Fido Family Friendly Places

Just 5 miles from the attractive Victorian spa town of Llandrindod Wells and Rhayader’s spectacular red kite feeding station, these three warm and comfortable lodges – each of which boast its own blissful hot tub offering wonderful views – all enjoy a peaceful working farm setting. A nearby river offers informal angling and, for more serious fishing, the beautiful Elan Valley with its stunning reservoirs is the area’s main attraction. Close to Glyndwr’s Way, the Cistercian Way and Offa’s Dyke, this is wonderful walking, mountain biking and bird watching country, and an indoor play barn and adventure park, small breeds farm, indoor activity centre, cycle hire and pony trekking are among nearby delights. Rhayader is also home to the Welsh Royal Crystal factory, whilst Hereford’s Cathedral with its famous chained library and Mappa Mundi draws visitors from all over the world as does the nearby ‘book town’ of Hay-on-Wye. Dolphin spotting in Cardigan Bay and the golden sands of Aberdovey are easily within a day trip. There is a good selection of eating places in the area. Shop 3 miles, pub 1.5 miles.

Bell Hill Cottage is a very spacious ground floor apartment set in the lovely village of Lindale. A stone’s throw away from the local village pub makes it great for enjoying an evening drink or dinner and leaving your car at home.
Bell Hill Cottage is a period property boasting large rooms, the spacious double bedroom is up just two small steps and there is a separate dining room, kitchen and living room with a comfy sofa bed. The small utility area takes you to the back door opening onto a private courtyard with garden furniture and there are steps up to a small garden to enjoy.
Lindale is better known as the gateway to the south Lake District. With easily accessible routes from the M6 and A590, you are not far from anywhere. Just 2 miles down the road and you can find the popular Edwardian seaside resort town of Grange-over-Sands, with an abundance of shops, pubs and cafes; there is plenty to see and do. If visiting the seaside is of interest to you, why not head a little bit further out to Roanhead Beach near Ulverston or Humphrey Head?
Other close by popular towns include Cartmel, 4 miles, a traditional Cumbrian village famous for its sticky toffee pudding and race course. The towns of Kendal, 12 miles, Windermere, 13 miles, and Coniston, 20 miles, all have plenty to offer. The south Lake District is only a 10-minute drive away, with Newby Bridge nearby which is home to the Lakes Aquarium.
Whilst most people visit the area to walk, there are plenty of other outdoor activities on offer. There is a golf course within 2 miles, a leisure centre with swimming pool at Kendal, 12 miles, and at Grizedale Forest, 13 miles, there is mountain biking, Segways and the Go Ape treetop adventure. Other popular activities include climbing, fell running and watersports. Offering something for everyone, this is a great base from which to explore all that this beautiful part of the country has to offer. Beach 1½ miles. Pub and restaurant ¼ mile. Shop 2 miles.

This detached, pet-friendly holiday lodge has been tastefully furnished and is just a short walk from the quaint Cornish village of St Teath, with its village pub and store. There is a decked veranda with country views, which is ideal for a morning coffee or alfresco dining. There are a variety of walks from the lodge, and you are ideally placed to visit some of the many attractions that this area has to offer, including many sandy, surfing beaches. A short drive away is the fishing village of Port Isaac, made famous by the TV series ’Doc Martin’, Tintagel, the mythical home of King Arthur, and the small harbour village of Boscastle. Padstow, with its array of shops, pubs and restaurants, including Rick Stein’s fish restaurant, is close by. From Padstow, you can take a ferry across to Rock to sample the many watersports, or cycle or walk along the Camel Trail to Wadebridge and beyond. Beach 3 miles. Shop 700 yards, pub 500 yards, restaurant 1½ miles.

Sherrill Farm Holiday Cottages is a complex of 13 delightful self catering cottages (refs UKC1427 to UKC1439), converted from the original 300 year old barns and farmhouse set within 16 acres of Devon farmland. Clustered around the central courtyard, the properties retain many original features and are charmingly furnished and decorated, with well-equipped kitchens. (Some properties are adjoining, whilst others occupy either the ground floor or the first floor of the same cottage). Located near Dartmoor and midway between Tavistock and Launceston on the Devon/Cornwall border, in wonderful rolling countryside.

Approached by its own private driveway, Sherrill Farm is a perfect spot to relax and unwind or to use as a base for exploring north and south Devon, and Cornwall.

This farm complex is a superb place for the entire family, and all guests have use of the large indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gymnasium, bowling alley and games room. This leisure complex is open daily until 9pm. After an energetic swim you can step out onto the surrounding sun terrace and enjoy the stunning south-facing views, whilst the children keep themselves entertained in their own play area. There is also an all-weather tennis court available and rackets can be hired on site; a picnic area and a summerhouse along the banks of the ponds. This really is a beautiful area offering perfect family accommodation, peace and tranquillity.

There are three ponds within the grounds, one has been especially created to encourage wildlife and is set in beautiful surroundings. The other 2 ponds have been stocked with fish for those wishing to try their hand at this relaxing pastime (rods can be hired on site). Many bird species can be seen in the area as it is so quiet here and foxes and badgers are often seen on a summer’s evening.

A short drive away is the beautiful Tamar Valley dividing Devon and Cornwall, with picturesque and historical riverside villages including Morewellham. Within minutes you can be venturing out onto the Dartmoor National Park with over 250,000 acres of wild rugged open moorland, a haven for hikers or dog walkers. There are many exciting places to visit including Morwellham Quay and the National Trust properties of Cotehele, Buckland Abbey and Lydford Gorge with its White Lady Waterfall.

The historic market town of Tavistock is just 6 miles away and is a popular town with indoor pannier market and local shops selling locally produced foods. Horse riding is also available locally, as is trout fishing. Why not try canoeing on the River Tamar, or perhaps cycling on the Plym Valley track? The north and south coasts of both Devon and Cornwall are within easy reach by car and offer an amazing choice of splendid sandy beaches, a variety of water sports, cliff top walks, swimming, surfing and other seaside activities. The owners can also recommend local caterers, and guests can contact Lifton Farm Shop to organise a hog roast. Beach 20 miles. Shop 4½ miles, pub 1 mile and restaurant 1¼ miles.

Situated in the Forest of Dean, these semi-detached barn conversions offer comfortable holiday accommodation, conveniently located to enjoy the delights on offer in this beautiful area. There are outdoor activities in abundance, with riding available on site. Golf, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and rock climbing can all be found locally. Wonderful walks with stunning scenery await you within the forest and the Wye Valley, which is very popular also for mountain biking. There are numerous fun places to visit with attractions such as Go Ape, Puzzlewood, Dean Forest Steam Railway, Dean Heritage Centre, Clearwell Caves and the Sculpture Trail. The cathedral city of Gloucester, Monmouth, Chepstow and the pretty market town of Ross-on-Wye are all within a short drive. Private use of the hot tub can be arranged and sessions are bookable on arrival. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Belstane Cottage is a semi-detached cottage with a large, shared garden and enjoys lovely views over the surrounding countryside. It is quietly situated next to the owner’s home on the edge of the very pretty conservation village of Straiton, voted one of the ten ‘Best Villages in Scotland’, and featured in the book ’The Most Beautiful Villages of Scotland’. The entire area is known for its gently rolling landscape, its hills dotted with sheep and traversed by the winding River Girvan, and is a hugely popular area with walkers and cyclists of all abilities.
Belstane Cottage is located on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park, Britain’s largest forest park with 300 square miles of wild beauty waiting to be explored. The park boasts tranquil valleys, rugged rock faces, forest, moorland, lochs and ancient woodland and a huge diversity of wildlife including red and roe deer, wild goats and many birds of prey. The park has also been awarded the status of one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the western world, and when the sun sets, enthusiasts come to wonder at the universe revealed above. Dalmellington is home to the Scottish Dark Observatory, and is only a short drive from the property. The seaside towns of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon are all close by with beautiful sandy beaches and stunning views towards the Isle of Arran. Day trips can be taken to Arran and Cumbrae and are well worth the effort. Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh are perfect for a day out, as is Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Ayrshire is home to the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal walk with fantastic views over to the mountains of Arran. This coastline is steeped in history and teeming with wildlife, including red squirrels, deer, otters and seals, and is a haven for bird watchers.
Inland there are gardens and castles to visit, as well as riding, racing and a choice of golf courses, with the world famous Turnberry close to hand. Culzean Castle (owned by the National Trust for Scotland) is spectacular and is Ayrshire’s most popular tourist attraction, and Dumfries House is also worth a visit.
Belstane Cottage nestles in the heart of ‘Burns’ Country’, which is steeped in tradition and fans of the poet can visit Burns Cottage, The Burns Memorial Museum and the Brig O’ Doon, the bridge from the famous poem ‘Tam o’ Shanter’. Beach 14 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

Birch Cottage has a multi-fuel burner for a warm and welcoming interior, perfect for relaxing after a day exploring. Relax amid spectacular and dramatic scenery in this gloriously unspoilt part of Northumberland. Lying within the Northumberland National Park and enjoying panoramic views over Whitelee Fell National Nature Reserve, the cottages are former shepherd’s cottages on the owner’s sheep farm, renovated to a very good standard and retaining lots of character. Oak Cottage and Birch Cottage have beamed living room ceilings and all three have inglenook fireplaces with multi-fuel stoves for a warm and cosy atmosphere as well as power showers in the bathroom. There are wildlife cameras which feed live pictures direct to the flatscreen TV in each cottage, so you can watch barn owls, badgers and other wildlife. The area is rich in wildlife and ideal for walkers. Whitelee Farm is an idyllic base for exploring the Roman wall, Lindisfarne, Alnwick Castle, Kielder Forest Park and the Scottish borders. Newcastle and Edinburgh are within an easy drive. Shopping in Otterburn and Jedburgh, both 15 minutes away.
Birch Cottage can be booked together with Oak Cottage (16498) and Rowan Cottage (80119) to accommodate up to 13 people.

In the heart of Maesbury Marsh, adjacent to the village inn, a family friendly establishment and locally renowned restaurant, this semi-detached, Grade II listed barn conversion mixes traditional features with contemporary styling and facilities to create the ideal holiday home. In a superb location for exploring the delightful borderlands of England and Wales, with the historic market town of Oswestry with its fine selection of shops, restaurants and pubs just 3 miles away, the location offers a myriad of family attractions and opportunities for outdoor pursuits close by. Canadian canoes can be hired on the nearby Montgomery Canal and wonderful walking, golf and fishing are all available nearby. Shop 200 yards, pub and restaurant 50 yards.

Located in south Somerset, midway between Taunton and Ilminster, this spacious wing of the owners charming 250 year old farmhouse, offers ideal holiday accommodation. With many beautiful country walks in the area, this period property is ideal for walkers and with a livery yard next door, horse stabling is available (by arrangement). Visit Taunton, the county town of Somerset, historical houses and gardens including Montacute House, Forde Abbey, Hestercombe Gardens and Barrington Court, or take a trip to Minehead on the nostalgic West Somerset Steam Railway. Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills are well worth a visit, as well as a trip to the south to explore the Jurassic Coast between Seaton and Bridport, taking in Lyme Regis. Inland, there is Clarkes Village for some retail therapy, Glastonbury Tor, Somerset Levels, Cheddar Gorge and the spa city of Bath. After spending the day exploring many attractions, return to this delightful property and snuggle up in front of the woodburner, set in a lovely inglenook with bread oven. Beach 20 miles. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

These three, 18th century barn conversions, (refs 80043, 28645, 28646) are located just 1 mile from the market town of Alston, one of the highest towns in the country and a charming backdrop to many a period film and TV series. Situated behind the owner’s home, these holiday cottages offer comfortable accommodation with their own sitting-out areas.
Guests have shared use of the hot tub where views can be enjoyed towards Mount Hooley and over the South Tyne Valley. The changing landscape throughout the seasons makes for picturesque views all year round. After a day out exploring this delightful area, what better way to soak those tired limbs and relax.
This is a good base for exploring Tynedale and the North Pennines by foot, bicycle or car, with many places of interest to visit, including Alston’s narrow gauge railway, Pennine Pottery and local crafts. The Pennine Way runs past the door, with walks in all directions. Alston, with its quaint cobbled main street, has a range of individual shops, character inns, restaurants and tea rooms. Within the area is an historical Roman fort and tourists will enjoy the museums, exhibitions and sites along Hadrian’s Wall. The Lake District, Beamish Museum, Newcastle, the Metro Centre, Carlisle and the Scottish Borders are all within driving distance. Ideal for families or friends to get together, these properties (red 80043, 28645 and 28646) can be booked together to accommodate up to 10 guests. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.