Months of cold, rain and general gloom inevitably make people dream of overseas holidays.

But while a couple of weeks on a palm-fringed, sun-kissed white beach might sound just the ticket, there’s the faff of getting there, not to mention the expense.

And for me, there is always the problem of what to do with the dog. When I took on my terrier from a rescue centre, I vowed never to put him in kennels again.

But now I may have discovered the perfect destination for both of us.

It’s sort of overseas, extremely dog-friendly and it only takes 40 minutes to get there from Lymington.

I am, of course, talking about the Isle of Wight, which, to my shame, I have only visited once before, for the pop festival.

Like many Dorset residents I have often looked across to the island and assumed it was very much like where we live.

What I discovered was incredibly varied scenery criss-crossed by a network of public footpaths that make it walkies heaven.

After arriving in Yarmouth we drove a few miles to Headon Warren for the first amble of the day over the island’s largest heathland, enjoying the views to the nearby Needles.

The dog is old and slow these days, so when we finished our walk, it was time for lunch at the Sun Inn at Brook, an old-fashioned pub where we tucked into lunch and the waitress brought Badger a dog biscuit.

Next we made our way back on to the Military Road, which follows the south coast of the island.

Badger dozed in the car while we did a quick walk up to St Catherine’s Oratory (known locally as the Pepper Pot because of its shape). The views take in much of the island and the distant Dorset coast.

A few miles further along the coast it was time for Badger’s second walk, this time to St Catherine’s Lighthouse just outside the village of Niton.

Some rustling in the leaves caught my attention and up popped a beautiful red squirrel, posing cheekily – until the very moment I lifted my camera into position.

We ended the day in Ventnor, a quaint little town with a mixture of stately Victorian villas and Art Deco seaside architecture in an area that liked like North Devon.

Our accommodation was a comfortable, modern apartment in the basement of the Villa Lavinia, part of the empire of Robert Thompson, chef patron of the nearby Michelin-starred Hambrough hotel and restaurant. Our hosts had thoughtfully furnished us with a few hotel-style luxuries, but oddly no shower gel or shampoo.

Next morning we walked through the ancient woodland of the National Trust’s Borthwood Copse before venturing to Godshill, a picturesque village tourist trap with some interesting tea shops, including one that specialises in chocolate.

We called in at Shanklin on our way back to base, but the seafront seemed scruffy compared to Bournemouth and Poole and the cliffs are dominated by a huge, ugly lift shaft.

Just time for one more walk before dusk, this time a steep one from the road just outside Bonchurch to Luccombe Down.

As in the other parts of the island we had sampled, inviting footpaths stretched in all directions.

Next morning, I dropped daughter at Ryde Pier for her ferry and train back to London before meeting up with a friend for a long walk along the attractive esplanade.

We lunched with the locals at the award-wining Crab and Lobster pub in Bembridge while the dog conked out by the open fire.

On the way back to Yarmouth, we had a short stop for tea and cake at another dog-friendly establishment, Made on the Isle of Wight, a shop and café that stocks everything from jam to jewellery.

Apparently the Queen was presented with a box of IoW goodies on a trip to the island and was so impressed that she has since reordered.

Next time she visits she really should take the corgis.

Getaway

Jo Codd travelled to the Isle of Wight with Wightlink (0871 376 0013 /wightlink.co.uk) and stayed in The Hambrough’s Villa Lavinia Apartment.

A two-night weekend self-catering stay costs from £228 per person (for two-sharing) in mid-season, including return Wightlink car ferry crossings from Portsmouth or Lymington.

Longer stays are also available. Car ferries also operate between Portsmouth and Fishbourne (45 minutes) and there is a passenger catamaran service from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pierhead.

Jo sampled Wightlink’s free Island guide, Pawprint, which showcases the best walks, accommodation and pubs for canines and their two-legged friends. Dogs travel free on Wightlink ferries.

Leisure walkers can combine a dog-friendly break with the chance to try out one of eight adventure-themed walks as featured in Wightlink Wight Safaris booklet.

The guides are available free from Wightlink or see wightlink.co.uk/pawprint or wightlink.co.uk/wightsafaris.