Fido Family Friendly Places

Extensive sea and inland views can be admired from this Grade II listed former lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Built in 1791, it stands in a superb coastal location adjoining Happisburgh’s working lighthouse and within a short drive of the Norfolk Broads. It offers well-equipped, comfortable holiday accommodation; the cellar has been converted into a den for children. The lighthouse is open to the public on some Sundays in high season, when visitors can enjoy the fantastic view from the top. Private tours can be arranged at a cost with the trust. Local rural, beach and cliff-top walks, and fishing nearby. Wroxham 12 miles. Norwich 20 miles. Shop, pub/restaurant ½ mile.

This pretty self catering holiday cottage in Kent has been renovated to a high standard with oak beams and an open aspect giving it a real feeling of light and space yet with a cosy wood burner to curl up in front of in the colder months. The calm colour scheme and natural coir matting make this a very attractive and charming holiday cottage. A great area for walking, close to the seaside for watersports and Rye for culture, perfect for everyone!
With two beautiful bedrooms nestled in the eaves overlooking open fields and woodland and a living area that opens onto the private garden space, this is a wonderful location to relax and get away from the stresses of daily life, this luxury cottage is perfect for exploring the countryside. Stylishly furnished, this holiday cottage is light and spacious offering a good standard of self catering holiday accommodation. Added to this there is a tennis court which can be used to make your holiday even more fun (by prior arrangement with the owners).

The Cider Barn is decorated and furnished to a very high standard by the owners who have years of experience in the hospitality industry, and the attention to detail is evident in every room.
Downstairs is a fabulous open plan living space, with wonderful Bi-folding doors that open to allow the outside in and giving you great views over the Blackdown hills. The kitchen is well-equipped with everything you need and the island unit opens it up to the rest of the room, so you can socialise while creating your next culinary masterpiece! The large Master bedroom on the ground floor has a stunning four-poster bed and en-suite bathroom with roll-top bath and separate shower, while upstairs the second large bedroom features a wonderful kingsize bespoke bed, beautiful beamed vaulted ceiling and statement lighting. There is also a shower room upstairs with walk-in shower.
Outside you will find a Mediterranean style covered seating area complete with its own chandelier, barbecue area and private hot tub, all soaking up the wonderful views!
Set in the lovely village of Bishopswood, with the Somerset Wildlife Trust running adjacent to the property, you are only 5-minutes’ walk from the local pub and surrounded by miles of beautiful walks. The market town of Honiton is just 10 miles away and the beach at Lyme Regis can be reached within a 30-minute drive. Heading north, you will find the county town of Taunton with lots of restaurants, cinema, bowling and shopping, and within an hour’s drive you will find Glastonbury, Street, Minehead and the moors of Exmoor! Beach 18 miles. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 250 yards.

Discover this delightful stone built traditional Welsh cottage located on the owner’s working farm in the rural hamlet of Hayscastle. Dating back to the 16th century, this lovely property is 1 of 3 character cottages and in the perfect location to explore West Wales.
On a summer’s day you can try a spot of fishing - you can try your hand at fly fishing on the owner’s 2½-acre trout lake (£20 for 2 fish), just a 5-minute stroll away, and then cook your prized catch on the barbecue. The Old Coach House has a large enclosed garden that offers you and your family the perfect space to enjoy the weather and relax into the evening with a glass of wine or watch the kids make use of the football net. Internally, the cottage is well appointed and thoughtfully furnished to a good standard and is full of charm. The master bedroom opens out onto a spacious, private verandah with furniture, offering uninterrupted countryside views, with St Bridges Bay in the distance. It is perfect for a relaxing evening enjoying the sun set.

Newgale is just a 10-minute drive east from Hayscastle and offers a superb vista out over the St Bride’s Bay and is ideal for long walks, building sandcastles, surfing, kayaking or just relaxing with the waves crashing at your feet. Travel south along the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park route and meander around the picturesque coves and headlands. Pass through the peaceful hamlet of Nolton Haven, situated around the beautiful beach. Continuing along this route towards Broad Haven, you will stumble across the Druidston Hotel which is perched above Druidston Beach and offers lunch with unobstructed views out over the glistening blue sea.

Enjoy a trip to the famous city of St David’s, Britain’s smallest city, at the most westerly point of Wales and the final resting place of the Patron Saint of Wales, Saint David. Adjacent to the cathedral stands the 13th-century Bishop’s Palace, a truly magnificent sight. Further along this north coast you will uncover the fishing village of Porthgain and the delightful restaurant ’The Shed’ which specialises in local freshly caught sea fish, and overlooks the harbour.

Oakwood, Wales’ largest theme park, is a fun day out for all the family, and located only 30 minutes away, or for those with younger families, be sure to visit Folly Farm Zoo where you can see rhinos, giraffes and even lions! Shop and restaurant 4 miles, pub 1 mile.
The Old Coach House can be booked together with Hayscastle Farmhouse (ref UK12702) to accommodate up to 17 guests.

Downlands Farm is nestled in the heart of the beautiful Hampshire countryside with wonderful views across the peaceful valley. This rural haven is only 10 minutes from Petersfield, with fantastic road and rail connections for London and Portsmouth. These two holiday cottages Edward’s Cottage (ref UKC1818) and Louisa’s Cottage (ref UK11596) are set on a small working farm and just off a green-lane leading to miles of footpaths, bridleways and on and off-road cycling within the South Downs National Park. The cottages offer light and airy open plan living accommodation, and have ground floor bedrooms and a special ‘hideaway’ bedroom/playroom to accommodate children.
The barns have been converted from original agricultural buildings and have been sympathetically designed to blend with the surrounding countryside, while offering comfortable accommodation. For biking enthusiast there is a shared bike shed for bike storage and by arrangement, guests are welcome to bring their horses and make use of the Loddon stables. There are three local pubs within the vicinity, all within a half hour stroll or a 3-minute car journey away. The bustling market town of Petersfield is a 10-minute drive, and has a range of shops and restaurants, and along with the two local village shops; these provide all you need for stocking up on essential items. The cathedral cities of Chichester, Guildford, Portsmouth and Winchester are all 45 minutes away, and offer a range of shops and entertainment. The beautiful beach at West Wittering is an hour’s drive away, and this lovely location is ideal to visit, whatever the time of year, and is perfect for all ages. During low season (October to April), you can ride your horse at any time on the beach at West Wittering, and during the summer months you can ride before 9am and after 6pm.
Hayling Island has a children’s fun fair and a shingle beach, and is within half an hour from Downlands Farm. The cottages enjoy direct access to miles of scenic walking and cycling routes through the beautiful countryside and pretty villages such West Meon, where you can enjoy lunch at one of the pubs serving food, and where Thomas Lord rests, founder of Lords cricket. The market town of Petersfield has a range of restaurants and shops, and if you fancy a day trip to London, the local train service takes approximately one hour. There are several attractions in the area that are worth a visit, including Portsmouth with the Spinnaker Tower, HMS Warrior and Nelson’s HMS Victory, along with the historic Winchester Cathedral, King Arthurs Round Table, and Southampton with its extensive maritime history. For walking and riding the vast heathland of The New Forest National Park is ideal. For a cultural day out, try historic Chichester with its cathedral and festival theatre, and not forgetting the Watercress Steam Train, Jane Austen’s house, Gilbert White’s house, Marwell Zoo, Birdworld and the Queen Elizabeth Country Park which is the other side of the valley. Beach 15 miles. Shop 1 mile, pub and restaurant ½ mile.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 13 guests.

Set in the historic town of Leyburn in the heart of beautiful Wensleydale, this comfortable, detached and cosy holiday home has a conservatory, a living room with oak floor and has something to offer to guests of all ages. With spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, quaint local shops and cafes, traditional pubs and a weekly farmers’ market, the gateway town of Leyburn is the perfect base for guests to enjoy walking, cycling, sightseeing or just a quiet, romantic break. Stroll along the famous Leyburn Shawl or walk to Castle Bolton, Middleham Castle, Constable Burton Hall Gardens and the nearby Aysgarth Falls. A short drive away is Hardraw, home to England’s highest unbroken waterfall. The Shawl is only a few steps from the Market Place in the centre of Leyburn and is accessible for walkers of all abilities and ages. Hop on the Wensleydale Vintage Bus to Ripon or Hawes, or ride the train on the Wensleydale Railway. Visit the nearby Forbidden Corner attraction in Coverdale where guests can follow a trail of follies, or the Georgian market town of Richmond, which offers many shops, restaurants, pubs and tea shops. This beautiful and historic town in is settled high above the River Swale and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and the chance to browse the weekly market and monthly farmers’ market with local produce and crafts. Within an easy 2-hour drive is the historic cathedral city of Durham with its cathedral, castle and city walls. Popular York, with its minster and the Jorvik Centre, is also further afield but worth the trip out. Golf and fishing nearby. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Situated in a conservation area, within easy walking distance of village shop and pub, just a few minutes’ drive from the fine sandy beach at Holme-next-the-Sea making this an ideal holiday base. One of a group of carefully designed cottages, set back off the road, with an enclosed lawned garden and playhouse. Seaside resorts of Hunstanton and Heacham, Sandringham Estate and RSPB bird reserve at Snettisham all close by. Walks from the doorstep and quiet lanes offer good cycle rides. Golf, fishing and horse riding available locally. Shop 10 yards, restaurant/pub 100 yards.

Set across three floors, River Quay is a beautifully renovated terraced property in the popular seaside town of Gorleston-on-Sea. It is close to an award-winning beach making it ideal for families in summer, and during the winter, perfect for dog walkers. Gorleston-on-Sea is just south of Great Yarmouth and offers a promenade, beach side cafés, pubs and restaurants. Throughout the summer there is an Edwardian theatre with a pitch and putt golf course and amusements. Historically hundreds of fishing boats from the herring fleets would sail from the harbour and today this is one of two entrances to the Norfolk Broads National Park. From River Quay you are ideally located for visiting both Norfolk and Suffolk. To the north you have Horsey Beach where during the winter months a seal colony can be found lining the shore, the sand dunes at Winterton-on-Sea are perfect for strolling, and inland the city of Norwich is excellent for shopping, eating and drinking. Suffolk offers an abundance of history at Framlingham Castle, the submerged village at Dunwich and equally stunning is the RSPB Minsmere Reserve. Guests visiting this property in June have the pleasure of being able to go and experience the local Air Show in Yarmouth with The Red Arrows, just 3 miles away. Fishing is also available locally. Beach 700 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 50 yards.

Manor Court Cottages are set in the picturesque village of Shipton Gorge. Within walking distance, 110 yards, are the village playing fields and pub selling the famous Palmers Ales and local food. This a fantastic location to explore the Dorset countryside and World Heritage Jurassic coastline, 1½ miles away. Whether its a family holiday, walking, bird watching, fishing, cycling or for a quiet break Manor Court Cottages are ideal. The pretty village of Burton Bradstock, 1½ miles, has a beach with a café, shop, post office, garage and pubs. The market town of Bridport, 2 miles away, has a lively and vibrant street market Saturdays and Wednesday, along with small shops, cafés, antiques and local food can be found, or pop into the museum and learn its history of rope and net making.
The picturesque harbour of West Bay is 2 miles away and was made famous by the TV drama ’Broadchurch’, while the village of Abbotsbury, 3 miles away, is popular for its swannery, sub-tropical gardens and childrens farm. Spread along the coast from Sidmouth is a host of attractions, including the Donkey Sanctuary and Beer Caves at Seaton and Axminster where you can ride on the trams or eat at the River Cottage restaurant. Into Dorset try fishing in a boat out of the cobb at Lymm Regis, fossil hunting at the museum or a walk up Golden Cap for the breathtaking views. Weymouth with its sandy beaches and Sealife Centre is well worth a visit, discover the dinosaurs at the Dorchester museum or travel back in time with a visit to Thomas Hardy’s cottage, go to war at the Bevington Tank Museum, or say ’hi’ to the monkeys at Monkey World. Enjoy a dip at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door for a sightseeing walk, explore Crofe Castle, and then all aboard the steam train at Swanage. Shops and pubs 1 mile.

Surrounded by 150 acres of glorious wooded grounds, abundant in wildlife. Amidst a glorious landscape of unspoilt wooded glens, fragmented coastline, stunning sea lochs and breathtaking bays, the delightful cottages at Home Farm nestle in the peaceful wooded valley of the River Ruel. The steading and cottages, formerly the home farm to the estate, have been lovingly restored and are very comfortably furnished in contemporary Scottish style. Their spacious courtyard setting affords each of them a sense of privacy and they all boast access to 150 acres of wooded grounds, abundant in bird and wildlife, with free trout and salmon fishing on the Ruel beat owned by Home Farms - the fishing hut provides an ideal picnic spot. One of the most admired views in Scotland, The Kyles of Bute, awaits discovery just 6 miles away, as do the tranquil village of Tighnabruaich’s lovely natural bays, sandy beach, shops, restaurants and 9 hole golf course. Colintraive, 9 miles, offers a pub serving good food and there is a summer shop (limited opening hours) adjacent to Home Farm. Beach 5 miles. Shop 13 miles, pub and restaurant 7 miles.