Family-friendly self-catering
Children pick out wonder and awe in the smallest detail. These family-friendly locations come with muddy puddles, rock pools and garden games for all.
Little ones see everything through rainbow-tinted spectacles, and travelling with children should be a halcyon experience. What was once mundane becomes a shiny sparkle: the smallest puddles can turn into an exciting ocean voyage across stormy waves; those gnarled and twisted trees on a woodland walk are now tall turreted towers that must be scaled. There's nothing like exploring a new area with a child-friendly luxury holiday home as a base, heading out wellies on and a little hand clasped in yours, pointing in awe at clouds shaped like giraffes and glow worms lighting up the night. All the better enjoyed with grandparents, multi-generational group gatherings allow parents to sneak off and enjoy moonlit dips in heated swimming pools, or pop open a bottle of bubbles under starry skies while sinking into a garden hot tub. Time spent together is time well spent, after all, and memories are made of this.
Walden Lakehouse
Glasson, County Westmeath, Republic of Ireland
Hunkering on the shores of Lough Ree, Walden Lakehouse offers luxury living on the middle lake of the River Shannon. With its cool mid-century décor and lush woodland setting, it’s little wonder the cabin was crowned ‘Ireland’s Home of The Year’.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
From: £1,195 per week, £950 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Sienna
Kenmare, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland
This luxury self-catering cottage is a romantic and remote retreat in County Kerry's "little nest", Kenmare. Think desert island beaches, crashing seas and spellbinding starry skies.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
From: £1,450 per week, £1,095 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub and fire pit
Lost Cottage
Glenbeigh, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland
Lost Cottage was once a winter refuge to a herd of mountain goats but now invites guests to stay in one of the most unique self-catering cottages in Kerry, Ireland. Pared-back interiors offer a stylishly simple shelter from which to admire Glenbeigh's emerald green farmland and soaring mountains.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
From: £1,450 per week, £1,095 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Skyros
Schull, County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Lose yourself amidst the magic of the Emerald Isle by escaping to this unique coastal self-catering home at the foothills of Mount Gabriel in Schull.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £1,750 per week, £1,495 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 & Up to 2 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
