Fido Family Friendly Places

This beautiful two-bedroom holiday home in East Devon showcases stunning views across the surrounding countryside and the deer fields in front of the property. Recently built in 2022, the property sits alongside the owner’s home on a working farm (dogs are present on the farm, but will be with the owners), and is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just outside the town of Ottery St. Mary. This cosy rural retreat offers a great base for a couple or a family looking to explore the delights of the beautiful county of Devon, and the unique experience of the deer being able to wander right up to the fence bordering the property’s garden whilst relaxing in the private hot tub.
As you enter Deer View Retreat, you will be welcomed into the entrance area with patio doors opening out into the garden, the perfect cosy spot to enjoy a mug of coffee with a good book. This then leads through to the open plan living and dining area where you can wind down and watch a film after a busy day exploring the coastline or enjoy a family meal together. Enjoy your breakfast in the well-equipped kitchen whilst taking in the far reaching views, the stag with his magnificent antlers and the ever-changing scenery. There’s also a handy utility area next door.
Discover the two stylish bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor. The first has a double bed, the second is furnished with zip and link twin beds, and the shower room is fitted with a walk-in shower, heated towel rail, toilet and sink.
The town of Ottery St. Mary has beautiful architecture and historic buildings lining the streets, backed by rural Devonshire countryside. Wander through the centre to browse independent shops and galleries or stroll along the River Otter to admire the unusual Tumbling Weir. If you’re exploring beyond the town, you’ll be close to the quintessential East Devon coastal towns and villages of Budleigh Salterton, Beer, Branscombe, Sidmouth, Exmouth and Seaton. Exeter and Honiton are also within easy reach. The Southwest Coast Path is nearby and keen hikers should head to Dartmoor National Park with is just a 30-minute drive away. With lots of day out opportunities from your doorstep, make Deer View the base for your next holiday in East Devon. Beach 8 miles.

Take a beautiful Peak District National Park setting, just 3½ miles from Bakewell, add a historic hall (first recorded in the Domesday Book), and an ancient cluster of listed buildings converted to form superb holiday cottage accommodation, and the result is the captivating blend that is Harthill Hall.

Nestling in 14 acres of grounds on an upland called Priest’s Hill with excellent walking available from the doorstep, the properties have the use of an extensive range of leisure facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, solarium and treatment rooms. Noble names have woven the threads of the hall’s long history including Henry de Ferrers, the Cokaynes and the Harthills. Henry VIII is also believed to have stayed at the hall.

It was here in 1259 that Sir Richard de Hartle was issued a Papal Bull by Pope Alexander II, allowing him to appoint his own chaplain. The chapel ceased its functions as a place of worship in 1546 and now takes the form of The Chapel and Hartle Cottage. The eight cottages are furnished with antiques and surround a medieval cobbled courtyard. They all retain a wealth of original features including thick stone walls, large oak beams, mullion windows and flagstone floors. Derbyshire’s bustling market towns, villages, hills, dales and rivers offer majestic scenery, and a rich variety of customs. Boasting a varied and beautiful landscape, they offer a blend of heritage, history and family attractions.

The beautiful market town of Bakewell (3½ miles) is situated on the River Wye, crossed by a 13th-century five-arched bridge which has coffee shops and restaurants. Within easy reach are Matlock, Hall Leys Park, Chesterfield, Alfreton and Buxton. National Trust properties and gardens nearby include Riley Graves, Longshaw, Mam Tor, South Peak, Dovedale, Hardwick Hall and Kedleston Hall. Close by are both Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall. Golf and horse riding are available within 5 miles. Shop 3½ miles, pub 1 mile.

Osprey Lodge is situated in an elevated position, deep in the Sutherland hills, tucked away down a private track, and enjoying unbelievable views across the surrounding hills and open countryside. This superb, detached solid wood lodge enjoys total peace and privacy, set in 50 hectares of croft land. The accommodation is presented to a very good standard throughout. The delightful open plan living space features a welcoming wood burner in the living area, as well as patio doors that open onto the raised decking, with a private hot tub and sitting-out area. There are two beautifully presented kingsize bedrooms with colour coordinated soft furnishings allowing for a good nights’ sleep. This property is very accessible for wheelchair users, with a level entrance and modern bathroom with a claw-footed bath and accessible wet room walk-in shower.

Situated on a working farm where the friendly cattle and sheep roam freely, this is a haven for wildlife and you may also stumble upon osprey, deer, pine martin, red kites, golden eagles and curlews. Whilst completely private, it is just over 1 mile to the pretty stone village of Rogart which is home to a thriving village pub that serves meals, as well as a shop, post office and railway station. It is ideally located for exploring the whole of the Highlands, with many places of interest within a short drive. Dunrobin Castle, seat of the Duke of Sutherland, with its gardens modelled on Versailles is well worth a visit. Or experience salmon leaping up the famous Falls of Shin, and mountain biking, hill walking, fishing, and various water sports are all available locally. The historic seaside town of Dornoch is just 15 minutes’ drive away, where you can visit the sandy beach and the renowned championship golf course, as well as the 12th-century cathedral that dominates the central square. Beach 17¾ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

This pet-friendly, bright, semi-detached holiday home is comfortably furnished with plenty of personal touches. The property is situated down a quiet country lane and is surrounded by countryside. The patio doors from the living room lead to a lovely patio area with far-reaching views down to the Atlantic Coast, ideal for a morning cup of coffee or alfresco dining. Just over a mile outside Padstow, you are ideally situated to visit the many tourist attractions that the north coast has to offer. Padstow has an array of shops, pubs and restaurants, including Rick Stein’s fish restaurant. You are close to the Camel Trail, where you can walk or cycle along a disused railway track by the Camel Estuary, taking in the bird life, to Wadebridge and beyond to Bodmin. Just a short drive away are the many sandy beaches of the north coast, including Watergate Bay, the home of extreme watersports. Visit the famous surfing beaches of Newquay, as well as a zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium. Horse riding and golf nearby. Beach 2½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

This charming cottage has been lovingly renovated throughout 2023, with many modern touches to ensure you have an unforgettable stay with a little touch of luxury. There is an enclosed rear garden, where you can unwind after a busy day exploring with outdoor seating so that you can make the most of a sunny afternoon. Stepping inside the entire ground floor boasts flag stone flooring with underfloor heating adding a touch of luxury. The modern kitchen has a dining area where you can enjoy each other’s company over dinner or even then later, an evening board game. The living room room boasts a wood burner ensuring you are always cosy even on the chilliest of evenings. There is nothing like bathing in the warm glow of a real fire.
Adjoining the kitchen is a boot room which doubles as a bike and outdoor equipment store, perfect for guests who love the great outdoors. Upstairs are two beautifully presented bedrooms, one with a double bed, the other with zip and link kingsize bed which can be made up as two single beds on request. There is also a shower room on this floor. This is a great choice for couples, as well as friends and families looking for somewhere special.
Cherry Burton is a quaint village with a real sense of community. A warm welcome awaits you at the dog and family friendly pub across the road from cottage which serves wonderful home cooked food and great Sunday dinners. The well stocked village shop is also a few doors away. The surrounding area of the Yorkshire Wolds inspired the famous David Hockney paintings, and walkers and cyclists can enjoy the gentle undulating hills and stunning scenery. Visit the delightful market town of Beverley less than a 10-minute drive away with a beautiful Minster, historical buildings and cobbled streets, bordered by pavement cafés and fine dining restaurants. Beverley hosts spectacular music festivals and numerous farmers’ markets, as well as horse racing at the Westwood racecourse. A day at the races is a great excuse to get dressed up whilst having a flutter.
For days out on the coast, Hornsea is just 30 minutes away with a golden beach stretching for miles all the way to Bridlington. The coastline here is glorious. The port city of Hull is also only 30 minutes away with attractions including The Deep, a huge aquarium housing over 3,500 fish, the Ferens art gallery, the Maritime Museum and the Hull Truck Theatre.

This single-storey, detached cottage would make the perfect holiday base for touring and exploring this beautiful and historically fascinating corner of Gloucestershire. Set over one level, this stunning accommodation offers an open plan living space, a kingsize bedroom, a double bedroom with en-suite, and a family bathroom. Outside there is parking for two cars and a fully enclosed courtyard with a patio and garden furniture, including a log burner and BBQ, perfect for an evening of pure relaxation! There are also two paddocks next door where your dogs can run around.
Access to the Cotswold Way is literally right on the doorstep of this period cottage, where the Cotswold escarpment can be enjoyed. The Old Dairy also offers easy access to the 11th-century Norman castle at Berkeley, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge, the Arboretum at Westonbirt, many National Trust properties, the thriving market town of Tetbury, two riding centres close by plus Stinchcombe golf club. The major attractions of Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Cardiff, Malvern and the Forest of Dean are all less than an hour’s drive away. This property provides idyllic accommodation for families, friends and couples alike who are looking for a holiday filled with adventure, or somewhere simply to put your feet up and relax with your favourite book and a glass of wine in hand! Shop 1 mile, pub and restaurant ¾ mile.

This stunningly presented semi-detached holiday barn makes the perfect location for a family break away or a couple’s retreat. Oozing with character and boasting riverside and countryside walks from the door, this property is in an idyllic location to get away from it all and relax with your loved ones. The living area boasts a fresh, roomy, contemporary living space with a vaulted ceiling and wooden floor, and has been furnished with elegant décor. At the end of a busy day you can gather around the wood burner to relax and unwind. The farmhouse kitchen/dining room is a great place to cook and dine. The property boasts a ground floor kingsize bedroom and stairs leading off the living room to the bathroom with shower over bath, while the second bedroom has zip and link twin beds, that can be made to form a super kingsize bed.
The outside area consists of a small patio with charcoal BBQ. Please be aware if bringing dogs that this area is not enclosed.
If you can break away from this beautiful property, why not head for a day out, the property has the ideal location for exploring the Norfolk Broads and the North Norfolk Coastline. Wroxham, 6 miles, known as the ’Capital of the Broads’ is usually the first port of call. Hiring a boat is arguably the best way to explore one of Britain’s finest wetlands or you can enjoy a river trip. Nature lovers are advised to bring binoculars, as the Norfolk Broads are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Keep your eyes peeled for otters, kingfishers or the elusive bittern (one of the rarest species of birds in the UK). If you’d rather stay a little closer to home, the water meadow (with grazing cattle in summer), provides an ideal backdrop for riverside walks, fishing and canoeing.
The Norfolk coastline has a wealth of sandy beaches, RSPB nature and bird reserves, coastal paths and the traditional seaside towns of Cromer, 15 miles, and Sheringham, 19 miles, offer an array of activities for all ages. Mundesley, 12 miles, Sea Palling, 13 miles and Horsey, 17 miles, offer excellent wide sandy beaches. Fishing is available (in season and dependent on water levels) from the owner’s own riverbank and good walking and cycling can be found from the door. Nearby is Bure Valley Railway Line, a nostalgic 18-mile round trip by steam on Norfolk’s longest narrow gauge railway, running through pretty countryside between the historic market towns of Aylsham and Wroxham, stopping at Buxton, Coltishall for on/off exploring by foot and Alby Crafts Museum. National Trust properties in the vicinity include Blickling Hall, Felbrigg Hall, Sheringham Park and Horsey Windpump. Make sure you visit Horsey Beach between December and February for your chance to spot hundreds of grey seals and pups along the shore. Beach 12 miles. The village of Buxton has a pub, shop and a fish and chip shop 1¼ miles.

Eton Cottage has been refurbished to the highest standard and enjoys a great mix of a ’picture postcard’ thatched cottage, with a modern and stylish interior. With stunning local walks from the door over the beautiful rolling chalk downland of the ancient Cranborne Chase, and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The cottage offers two double bedrooms, one of which is located on the ground floor, and a cosy sitting/dining room with stylish wood burner. A small private garden offers the perfect place to enjoy a drink or the perfect space to eat, relax and soak up this rural retreat!

Farnham is a small rural village in north Dorset and is a great starting point to explore some of the wonderful countryside with miles of footpaths to roam on the doorstep!

A little further afield is the pretty town of Shaftesbury and the iconic ’Gold Hill’ and just half an hour from West Moors Country Park, with a high ropes course, miniature railway and bike hire make this a great day out for all ages!

Swn Y Nant is a stunning lodge in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. This eco-friendly property is perfect for those wanting to explore the area or to simply have a romantic break away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Nestled next to a stream and with a ramp to the entrance, this fabulous lodge comprises a ground floor bedroom with a super kingsize zip and link bed and a ground floor bathroom with a walk-in shower, a double-ended two-person bath and a heated towel rail. The open plan living, dining and kitchen space has floor-to-ceiling windows making it light and airy and has a Smart TV, super fast Wi-Fi up 150 mbps download and patio doors leading to the decked area with a private hot tub. There is also a small utility area. To the first floor is a kingsize bedroom with Smart TV. There is underfloor heating throughout the property with zoned thermostatic controls.
Outside, you will find hot and cold taps, perfect for washing your four-legged friends off after a walk in the hills. This eco-friendly lodge has eco cleaning products which are supplied along with a welcome basket of local produce, as well as a welcome basket for your dog containing treats and eco waste bags, also supplied is a bed, a blanket and a towel for your four-legged friend. A medium sized dog cage is available upon request.
There are plenty of walks to be had from the property; it is 6 miles to the historic town of Brecon with its array of coffee shops, small local independent shops, and art galleries. There is something here for everyone, and for those looking for more adventures then why not climb the high peaks of Pen Y Fan and take in the breathtaking views of the rolling countryside?
bath robes and slippers,