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.

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.

The Old Roundhouse is a unique escape in sumptuous accommodation, the perfect holiday retreat in genuine peace and tranquillity. This stunning, spacious, detached barn conversion with original roundhouse enjoys total seclusion within its own large gardens on the edge of the owner’s farm, with no near neighbours. Nestling in this designated AONB, uninterrupted and magnificent views of the surrounding countryside abound and lovely walks can be enjoyed from the property. A 10-minute walk over the owner’s fields and woods leads to Hartland village with shops, three pubs and a lovely coffee shop. Sandy Spekes beach is just over a mile walk. A fabulous, picturesque, hidden treasure, great for rockpooling and surfing. The owners have maintained many original features - exposed internal stone walls, beams and wonderful slate floors with underfloor heating throughout. Everything has been thought of to ensure an incredible holiday to please everyone. The Old Roundhouse is a really special holiday home and a warm welcome awaits with complimentary chilled beer and wine, cream teas, fresh flowers and toiletries - all ingredients for a well earned break. The stunning World Heritage coastline abounds with family activities, from pretty beaches to hidden coves, once the haunt of smugglers. Hartland Abbey is worth a visit, as is the famous Clovelly. Bude and Bideford are within easy reach with their shops, attractions and leisure pursuits. Shops ½ mile.

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.

This welcoming, detached family home enjoys a lovely location, standing within 2 acres of extensive lawned gardens and overlooking the surrounding fields and countryside. Arnewood Corner is an ideal base for gathering family and friends, with many thoughtful touches and home comforts found throughout. Enjoy the games cabin, complete with a pin-ball machine, juke box, and a selection of games and toys, as well as the private hot tub, children’s play area and the outdoor heated swimming pool. There are six bedrooms found inside the main house, two of which are on the ground floor. There is a juke-box in the dining room and a piano in the living room.
This lovely property is located just a mile away from the pretty village of Sway, which has a village shop, family butchers, post office and a selection of pubs and restaurants. The ever popular New Forest National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is a haven for wildlife, is nearby with many roaming ponies and cattle along the roadsides and across the heathland, as well as extensive walking, cycling and horse riding routes. There is plenty to do in the area for all ages, all year round; picturesque villages serving cream teas, vineyards, golf courses, stately homes and many family attractions. Brockenhurst is nearby, as is the popular sailing town of Lymington, which is only a 5-minute drive, with its pretty harbour, fishing trips, cobbled streets, boutiques, pubs, restaurants and day trips by ferry to the Isle of Wight.
Other places of interest nearby include Beaulieu Motor Museum, the riverside village of Bucklers Hard, Exbury Gardens, Marwell Zoo, Peppa Pig World and New Forest Owl and Otter Park, to name but a few. Further afield, but well worth the trip, are Monkey World and the Tank Museum at Bovington. The property is also within easy reach of many beaches including Mudeford, Sandbanks, Poole and Bournemouth, the nearest beach being 4 miles away at Milford-on-Sea – also great for crabbing! Along the coastline, there are a many popular activities such as windsurfing, boating and swimming. Beach 4 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

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 spacious, character property boasts a private hot tub with beautiful views of the Preseli Hills, and it also has an annexe for six guests. Green Haven is a large detached property offering a large living and formal dining room with original parquet flooring and focal inglenook fireplace, complete with wood burner, which opens into the spacious sun room. All bedrooms have been thoughtfully furnished and all boast the comfort of en-suite facilities. On an evening, why not relax in the private hot tub? The insulated log cabin, which is located next to the hot tub and looks out over the garden, features a free play pool table with playing lights above, a fruit machine with a £100 jackpot and an antique bar complete with optics, and on the wall is a 42" HD Freeview TV.
Immerse yourself in this substantial property, situated on the edge of the market town of Narberth, and only a 5-minute walk into the village, where you can enjoy coffee shops, antique and craft shops and pubs. Green Haven is located within Pembrokeshire and is in the perfect location to explore the area, with the famous walled town of Tenby being only 20 minutes away. Tenby offers a lovely family friendly, award-winning beach, perfect for building sandcastles or going for a swim.
The property is ideal for exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and its 186 miles of meandering, beautiful coastal paths that are waiting to be discovered. Locally, Folly Farm, Wales’ largest zoo, is a fantastic day out, or for the thrill seekers, Oakwood Theme Park is not to be missed. A short drive around this rugged and picturesque coastline brings you to the fishing village of Saundersfoot, where you can enjoy fish and chips by harbour, or take one of the many boat trips out for a spot of fishing or sightseeing. A great day out to Britain’s smallest city of St David’s is also well worth seeing, with the magnificent 6th-century cathedral and Bishops Palace, which has been a pilgrimage and place of worship for hundreds of years. Beach 6 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

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 detached barn conversion is a romantic retreat, nestled within glorious countryside with woodland and country walks. Retaining its charm with oak floors, old beams and a wood-burning stove, the owners also provide bath robes and slippers for guests’ comfort.

This is the perfect place to relax and unwind to the sound of birdsong and nature. The property is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and magnificent scenery, and is just 1½ miles to Halwill Junction with its post office, shop and village inn. The glorious beaches of north Cornwall are just 17 miles away, with excellent surfing and breathtaking coastal walking. Fishing, horse riding and golf are all on offer close by, and Dartmoor National Park is a must for nature lovers. Beach 17 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.