Can anyone recommend somewhere nice in the UK where I can take my family (kids aged 8-17) and 2 dogs (1 is a puppy) for a week's holiday this Summer.  I'd really like it to be beside the water - either a lake, or beach, where dogs and kids are able to swim and use the water, not just look at it.  A self catering chalet type thing or cottage would be perfect.

If you're not allowed to put it on here directly because of advertising (not sure if that's a prob. or not), could you send me private messages. 

Thank you. :)

You really need to narrow down an area for us, maybe decide how far you'd like to drive? If you can make it to south west scotland then there is a wonderful caravan park near Gatehouse of Fleet, they are very dog friendly and have their own private beach. I used to own a caravan there, we'd spend every weekend on the beach sometimes with 5 borzois and 4 chinese cresteds :-)  www.auchenlarie.co.uk

ah,sorry I didn't put areas.  Well I live in South Wales, but I don't mind travelling up to 5 hours or so.

There are some nice holiday cottages in Cornwall, I think we went onto dogfriendly.co.uk or something like that.

Thanks :) but if anyone can recommend a specific particular place it would be really helpful.  I'm googling to look and can find pet friendly accomodation, but what I'm trying to find is somewhere that perhaps is on the side of a lake, or right next to a beach so that we have the water on the doorstep iykwim.

Seashore House is right next to the sea in Johnshaven, south of Aberdeen. 

It's a stony beach but the birdlife is incredible and you may see dolphins and seals.  There is a beautiful sandy beach further south in St Cyrus.  We were there at the end of August last year and my kids loved it but it's not exactly easy swimming water for children.  An ideal walkers holiday though, and great to hang out near the water for rockpooling.  The dog thought it was brilliant too :)

I know there's a place in Scotland and the company travels to many of the gamefairs etc. with the details.  A friend of mine went with her SWD and they loved it and they do a nice reasonable offer.  I'm going to a gamefair on Monday so will see if they are there and post you the details.

Errr dogs a babe, it'll definitely take longer than 5 hours to drive from South Wales to Aberdeen ;-)

>Errr dogs a babe, it'll definitely take longer than 5 hours to drive from South Wales to Aberdeen

Oh yes - I should have read her follow up message shouldn't I!  I just answered the first one.  Mind you even when you pointed it out I took two reads to notice it...

Do you know Tigger2 I honestly thinking I'm reading different stuff lately.  I read and re-read the rabbit thread and still couldn't understand what the fuss was about.  Maybe I need new specs!! :)

I think there's a parallel universe involved. There's no other explanation for how things can be interpreted so diametrically differently. It's happening a lot just now.

> I read and re-read the rabbit thread and still couldn't understand what the fuss was about.  Maybe I need new specs!

You and me both :-)

Josilou, South West Cork is probably just within the 5 hour limit if you get the fast ferry from Fishguard, absolutely fantastic and safe swimming at Barleycove at Mizen Head, lots to do and see in such a beautiful part of the world.

> I think there's a parallel universe involved

Ahah, so you're suggesting that we need to initiate a static warp shell to fix the tear in the space/time continuum? :-D

The engines canna tak it, cap'n!

There are an awful lot of caravan sites in North Somerset that will accept dogs.  Very close to the beach, and some superb dunes at Berrow.

There's the King Harry and Lookout cottages near Truro, we are going next year so don't know what they are like yet! But they are on a river because you get free use of the motorboat apparently!

I adore Bachwen in North Wales, it's own private beach is just across the paddock!! http://www.bachwen.co.uk/

I believe it may have changed hands but I've been with 3 dogs.  Not been for a couple of years but sooooo miss the Mill cottage.  Must persuade OH to look at it again soon