<p><img src="https://azure.wgp-cdn.co.uk/app-yourdog/posts/wallops_Wood_review.jpg" alt="Wallops Wood Holiday Cottages" /></p><p>Bob and Liz Scott tell us all about their stay at Wallops Wood Holiday Cottages in Hampshire, along with their two Border Collies Sprout and Snip...</p>
Accommodation: Self-catering cottages.
Cost: From £785 – £1,490 (three bed) and £1,100 – £1,709 (four bed) per week.
Tested by: Bob and Liz Scott, with Border Collies Sprout and Snip.
The accommodation:
Wallops Wood consists of five luxury ground-floor cottages, sleeping six – eight people, each with a small, enclosed, patio garden with a gate to an unfenced field. The properties, all adjoining, have open-plan sitting/dining rooms with woodburners, kitchens with all amenities, twin/double en suite bedrooms with TV, free Wi-Fi, and underfloor heating. The cottages have been sympathetically converted from a lambing shed, and are situated in the middle of rolling farmland with stunning views over the South Downs and beyond.
Designed with mobility, hearing, and vision impaired guests in mind, one cottage has M3 status, and a wide range of accessibility equipment is available on request. The cottages can be booked individually or as a group (for up to 34). Families are welcome, and any requirements can be met on booking.
How dog-friendly was your reception?
Sprout and Snip were immediately at home! They enjoyed the underfloor heating, the open French doors, the patio area, and a game in the field with the visiting dog next door. There were very few rules — no dogs on the furniture or in the bedrooms, pick up poo in the garden and field, and on lead on the premises. Dogs’ worming and flea control programmes should be up to date.
Any added extras for dogs/owners?
Water bowels, towel, poo bags, scoop, and dental chews were left for the dogs to enjoy. A hosepipe and poo bin were provided for everyone’s use in the car park.
We found all essentials, including milk, butter, bread, cake, wine, local fruit juice, and beer! Home-made food for you to cook is provided on request, or a personal chef. The welcome book of instructions was very comprehensive with information about the area, including walks, pubs, and route planners to nearby towns.
Out and about in the area:
* The area was criss-crossed with footpaths across open country (walk books and a wall map available in each cottage).
* A disused railway line, the South Downs Way, and Old Winchester Hill (National Nature Reserve) are close by.
* Most of the local pubs are dog friendly; The Shoe has a river garden and excellent food.
At a glance
Charge for dogs? £20 per dog, per week.
Maximum number of dogs allowed: Two.
Enclosed exercise area/garden? Yes.
Can dogs be left unattended? Preferably not, but up to four hours maximum.
Want to find out more?
Contact Wallops Wood Cottages, Sheardley Lane, Droxford, Hampshire SO32 3QY; call 01489 878888; email [email protected]; visit www.wallopswoodcottages.co.uk - where they have recently introduced a dog page with lots of useful information about dog-friendly places to visit, walks from the door, and dog-friendly pubs as well as a welcome basket for your four-legged visitors.