Fido Family Friendly Places

Designed to exacting standards, and with a fabulous indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, games room and gymnasium on the doorstep (open all year), these three extremely comfortable adjoining properties enjoy a peaceful courtyard setting on the owners’ non working farm. Footpaths cross the local farmland and the National Forest, and a nature reserve is in 0.75 miles. Lichfield Cathedral, Uttoxeter’s racecourse, cinema and bowling, and Sudbury Hall’s Museum of Childhood are all under 10 miles. Alton Towers, Drayton Manor, Tamworth SnowDome, Shugborough Hall and Calke Abbey (NT), and Dovedale in the Peak District National Park are all within 20 miles. Shop 1 mile, pub serving food 0.5 miles.

"Devon’s best kept secret... Just inland from some of Devon’s loveliest and most natural beaches lies the village of Tuckenhay set along Bow Creek on the River Dart...."


In a setting of stunning natural beauty, Mill Bank (ref UK33902) is the latest addition to a superb choice of cottages at Tuckenhay Mill. An extremely spacious two-person cottage having a living, dining, kitchen area on the higher level with two south-facing balconies overlooking the stream towards the Mill. The master bedroom and en-suite shower room are on the lower level, together with the riverside day room. Your own footpath leads from the garden via a footbridge to the facilities at the Mill.
Tuckenhay Mill is the centrepiece of a cluster of country homes and cottages with superb leisure facilities including two indoor and one outdoor pools.
The Mill which once produced some of the finest paper in the land, nestles in the green and shady Bow Creek, a languid inlet of the River Dart where private yachts have replaced the old tall-masted ships and barges. Around the mill are all the buildings which once went to make up a small bustling village port. These listed buildings have been sympathetically restored and converted to a delightful range of holiday properties to suit larger family parties. Awards have been won for the conversion of buildings and the conservation of the area. With so much to do, many holidaymakers return year after year. There is golf nearby and a pub within 1 mile.



South Devon awaits you
Tuckenhay is only a 20-minute drive from the superb award-winning beach at Blackpool Sands and about 30 minutes from a surfing beach at Bantham, as well as some of the best natural beaches to be found anywhere in the UK.
There is also extensive access to the coastal footpath for walking and the wilderness that is Dartmoor for walking, climbing and riding.
This is a mecca for ramblers, bird-watchers, swimmers, surfers, horse riders, golfers and those interested in fishing, boating, sailing and windsurfing.
In addition, there are many historic NT houses to visit including Agatha Christies’s Greenway as well as a local vineyard.
Tuckenhay is only 5 miles inland from Dartmouth and 3 from the market town of Totnes. Village shop 3½ miles. Riverside inn and restaurant within walking distance.



A superb choice of cottages
Great care has been taken to retain the feel of the original buildings. Most have garden, terrace or patio. Many cottages have more than one bathroom and some have an en-suite bathroom to every bedroom. Kitchens are comprehensively equipped: most have dishwashers and all have microwave cookers.
Couples and honeymooners will feel snug and comfortable in the cottages: Mill Leat, Mill Stream, Mill Spring and now Mill Bank. Families can spread out in Papermaker’s or Turbine Cottages, while Mill Lodge, Edgecombe Barn and Tuckenhay Mill House will sleep larger parties in comfort. Of course, combinations of cottages can accommodate bigger gatherings of family or friends.

Alexander House is striking. It’s a large property set in a prominent position overlooking Gleneagles and the Perthshire Hills. The house is split into two wings for self-catering holidays. The East Wing is the larger of the two halves of the house and offers a very high standard of accommodation. It’s luxurious throughout and presents a truly special holiday opportunity. It is very comfortable for eight people but caters for up to thirteen. The East Wing is split over three floors, with six bedrooms and five bathrooms.
You enter the East Wing on the ground floor and arrive at the magnificent dining hall which hosts a beautiful circular table ideal for special occasions. The staircase to the first floor leads up from the dining hall, but first, you’re drawn through to more of the ground floor. The inviting drawing room lures you in with its muted reds and green velvets. It’s a spacious room with a large open fire. It also has a cards table and a games cupboard. It’s a space you will want to spend a lot of time in.
Beyond the drawing room is another fantastic space, a huge double-aspect open-plan kitchen, living and dining room. For more relaxed meals it’s here you’ll want to eat because there’s a huge scrubbed pine table. The living space is very comfortable and where the 50” TV is found. The kitchen has everything you’ll want to cook up a storm for relaxed fare or special suppers. The truly special element of this room though is the light coming in from the south-facing courtyard on one side and the expansive views to the north on the other. The design of the room is sublime.
Back to the staircase and up to the first floor you go. This floor is dedicated to sleeping quarters. There are four en-suite bedrooms. A huge kingsize master suite with a lovely large bathroom hosting a freestanding bath. Another kingsize double room with a sleigh bed. And two zip-and-link twin/double rooms. Up again to the second floor and there are two further bedrooms. A twin room and a triple room. There’s also a family bathroom as well as an extra seating area on the landing with a TV. Back down to the ground floor, access to the courtyard from the drawing room and open-plan kitchen, living and dining room. The courtyard is a special space because it’s very sheltered, surprisingly warm and has a heated swimming pool and a hot tub. The rest of the grounds are shared with those in the West Wing which makes up the other half of the spectacular Alexander House.
It’s a spectacular property albeit with a slightly characterful layout. It offers luxury throughout and would make an ideal base for a family exploring this historic part of Scotland. It will also be a fine choice for those looking to golf at nearby Gleneagles and other quality courses in the area. There are also several estates in the area that offer field sports. And for those that simply like to go for a walk or ride their bicycles, you’ll be spoilt for choice of routes.
Located close to the popular town of Aucterarder, minutes from the world-famous Gleneagles, and the charming town of Crieff all nestled in the heart of Scotland’s stunning countryside, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and luxurious amenities. Aucterarder, often affectionately called "Auchter," is a picturesque town brimming with character. Its historic high street is lined with quaint shops, cafes, and traditional Scottish architecture.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 28 guests.

Bowlees Holiday Cottages are nestled on a hillside in the heart of County Durham, located a mile from the idyllic conservation village of Wolsingham in the Durham Dales. Raby Cottage (ref 27764), Durham Cottage (ref 27765) and Heartwell Cottage (ref UKC1473) are delightful, semi-detached properties. The Farmhouse (ref UKC3218) is detached and boasts everything a large party could ask for. Furnished to a very good standard, The Farmhouse is spacious, light and has ample facilities for up to 16 guests. There is a family suite on the ground floor which has curved walls and a high ceiling, and was previously a gin gang. There is a further suite on the first floor which has a galleried en-suite boasting a huge bath and equally impressive shower area. With a private hot tub, large lawned garden and views across the owner’s unspoilt grounds, which cover nearly 60 acres, guests may never want to leave. These holiday properties are absolutely perfect for families, walkers, cyclists and groups of friends wanting to enjoy a super holiday together. Additionally there is an on-site facility (open 9am-9pm) with games room with full-size snooker table, a heated indoor swimming pool and a shared hot tub. There is also a fishing lake that can be used by guests. Whether you choose to take in the scenic countryside that County Durham has to offer, or are looking for a quieter retreat, this is an ideal holiday base.

For guests who enjoy exploring the local area on foot or by bike, there are numerous established public footpaths and cycle paths that lead directly from the owner’s grounds. These paths go through some of the most scenic woodland and unspoilt countryside in the county. Just minutes away are Tunstall Reservoir and Hamsterley Forest, with bike riding, horse riding and many other activities available. Kilhope Lead Mining Centre and Beamish Museum are close by, as is a real snow ski lift.

Located around 30 minutes from the historic city of Durham with its World Heritage site status, cathedral and castle, guests really must take a day trip there to explore and enjoy all of the historic attractions, as well as indulging in a spot of well-earned retail therapy in one of the many boutiques. Alternatively, visitors can treat themselves to afternoon tea in one of the numerous cafés, restaurants and bistros. The National Railway Museum at Shildon, High Force Waterfall, the Metro Centre, Newcastle Airport, Durham Tees Valley Airport, Diggerland and Newcastle city centre, with its cultural attractions, are all within easy reach. Visit Hadrian’s Wall, Lake District National Park and the beautiful north east coastline. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles. These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 43 guests.

Something for all the family awaits you here at St Leonards. Choose one of the four lovely barn conversions for your family holiday and learn something new during your stay here. The barns are located on a horse riding school, where all the family are encouraged to give horse riding a try. Once in the saddle you will want to take it up when you get back home. The lovely heated outdoor swimming pool is a great hit with families with children, and the Jacuzzi and sauna are favourites with adults. St Leonards certainly is a holiday base with a difference, situated in a wooded valley, it provides a comfortable and relaxing holiday for people of all ages though out the entire year. All the cottages are set on the edge of a courtyard over looking the stables and surrounded by 23 acres of private grounds which is also home to a ½-acre coarse fishing lake, or for something more energetic why not take part in a game of paintball available on site. There is plenty of birdlife here including kingfishers, so you often awaken to the sound of the dawn chorus!

It is an ideal location for touring the both north and south Cornish coasts and close to the Devon/Cornwall border so you can explore both counties from one base. Whether you wish to take it easy in our pool and bbq area, have a swim, ride a horse, try paintball or even go fishing on the River Kensey close by, there is plenty to keep you entertained and make you want to get out and about and feel invigorated by the fresh Cornish air. Perfect for summer, spring, autumn or even winter holidays, all the cottages have been very comfortably furnished and equipped, featuring pine furniture, comfortable beds and woodburners, making them a cosy and welcome home to come back to.

Out and about in the region you can head west by car to the Widemouth Heritage Coast and visit mystical Tintagel and Port Isaac Bay, or head east towards Dartmoor’s wilderness; whichever direction you travel in there is sure to be something new to see. Launceston, 2 miles, once the ancient capital of Cornwall, has shops, a steam railway, castle, golf and an indoor leisure centre. A variety of golf courses locally. A splendid family location with something for everyone, all guests will be well placed for touring both Devon and Cornwall. Launceston, for all amenities, 2 miles. Playstation 3 is available to hire from the owner. Shop 1½ 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.

Cuckoo’s Nest is an impressive four-bedroom terraced property directly on Clearwater Lake, within the award-winning Lower Mill Estate nature reserve in Somerford Keynes, perfect for a luxury holiday with family and friends. This contemporary waterside residence offers stunning lake views and is ideally located within proximity to the amenities of Lower Mill, such as a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools, sports facilities, and a restaurant.
Cuckoo’s Nest is beautifully appointed throughout and well equipped to accommodate up to eight adults. The property is spread generously over three floors, with a large open plan and glass fronted living space and kitchen, with a balcony on the first floor to take advantage of the waterfront views. Each bedroom suite boasts quality linens and comfy beds for the perfect night’s slumber. The open plan living, kitchen and dining space makes for the ultimate social hub, perfect for wining, dining and gaming, be it board or electronic. With two terraces overlooking the lake, step out onto the ground floor terrace and enjoy the view. The upper terrace provides a great spot for dining alfresco with an aperitif or two. As the evening draws in, there is a feature wood burner for a toasty retreat inside.
Located on a private 450-acre natural reserve, the gated and managed estate comprises of woodland and meadows crossed by three rivers and surrounded by serene lakes. Several lakes can be used for water activities including kayaking and paddle boarding. The Activity Hub, which is located less than 10 minutes from the property, will hire equipment for water sports and bikes.
The ArtSpa is less than a 5 minutes’ walk from the property and offers an indoor and outdoor heated swimming pool, eco-pool, sauna, steam room and gym, as well as shower and changing facilities. Spa treatments are bookable via the spa.

This impressive, detached late Victorian merchant’s house enjoys a delightful outlook across the River Torridge to the pretty port town of Bideford with its pastel-coloured houses alongside a tree-lined quay. The house has been completely refurbished in a light and airy contemporary style whilst retaining much of its original charm and character. Equipped to a very high standard and arranged over three floors, there is plenty of space for family and friends to gather, but also to escape to a quiet corner. Pretty gardens surround the holiday property and offer plenty of space for al fresco dining, summer barbecues and for the children to let off steam. The panoramic views from the living areas and many of the bedrooms are breathtaking, and with a fenced 18ft 6in outdoor heated swimming pool, York stone patio with mood lighting, fire pit and teak furniture, hot tub and sheer indulgence of the cinema room with 50in plasma TV, HD projector and 84in screen, surround sound, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PS3, together with two satellite boxes, it will be hard to leave this unique property.
On the doorstep there is plenty to see and do with the famous Tarka Trail 2 minutes’ walk away for walking or cycling. Alternatively, meander around the many delightful shops, pubs and restaurants that Bideford has to offer, with its regular pannier and waterfront markets, all within a 10-minute stroll of the property.
Visitors can take a boat trip to the nature reserve at Lundy Island or explore many pretty fishing villages including nearby Clovelly and Appledore. Instow is just 2 miles away and is a pretty, unspoilt seaside village with large stretches of sandy beaches and dunes, fishermen’s cottages, shops and a good selection of pubs and restaurants specialising in locally caught seafood. The wide, golden sandy beach of Westward Ho!, popular with surfers, is just 3 miles away with Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe a short drive across the Taw Estuary.
There are numerous NT properties in the area including Arlington and Hartland Abbey, as well as the RHS gardens at Rosemoor and Docton Mill. Hartland Quay and Lighthouse are well worth a visit and for family fun, the Big Sheep and the Milky Way Adventure Parks are close by. Golf, riding, fishing, surfing, mountain boarding, karting and high ropes are available locally and the wild beauty of Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin moors are all within easy driving distance, as is the famous Eden Project. With so much to discover in this lovely part of North Devon, this is the perfect holiday choice. Shops and pub within ¼ mile.

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.

"Devon’s best kept secret... Just inland from some of Devon’s loveliest and most natural beaches lies the village of Tuckenhay set along Bow Creek on the River Dart...."


In a setting of stunning natural beauty, Mill Bank (ref UK33902) is the latest addition to a superb choice of cottages at Tuckenhay Mill. An extremely spacious two-person cottage having a living, dining, kitchen area on the higher level with two south-facing balconies overlooking the stream towards the Mill. The master bedroom and en-suite shower room are on the lower level, together with the riverside day room. Your own footpath leads from the garden via a footbridge to the facilities at the Mill.
Tuckenhay Mill is the centrepiece of a cluster of country homes and cottages with superb leisure facilities including two indoor and one outdoor pools.
The Mill which once produced some of the finest paper in the land, nestles in the green and shady Bow Creek, a languid inlet of the River Dart where private yachts have replaced the old tall-masted ships and barges. Around the mill are all the buildings which once went to make up a small bustling village port. These listed buildings have been sympathetically restored and converted to a delightful range of holiday properties to suit larger family parties. Awards have been won for the conversion of buildings and the conservation of the area. With so much to do, many holidaymakers return year after year. There is golf nearby and a pub within 1 mile.



South Devon awaits you
Tuckenhay is only a 20-minute drive from the superb award-winning beach at Blackpool Sands and about 30 minutes from a surfing beach at Bantham, as well as some of the best natural beaches to be found anywhere in the UK.
There is also extensive access to the coastal footpath for walking and the wilderness that is Dartmoor for walking, climbing and riding.
This is a mecca for ramblers, bird-watchers, swimmers, surfers, horse riders, golfers and those interested in fishing, boating, sailing and windsurfing.
In addition, there are many historic NT houses to visit including Agatha Christies’s Greenway as well as a local vineyard.
Tuckenhay is only 5 miles inland from Dartmouth and 3 from the market town of Totnes. Village shop 3½ miles. Riverside inn and restaurant within walking distance.



A superb choice of cottages
Great care has been taken to retain the feel of the original buildings. Most have garden, terrace or patio. Many cottages have more than one bathroom and some have an en-suite bathroom to every bedroom. Kitchens are comprehensively equipped: most have dishwashers and all have microwave cookers.
Couples and honeymooners will feel snug and comfortable in the cottages: Mill Leat, Mill Stream, Mill Spring and now Mill Bank. Families can spread out in Papermaker’s or Turbine Cottages, while Mill Lodge, Edgecombe Barn and Tuckenhay Mill House will sleep larger parties in comfort. Of course, combinations of cottages can accommodate bigger gatherings of family or friends.