Fido Family Friendly Places

Converted from former farm buildings, these four holiday properties (two of which have been adapted for the disabled with shower chairs available), are in the Southdowns National Park. Properties 17320 and 17321 command fine views over the surrounding countryside. 17320 also has a worktop which has been lowered for wheelchair access to the sink in the kitchen. Situated in the grounds of the family farm (non-working), they are only 100 yards from the village of Compton with village shop and tea room with free wi-fi access. Enjoy peaceful walks along a bridle path leading to the South Downs Way, 2 miles designated as a National Park. The historic cathedral town of Chichester lies 10 miles away, with its cobbled streets adorned with tea rooms and restaurants, and the ornate cathedral. Scenic boat tours can be taken around the harbour. Goodwood and Fontwell races or polo at Cowdray are all within a short drive. Portsmouth, with shopping and leisure facilities, within easy reach. Hawking and falconry days can be arranged, prices on application and must be pre-booked direct with owner. Shop and pub 100 yards.

This detached and quintessential, romantic hideaway lies deep in the Sutherland hills on the owner’s croft with sheep and beef cattle. Over 200 years old and accessed by a track, it has 2ft thick stone walls and traditional tin roof, and has undergone a unique and innovative conversion, together with an adjoining stone barn. Transformed into a holiday home offering a bright and contemporary living space, it retains the very best of its original charm. A large wood burner and uninterrupted views across miles of open hillside, as well as a hot tub on the elevated decking outside, add to the experience.
The stunning main living area is open plan, with a large wood burner at one end and a well-equipped, contemporary kitchen with handmade units at the other. Steep ladder stairs lead up from the kitchen to a bedroom, which occupies the whole of the mezzanine area. Very low double doors open through to the ground floor en-suite bedroom, but due to the height and depth of the stone wall, it is advisable to access this bedroom from the part-covered walkway around the perimeter of the cottage. This charming bedroom has a hairdryer provided and a feature claw-foot bath, as well as an adjoining en-suite. At the opposite end of the cottage is a bright shower room, accessed via the part-covered decking. Another bedroom (also with hairdryer provided) is located within a separate stone barn conversion 20m from the main cottage, and enjoys the same incredible views down the glen to the hills beyond. Capercaillie Cottage is superbly well equipped and furnished, with deep leather sofas and high quality appliances throughout. It is set within 1 acre of grounds, with raised decking and hot tub located just outside the main entrance, with a feature ornamental pond below.
The owners work 300 acres of the surrounding croftland and hills, which you are welcome to explore with their prior permission. Wildlife is prolific in the area, with red deer, pine martens and abundant birdlife, including rare red kites, golden eagles, oystercatchers and curlews. Whilst the location is completely secluded, the charming village of Rogart is 4 miles away, with its thriving village pub and restaurant, shop, post office and railway station. Visit historic and archeological sites, as well as romantic castles such as Dunrobin, seat of the Dukes of Sutherland. Mountain biking along lovely forest trails, golf, fishing and various watersports are all available. The picturesque seaside town of Dornoch, with its award-winning sandy beach and championship golf course, is just 20 minutes’ drive away. For the less energetic, sit back, relax, enjoy the hot tub and watch the ever-changing scenery from this inspiring and totally unspoilt location. Beach 12 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 4 miles.

A superb retreat in the hamlet of Rosebush nestled in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park with stunning views, wood burner, Aga, wooden beams, Wi-Fi and fantastic walks from the door.
Discover this delightful and charming cottage perched on the edge of the Preseli Hills. Rosebush has a thriving village pub, the ’Tafarn Sinc’, children’s play park, and miles of bridleways, walking paths and cycle routes. There are many fantastic walks from your doorstep that meander through the hills and up to the highest point, Foel Cwmcerwyn, with magnificent picture postcard views. The Preseli Hills offer wild moorland to explore, ancient history, burial chambers and heath that is host to a wide range of wildlife.
Formerly a quarryman’s cottage, accessed by 8 steps from the road to the front door leading to the kitchen, Y Teras has been thoughtfully furnished throughout with plenty of character. Guests can enjoy formal dining in the farmhouse kitchen with original beams, bespoke kitchen units, solid wood worktops and a focal Aga, as well as an electric oven and hob. The living room boasts beams and a solid wooden floor where you can relax in front of the wood burner, or in the evening you could enjoy a drink on your balcony with uninterrupted views over the Preseli Hills.
Y Teras is situated centrally within the Pembrokeshire National Park and is perfect for exploring its sublime natural beauty. Travelling north, for walkers and beach lovers, within 30 minutes’ drive you can explore the North Pembrokeshire Coastline, its beautiful coastal path, Cardigan Bay and the plethora of fantastic beaches of which many are award winning and ideal for children. As well as the natural beauty surrounding Y Teras including clear streams, waterfalls and the ever present red kites, nature lovers can take boat trips from the nearby Cardigan Bay and see dolphins, sea lions, sun fish and basking sharks that are also frequent visitors. For the more active, there are many mountain bike routes that start from around Y Teras, as well as some long road rides for those who fancy taking on the hills. The nearby coastal village of Newport boasts a fantastic links golf course, a beach well known for kite surfing, and some excellent horse riding at nearby stables.
Travelling south you will discover the delights of Narberth with its many eateries specialising in local and organic produce, and for a great family day out, Folly Farm is just 25 minutes’ drive away with its indoor funfair, petting zoo, playparks and zoo. Tenby makes a great day out for all the family and really is worth a visit, with its cobbled streets and sandy beach. Heatherton World of Adventure and Oakwood, Wales’ largest theme park, are all just 30 minutes away. Beach 10 miles, shop 1½ miles, pub and restaurant 130 yards.

Trelaw is a spacious detached cottage with large enclosed gardens and its very own private hot tub to relax in after a day of exploring. The owner even provides robes and slippers for your comfort and convenience. There is a private fishing loch on the owner’s land which guests are free to use, and the loch is also great for paddle boarding (bring your own boards), and quiet country walks around the farm. There is also an outside bath for your small pet, perfect for their muddy paws, and a hot/cold tap. Horse riders are well catered for as there are riding stables 2 miles away. Outdoor games are available that can be used in good weather conditions such as outdoor table tennis, swing ball, putting mat, kids slide, trike, netball hoop/stand, kids fishing net, croquet set, Quoits set, and cricket set, and there are many walking and cycling routes in the immediate area. For the little guests there are robes, a kids’ welcome pack, a child’s table & chairs, a child’s bathroom step, a cot, a high chair, and board games.
Ayrshire, also known as ’Burns’ Country’ is steeped in tradition and history. Visit Burns Cottage, the Burns Memorial Museum, and the Brig o Doon, the bridge from the famous poem Tam o’ Shanter. The area offers many ruined castles to explore, such as Dunure, Turnberry, and Greenan. A visit and tour to Culzean Castle, designed by Robert Adams and truly one of his masterpieces, is one not to be missed with its dramatic clifftop location. Also worth a visit is the 18th-century Dumfries House, part of the Prince’s Foundation which is home to an unrivalled collection of Chippendale furniture. The 2000-acre estate has been beautifully designed with stunning walks throughout the grounds along with several children’s play areas. Auchinleck House, the former home of the renowned biographer James Boswell, where he indulged his penchant for "old laird and family ideas". The house is an 18th-century mansion and is currently managed by the Landmark Trust which has open days. Boswell Coach House is within the grounds and visitors are welcome to walk around the estate. The estate has been inhabited since the 13th century, and the remains of Auchinleck Castle and Auchinleck Old House stand on the estate. The Barony A Frame is a preserved headgear located 2 kilometres west of Auchinleck. 180 feet high, it was built in 1954 as part of the modernisation of the Barony Colliery, which opened in 1907.
The Galloway Forest Park is only a 30-minute drive away and is Britain’s largest forest park with 300 square miles of wild beauty waiting to be explored. The park boasts tranquil valleys, rugged rock faces, forest, moorland, loch, and ancient woodland, and a huge diversity of wildlife including red and roe deer, wild goats, and many birds of prey. The park has also been awarded the status of one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the Western world and when the sun sets, enthusiasts come to wonder at the universe revealed above.
There is also the Glasgow School of Art designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Willow Tea Rooms, and House for Art Lovers. The pretty seaside towns of Prestwick and Troon are also close by and there are very good rail links for a trip to the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow and also historic Edinburgh.
The islands of Cumbrae, Arran, and Bute are all easily reached for a day out while day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is just over an hour’s drive and is well worth a visit.
The property is also close to Ayr Racecourse, Loch Doon Ospreys, TreeTop Trials on Craufordland Estate, and close to award-winning Ayrshire golf courses and garden centres with good road links. Other activities and attractions include Blackstone Clydesdale Experience, 10 miles, Hannahston Alpacas, 3 miles, Ayr’s Award Winning Farm Park, 15 miles, ten-pin bowling, and a cinema are 12 miles away in Ayr and there is an open-air pool at New Cumnock which is part of Dumfries House. The property is also a short drive to the west coast beaches of Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Croy, Dunure, Maidens, Turnberry, and Girvan, where you can hire a boat over to the Ailsa Craig, or walk to the Turnberry Lighthouse.
Trelaw can be booked together with Muirston farmhouse (Uk44977) to accommodate up to 14 people.