Rutland Hideaways- Family Friendly UK Staycation - Dog FriendlY
Tucked away at the top of a winding gravel path, nestled in a vast, lush, grassy wildflower field, you'll find two beautifully hand crafted, stylish lodges which blend seamlessly into their peaceful, secluded surroundings. All you’ll hear while you sit on your private, cosy veranda, is the beautiful hum of the hedgerow, muntjac deer foraging nearby and perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of a barn owl hunting the surrounding landscape at dusk.
This heavenly little slice of the UK countryside is the home of Rutland Hideaways - the perfect family friendly (and dog friendly) UK staycation.
Choosing a family friendly self catering accommodation in the UK
I must say I always struggle when it comes to finding and choosing family friendly self catering accommodation. I’ve got it wrong many (many) times (hence setting up Family Spy Club, so I can make all the mistakes and give you as readers only the best intel!)
In various locations over the years we’ve been met with hazards such as a sheer drop from the house to the garden (toddler A&E visit on holiday anyone?), unfenced ponds with an inviting layer of sludge on top of them (the antithesis of relaxation) and a general lack of anything child-friendly nearby, which in itself makes for a frustrating staycation - as your children are left bouncing off the walls.
I so often now rely on personal recommendations and Rutland Hideaways did in fact come as a tip off from an old friend of mine. I of course, had to oblige (no persuasion needed) and book in for a weekend away.
Rutland Hideaways - Accommodation
Following the unending popularity of their onsite converted, boutique two bedroom barn, The Cow Shed, owners Rachel and Chris told me they were keen to offer more guests the opportunity to experience the beauty and tranquillity of their small holding.
Kite Lodge and Fallow Lodge are brand new and only opened earlier this year (April 2024). Since so much of the charm of Chris and Rachel’s farm lies in its utter seclusion, guest privacy was high on the agenda. For this reason, despite having planning permission for six lodges, they chose to build just two - positioned with such consideration, making them incredibly discreet and allowing for guests never being overlooked.
As an example, we stayed in Kite Lodge and the bedroom window, which is the only window angled towards the main farmhouse, has had a young oak tree intentionally planted in the perfect spot to offer a privacy screen - and the angle of the lodge is such that you are completely hidden from view. From the veranda, you’d never even know there was another accommodation in the vicinity. During our stay, there was a multi generational family visiting Fallow Lodge with children and we genuinely didn’t hear or see a single thing. Equally, if you were to visit Rutland Hideaways with another family, friends or grandparents, this provides the wonderful balance between privacy and a sense of togetherness as you could join together in the outside areas.
Kite Lodge
Kite Lodge, named after the often frequenting, striking Red Kite birds of prey, is the farthest accommodation of the three and boasts a beautiful, large outdoor undercover veranda with comfortable seating and, like Fallow Lodge, a hot tub. If you are on the hunt for a family friendly UK staycation with a hot tub, look no further.
The lodge itself boasts two good sized bedrooms, the master bedroom having the addition of a luxurious, jet black roll top bath with a glorious green foliage inspired feature wall and pink neon sign reading ‘Good Vibes Only’. These are of course the only vibes we bring with us anyway…unless there has been a lot of traffic en route.
There is an additional, medium sized, modern main family bathroom with a shower available too just behind the kitchen area.
The second bedroom can accommodate two single beds (which could also be made into a double). We had ours kindly reconfigured before we arrived, with one single bed for our older daughter and a travel cot provided for our youngest. This was extremely thoughtful hosting - as we do often let accommodation know that we need a cot and this is simply squeezed into a corner. The fact the bed was taken away for our stay meant we had so much additional space for our belongings.
The beds were exquisitely comfortable and the pillows, towels and linen passed the FSC floof test. (I shall in time find a better name for this test - but for those of you who have read any other of my reviews will know, the mark of a good self catering accommodation often rests on the quality of their towels, linen and pillows.)
The kitchen is very well equipped with all the mod cons you’d need for a weekend. A couple of things to note for those with babies / those bottle feeding or mid weaning with purees - there is no microwave in the lodge but the electric hob served us just fine for warming milk and meals.
It’s decked out with a dishwasher (woohoo!) and a spacious oven as well as child friendly cutlery, plates and bowls. High chairs are available upon request. The Nespresso machine delivered a much need coffee hit each morning and we loved the stylish, velvet stools at the breakfast bar.
The living room area is welcoming and bougie, a plush velvet sofa and armchair with an expansive electric fireplace flickering below the 42 inch flat screen smart television.
I must say, what I loved most about this lodge was the undercover outside decked seating area. Reclining in the evening, gazing out onto the pristine open fields, with a glass of Rosé in one hand and a book in the other, absorbing the pure peace and quiet alongside surrounding wildlife was incredibly special. All of this, knowing the children were tucked up and sleeping soundly after a long day of fresh air and utter wholesomeness.
Parking and Accessibility
Upon arrival, parking is in a converted equestrian arena meaning a super surface (ie you won’t get bogged in during winter months!) and plenty of space to manoeuvre (important intel for the husbands amongst us perhaps - mine at least, likes to do his due dil on the parking arrangements - a key tick box for a successful road trip).
Due to the positioning of the lodges, you can’t drive directly up to them and park outside but two very handy carts are provided to transport your belongings (or transport the actual children in our case). If you have guests with mobility requirements, The Cow Shed is a better option than the Lodges themselves due to the undulated nature of the surrounding pathway. I’d also recommend bringing an off road buggy if you have one for younger children.
Extras
The things we loved about Rutland Hideaways were all the lovely little touches and extras available. Breakfast, dinner and BBQ packages could be arranged for you and there is a firepit in the garden, so logs and lighters can also be added on at surcharge if you want to enjoy an evening huddled around the fire.
Bring marshmallows!
Dog Friendly UK Self Catering
When we arrived we were greeted with a lovely little care package for our dog Wilma, including some locally sourced (and allergy friendly!) dog treats and a bowl.
There are wonderful walks nearby and a list of these is provided - there is a garden area and a huge field behind the lodge to have a good run around of an evening. You may even bump into one of the two lovely resident spaniels who will show you the best sniffing spots and rabbit holes.
A note for doggy guests that beds are not provided for you, plus the sofa is a no go zone so do bring your own.
An outdoor dog poo bin is provided for waste and I’d say if you had a nervous or reactive dog, this accommodation would be suitable since there is nothing in the vicinity to worry them. The garden isn’t totally enclosed so you’d have to keep any of the more unruly canines on a lead.
Things to Do with Families in Rutland
Rutland, the UK’s smallest county is well known for its idyllic countryside - serving up a peaceful retreat with its rolling hills, quaint villages, and the stunning Rutland Water reservoir. This vast lake is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as sailing, fishing, and bird watching and is only a 20 minute drive from Rutland Hideaways. Many families do like to head to a coastal destination for their UK family mini breaks, but from now on, I’ll be giving as much airtime to inland counties as they are usually much more reasonably priced and have as much, if not more to offer.
Rutland's culinary scene is impressive, with numerous pubs, restaurants, and cafes serving delicious local produce. Throughout the year you’ll be treated to various food festivals and farmers' markets, all being a nod to the County's strong agricultural heritage.
We visited Woolfox for brunch, a stylish, scandi inspired wellness centre and private golf club with the addition of a gorgeous, muted tonal sheepskin adorned cafe. The food was exquisite - we enjoyed some glorious pastries, turkish eggs and banana bread french toast with homemade compote. Don’t miss it while you’re staying!
The picturesque Georgian market town of Stamford is a mere 15 minute drive from Rutland Hideaways and well worth a visit. We explored the town with our two children, there were plenty of sweet little shops, cafes and restaurants and there are events held here seasonally. Oakham (which is home to Oakham castle) and Uppingham are also worth a stop over if you enjoy a meandre.
Belvoir Castle made for an amazing day out - we were fortunate that there was a weekend event being held with lots of local stalls and produce but the castle and ground itself is seriously impressive, with a very comprehensive adventure playground. There is a fair bit of an uphill walk involved (ie. If you have children like mine who don’t love walking, get them mentally geared up beforehand!) but for those with genuine limited mobility and not just a couple of reluctant children, a shuttle service was available.
Just five minutes drive from Rutland Hideaways is the Spinney, a totally free, totally perfect outdoor adventure playground, spread across an area of forest, with an additional toddler friendly enclosed mini playground. This kept the girls entertained for hours.
Another local gem is the National Trust site of Woolsthorpe Manor - built in 1665 it is home to Isaac Newtons very famous ‘Tree’ where he developed his theory of gravity. For science enthusiasts this is a super stop over with some interactive activities and is a nice one to tick off the list of UK landmarks!
Rutland Hideaways have an extensive list of additional recommendations for nearby attractions and places to eat - you won’t be stuck for choice.
The Verdict
This family friendly, Dog Friendly UK self catering lodge is perfect for those looking for a slice of peace and quiet (as much as your children will allow of course). It’s super dog friendly, private and has an abundance of activities and delicious food in the local area to enjoy.
Ideal for a long weekend, a multi generational getaway or a mini break with friends. We visited in June but it is available all year round. If you do decide to visit during winter months, there isn’t masses of ‘hosting’ space available to spend lots of time indoors (unless you only have small babies or toddlers) but there is an outdoor heater so you can still enjoy the outside area. There is however so much going on locally that if you enjoy exploring and spending time outdoors whatever the weather, this is a wonderful base to curl up in at the end of the day.
Overall, we had a fantastic stay - it was truly parent pleasing, child friendly, dog friendly and fuss free.
