds that look like something from Alice In Wonderland, smart rooms with hydrobaths, a lovely restaurant and wicked afternoon teas. Go for the Redwood room if you want your own little patio and pond area.

The five star experience you would expect from this luxurious hotel really does extend to your four legged friend. After all, Kensington is positively crawling with well-to-do pooches. So tell your dog he or she can expect their own deluxe dog bed, little toys to play with and plenty of treats too. When they get peckish, there are sausages and gravy to tuck into (cats get fresh salmon) and if they look a little unkempt afterwards, you can arrange for a spot of dog grooming too. Got somewhere to be in town? Ask one of the walkers to take your dog out while you're gone or book a sitter through reception.

This sprawling country house estate deep in the heart of the Sussex countryside is the perfect getaway for dog owners who find peace in a hearty, rural dog walk followed by utter luxury. Guests with their pooches in tow should bag one of the Fairway Junior or Studio suites and book a dog package which involves a cosy bed and blanket, a dinner of organic chicken breast or grilled fish and a treat as well. And you? Well, the Ashdown boasts five-star dining and 186 acres of beautifully manicured parkland. If you've kids, take them to play Pooh Sticks over the river too – this is where AA Milne is said to have set his classic Winnie The Pooh tales.

We reckon your dog will love you forever after a stay at the Linthwaite, which nestles within stunning scenery in Bowness-on-Windermere. This is a walker's paradise and the hotel staff will be more than happy to suggest dozens of places to exercise yourself and your dog (plus a few pubs en route for both of you to enjoy a little refreshment). Two ground floor rooms have been set aside for guests with dogs and there are food, water bowls, scoop bags and blankets at your disposal. With four AA red stars, at this hotel it's not just your dog who will be treated like royalty either.

This four star country house hotel sits within three acres of grounds in the Borrowdale Valley, a spot described by famous fell walker Wainwright as “the loveliest square mile in Lakeland”, and offers miles of dog walking routes right from the hotel door. You will be allocated a ground floor bedroom with your dog, as these have direct access to the large gardens. In fact, there's plenty of secure outside areas for dogs to roam around without a lead. Guestrooms have beautiful original features, postcard views from the windows and there's an award –winning restaurant thrown in to boot. What's not to love?

For those with a dog with a maritime penchant, we suggest the simply lovely Headland Hotel and Spa in the lovely town of Newquay. Long morning walks or evening strolls along the beach or up on the headland make this serene spot perfect for canine lovers. And the hotel is more than geared up for you too. You will receive a welcome letter detailing everything you need to know about staying at the hotel with your dog, including information on the coastal paths. Expect lovely squidgy bedding, a chew stick, scoop bags and a bowl, for a small fee. You won't want to leave this Cornish dog haven after one night listening to the waves as you and Fido drift off to sleep…

Just because a hotel is boutique, it doesn't mean you can't check in with your dog. The Wordsworth prides itself on offering exquisite rooms (think exposed beams, private balconies, Villeroy and Bosch bathrooms and pretty tea trays) yet still being relaxed enough to welcome your pooch. There's so much walking and sightseeing to be done just outside the hotel's front door, that we doubt you'll be inside much but don't forget to leave some time at the end of the day for you to enjoy this wonderful spot. The Blue Fish Spa eases aching joints while the Signature Restaurant has changing seasonal dishes that are worth the stay in themselves.