Fido Family Friendly Places

This private and self-contained wing of a beautiful Victorian country house is ideal for family gatherings and parties, providing the perfect base for exploring Northumberland and the Scottish Borders with its beaches, historic buildings and stunning scenery. This south-facing house overlooks its secluded garden complete with barbecue, garden furniture, firepit, badminton and a large private hot tub for relaxing in. Beyond Yetholm Loch lies against a backdrop of green rounded hills. The surrounding parkland grazes horses and rare breed Soay sheep. Extensive farm and woodland walks are ideal for families to explore, pets and nature lovers. Interesting ecological and landscape features.
Inside, you can enjoy the soft sofas surrounded by period furniture and paintings, an impressive library of around 3000 books, a chest full of toys, two open fires, a family grand piano, Wi-Fi, satellite television and a DVD player. There’s a special place for everyone in this spacious house. The well-equipped kitchen has an electric range and a large dining table. Adding to the fun of is the treehouse, reached by a rope bridge and descended by a spiral slide, designed for adventurous children and adults. An adjacent barn houses a shared snooker table and the lawns of Lochside House provide space for family fun with a swing and trampoline.
The Yetholm Loch wildlife reserve can be reached along beautiful woodland walks and is home to many species of birds and animals. You may see an osprey or an otter playing in the sunshine. There is a family boat which guests are welcome to use for fishing or for the fun of rowing surrounded by wonderful scenery.
The village of Yetholm is a couple of miles away with pubs, a garage, a butcher, a grocery store and a post office. Kelso is only 7 miles away with supermarkets and a wide range of shops. Edinburgh and Alnwick with its famous gardens are about an hour’s drive. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.
Lochside Garden House can be booked together with Lochside Stable House (UPK) and Avenel Cottage (UK10920) to accommodate up to 29 guests.

Located in south Somerset, midway between Taunton and Ilminster, this spacious wing of the owners charming 250 year old farmhouse, offers ideal holiday accommodation. With many beautiful country walks in the area, this period property is ideal for walkers and with a livery yard next door, horse stabling is available (by arrangement). Visit Taunton, the county town of Somerset, historical houses and gardens including Montacute House, Forde Abbey, Hestercombe Gardens and Barrington Court, or take a trip to Minehead on the nostalgic West Somerset Steam Railway. Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills are well worth a visit, as well as a trip to the south to explore the Jurassic Coast between Seaton and Bridport, taking in Lyme Regis. Inland, there is Clarkes Village for some retail therapy, Glastonbury Tor, Somerset Levels, Cheddar Gorge and the spa city of Bath. After spending the day exploring many attractions, return to this delightful property and snuggle up in front of the woodburner, set in a lovely inglenook with bread oven. Beach 20 miles. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

This semi-detached cottage comes fully equipped with a private hot tub. Surrounded by the undulating Suffolk hills, this is a truly special property. The open-plan living area boasts a warm and snug environment which makes for a great social space. The master bedroom comes with an en-suite toilet, and the twin room has an additional pull-out bed, so there’s room for the whole family. With the property all on one level, it’s ideal for wheelchair access too. As well as enjoying your own privacy, with a private entrance, garden and patio area, guests can also take full advantage of the farm’s features, like visiting the goats, sheep, horses and cattle. Beach 16 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

The perfect choice for a family holiday or a relaxing break with friends, this delightful, 18th-century, barn conversion is Grade II listed and sits within the pretty hamlet of Ford just a couple of miles from Bideford and the glorious North Devon coast. There is a large garden with fencing, enabling dogs to be able to play freely. With two living areas and a galleried snug, there is plenty of space for all generations to relax and unwind in. There are many lovely coastal villages to explore including nearby Bucks Mills, Peppercombe, Clovelly with its donkey transport, and Hartland. The delightful port town of Bideford has a good selection of town amenities, restaurants and a weekly market. Boat trips are available to Lundy Island from various departure points including Ilfracombe and Clovelly. The historic fishing port and village of Appledore is worth a visit. Garden lovers will enjoy nearby RHS Rosemoor and Docton Mill. This is a superb holiday choice whatever the time of year. The beach at Westward Ho! is just 4 miles; renowned for its beauty, it has 2 miles of sandy beach known as the Golden Bay, and is popular with surfers. Coastal and country walking, golf, surfing, fishing, horse riding, cycling are all on offer close by, and for family fun, The Big Sheep and Milky Way adventure parks are not to be missed. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½miles.

Offering extensive views across the countryside over the downs to Newport, the island’s capital, this attractive holiday barn has been thoughtfully converted. There is access to Newport and Arreton via bridle paths and the rest of the Isle of Wight should you wish to walk or cycle it, while buses into Newport and Ryde (the two main bus stations) are about 5 minutes away to take you anywhere you want to go on the Island. Discover many attractions nearby including Arreton Barns, The Garlic Farm and Robin Hill Adventure Park. Also within easy driving distance are Osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle, Ventnor Botanical Gardens, museums, vineyards and wildlife centres. Centrally located on the Isle of Wight, Fair Isle House is a great base to explore the famous Needles, Alum Bay and Black Gang Chine, which are all within a short drive away. Nearby are the attractions of Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens and Arreton Barns, the Isle of Wight’s hub for artisans and craftspeople, as well as Brading Down, a local nature reserve with outstanding natural beauty. Buses into Newport and Ryde (the two main bus stations) are about 5 minutes away to take you anywhere you want to go on the Island. Fishing nearby. Beach 7 miles. Shop and restaurant 1 mile. Pub within 1 mile.

Within the North York Moors National Park, in a sheltered wooded valley close to the magnificent ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, these spacious, comfortable and well-equipped holiday cottages: Foxglove Cottage (ref W43183), Bridge Cottage (ref W43184) and Rievaulx Cottage (ref W43185) stand in a landscaped courtyard, close to the owner’s farmhouse. Enjoy farmhouse breakfasts at Laskill Grange, or across the drive at Laskill Country House, the owners’ daughter offers home cooked evening meals or ready prepared frozen meals. There are 70 acres of beautifully tended grounds and a shared terrace garden with its small lake and river frontage.
The surrounding countryside views are superb, and there is excellent walking from the doorstep. Long distance footpaths along this area’s Heritage coastline, and the Cleveland Way, offer perfect terrain for walkers and cyclists. Visit Ryedale Folk Museum and Rosedale Abbey, or for a day out, try the North York Moors Railway. Whitby has miles of sandy beaches and an ancient abbey overlooking its harbour. Scarborough, Staithes, Runswick Bay and Sandsend are within 20 miles. Horse racing at Thirsk, Wetherby and York, 25 miles. Helmsley has Duncombe Park and a castle. Shop and restaurant 2 miles, pub 6 miles.
Foxglove Cottage (ref W43183), Bridge Cottage (ref W43184) and Rievaulx Cottage (ref W43185) can be booked together to accommodate up to 6 guests.

Molton House was renovated in 2021 and offers a stunning holiday home. The owners have thought of every detail to give you the most luxurious stay. On the ground floor it features a sociable open plan kitchen/dining room with feature wood burner and a dining table for 10. Along with a utility room with cloakroom, spacious living room and a downstairs double bedroom. On the first floor you will find four further bedrooms, two with en-suites and a family bathroom, all adorned with the finest linens and comfiest beds for the perfect night’s sleep. Outside you will find a wrap-a-round garden with a generous-sized patio with views of the fields beyond, the area is ideal for taking in the evening sun with a glass of wine.
This rural retreat is close enough to enjoy the delights of Malvern, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire. Perfectly located to enjoy scenic walks, theatres, fabulous restaurants, and family activities. Scenic rambles and cycle roots as you have the Worcestershire Way on your doorstep. Locally you can enjoy a spot of fishing of golf, or relax with a spa treatment. Within 5 miles is the famous spa town of Malvern, gilded as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Malvern hills trails, independent boutiques shops , antique shops to explore, arts and craft shops, galleries, theatres and much more all with the wonderful backdrop of the hills! Within a 15-minute drive of the Molton House in the Three Counties show ground, which holds super events all year, including RHS Malvern Show in September, and the immersive Winter Glow experience that runs between mid-November to January, a festive experience of ice skating, illuminated light experiences, an arctic express train with Santa Claus and much more. Here you are also within half an hours drive of Eastnor and Ledbury, and within an hours drive of Cheltenham and Stradford-upon-Avon. A 20-minute drive brings you the Worcestershire Parkway, with direct links to London, Oxford, Cardiff and Birmingham to name a few.

Peacefully tucked away, enjoying its own private hot tub and enclosed lawn garden, Riverside Cottage is nestled within the grounds of the owners’ hotel, located alongside the picturesque River Ouse. The location is excellent, you are in the heart of the beautiful Brecks with miles of woodland and riverside walks, direct from your doorstep, to explore on foot or cycle and a minute’s walk from Brandon’s High Street with shops, supermarket, cafés and pub.
You will be delighted from the moment you arrive as there is plenty of parking and it is immediately outside the cottage door. The cottage offers spacious, modern open plan accommodation, a fully equipped kitchen with breakfast island and large dining table, perfect to celebrate any occasion in style, great for dining at home. Those preferring to dine out will find plenty of eateries within walking distance, and why not enjoy a ‘hearty and bottomless’ breakfast at the hotel, just a few steps away?

The living room has large comfy sofas and 50” Smart TV with a specially installed floor plate to take your laptops and gaming consoles. All bedrooms boast en-suite facilities, very comfy beds, quality linens and TVs. There is even an extra bathroom with large walk-in shower on ground floor. Outside there is an enclosed lawn garden and a private six-seater Jacuzzi spa tub to relax in after a busy day exploring.

Neighbouring the cottage are the hotel lawn gardens leading directly to the River Little Ouse, a perfect spot to simply sit and relax by - or why not hire a rowing boat (from the hotel on-site) and explore the picturesque waterways at your own pace? It truly is a magical waterway, abundant with birds and wildlife. There is so much to see and do, including Thetford Forest which is 8 minutes’ drive with 18,730 hectares to explore, offering exciting tree top climbing adventure, to the history and heritage of Mildenhall Warren and Lynford Arboretum, peace and tranquility with walks around Santon Downham. There is an excellent golf course 10 minutes’ drive away, and the bustling market towns of Thetford and Swaffham are 20 minutes’ drive, with shops, supermarkets, regular market days, and many eateries.

Take to two wheels and enjoy the Norfolk Cycle Way with lots of routes and quiet roads to explore. Explorers and shopaholics alike can head to the medieval city of Norwich with two indoor shopping malls, market square and its imposing Norman castle; Kings Lynn and its fascinating Hanseatic Quarter; Ely with its magnificent cathedral the ’Ship of the Fens’; the university city of Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds with its famous abbey and gardens.

The spectacular North Norfolk coast with sandy beaches an hour’s drive. The traditional seaside resorts of Hunstanton and Heacham both have wide sandy beaches, packed with activities for all ages. Heacham has two beaches, South Beach and North Beach; North Beach being the busier with jet skis and beach huts by the promenade. Dogs are welcome on this beach. Shops and restaurants 25 yards.

Churchtown Cottage is a charming Cornish retreat situated in the picturesque village of Cubert, dominated by a beautiful 14th-century church and conveniently located just 4¾ miles from Newquay. Given the cottage’s age, be mindful of the low ceiling upon entering the property and the low ceiling when descending the stairs—while the rest of the property poses no issue. The owner has thoughtfully renovated the cottage, preserving original features such as exposed stone walls, authentic slate flooring, and a fireplace with a wood burner.
Outside, a covered area provides a tranquil spot for reading or enjoying your morning coffee, while a larger table on the patio invites al fresco dining. Across from the magnificent church, fields offer an ideal space for dog walking and children to play. Along the main road, you’ll find a fantastic fish and chip shop, a bakery with a café, a convenience shop, and a post office. Just a mile away, a local pub with an impressive reputation offers a variety of dishes to suit all tastes.
Churchtown Cottage is surrounded by the stunning beaches of Crantock, Holywell Bay, and Polly Joke, eliminating the need for extensive travel to reach the coast. For surfing enthusiasts, Fistral Beach in Newquay and Perranporth are easily accessible. After a day at the beach, rinse off the sand under the outdoor heated shower, and take advantage of ample space in the garden for storing wetsuits and bodyboards.
The area offers a plethora of activities, catering to families with children, dog owners, walkers, and those seeking to explore the surroundings. Nearby attractions include the Newquay Zoo, Blue Reef Aquarium, Lappa Valley Steam Railway, Pennywell Farm, and the Newquay Mystery Trail, among others. Alternatively, explore the rugged views along the Cornish coast paths or visit the Eden Project in Par. After a day of adventure, return to Churchtown Cottage, unwind in the private courtyard, and marvel at the breathtaking night skies.

No.1 Old Hall Cottage is accessed from the lane adjacent to The Old Hall. It is a stone built conversion situated within 15 minutes’ drive of both the historic city of Durham with its mainline rail link, and Bishop Auckland, home of the Prince Bishops at Auckland Castle. This holiday property has a private outdoor seating area which is on two levels with garden views and benefits from its own hot tub set on the upper patio, suitable for 4 adults, it is for exclusive use of guests staying at this cottage. The site has no through traffic and is a rich haven for birds and wildlife, with country walks from the door and cycle tracks. This is the gateway to the Durham Dales, Weardale and Teesdale, with splendour at Raby Castle and Bowes Museum, industrial heritage at Killhope, Beamish and Shildon. Visit Keilder Water, Hadrians Wall, the Northumberland Coast and the Lake District. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant ¼mile.

There is another property on this site (refs 30419 with hot tub).