Fido Family Friendly Places

This delightful cottage, one of a pair, enjoys an extensive enclosed lawned garden, with a gentle fenced stream at the end. Boasting historic links that date back to the early 1800s, it is a Georgian timber framed farm cottage, built for the workers on Birketts Farm. It is conveniently situated on the road into the village of Holmbury St Mary and is in the valley between popular walking areas Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill. The cottage has views across to Leith Hill, and the stream at the bottom of the garden is one of the tributaries to the river Arun, which has its origin on Leith Hill. Inside, the cottage is warm and welcoming with lots of thoughtful personal touches throughout. The cosy living/dining room has a lovely gas stove in an inglenook surround, and the kitchen is well equipped with a breakfast table looking out to the front garden. The bathroom has a shower over the bath and there is also a utility/boot room, ideal to put muddy boots or anoraks in after a day of walking. Upstairs there is a spacious master bedroom with views overlooking the countryside to the front and rear. The much smaller twin bedroom is set up in an ‘L-shape’.

Holmbury St Mary is considered one of the prettiest villages in Surrey and is believed to be the basis for the fictional village of Summer Street in E.M. Forster’s story, ’A Room with a View’. Hurtwood Common, on Holmbury Hill, is the largest area of common land in Surrey and is the home to Mullards Space Science Laboratories, which is the largest space research group in the UK. It is perfectly situated for walking and cycling, and every year the Prudential Cycle Race comes past the front of the cottage.

There are many popular country inns and pubs in the locality, and picturesque villages and hamlets to discover nearby include Shere, with its 13th-century church, tea rooms and duck pond. Also located close to the property are Abinger Hammer, Ockley and Forest Green. Dorking is about a 15-minute drive and is a delightful town with various amenities, plus a mainline station to London. Guildford, about a 20-minute drive, has a cathedral, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, large shopping centre and cosmopolitan eateries. In addition to the lido, indoor pool and Spectrum Leisure Centre, you can find Wild Wood Adventure Park, ideal for children of all ages.

Wonderful walks can be enjoyed along the North Downs, and the most popular walks include Newlands Corner and Box Hill. Bocketts Farm makes a fun day out for the children, and there are easy motorway links to get to Chessington World of Adventures. Also, why not visit Hampton Court Palace, Denbies vineyard, which is the largest in the UK, and Gomshall Mill. If a day at the races is for you, there are many racecourses to choose from, including Sandown, Lingfield Park, Kempton, Brighton and Plumpton. For a day at the beach, Worthing or Brighton are about an hour away by car. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Set on a private drive off a quiet lane, Tor Hatch Cottage is a pretty holiday home set next to the grand main house of Tor Hatch. The cottage overlooks a wide picturesque valley in the Surrey Hills, with access to the owners’ huge garden and footpaths beyond. There are abundant walking opportunities, and this is a great base to put your walking boots on and clear your head with a walk across the fields to one of the local villages and pubs.
If cycling is your passion, there are lots of routes from the doorstep that are very popular with cyclists - indeed both the 2012 London Olympics and the Prudential RideLondon routes pass within a mile, just north of Shere. With lots of quiet lanes and traditional villages to explore, plan your excursions next to the roaring fire, or open the map out with a cold drink in the sunny dining room.
Tor Hatch Cottage offers two double bedrooms, a comfortable sitting room and well-equipped kitchen area, perfect for a break away from the city, all within a half hour drive of London suburbs such as Epsom, Esher and Weybridge.
For larger groups, why not book with Tor Hatch. sleeping a total of 16? For further information, please see Tor Hatch Estate.
To top off the experience and give you a morning protein fix, fresh eggs are available from the owner’s chickens - laying dependent!

Nestled in the charming Surrey village of Churt near Farnham, this newly refurbished holiday cottage offers a tranquil retreat in Japanese style with modern comforts. The open-plan living area seamlessly combines minimalistic and contemporary furnishings. The stylish walnut kitchen is well equipped with everything you need for your stay. The living area offers additional sleeping with a double sofa bed. French doors open out to a meditation platform and Zen garden, extending out to a mature, south facing garden. A private hot tub providing a luxurious spa escape surrounded by nature. The cottage’s allure extends to the nearby Frensham Great Pond, offering opportunities for sailing, fishing (members only), and swimming. A sandy beach and café enhance the natural gem’s appeal and prove extremely popular in the summertime. Paths and bridleways lead off from here into the surrounding area and woodland walks. Historical enthusiasts can explore the nearby town of Farnham, just a 10-minute drive away.
Farnham offers cultural richness, shops, eateries, attractions like the historic Farnham Castle and the cultural hub, Farnham Maltings. Other attractions include Waverley Abbey, Hogs Back Brewery Tours, and the Rural Life Centre. Train stations in Farnham, and Haslemere provide easy access to London and the south coast. Nature lovers can discover Bourne Woods and Hankley Common for forest bathing where many of the Hollywood films such as Gladiator and Skyfall were filmed. Many woodlands nearby including Devil’s Punchbowl provide scenic beauty with walking trails and diverse flora.
The Rural Life Centre provides insight into the region’s agricultural history, while the Watts Gallery Artists’ Village beckons art enthusiasts with Victorian paintings and sculptures. The Alice Holt Forest offers family-friendly activities, including treetop adventures and woodland walks and cycle trails. Chawton, home to Jane Austen’s House Museum, and Portsmouth with its historic dockyard, museums, and entertainment, are within reach. Alton and Alresford offer the Watercress Line steam railway, while Petersfield and Winchester provide additional cultural and historical experiences. The Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Wittering and Hayling beaches, and sailing in the Solent are easily accessible.
Family-friendly attractions like Marwell Zoo, Thorpe Park, Peppa Pig World, and Legoland are within driving distance, ensuring a memorable holiday experience. When it comes to dining, charming pubs and restaurants throughout the area invite guests to indulge in local cuisine, adding a culinary dimension to the holiday experience. With natural beauty, historical charm, and recreational opportunities, this cottage promises an enchanting escape.