Wagtail Nest, Northfield Cottage

There is an enclosed paddock directly opposite the cottage, just for your dog. No lead, no recall anxiety, just a gate to close and let them run. It is a small thing on paper, but if you have travelled with a dog before, you know how rare it is. Footpaths start right from the front door too, crossing open fields along the edge of the North York Moors National Park, and the paddock is there for morning and evening runs without needing to get in the car.

The cottage itself is stone-fronted and all on one level. French doors open from the living room into an enclosed garden, so there is no awkward step or flight of stairs to navigate after a long walk. Inside, the open-plan layout puts the kitchen, dining area, and sitting room into one space. The kitchen has an oven, hob, microwave, and fridge, and the breakfast bar is where most evenings end up. Across the room, a leather sofa faces the electric stove and Smart TV. On a cold evening with the stove lit and something on the television, it is a hard room to leave.

The bedroom has a double bed and a clean, considered interior. The shower room has an unexpectedly good retro tile design that gives the place more character than you might expect from a one-bed cottage.

Out through the French doors, the enclosed garden has the hot tub. The fencing is solid all the way round with no gaps, so even a small dog stays put while you soak. On a clear night out here, with no light pollution from the nearest village, the sky is worth looking up at.

Paul, the owner, meets you on arrival and walks you through everything. There are treats on the side when you get there, for you and for the dog. After that, he is a text away without ever hovering. Phone signal is patchy on the lane, so arrive in daylight the first time, save your directions, and download anything you need before you lose it.

Scalby village is two miles away and has a pub serving food, a couple of shops, and a tea room. The carvery at Scalby Manor is a five-minute drive. Scarborough itself is five miles down the road, with two sandy beaches, Peasholm Park, and the Open Air Theatre. Head north and you are at Robin Hood's Bay in half an hour, or carry on to Whitby. The walk down to Hayburn Wyke waterfall is close by and worth a full morning. Sandsend has a cafe doing crab and prawn sandwiches that people drive out of their way for.

There is ample parking right outside and WiFi inside. One well-behaved dog is welcome, and between the enclosed garden and the paddock, you will spend less time worrying about where they are and more time actually enjoying the North York Moors.