Fido Family Friendly Places

Just 500 yards from the glorious sand duned beach at Kessingland, a traditional seaside village on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, is this superb, very spacious, detached holiday home. The house has the added addition of a private hot tub, large garden, its own cinema room with a 2½ metre screen and a games room, and is the ideal base for a family holiday or for friends to get together to relax and unwind. Only 4 miles away is the popular resort of Lowestoft, which offers traditional seaside entertainment, and children will love Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, which is just a short drive away. Just down the road is Africa Alive, or visit the lovely seaside resort of Southwold, famous for Adnams Brewery, the pier and summer theatre. Dunwich Heath and Beach, RSPB Minsmere, Aldeburgh with its fishing boats and local seafood, and Snape Maltings Concert Hall are also easily accessible. Hire a boat on the glorious Norfolk Broads and watch the weekly speed boat racing on nearby Oulton Broad. The medieval city of Norwich, with its fine shopping, castle, cathedral and museums, is an easy drive. Beach 500 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

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.

Perfect for a large family gathering or celebration, Oswald House offers spacious and stylish accommodation for a splendid holiday. The vast kitchen and dining space is the social hub of the home and large bi-fold doors open up onto the outside space with a superb hot tub and barbecue; the ideal spot for relaxing in after a busy day sightseeing. Situated in the village of Llanon with a pub and shops within walking distance, this holiday home is the perfect base for immersing yourself in all that the area has to offer. With a superb mix of coast and countryside, Ceredigion is a large and beautiful place to visit. Award-winning beaches, perfect coves, iconic castles and pretty harbours make days out by car or on foot along the 60 miles of Heritage coastline a must. This region inspired Dylan Thomas to write some of his finest poetry. It is framed by the Cambrian Mountains, known as the backbone of Wales, and is so rich in wildlife, legends and fascinating landscapes. Look out for birds of prey such as red kites and buzzards soaring high above, and dolphins or seals in the waters. Drive along the Plynlimon Mountains, through the Tywi Forest or visit the impressive Abergwesyn Pass, and marvel at the solitude.

For a truly authentic Welsh family holiday experience, this is the area to be. The locals are justifiably proud of this region with its rich local folklore which tells of tricking the devil, mermaids, shipwrecked kings and princesses, and even an explanation of why gulls sound as if they’re crying. The little gems of Georgian Aberaeron, historic Cardigan, salty New Quay, traditional Tregaron and Lampeter are waiting to be explored. To the south, the coves of Mwnt, Cwmtydu, Penbryn, Tresaith – which resemble illustrations from books about pirates, are all within easy reach. To the north, around Aberystwyth and Borth, there are vast stretches of sand. Food plays a big part in the experience of Ceredigion, and a wide choice is to be found in the shops, restaurants and cafés offering regional products and ingredients such as the world beating Teifi Valley cheeses, the ubiquitous Welsh cakes, bara brith and of course, some spectacularly good seafood from the coast.

No visit to the area would be complete without a ride on the steam railway. From the coast at Aberystwyth, watch the scenery change whilst travelling through ancient woodland and rugged mountain scenery, with the line clinging to the hillside to reach Devil’s Bridge, home of the famous Mynach Falls and Devil’s Punchbowl. Come and escape to this magnificent area and let Oswald House be your home for a holiday to remember!
Beach ½ mile. Shop, pub and restaurant 600 yards. This property can be booked together with Ty Fynnon (HW7601) and Oswald Lodge (HW7804) to accommodate larger groups.

Originally two working cottages, Ashdene is now one large property which has been extended to provide modern accommodation with a private indoor heated swimming pool in a separate building, a hot tub for four, a large private, enclosed garden with lots of facilities for entertaining guests of all ages from the children’s’ play area to a very well-equipped, purpose built games room. The main living area is on the first floor and the majority of the bedrooms are located on the ground floor.
This detached cottage, located on the doorstep of the Cotswolds, provides an excellent base from which to explore many attractions within a short drive such as Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, the Roman city of Bath and the ancient stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury.
There is so much on offer in and around the surrounding area of Ashdene including Roves Farm, a great place for children and adults alike, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Longleat House and Safari Park, Cotswolds Wildlife Park and Oasis Leisure Centre. If it’s shopping you’re after, you’re very close to the Swindon designer shopping outlet. Also worth a visit are Swindon ice-rink, the White Horse at Uffington, Lechdale-on-Thames, Bowood House and Gardens, and the Windrush Gallery. Shop ½ mile, pub ¼ mile, restaurant 2 miles.

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.

This comfortable and welcoming, thatched, detached former farmhouse dates back to 1750, and has many features such as beams, low lintels and sloping floors. The main house has two living rooms and a dining room which seats up to 18. There is also an indoor swimming pool and a games room, making it ideal for family gatherings and celebrations. The old creamery, located in a separate building next to the main house, has been converted into an annexe with an additional two en-suite bedrooms, and still has the exposed stone walls and floors! From the farmhouse gardens there are far-reaching views over countryside and rolling hills and it is conveniently located for trips to Lyme Regis, West Bay and Bridport. There is a local bus service for those wishing to explore the area without using the car. Park Farmhouse is located on the coast road in the heart of the charming historic village of Chideock with a pub and restaurant a couple of doors away. Julia Bradbury’s ‘Best Walks With A View’ includes a walk which encircles Park Farmhouse. A popular farm shop is about a mile away with outside seating with glorious views over the National Trust land and the famous Golden Cap which is the highest point on the south coast!

Steeped in history, Chideock was recorded in the Domesday Book as Cidihoc. In 1379-80, John de Chideock, a manorial lord, built Chideock Castle, just north of the village. During the Middle Ages, ownership passed to the Catholic Arundell family, who used it to provide refuge for priests and loyal followers during subsequent persecution. In 1802 the Arundells were succeeded by the Weld family of Lulworth Castle who in 1810, built Chideock Manor. Park Farmhouse once served the occupants of the manor for many years with cream from the creamery.

The stunning and dramatic Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site covering 96 miles of coastline and is less than a mile away at Seatown. It is also known for its fossil hunting. The beaches of West Bay and Lyme Regis have a traditional feel with gift shops, tea rooms, inns and restaurants. Lyme Regis with The Cobb and harbour was the setting for the filming of The French Lieutenant’s Woman. More recently, Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ and Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far from The Madding Crowd’ were both filmed here. Renowned TV chef Mark Hix has an Oyster and Fish House in Lyme Regis. There are other pretty villages such as Beer and Branscombe within easy reach or you may wish to visit the numerous stately homes and gardens in the area. You can also discover Dorset’s sandy bays, rugged hill top walks and tiny coves. Fishing is available locally. Beach ¾ mile. Shop 240 yards, pub and restaurant 50 yards.

Situated in the pretty village of Harley this detached property enjoys gorgeous views over the surrounding farmland and the ‘Wenlock Edge’. Meadow View is a superb property for families and groups alike. The property has the advantage of a good sized living room and a dining room with a dining table to seat 10 guests. The conservatory provides wonderful views of Wenlock Edge and the large gardens to the rear of the property. There is also a games room on the ground floor with a writng desk, chair, 65" HD TV, Playstation and table football. On the first floor there are five bedrooms, one with en-suite, and a family bathroom with a walk-in shower.
The property is located within close reach of the popular towns of Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth and Ironbridge which all have a range of independent shops, bars and restaurants. There are many excellent walks along the Shropshire Hills and over the Wenlock Edge. For those guests looking to be less active, there are many pleasant days out to be had in the area, including seeing Haughmond Abbey ruins, Shrewsbury Abbey and Attingham park. Shop and restaurant 3 miles, pub 1 mile.

Thatched Cottage is a spacious detached six bedroom property for 12 guests and is suitable for a large family or a group of friends. It is a beautifully furnished converted restaurant set within the town of Kingsteignton, 2 miles from Newton Abbot and 1 mile from Newton Abbot racecourse. Spend some time unwinding in the open plan living and dining area on the ground floor which is light, airy and has plenty of room and home comforts for everyone to spread out. Perfect for a relaxing evening indoors when you’re not out exploring the delights of the local area. Next door, the kitchen is well equipped to prepare a family dinner. It is perfect for socialising whilst cooking a home-cooked meal. From the living room three steps lead down to a separate games room area which houses a pool table, a bar with stools, a gaming fruit machine (which is free to use with no prizes), a dart board, a 40” Smart TV with Freeview and Netflix. Upstairs are 6 bedrooms each with a Freeview Smart TV with Netflix. The enclosed walled garden is great for pets and it features a 5-seater hot tub, a barbecue, 2 picnic benches on the lawn plus a small patio area with a bench, great for enjoying your morning coffee.

Kingsteignton has a choice of shops, pubs, a variety of eateries and sporting facilities, and the nearby towns and villages offer a variety of attractions. Nearby Newton Abbott can be reached from the doorstep along the walking and cycling path which takes you through the Hackney Marshes nature reserve. The ancient market town offers plenty of local shops, high street chains and supermarkets. There’s also a racecourse where National Hunt racing takes place from spring until autumn, with craft fairs during the winter.

There are a number of beaches within easy driving distance including Teignmouth, Torquay and Paignton, which also has a zoo. Spend a day on the beach building sand castles and walk the impressive Victorian Pier at Teignmouth. Enjoy the stunning beaches around Torquay and the many hidden coves such as Meadfoot, Oddicombe, and further afield, the pretty Ness Cove. And of course, the South West Coast Path provides stunning seascapes across the bay, with a popular stretch from Torquay Harbour to Daddyhole Plain.

The Dartmoor National Park is nearby with rugged and stunning scenery where you can enjoy walking, cycling, horse riding, climbing and canoeing. You can see the ponies, walk the Tors or simply stop off in one of the many villages for a Devon cream tea. For the children, there is Crealy Adventure Park or Go Ape in Haldon. There are many cycle ways off road, including Powderham Castle where there is a cycle track along the estuary. Other memorable days out include the Round Robin Bus Trip, Paignton Zoo, Woodlands Adventure Park, Babbacombe Model Village and Kents Cavern. Beach 3 miles. Shop and pub ¼ mile, restaurant 1 mile

These two wonderful semi-detached holiday properties enjoy an enviable seaside location close to the beach and the North Shore Golf Course. Telford Lodge (UK31418) comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests across three bedrooms and features an external cabin with board games. Tufty’s Place (UK31419) is the ideal choice for a couple, with 1 double bedroom and a private hot tub!
The traditional resort of Skegness offers lots of entertainment for all the family, with a sandy beach nearby to play on or for long family walks with the dog. To the south of Skegness is Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve, offering miles of walking routes and a visitor centre with a restaurant, where you can stop off for a bite of eat at the end of a busy day of exploration. Inland there is opportunity to have a go at kart racing, horse riding and car racing, as well as all the amusements and funfair to enjoy. In the evenings, kick back and relax in the private garden with a cool drink, or dine al fresco in the fresh coastal air. If you don’t feel like cooking, nearby are a number of takeaways, pubs and restaurants. Leave the car and head to the bus stop for days out travelling further afield along the coastline. Beach 520 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 520 yards.
These are separate properties which can be booked together to accommodate up 12 guests, which includes small children, with additional facilities for toddlers and very small children.