Fido Family Friendly Places

Take a beautiful Peak District National Park setting, just 3½ miles from Bakewell, add a historic hall (first recorded in the Domesday Book), and an ancient cluster of listed buildings converted to form superb holiday cottage accommodation, and the result is the captivating blend that is Harthill Hall.

Nestling in 14 acres of grounds on an upland called Priest’s Hill with excellent walking available from the doorstep, the properties have the use of an extensive range of leisure facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, solarium and treatment rooms. Noble names have woven the threads of the hall’s long history including Henry de Ferrers, the Cokaynes and the Harthills. Henry VIII is also believed to have stayed at the hall.

It was here in 1259 that Sir Richard de Hartle was issued a Papal Bull by Pope Alexander II, allowing him to appoint his own chaplain. The chapel ceased its functions as a place of worship in 1546 and now takes the form of The Chapel and Hartle Cottage. The eight cottages are furnished with antiques and surround a medieval cobbled courtyard. They all retain a wealth of original features including thick stone walls, large oak beams, mullion windows and flagstone floors. Derbyshire’s bustling market towns, villages, hills, dales and rivers offer majestic scenery, and a rich variety of customs. Boasting a varied and beautiful landscape, they offer a blend of heritage, history and family attractions.

The beautiful market town of Bakewell (3½ miles) is situated on the River Wye, crossed by a 13th-century five-arched bridge which has coffee shops and restaurants. Within easy reach are Matlock, Hall Leys Park, Chesterfield, Alfreton and Buxton. National Trust properties and gardens nearby include Riley Graves, Longshaw, Mam Tor, South Peak, Dovedale, Hardwick Hall and Kedleston Hall. Close by are both Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall. Golf and horse riding are available within 5 miles. Shop 3½ miles, pub 1 mile.

Enjoying uninterrupted views of the award-winning Mawgan Porth beach, this fantastic beach house is surrounded by a third of an acre of beautifully kept gardens with a large, sea facing, sun trap decking area, overlooking gently sloping lawns and a pretty stream that trickles down to the sea below. Solar panels help heat the house and water while providing free electrical car charging for our guests’ electric vehicle.

Over the past year (2022), the house has been renovated to the highest standards by one of the country’s leading interior designers and offers plenty of living space all benefitting from exceptional sea views and floor to ceiling sliding doors leading to a large decking area. The large circular fireplace makes for cosy evenings during the Autumn and Winter months. The brand-new handmade kitchen is well supplied with all creature comforts from a juicer to a selection of coffee machines, including a Nespresso. A door leads into a separate TV room with a big corner sofa, both with fabulous sea views and door to the terrace. Three ground floor bedrooms, ome with chandelier, two with those stunning views. A beautiful glass and oak staircase leads from the entrance hall up to the first floor where you will find three more bedrooms; a double bedroom with en-suite shower room; a large twin bedroom with large en-suite shower room, and one with a TV and sofa bed which enjoys the best views of all.

The beach is just a 5-minute walk away from the garden gate. Off the drive, there is a lawned area and to the side of the house a heated outdoor shower for when you return from the beach. The equipment store has a range of children’s wetsuits and storage for boards. Once cleaned off, you can luxuriate in the state-of-the-art Aspen and Spruce spa with a sauna, experiential shower plus cold water bucket for the brave. Situated mid-way between Padstow and Newquay, Mawgan Porth offers you a beautiful west facing beach, stunning scenery, wondrous walks, superb surfing, an amazing variety of restaurants to suit everyone’s taste and pocket, including a cosy pub, seafood restaurant, cafés, and takeaways all within walking distance of Blue Seas. Beach less than a 5 minute walk.