Rose Dene

The creak of the gate, the warmth of a hallway that smells faintly of toast and fresh linen — Rose Dene has that immediate feeling of somewhere you'd be glad to arrive after a long drive through British weather.

This is a proper guest house with a camping pod tucked in the grounds, so it suits couples after a cosy night without the full tent faff, or anyone wanting a halfway house between canvas and four walls. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so worth a call ahead if you're bringing yours. It's open all year, which makes it a decent shout for off-season breaks when most campsites have shut up shop.

Facilities aren't spelled out in detail, so expect simple, homely basics rather than a resort setup. Campfires need checking on arrival — they may allow a small one depending on conditions and where you're pitched. It's the kind of place that works on a nod and a chat rather than a laminated rule book, so rock up ready to ask questions and you'll be looked after.