Fido Family Friendly Places

This spacious home is ideal for family and friends wishing to share a wonderful holiday or special occasion. Relax in the hot tub or try an invigorating swim in the Rapid River spa, also enjoy the large enclosed garden with swings, a sunken patio, fountain and waterfall. Have fun using the barbecue and lunch alfresco, and make use of the wine fridge in the kitchen. Play the grand piano in the living room with its open fire or take a walk in the 90-acre community woodland. Visit the village park with facilities for all ages. Experience the excellent local activities, golf, salmon and trout fishing, horse racing, riding and ice skating. The Southern Upland Way and St Cuthbert’s Way provide wonderful walking/riding, or explore the spectacular Berwickshire and Northumberland coast. Nearby, Kelso has cobbled streets and interesting local shops, restaurants and pubs. The ancient abbey, gracious town square and beautiful views along the River Tweed may be explored by following the town trail. Ideal for visiting the historic towns of Melrose, Jedburgh and Coldstream, while Edinburgh is only an hour by car. Home made meals, celebration dinners and housekeeping by arrangement. Shop ½ mile, pub 3 miles.

The Farmhouse occupies a superb position on the edge of Regency Cheltenham. With views across to the Malvern Hills and the Black Mountains, this 19th-century farmhouse has undergone major refurbishment to offer guests a beautifully appointed, well-equipped home with an extensive lawned garden. With plenty of living space with a large living room with wood burner and large bi-fold doors to spacious terrace with eating area, the rolling lawns, a private hot tub and a covered heated swimming pool (shared) can be pre-booked for private use, the Farmhouse adjoins another property and is an ideal location for a holiday or as a venue to celebrate a special occasion. This is a perfect base from which to explore the countryside and villages of the Cotswolds and the attractions of the Heart of England. Broadway, the ‘Venice’ of the Cotswolds; delightful Chipping Campden; Blockley, cited as the most beautiful village in England, and Stow-on-the-Wold boasting England’s oldest pub, are all within half an hour’s drive. Exploring this region at any time of year is a rewarding experience, each season throwing a different light on the changing scene. Heritage attractions include Sudeley Castle, 7 miles. The Forest of Dean is 23 miles. Bath, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon are all within one hour by car. Sailing and wind-surfing on 15,000 acres of lakes near the Roman town of Cirencester are within 30 minutes’ drive. Shop and pub ½ mile.

This beautiful Victorian house, situated in 30-acre grounds, and is a small vineyard, close to the Georgian market town of Blandford, makes a great home from home for families or groups to enjoy Dorset. The property offers a small, outdoor heated swimming pool, a hot tub for 6 and a tennis court to enjoy at your leisure. Downward Vineyard has eight spacious bedrooms, all with TVs and three with en-suite facilities, and also boasts two wonderful living rooms, both leading into the large conservatory. There is also a large games room with a pool table and table football for all to enjoy, or why not go outside and play croquet in the garden?
Set in 30 acres of what used to be a vineyard, you can wander around the grounds, relax in the pool or hot tub, burn off some energy on the tennis court or have a barbecue for all to enjoy. Ashley Wood 18 hole golf course is accessible along a bridle way from within the grounds or would be a 2-minute drive from the property. Within easy driving, you can exploring Shaftesbury, Wimborne, Poole, Bournemouth, Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland, making Downwood Vineyard a good base for taking in the best the county has to offer. Slightly further afield you can visit the popular Isle of Purbeck, with its rugged and picturesque coastline, or take a ride on the Swanage Steam Railway, with its 6 miles of track going through scenic Dorset countryside. There are many family attractions nearby, enjoy a day at Monkey World, the Bovington Tank Museum, historic houses such as Kingston Lacy, Milton Abbey and Althelhampton, or the sandy beaches at Sandbanks, Bournemouth, Weymouth and Poole. Beach 18 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

High Park House is the perfect venue for a large family holiday or group reunions/getaways. Built in 1845 High Park House features on the ground floor two living rooms with cosy wood burners and smart TVs, a formal dining room, a large kitchen/diner perfect for creating holiday feasts. There’s also a utility room, a handy separate toilet and a boot room. And for some family fun there’s a games room with a pool table. Up on the first floor are seven bedrooms with five en-suites, to comfortably sleep sixteen guests. Within the grounds is an indoor swimming pool and hot tub which can be booked for exclusive use and a large natural lake with a decked terrace, to the front of the house is a large private lawn area and ample parking.
High Park House offers easy access to beaches, moors, golf courses, children friendly fun parks, and many other recreational activities. Bideford is the second largest town in North Devon with plenty to see and do including a lovely river front and port. The Southwest Coastal Path is a must for keen walkers and runners, as is the popular Tarka Trail, which stretches for c.180 miles and can be accessed locally. Swimming, surfing, canoeing and entertainment for all the family plus fishing are all close by. For a day with a difference why not take a trip across to Lundy Island? With regular trips from Bideford, measuring just 3 miles by ¾ mile, this entire island has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Westward Ho!, the nearest seaside village offers an array of seaside amenities including some fascinating curiosity shops, restaurants and cafes. Within easy reach are two popular top attractions, The Big Sheep amusement farm park and The Ultimate Adventure Centre! Being very close to the A39 Atlantic Highway, the property is conveniently located for day trips to other beautiful places such as Exmoor National Park with stunning dark skies for great star gazing and locations such as Clovelly, Hartland and North Cornwall. Beach 4 miles.

This stunning 15th century house has been kitted out to an extremely high standard and comes with a hot tub, fully equipped bar, kids playground including two trampolines and a tree house in the depths of the Kent countryside! Generations of the family and friends will both enjoy the many spaces and features this holiday home has to offer, not only inside, but outside in the well-kept gardens. This is truly suited to all and set in the stunning Kent North Downs there are plenty of walks on your doorstep, as well as a pub within walking distance you won’t want to go home!
The house has two kitchen areas, both overlooking the gardens, or dine in elegance at the grand banquette dining table with its very own bar - an incredible entertaining space perfect for celebrating milestones and having hen or stag parties. For the adults, enjoy a glass or two in the large bubbling hot tub on the patio, overlooking the surrounding countryside. For the winter days you can rest up in front of the wood burning stove with a glass of wine or a hot chocolate. Enjoy lunch on the terrace on a sunny day with dappled light from the stunning Indian Bean trees in the garden. If the walls of this property could talk it would have some stories to tell, from Bob Marley and Desmond Decker recording music on the grounds to some of the parties that this place is perfect for, either way you need to stay at this property to really appreciate it! Beach 19 miles.

Situated on the most accessible of the west coast islands and straddling the Highland Line, this spacious, detached, country house with large deck and its own hot tub, boasts stunning views over the open water and lies in a rural location, just a few yards from the shoreline. Most rooms enjoy sea views, the 6 bedrooms each have a TV, and some have a DVD player. Chandlers is full of elegance and charm and enjoys a cosy snug area with comfy sofas and a bar, which can be stocked to your requirements. The music room has a grand piano, guitars and amps for budding musicians, while the impressive dining room can easily seat 20.
A popular destination for fishing, the inland lochs are popular with anglers for coarse and game fishing. Loch Fad offers the opportunity to fish for rainbow trout, and is only 3 miles away. Relax as you explore the gently, undulating hills, catch glimpses of the wildlife and marvel at the vistas. For such a compact island, Bute offers varied landscapes from the lush, fertile and rolling hills of the island’s heart to the craggy, heather-covered moorlands of the north and the delightful sandy beaches around the coastline. A haven for walkers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts, Bute has a wealth of wildlife to spot including feral goats, buzzards and roe deer. Scalpsie Bay which is set against the magnificent backdrop of Arran, is the home of a large colony of seals.
There are many historical sites to visit including the standing stones at Ettrick Bay, the ancient chapel of St Blane, and the vitrified Iron Age Fort at Dunagoil. Visit the Victorian Gothic mansion of Mount Stuart, the ancestral home of the Marquesses of Bute, and is open to the public along with its beautiful gardens, Bute Museum, Rothesay Castle and the fabulous gardens of Ascog Hall and Ardencraig.
There are many events throughout the year, including the famous annual Jazz Festival, the spectacular Highland Games, traditional agricultural shows, concerts and art festivals; whatever your interest it can be found on the Isle of Bute.
Catch the ferry for the 5-minute trip to Colintraive on the Cowal Peninsula and explore Argyll’s Secret Coast where you have easy access to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, or head north to Inverary and beyond. Take the ferry from Portavadie over to Jura and Islay, and Tarbert where you can explore Kintyre. The house is licensed for weddings and many extras can be arranged such as catering, prior to arrival direct with the owner. Beach 40 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.There is also a loch/sea just 40 yards from the property.

Yewtree House is an impressive Holiday home of considerable size and will comfortably accommodate up to 16 guests, with a large dining table. It is ideal for a large family gathering or groups of walkers seeking to enjoy the splendour of the Eastern Lakes. The house is easily accessible, only 5 minutes drive from the M6 in the village of Tirril, and lies only 3 miles from Ullswater and Pooley Bridge and 3 miles from Penrith. The pub in Tirril is within easy walking distance and provides a restaurant and small shop. Bar meals are served throughout the day. A mile away in Yanwath is another pub restaurant renowned for its cuisine.
Tirril Lodge sits in spacious grounds with views over open countryside to both the front and rear. Activities available locally include pony trekking at Sockbridge and a variety of water sports on Ullswater, including sailing instruction, as well as some of the best fell walking in the Lake District. The house is ideally situated for exploring both the northern and southern lakes and fells. Situated just 2½ miles from the beautiful scenery of Ullswater, you can enjoy a trip around the lake on a steamer and visit the impressive waterfall at Aira Force. A spectacular journey along the shores of Ullswater and over the Kirkstone Pass takes you to Lake Windermere. At the head of Derwentwater and 15 miles from Sockbridge, lies the town of Keswick with its lovely parks and selection of coffee, gift and outdoor shops.

Neighbouring to a working arable farm, The Dukes Lodge has origins dating back to the 13th Century and was formally owned by the Duke of Norfolk. Transformed into a superb spacious park farmhouse offering the perfect venue for larger family get togethers, special occasions and surprise celebrations. Set in private grounds with large mature lawned gardens boasting three wonderful seating terraces having private hot tub, and outdoor barbeque area and wood fired pizza area, perfect to enjoy al fresco dining. The Dukes Lodge is nestled alongside a working arable farm, and offers guests exclusive private use to miles of foot trails located on the farm. During the day, the large windows flood the house with plenty of daylight and great views of the gardens.
The accommodation is offered across two floors boasting large rooms with high ceilings, comfortably furnished, brimming with character of its heritage. The large open plan kitchen/dining room with an impressive dining table and doors open onto the seating terraces. If you’re planning a special meal, the dining table is big enough to host an amazing banquet and you can easily get everyone together. The large kitchen is well equipped and provides a social and communal hub with all the cooking facilities you need. The boot room, ideal for walking gear and muddy boots, and towels and beds for dogs. A warm dog hand shower is provided to clean up following any walk. Two living rooms both with wood burners, great to snuggle beside on cooler evenings, entertainment package, perfect for movie nights! The games room has air hockey, table tennis, snooker and table football. There is also an electronic keyboard, and plenty of board games to enjoy, Wii games console with monitor great for competitive family tournaments. There are seven spacious 6ft super kingsize beds all boasting en-suite walk-in shower rooms. Two of the bedrooms are family rooms, each with an additional single bed, ideal for little ones. Every bedroom offers sleeping flexibility, can be either 6ft super kingsize or separated into two single beds. A ground floor bedroom boasts electric beds and disabled friendly walk-in shower with pull down seat and grab rail.
Earsham is in the valley of the River Waveney forming the boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk. This is a great location, close to all the necessary amenities and an excellent base to explore the rolling countryside and unspoilt coastline. The area offers good bird watching, walking, and cycling opportunities. The market towns of Bungay (2.6 miles) and Beccles (9.5 miles) within the Broads National Park where the River Waveney runs through. Having independent boutiques and chain shops, an excellent collection of eateries, cafés and weekly market. Beccles has lido open air heated swimming pool, popular with many local swimmers. The Broads National Park is best enjoyed on the waterways with kayaks, canoes, and day boat motor launches to hire, for a more leisurely pace, or enjoy a guided boat tour, where you can just sit back. A 30 minutes’ drive to visit the Suffolk’s stunning Heritage Coast, the popular seaside town of Southwold, with pubs, galleries, shops, lighthouse, and fresh seafood eateries. The intriguing village of Dunwich, a peaceful haven for wildlife and beautiful heathland. Norwich (16 miles) a bustling cathedral city with culture, heritage and entertainment for all.
Beach 16½ miles.