Fido Family Friendly Places

Offering superb sea views, this spacious home is situated in an enviable position along the sea front and boasts a large heated outdoor swimming pool. This holiday cottage, attached to a self-contained annexe which is occupied by the owner, is ideal for couples or family get togethers. Summer evenings can be savoured relaxing on the large patio - perfect for relaxing and enjoying an aperitif! Hayling Island is renowned for its sailing activities and windsurfing with lessons available close by. Every year there is a national windsurfing event and a plethora of sailing and nautical activity can be seen along the coastline. Many activities can be enjoyed locally, including golf, riding and boat trips, and scenic walks along the South Downs National Park. Chichester, with its beautiful cathedral, festival theatre, leisure centre, Roman Villa and Fontwell races, is definitely worthy of a visit. Visit Portsmouth with waterside dining, ferry trips to the Isle of Wight, designer outlets, Natural Museum, leisure facilities, Spinnaker Tower, HMS Victory or the maritime history at Southampton. Winchester and The New Forest are within easy driving distance. Shop 250 yards, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

This imposing Edwardian country house stands in its own garden overlooking sheep grazing the common at Goathland, whilst the views of moors and forest may be enjoyed from the west-facing terrace. Set in the village of Goathland, perhaps better known as Aidensfield from the TV series Heartbeat, in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, it is in an excellent area for walking – the North Yorks Moors steam railway stops at the village station on its journey from Pickering to Grosmont. Horse riding can also be found nearby.
Whitby being only 9 miles away is a picturesque seaport famous for its Captain Cook connections, where the cobbled streets and yards stand in the shadow of the Abbey, overlooking the harbour. The 3 miles of sandy beaches lead to the pretty coastal village of Sandsend. Robin Hood’s Bay (renowned as a bygone smugglers’ haunt), Runswick Bay and Staithes are all worth a visit. Inland, the moors are scattered with villages, many with excellent inns. Goathland itself offers an excellent choice of inns and restaurants, in addition to local shops, post office and cafés. Scarborough 23 miles. York 38 miles. Beach 9 miles. Pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Set amid 10½-acre grounds, complete with outdoor heated swimming pool, games room with pool table and darts, mini-gym and children’s play area, these six holiday properties (26767, 26768, 27123, UKC284, UKC285 and UKC1844) occupy a beautiful setting. Named after British apples, they have been imaginatively converted from former fruit barns. On arrival, dive into the welcome pack.
All the properties at Horselake have a private garden or courtyard, whilst enjoying the freedom to roam the grounds and make the most of the shared facilities. Ideal for exploring South Devon with its stunning coastline, and resorts such as Dawlish and Teignmouth. Rugged Dartmoor is only a short drive, and many family attractions are within easy reach including National Trust-owned Castle Drogo, Fingle Bridge, the Teign Gorge, and Canonteign Falls and Country Park. The properties are within 10 miles of the old cathedral city of Exeter, with its many varied attractions including a racecourse, shopping, antique shops, guided tours and a host of summer festivals. Fishing on the River Teign, 3 miles. Golf 4 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant within 1 mile.

With so much space, The Dower House is ideal for large families and groups of friends wishing to holiday together. It is an impressive and spacious Grade II listed, detached farmhouse with large lawned gardens and its very own hot tub. This well-appointed property offers a games room with a table tennis table and table football, and guests can also enjoy shared use of the owner’s hard tennis court.
The Dower House is set in countryside, with a network of quiet lanes offering good walking and cycling from the door. There is much of interest locally, including the highly acclaimed Church Farm Stow Bardolph Rare Breeds Centre with its petting animals, adventure playground, tea room and shop. Stow Hall Gardens provide an opportunity to walk around beautiful gardens and enjoy tea with homemade cakes, whilst Denver Windmill serves excellent beverages, homemade cakes, and light lunches. There is also a pay and play golf course and Welney Wildfowl Trust wetland paradise brimming with nature. You can also enjoy easy access to the lovely sandy beaches, and RSPB nature and bird reserves along the North Norfolk Coast. The local pub is just 100 yards away.
The market town of Downham Market, 2 miles, has Friday and Saturday markets, a supermarket, shops, bank, restaurants and boasts a direct rail link to Ely, Cambridge and London (in an hour and twenty minutes). The medieval town of Kings Lynn, 10 miles, is complete with handsome waterfront offering an array of good shops, inns, restaurants, a theatre, cinema, bowling alley and a sports centre. Both west and north Norfolk have an expanse of sandy beaches and salt marshes along the coastline, as well as nature reserves to protect the birds and plants which thrive here. The coastal road passes through many pretty rural villages, with popular tea rooms serving wonderful local food.
For those who enjoy a visit to the beach whilst on holiday, Snettisham Beach is the closest at 30 minutes’ drive. Further along the coast road are the traditional seaside resorts of Hunstanton and Heacham, which boast beaches and an array of traditional seaside activities and attractions for all ages. Hunstanton, 24 miles, has a pier with lively seasonal entertainment, a Sea Life Centre and cliff-top golf course. Heacham, 22 miles, is home to Norfolk Lavender and visitors may participate in guided tours of the expanse of lavender fields to observe the harvesting. Sandringham Estate,- the Queen’s country residence, with its Jacobean-style house, museum, superb gardens and park, are open to the public when the Royal Family is not in residence. To the south lies Ely Cathedral, known as the Ship of the Fens. This small city has an excellent Saturday market and a good variety of gift shops, as well as a pretty waterfront and boat hire.
The historic city of Cambridge is easily accessible for the day, and well worth a visit. One of the nicest ways to explore the city is by punt, which meanders through the city and passes many of the stunning university grounds. There are also many shops, pubs, restaurants, and theatres. Norwich, famous for its cathedral, is also within easy reach, and not to be missed. Don’t miss the famous mustard shop there as well, with many new and old varieties of mustard that can be purchased. We are opposie the award winning pub The Hare Arms/ this is a delightful village pub with great food and superb beer, booking is recommended for large groups to eat. Beach 21 miles. Shops 2 miles and pub 100 yards.

Nestled within 240 acres of unspoilt farmland, in the glorious South Hams midway between Dartmoor and the stunning south Devon beaches, Wheeldon Farm Cottages are the perfect choice for family, friends and couples to enjoy a relaxing retreat or an action packed escape at any time of year. The four delightful, pet-friendly barn conversions (refs 27214, 27215, 27216 and UKC748), which could be booked together for larger parties, sit within a lovely courtyard setting surrounded by miles of footpaths and green lanes, ideal for walking or cycling. The master bedroom in each property features a flatscreen TV, and home-made meals can be pre-ordered and delivered to the cottage (arranged direct with the owner). The cottages lie just a short distance from some of south Devon’s finest beaches and tourist attractions, including the historic town of Totnes which is just 15 minutes away and sits on the River Dart with cruises down river to Greenway and Dartmouth. A cosmopolitan town, Totnes, 7 miles away, has a vast array of independent shops, weekly markets, galleries, leisure centre and many lovely restaurants, bistros and cafés. The seaside towns of Paignton and Torquay are 40 minutes’ drive, and it is just a 15-minute drive to the yachting haven of Dartmouth, and the coastline between Dartmouth and Kingsbridge, both 7 miles away, has many stunning beaches, hidden coves and fantastic coastal walks.

Guests of these cottages can also enjoy a range of on-site facilities suitable for all the family, including a heated indoor swimming pool (available via a booking system) with a private changing room and shower. There is a large games room set over two floors, including a fitness room with a cross trainer, treadmill, rowing machine and exercise bike. The top floor of the games room has a full-size American pool table, big sofa and Sky TV. The bottom floor has table tennis and table football. On-site there is also a laundry and ironing room. If you are looking for adventure and an adrenalin rush, then Wheeldon Farm Cottages will not disappoint. The Wheeldon Off-Road Centre, adjacent to the cottages, boasts a purpose-built, 30,000 square foot indoor arena (split in separate halves for motorbikes and bicycles) and junior training circuit, and is the ideal year-round venue for the whole family to learn to ride a motorcycle in a fun and controlled environment. Discounted rates are available for children and adults during the school holidays (booking by arrangement and on arrival), providing children and adults with the opportunity to experience the ultimate, two-wheel off-road adventure for the first time. The instructors at Wheeldon Farm are all ACU accredited and will guide the children through their paces every step of the way. For some activities, all the kit, clothing, boots, gloves, helmets and fun bikes are provided. All that’s needed is the enthusiasm to have a great deal of fun! Suited to all ages from 7 years to fit seniors. Wheeldon Farm now offers all of it’s holiday cottage customers a free 1 hour ‘taster’ ride on our professionally maintained Haibike electric bikes, after which they are available to hire. The bikes are perfect for exploring the beautiful South Devon countryside in an environmentally friendly way. We can advise you on the best routes to ride and places to explore.

In addition to all the motorbike fun, a range of other activities can also be organised locally, including horse riding, golf, go-karting and trout and carp fishing. Also, clay pigeon shooting, air rifle and archery are available - these are run by a fully qualified instructor and all equipment is provided. The activities run on a Monday, Thursday and Sunday. Prices will be charged accordingly when bookings are made. Please note, extra activities and catering requests must be pre-booked with Wheeldon Farm Cottages prior to guests’ arrival at the site. Foxglove (ref 27214), Poppy (ref 27215), Monkshood (ref 27216) and Mad Nelly Cottage (ref UKC748) can be booked together to accommodate up to 29 guests. Beach 10 miles. Shop 3 miles, pub 2 miles and restaurant 6 miles.

Newly renovated in December 2022 to a luxury standard with a large kitchen boasting top end appliances, stunning new bathrooms with under floor heating, comfortable new bedrooms with lots of storage and an updated living/dining area with three huge sofas and coffee table, a snug with a desk, bean bags and games, and a large dining table with plenty of seating to suit everyone’s needs.
This stunning, detached, lodge property enjoys a peaceful and private location approximately a mile outside the forest village of Nethy Bridge, and makes the perfect base for exploring this lovely part of the northern Highlands. Sitting on the edge of the ancient Scottish Caledonian Forest, the lodge overlooks moorland and mountains with abundant wildlife which includes red squirrels, mountain hares, red and roe deer, and many species of song birds can often be heard in this secluded setting.
Mountain Bear Lodge is 12 miles from Aviemore which is situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park and at the head of the Speyside Way. The whole area boasts a super range of shops, restaurants and bars along with a wide range of outdoor activities including skiing and snowboarding, (Cairngorm Mountains are within an hour’s drive. Glencoe and Glenshee are around 2½ hours’ drive) There is also mountain and quad biking, climbing and hill walking with a variety of water sports available on Loch Insh, Loch Morlich and the River Spey. Take a trip on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway or visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, the Highland Wildlife Park at nearby Kingussie, the Landmark Forest Adventure Park or the RSPB Reserve at nearby Loch Garten, which are all within easy reach of the lodge.
Visit the testing Spey Valley golf course and the Dalfaber Resort with its wonderful array of leisure activities, or a day trip to the Moray coastline peppered with little fishing villages and beautiful beaches. For the less energetic, sit back in the hot tub set in peaceful garden grounds, relax and unwind. There’s a farm shop, pub and restaurant within 1 mile.

This welcoming, detached family home enjoys a lovely location, standing within 2 acres of extensive lawned gardens and overlooking the surrounding fields and countryside. Arnewood Corner is an ideal base for gathering family and friends, with many thoughtful touches and home comforts found throughout. Enjoy the games cabin, complete with a pin-ball machine, juke box, and a selection of games and toys, as well as the private hot tub, children’s play area and the outdoor heated swimming pool. There are six bedrooms found inside the main house, two of which are on the ground floor. There is a juke-box in the dining room and a piano in the living room.
This lovely property is located just a mile away from the pretty village of Sway, which has a village shop, family butchers, post office and a selection of pubs and restaurants. The ever popular New Forest National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is a haven for wildlife, is nearby with many roaming ponies and cattle along the roadsides and across the heathland, as well as extensive walking, cycling and horse riding routes. There is plenty to do in the area for all ages, all year round; picturesque villages serving cream teas, vineyards, golf courses, stately homes and many family attractions. Brockenhurst is nearby, as is the popular sailing town of Lymington, which is only a 5-minute drive, with its pretty harbour, fishing trips, cobbled streets, boutiques, pubs, restaurants and day trips by ferry to the Isle of Wight.
Other places of interest nearby include Beaulieu Motor Museum, the riverside village of Bucklers Hard, Exbury Gardens, Marwell Zoo, Peppa Pig World and New Forest Owl and Otter Park, to name but a few. Further afield, but well worth the trip, are Monkey World and the Tank Museum at Bovington. The property is also within easy reach of many beaches including Mudeford, Sandbanks, Poole and Bournemouth, the nearest beach being 4 miles away at Milford-on-Sea – also great for crabbing! Along the coastline, there are a many popular activities such as windsurfing, boating and swimming. Beach 4 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

This family-friendly, detached holiday home sits in Hen Efail, Tyn-y-groes near Conwy, Gwynedd. Hot tub. Off-road parking. Enclosed garden. Smart TV. Woodburning stove. Ground-floor living. Pet-free. Llandudno 7.3 miles; Betws-y-Coed 11.8 miles.

Island Farm House is situated just outside the village of Staintondale and set amongst rolling fields of the North York Moors National Park. It has a large kitchen with a seating area, a tastefully furnished dining room, a spacious living room with a wood burner and a large TV making it perfect for a large family gathering, and all seven bedrooms are en-suite for your own privacy. There is even a pool room and a tennis court on-site along with a large lawned garden to play or relax.
Island Farm House is nestled half way between Whitby and Scarborough on the North Yorkshire Coast. There are wonderful walks and cycling straight from the door and out into the National Park and there is bike storage available on-site. Enjoy the many delights of the area including hidden coves and beaches, exhilarating cliff top walks and coastal villages such as Robin Hood’s Bay, and Ravenscar where you can walk down to the foot of the cliffs to view the seal colony. Wonderful Whitby is further north with its busy cobbled streets and independent shops offering everything from Gothic clothing to jet stone jewellery. There is an abundance of traditional pubs with live music that accept pets, coffee shops and tea rooms, and an increasingly popular food scene with gastro pubs and bistros complementing award winning fish and chip shops. There are plenty of dog friendly beach areas to explore where you can enjoy rock pooling and fossil hunting. Keep an eye on the events calendar as there is always something happening in Whitby from the famous Goth weekends, a regatta, music festivals and a folk week being highlights of a year round calendar. Just south of Staintondale you will find the traditional seaside resort of Scarborough with its busy amusement arcades, a waterpark and sandy beaches. The open air theatre hosts live international acts throughout the summer, and no trip to Scarborough is complete without a stroll around Peasholm Park and the world-famous Peasholm Park Naval Warfare which takes place throughout the summer.
With the North York Moors National Park right on your doorstep there are many walks and cycle routes to explore, or just enjoy a drive through some of the most stunning scenery. There is so much to see nearby but you may fancy a trip further afield to the vibrant walled city of York, an hour away, with its ancient minster and historic buildings. For a family day out visit Flamingo Land Theme Park or perhaps a scenic drive over to the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Beach 1½ miles. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

This gorgeous, semi-detached cottage, situated in the village of Llangattock, overlooking the River Usk, has been restored to a high standard with your comfort in mind. The ground floor of the property compromises a large kitchen and an open plan living/dining room with a wood burner. Upstairs you will find three lovingly furnished bedrooms, one with the added benefit of en-suite facilities, as well as a family bathroom. The outside of the property has an enclosed garden with lawned area, as well as a patio area complete with a private Jacuzzi. There is also a barbecue and for those who enjoy cooking there is a pizza oven. Adjacent to the garden you will find a garage to store bikes and any outdoor equipment. This is also used as a games room and features a table tennis table, pool table and dart board and two arcade games. There is a hot outdoor shower near the hot tub.
Honeycott lies within walking distance of the historic town of Crickhowell, named the 2019 ’best place to live in Wales’ by the Sunday Times, and also ’best high street in Britain’ 2018. There is an array of amenities there including boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants. For those who enjoy music festivals, Crickhowell is home to the Green Man during August. The town of Abergavenny is 6 miles away and there you will find some fine dining restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Walnut Tree Inn and The Hardwick Restaurant owned by chef Stephen Terry. The town is host to the annual food festival in September. Brecon is just 14 miles away from Honeycott and has lots of places of interest to visit such as the Welsh Regimental Museum and Brecon Cathedral, and it is also home to a jazz festival every August. For those wanting to explore the area on foot, Pen Y Fan, South Wales’ highest peak, offers great opportunities. Sugar Loaf Mountain also nearby and is the southernmost of the peaks in the Black Mountain Range. Whatever you decide to do whilst on your holiday, Honeycott will be sure to provide the perfect home from home feel. Shop ½ mile, pub and restaurant 200 yards.