Dog-friendly European Escapes

Occupying an enviable position in the village of Heyope and overlooking the rolling countryside, these pleasant detached holiday cottages (refs 30201, 30202, 30203 and UK6399) all stand within their own grounds on a small exclusive site, each with a private hot tub, patio area and enclosed garden. The village itself is close to the popular town of Knighton, which occupies a unique position, as part of the town is in Wales, and part in England – a truly unique character border town. Made famous by one of Owain Glyndwr’s most famous victories against English invaders, it now warmly welcomes tourists from all over Europe and beyond. Steeped in history with sloping, winding streets and 17th century half-timbered houses, this is a great location for visiting Offa’s Dyke and the Glyndwr Way, or exploring the beautiful and fascinating Teme Valley. Throughout the year, there are some lively fairs celebrated, and all year round, you will find an array of antique and gift shops, tea rooms, old inns, good food and friendly locals. Local attractions include Offas Dyke Heritage Centre, Powys Observatory with Planetarium Show, golf, clay pigeon shooting and coarse fishing.
Due to its special location, the tourist attractions of Shropshire and mid Wales are all within easy driving distances, so you can visit the likes of Clun with its castle, Ludlow, Church Stretton and Longmynd. Ironbridge Gorge, Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth make great day trips, and over the border into Wales, you can enjoy Welshpool with its steam engine, canal and Powys Castle. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

These stylish renovated properties are set in a rural location and form part of a charming collection of holiday homes. These five properties (refs UK40448 UKC3108, UKC3109, UKC3334 and UK40450) stand in a semi-rural location, adjacent to horse stables and accessed along a track. These properties are ideal for couples or families, offering couple, spacious accommodation and private outdoor spaces with hot tubs. There is also a shared games room with table football, table tennis and magnetic darts, and for guests who would like to bring their horse, stabling can be arranged by prior arrangement with the owner.

Many thoughtful and personal touches have been added, such as books, family games and a record player with a large selection of vinyl records. All of the rooms have a sumptuous feel, with careful co-ordination, very high levels of comfort and design. The bedrooms are all themed with feature wallcovering to one wall, using beautiful interior design. Also, all guests have shared access to a ’chill out’ room, outdoor table tennis, a playhouse, slide, boules, outdoor large chess set, badminton net, 5-a-side football – there really is something for all age groups!

The properties lie on the National Cycle Network, and this area is known for its scenic walks and wildlife. There is a direct gravel track along the Castleman Trailway (the old railway line) to miles of woodland walks making this ideal for walkers and cyclists. One route leads to a pub, Chinese restaurant and golf course (all within 20-minute flat walk).

Cranborne Chase and the Jurassic coastline (Purbecks, Swanage and Wareham) are within easy reach, the latter being a nationally protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers extensive scenic walks and a wealth of wildlife. Wimborne is a market town with a historic town trail taking in the buildings ranging from the 15th to 17th centuries. Here you will also find the popular Tivoli theatre, model town, coffee houses, shops, market and restaurants. The sandy beaches at Bournemouth and Poole are just 10 miles away and Sandbanks, Studland Bay and the Poole Natural Reserve are within easy reach. National Trust properties Kingston Lacy Estate, Badbury Rings and Brownsea Island are a short distance away. Beach 10 miles. Shop 1½ miles, Please note: Fireworks are not allowed in the garden or grounds of this property due to livestock and horses nearby.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 34 guests.

Lying peacefully in a rural location on the owners’ smallholding, near the small hamlet village of Trelech, these semi-detached holiday cottages (29176 and 29177) have been finished to a very good standard, offering an excellent touring base for a family or couples alike. Conveniently located, they are in an area that abounds with fantastic walks around the nearby Preselli Hills, a natural playground for mountain bikers, ramblers and walkers. Situated close to the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire borders, guests can discover the famous castles of the west including Carreg Cennen, Kidwelly and Laugharne, once home to famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and his iconic boat house. Visit the popular tourist resorts of Tenby and Narbeth and explore the array of boutique shops, fantastic restaurants and award-winning theme parks including Oakwood, Manor House and Folly Farm, home to Wales’ very own colony of giraffes. Golf, riding and fishing nearby, and a supermarket 15 miles away. Shop 8 miles.

Set amid 10½-acre grounds, complete with outdoor heated swimming pool, games room with pool table and darts, mini-gym and children’s play area, these six holiday properties (26767, 26768, 27123, UKC284, UKC285 and UKC1844) occupy a beautiful setting. Named after British apples, they have been imaginatively converted from former fruit barns. On arrival, dive into the welcome pack.
All the properties at Horselake have a private garden or courtyard, whilst enjoying the freedom to roam the grounds and make the most of the shared facilities. Ideal for exploring South Devon with its stunning coastline, and resorts such as Dawlish and Teignmouth. Rugged Dartmoor is only a short drive, and many family attractions are within easy reach including National Trust-owned Castle Drogo, Fingle Bridge, the Teign Gorge, and Canonteign Falls and Country Park. The properties are within 10 miles of the old cathedral city of Exeter, with its many varied attractions including a racecourse, shopping, antique shops, guided tours and a host of summer festivals. Fishing on the River Teign, 3 miles. Golf 4 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant within 1 mile.

Uncover the delights of Oak Cottage nestled within the quaint hamlet of Walwyns Castle, in the rolling Pembrokeshire countryside near the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Footpath, and close to St Brides Bay, complete with a plethora of picture-postcard beaches including St Brides, Little Haven and Broad Haven. In an evening after a busy day sightseeing, relax in your private hot tub with a glass of bubbly, relax those muscles and take in the stars. On-site there is plenty to keep you busy with a large shared games room boasting a full size pool table, table football, table tennis and soft play area for the young ones. For those more active, enjoy a game of tennis or keep fit at the gym. There is also an outdoor climbing frame and slide to keep the children entertained.

Oak Cottage is set all on one level within the mature grounds of the owner’s home and is the end of a row of three beautiful holiday cottages. The contemporary, galley-style kitchen offers the perfect space for testing your culinary skills, or you may prefer to dine al fresco in the south facing courtyard, perfect for evening sunsets. Both bedrooms have been lovingly furnished to a very good standard.

The coastal hamlet of Little Haven is 10 minutes away where you can enjoy fresh line caught fish or an array of shellfish, and the local inn/restaurant serving local ales. Travelling further south west, visit the boating village of Dale and enjoy some fantastic walks, boating, kayaking and fishing, or for some birdlife, take a trip to Skomer Island with boats departing from St Martins Haven. Tenby, Folly Farm Zoo, Heatherton World of Adventures and Oakwood, Wales’ largest theme park, are all within 40 minutes’ drive and perfect for all the family.

Oak Cottage can be booked with Ash Cottage (ref UK11213), two doors apart, to accommodate up to 8 guests.

This spacious, detached, single-storey cottage has been fully renovated to a very good standard, and is situated on the owners’ a working sheep and dairy farm. With its own private hot tub and barbecue area, the cottage offers views over open countryside and is situated close to the towns of Dalry and Lochwinnoch. For walkers or those bringing their four legged friends, there are dog and boot washing facilities.
Located on Scotland’s west coast, the property is ideally located to explore the beauty of the Ayrshire coastline. Ayrshire offers a varied coastline with villages, beaches and rocky coves to explore, and is an ideal location for cyclists and walkers with Skelmorlie heralding the start of the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal walk. Inland there is walking, cycling, gardens and castles to visit along with opportunities to ride, fish and golf (the world famous Turnberry course is nearby). Culzean Castle Country Park, extending for over 550 acres, has a network of wooded trails passing along the beach. For water sports, Castle Semple is within easy reach, and mountain bike hire can be found at Lochwinnoch, 5 miles away.
Explore the islands of Cumbrae, Arran and the Isle of Bute or catch a ferry to Dunoon and the Cowal Peninsula which gives you great access to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Glasgow and Edinburgh are easily reached for a day trip. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

This delightful cottage can be found on the edge of the Peak District in the picturesque village of Cutthorpe, down a private country lane on the owner’s non-working farm of 2 acres. Green Farm is surrounded by fields, woodland, footpaths and bridleways with direct access to the Linacre Reservoirs and Holmebrook Country Park. The Pig Sty is a beautifully converted stone barn, situated over two floors. It has been modernised throughout whilst retaining many original features. The ground floor is a large open plan living space complete with a warming wood burner, leather corner sofa, a large LCD TV and exposed stone walls. There is also a fully-equipped kitchen/dining room, a great social space with a large dining table to enjoy a home cooked meal with all the family. Head upstairs where you will find the bathroom and two generously sized bedrooms; a double bedroom which enjoys views over the countryside through the large picture widow and a twin bedroom which is en-suite. After a busy day exploring the surrounding area, the private garden with a covered hot tub (available at an additional charge) is a great place to relax and unwind. Double glazed with underfloor heating downstairs and centrally heated throughout, this barn is perfect for families and groups all year round. Additional towels and gowns are also included.

Cutthorpe has two pubs within walking distance that are dog friendly and serve food. It has a pretty village green and benefits from panoramic views over Chesterfield with its famous crooked spire. The village is located on the edge of the Peak District National Park, yet is only 3 miles from the popular market town of Chesterfield. Its perfect location allows you to explore historic houses, walking, cycling and visiting the tourist towns of Bakewell, Matlock, Castleton, Buxton, Eyam and Hathersage. If its stately homes, castles and gardens you would like to visit, the magnificent Chatsworth House is only 10 minutes drive away; the grounds and house will provide a full day out. Within 30 minutes you can also visit Packwood house, Bolsover castle, Renishaw hall, Haddon hall and Hardwick hall.

For those that are more active, there are numerous options varying from local walks from your door, to more adventurous walks in the Peak District. Cyclists are also well catered for with a variety of road and off road tracks and trails. Additionally there is shooting, canoeing, horse riding, go ape, abseiling, climbing, fishing and golf all available nearby. Alternatively you can just relax and enjoy the tranquillity that Green Farm offers. The nearest shop is 2 miles, café 1½ miles, post office, doctors are all available locally.

The Pig Sty (ref W44184) can be booked together with the Tawny Owl Barn (ref 18220) and the Old Cow Shed (ref UKC2608) to accommodate up to 11 guests.

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.

Blencathra is a tastefully converted Grade II listed barn situated on Blakebeck Farm just two miles from the unspoilt Lakeland village of Mungrisdale. The barn has an upside-down layout with a large open plan living area on the first floor. Lovely views of the local fells and Blencathra surround the barn and the owner’s sheep and lambs graze in the meadows around the cottages, along with alpacas and donkeys. Local walks from the doorstep are plentiful. Cyclists will enjoy the quiet country lanes and golfers will find Keswick Golf Course one and a half miles away. The popular bustling market town of Keswick with an abundance of interesting shops, eateries and a good leisure centre is seven and a half miles away. Stretch your legs along the edge of Derwentwater or through the Borrowdale Valley and pick up the Keswick Launch to cruise back again. Towards the south, Ullswater and Thirlmere are a short drive away and both offer spectacular scenery, challenging walks and plentiful activities. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

Blencathra can be booked together with The Garth (CC112156) to accommodate up to 12 guests.

Set near the breathtakingly beautiful North Devon Coast running on ground and air source renewable energy, this friendly, family run complex is peacefully located within 10 acres of grounds with outstanding views over the glorious Devon countryside. Moorhead Country Holidays is the perfect holiday choice for family, friends, and couples at any time of year. The complex comprises of 16 properties, 10 apartments for families accommodating between 3 and 6 people set together in the grounds, 6 apartments for couples (and older children) set in a barn conversion attached to the main complex. The complex has fantastic on-site facilities including a heated indoor swimming pool (open all year), and hot tub area, a well-equipped gym, Wi-Fi (in the communal areas), games room and separate snooker room.

Located on a 1½-acre, well-stocked coarse fishing lake, with carp weighing up to 25lb, in stunning surroundings, there is also a Just for Fun 9-hole pitch and putt (weather dependant), and full size Boulee court. In the evening there is a delightful fully licensed bar and restaurant to enjoy and give a relaxing end to the day (open between Easter - October, 6:30pm and 8:15pm (Closed February half term and Sundays) reservations for the restaurant to be made before 5pm each day). Guests staying over the New Year week can enjoy a complimentary party with a buffet and music to welcome in the New Year. There is plenty to keep everyone entertained whatever the weather.
Only 4 miles from the coast, this stunning location is perfect to explore the dramatic North Cornwall and North Devon coastline. There is the Hartland Peninsula, the pretty town of Bideford with a good range of facilities, and a trip to Lundy Island can be organised from the quayside. Westward Ho! and the popular Cornish resort of Bude have fantastic beaches, renowned for excellent surfing, whilst Bude’s vibrant town centre has a vast array of good restaurants and bars. Both walkers and cyclists will enjoy the nearby Tarka Trail and Moorhead Country Holidays is the perfect touring base to explore the delights of both North Devon and North Cornwall. Coastal walks, and for family fun, The Big Sheep and The Milky Way Adventure Parks are a must. Garden lovers will enjoy RHS Rosemoor, Docton Mill and Tapeley Park, and there are many pretty fishing villages nearby including Clovelly, Instow and Appledore. Tennis, horse riding, mountain boarding, paintballing and quad biking are all on offer locally and for a great day out, why not visit the famous Eden Project. Village shop 1 mile.