Fido Family Friendly Places

Extensive sea and inland views can be admired from this Grade II listed former lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Built in 1791, it stands in a superb coastal location adjoining Happisburgh’s working lighthouse and within a short drive of the Norfolk Broads. It offers well-equipped, comfortable holiday accommodation; the cellar has been converted into a den for children. The lighthouse is open to the public on some Sundays in high season, when visitors can enjoy the fantastic view from the top. Local rural, beach and cliff-top walks, and fishing nearby. Wroxham 12 miles. Norwich 20 miles. Shop, pub/restaurant ½ mile.

This pretty self catering holiday cottage in Kent has been renovated to a high standard with oak beams and an open aspect giving it a real feeling of light and space yet with a cosy wood burner to curl up in front of in the colder months. The calm colour scheme and natural coir matting make this a very attractive and charming holiday cottage. A great area for walking, close to the seaside for watersports and Rye for culture, perfect for everyone!
With two beautiful bedrooms nestled in the eaves overlooking open fields and woodland and a living area that opens onto the private garden space, this is a wonderful location to relax and get away from the stresses of daily life, this luxury cottage is perfect for exploring the countryside. Stylishly furnished, this holiday cottage is light and spacious offering a good standard of self catering holiday accommodation. Added to this there is a tennis court which can be used to make your holiday even more fun (by prior arrangement with the owners).

Situated in a quiet rural location, Bardon Lodge is a spacious property attached to the owner’s home and set within 10 acres of grounds. The property is surrounded by fields and woodland, yet close enough to all amenities. The property has been decorated and furnished to a very good standard and is all on one level with both bedrooms having en-suite facilities. There is a living room with patio doors which lead to the decking area, ideal for dining al fresco. The sitting room also has patio doors leading out to the garden. The owner has horses and free range chickens may even come and visit!
There are so many places to visit and so easy to get to. Take a trip to Totnes where there are many shops, markets and walks along the riverbank. Dartmoor is just a short car ride where you can see the ponies, walk the Tors or simply stop off in one of the many villages for a Devon cream tea. Paignton, Torquay and Brixham are also great places to visit, as are Exeter and Plymouth, both within 30 minutes’ drive. There are many National Trust properties including Agatha Christie’s summer home ’Greenway’, well worth a visit. For the children, there is Crealy Adventure park, or Go Ape in Haldon. If you are bringing a bicycle, there are many cycle ways off road to be explored, including Powderham Castle where there is a cycle track all along the estuary. There is so much to see and do in this glorious part of Devon. Beach 6 miles. Shop 1 mile, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

These delightful holiday cottages are set in the peaceful conservation village of Puncknowle, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Jurassic Coast is just 1½ miles away with superb scenic walking. Each cottage is finished to a high standard offering very comfortable holiday accommodation and is set in the same smart courtyard area as the owners’ homes. The ‘chocolate-box’ village of Burton Bradstock is 3 miles with a good small beach. Abbotsbury, along the coast, has its famous swannery and sub-tropical garden. Further east is the Victorian seaside town of Weymouth, with Blue Flag beach, sea fishing, windsurfing, Sealife Centre and two RSPB nature reserves. Monkey World and the Tank Museum near Wool are great places for a family day out. Dorchester, the county town also known as Thomas Hardy’s ‘Casterbridge’ is 30 minutes’ drive and has a lively weekly market and beautiful Maiden Castle. To the west is the market town of Bridport which was Thomas Hardy’s ‘Port Bredy’ and has the twice weekly market as featured in the popular TV programme River Cottage. The picturesque harbours of West Bay are a great place for fishing. Lyme Regis is an attractive seaside resort which enjoys a dramatic setting with high cliffs, landslips and handsome harbour, known as The Cobb. Both Lyme Regis and Charmouth are renowned for their prehistoric fossils which are displayed in the local museum and on sale in the fossil shops. Local pub serving good food 250 yards.

Set in the seaside village of Benllech, this three bedroom upside-down mews is a very comfortable home from home. This holiday property has an open-plan living area offering spectacular views over the beach of Benllech Bay as well as far-reaching views of Puffin Island, The Great Orme and Snowdonia National Park. The large sandy beach is just 100 yards from the property making it ideal for family use. For those who enjoy watersports, the areas of Menai and Beaumaris are a short drive away. Anglesey offers excellent cycle and walking routes, along with several golf courses and the historic castle at Beaumaris. Shops 300 yards, pub 400 yards, restaurant 100 yards.

The Cider Barn is decorated and furnished to a very high standard by the owners who have years of experience in the hospitality industry, and the attention to detail is evident in every room.
Downstairs is a fabulous open plan living space, with wonderful Bi-folding doors that open to allow the outside in and giving you great views over the Blackdown hills. The kitchen is well-equipped with everything you need and the island unit opens it up to the rest of the room, so you can socialise while creating your next culinary masterpiece! The large Master bedroom on the ground floor has a stunning four-poster bed and en-suite bathroom with roll-top bath and separate shower, while upstairs the second large bedroom features a wonderful kingsize bespoke bed, beautiful beamed vaulted ceiling and statement lighting. There is also a shower room upstairs with walk-in shower.
Outside you will find a Mediterranean style covered seating area complete with its own chandelier, barbecue area and private hot tub, all soaking up the wonderful views!
Set in the lovely village of Bishopswood, with the Somerset Wildlife Trust running adjacent to the property, you are only 5-minutes’ walk from the local pub and surrounded by miles of beautiful walks. The market town of Honiton is just 10 miles away and the beach at Lyme Regis can be reached within a 30-minute drive. Heading north, you will find the county town of Taunton with lots of restaurants, cinema, bowling and shopping, and within an hour’s drive you will find Glastonbury, Street, Minehead and the moors of Exmoor! Beach 18 miles. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 250 yards.

This wonderful cottage has the perfect village location, walking distance to the village pub, and a great location to explore Norfolk’s amazing sandy coastline and its famous Norfolk Broads National Park.
Fully refurbished in 2022 to offer an excellent holiday home, beautifully furnished with open plan accommodation, the living room has comfy sofas and a wood burner, perfect to snuggle beside. The well-equipped kitchen allows opportunity to dine at home, yet within walking distance is the village pub serving good food. To the rear of the cottage is a lovely private, enclosed rear lawn garden with decking, seating furniture and a hot tub.
Close by is Hickling Broad, with a nature reserve that links to the Norfolk Broad’s unique topography of reed-lined waterways, famous for their good coarse fishing, boating and rich variety of wildlife, especially waterfowl. Also 3 miles drive away are the glorious sandy beaches of Sea Palling and Waxham, often visited by seals. Visit Wroxham (10 miles), the capital of the Norfolk Broads, with its waterside cafés, restaurants, shops and daily river trips available. Enjoy a trip through wonderful countryside along the Bure Valley Steam Railway, with opportunity to jump on and off at the riverside villages of Coltishall and Buxton or stay on board and travel to the pretty market town of Aylsham, with eateries, market square with shops and cafes. Daily boat hire is available at nearby Hickling Broad and Potter Heigham, ½ mile and 3½ miles away respectively.
Cyclists and walkers can enjoy the quiet country lanes and trails within the surrounding area. Nearby attractions include many National Trust properties including Blickling and Felbrigg Hall and Horsey Windpump. Visit the seaside resort of Cromer (20 miles) with a promenade and pier, and Sheringham (25 miles), home to the North Norfolk Steam Railway. The city of Norwich (18 miles), with its cathedral, castle, museums, galleries, restaurants, cinema, theatre and shopping with two malls and market square is within easy driving distance. For another great day out, visit Horsey Gap (National Trust) where you can walk on the sand dunes and see the seals and pups on the beach (November to February). Sandy beach 3 miles. A pub serving good food, within walking distance. While there is no shop in Hickling, Stalham (3 miles) offers many shops including a large supermarket.

Manor Court Cottages are set in the picturesque village of Shipton Gorge. Within walking distance, 110 yards, are the village playing fields and pub selling the famous Palmers Ales and local food. This a fantastic location to explore the Dorset countryside and World Heritage Jurassic coastline, 1½ miles away. Whether its a family holiday, walking, bird watching, fishing, cycling or for a quiet break Manor Court Cottages are ideal. The pretty village of Burton Bradstock, 1½ miles, has a beach with a café, shop, post office, garage and pubs. The market town of Bridport, 2 miles away, has a lively and vibrant street market Saturdays and Wednesday, along with small shops, cafés, antiques and local food can be found, or pop into the museum and learn its history of rope and net making.
The picturesque harbour of West Bay is 2 miles away and was made famous by the TV drama ’Broadchurch’, while the village of Abbotsbury, 3 miles away, is popular for its swannery, sub-tropical gardens and childrens farm. Spread along the coast from Sidmouth is a host of attractions, including the Donkey Sanctuary and Beer Caves at Seaton and Axminster where you can ride on the trams or eat at the River Cottage restaurant. Into Dorset try fishing in a boat out of the cobb at Lymm Regis, fossil hunting at the museum or a walk up Golden Cap for the breathtaking views. Weymouth with its sandy beaches and Sealife Centre is well worth a visit, discover the dinosaurs at the Dorchester museum or travel back in time with a visit to Thomas Hardy’s cottage, go to war at the Bevington Tank Museum, or say ’hi’ to the monkeys at Monkey World. Enjoy a dip at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door for a sightseeing walk, explore Crofe Castle, and then all aboard the steam train at Swanage. Shops and pubs 1 mile.

A lovely converted cottage renovated to a good standard with lots of home comforts, comprising of a living room, separate dining room and kitchen, two double bedrooms, a single bedroom, contemporary bathroom and an external utility room.
This great property is located in Garnant, 4 miles from the town of Ammanford and 15 miles from Swansea, a great location for those wanting to explore south wales. Take a bike ride in Lyn Llech Owain Country park, a 158 acre park of woods, lakes and forest tracks for those wanting a more leisurely ride, and for adrenaline junkies you can head to the rough mountain trails. At the end of a busy day, come back and relax in the lovely enclosed garden to the rear of the property and watch the sun go down.
If it is walks you are looking for then there are plenty of sites to visit in this area. Head down to the Four Waterfalls in Ystradfellte and take in the natural beauty of the Welsh land and see the water cascading over the rocks. Head on down to the National showcase caves at Dan yr Ogof for a great day out for kids and adults. Beach 23 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Resting just off the main street in the ever so popular village of Seahouses reveals Lavender Cottage, an affluent abode close to all local amenities and the golden Northumberland Coast. Whether you are joining friends or bringing along the family, this stylish home is perfectly located to base your holiday and build some unforgettable memories.
On entering the property, you are greeted by a contemporary designed living room with a modern wall mounted fire and plush sofas. Heading towards the back of the property brings you to a lovely kitchen/dining room where the designated chef will have all the appliances needed to cook a hearty meal for the whole family to enjoy while sitting around the sociable dining table. Head outside and finish off you’re evening with a bottle of wine and take advantage of the fabulous garden equipped with garden furniture and a firepit for those chillier evenings. The large garden is also a great area for your furry friends to have some fun and let off some steam!
After an enjoyable evening, retire to one of the three effortlessly presented bedrooms, all offering luxury and quality with robes waiting for each guest. All bedrooms have TV’s and are well designed spacious rooms. Also on the first floor is the family shower room with a shower cubicle and heated towel rail.
All guests are able to use the owners leisure facilities, found nearby at The Ocean Club, on a pay as you go basis. There is a swimming pool, spa, steam room, sauan and a gym included.
Seahouses welcomes you and offers a wide array of tearooms, restaurants, pubs and shops within walking distance. Boat trips run from the nearby harbour to the Farne Islands, famous for their nesting seabirds and grey seal colonies. The picture postcard village of Bamburgh, dominated by its majestic castle, is only 2 miles north, where there is a wide expanse of golden, and often empty sandy beaches. The tidal island of Lindisfarne, locally known as Holy Island, can be seen from the beach and is accessible via a causeway twice daily. A further 2 miles up the coastline brings you to Waren Mill, which is steeped in history. Once an important port, its harbour has long since disappeared, silted up beneath the sands of the estuary. Budle Bay is a bird sanctuary and at low tide a vast expanse of mud flats is home to thousands of sea and land birds, making this location a haven for bird watchers.
Harry Potter fans can head to the historic market town of Alnwick to the incredible Alnwick Castle, one of the largest inhabited castles in the UK and used as Hogwarts when filming scenes for the Harry Potter films so it’s a must-visit for any fans, with Harry Potter related events organised here throughout the year as well as guided tours. The Alnwick Garden is also an exciting visit with its spectacular interpretation of a formal garden, including the Grand Cascade waterfall, poison garden and largest tree house in Europe where guests can dine in the restaurant. There is no better place to start your adventure than from the stylish comforts of Lavender Cottage! Beach 1 mile.