Whether in France or England at one of our properties, there are so many wonderful places to explore, visit, discover and enjoy.
This page will hopefully give you some inspiration and ideas but we have plenty more.
When you book your holiday we will send you a link to our ‘Information Pack’ so that you can plan your trip in advance.
For EU, EEA and Swiss Citizens: From 2 April 2025, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens (except Irish citizens) will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK without a visa. The ETA costs £10 and allows short stays up to 6 months for tourism purposes. You can travel without a visa to the UK for holidays and short trips, but must use a valid passport – EU, EEA or Swiss national ID cards can no longer be used unless you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
For other nationalities: Check current requirements at gov.uk/check-uk-visa as visa requirements vary by nationality.
Passport Requirements: Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your UK stay. GOV.UK Guidance
For UK Citizens: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area (including France) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, visiting family/friends, or business meetings.
Passport Requirements: Your passport must:
Have been issued less than 10 years before your arrival date
Have an expiry date at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area
For other EU/EEA Citizens: Generally no visa required for tourism within the Schengen area.
Important: From 12 October 2025, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin, requiring fingerprints and photos to be taken at Schengen borders. GOV.UK France Travel Advice
We will send you detailed instructions on how to travel and access the properties by email prior to your arrival but so you know basic travel arrangements:
Closest Airports to Sol du Mazel:
Bergerac Airport (EGC) – Most convenient option
Brive-la-Gaillarde Airport (BVE) – Alternative option
Ryanair Low-Cost Connections: Ryanair operates direct flights from several UK airports to both Bergerac and Brive airports, offering affordable travel options for families.
Routes include:
London Stansted to Bergerac – Multiple weekly flights
London Stansted to Brive-la-Gaillarde – Seasonal service (typically August to October)
Flight schedules vary seasonally, so check ryanair.com for current timetables and book early for the best prices.
From Bergerac Airport to Sol du Mazel:
Take the N21 ring-road, then D660 to Creysse and Lalinde following the Dordogne river, then D28, D29, D25, D51, D52. Journey time approximately 1 hour.
Alternative Major Airports:
Bordeaux (2.5 hours drive) – TGV connections available
Toulouse (2 hours drive) – TGV connections available
Agen (1.5 hours drive) – TGV connections available
Driving Directions to Property:
After reaching Saint Pompon village via the D60, take the only left turn (D57) over the bridge towards Besse. After about 150 meters, turn right and follow this road uphill for about 500 meters. Sol du Mazel is the first house visible on the left, before the road bends to the left. The pool and play areas will be clearly visible from the road.
Property-Specific Arrival Details:
SATNAV Coordinates:
Primary: N44.726662 E1.137070
Alternative format: N 44°43’30” E 1°08’6″
Property Address: Sol du Mazel, 24170 Saint Pompon, France
Sol du Mazel: Parking at the end of the driveway on the right as you go through the gate, you’ll see what appears to be one long building. Don’t drive on the grass as it can damage underground pipes and you can get stuck on the grass when there is bad weather.
Hope Cottage: Follow the path down to the stairs on the right of the property from the car park
What3Words: ///outlines.discerning.rousing
Rose Barn: Follow the path down to the stairs on the left of the property from the car park
What3Words: ///pulsates.debriefed.unpaid
Closest Airports to Hamptons Farmhouse:
Gatwick Airport – Take M23 towards London, then M25 anti-clockwise
Heathrow Airport – Take M25 anti-clockwise
Stansted Airport – Take M11 South, then M25 anti-clockwise
Train Connections:
Tonbridge Station – 12-minute taxi ride to properties
Sevenoaks Station – 17-minute taxi ride to properties
Driving from Channel Ports:
Calais is the nearest Continental port, with direct motorway connections via M20 or M26 to reach Kent.
Property-Specific Arrival Details:
SATNAV Coordinates: N 51.246513, E0.325060
Postcode: TN11 9SR
Dairy Cottage: White painted building on the left past the main farmhouse, parking on main driveway
What3words: ///locals.goals.window
Willow Cottage: At the end of the driveway, turn left – immediately on your left
What3words: ///owls.rush.tides
Check-in from 4:00 PM, check-out by 10:00 AM for both properties.
We will provide you a link to our Information Pack which we regularly update but for some ideas:
Lascaux IV Cave (Montignac) – The “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory” featuring remarkable Paleolithic cave paintings with a complete reproduction of the original caves
Sarlat-la-Canéda (15 minutes) – Medieval market town with golden stone architecture and famous Saturday markets featuring local produce, truffles, and artisan crafts
Château de Beynac (20 minutes) – Spectacular medieval fortress perched on limestone cliffs offering panoramic views of the Dordogne Valley
Domme (15 minutes) – One of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages” with stunning valley views and medieval bastide architecture
Rocamadour (45 minutes) – Dramatic clifftop pilgrimage site with the famous Monkey Forest (Forêt des Singes) – perfect for children
Canoeing on the Dordogne River – Family-friendly canoe rentals from Vitrac and Cenac, gentle routes perfect for children
Hot Air Ballooning – Montgolfière du Périgord offers enchanting balloon rides over the valley landscape
Les Jardins de Marqueyssac – Spectacular topiary gardens with maze-like paths and children’s play areas
Château des Milandes – Josephine Baker’s former home with falconry displays and children’s workshops
Aquarium du Périgord Noir (Le Bugue) – Indoor attraction perfect for rainy days
Gouffre de Proumeyssac – “Crystal Cathedral” underground cave system
Tree-top adventure parks scattered throughout the region
Swimming beaches along the Dordogne River at Vitrac and Cenac
Leeds Castle (25 minutes) – “The Loveliest Castle in the World” with two adventure playgrounds, maze with underground grotto, mini golf, and falconry displays
Rochester Castle (30 minutes) – Norman castle with spectacular views and interactive family activities
Hever Castle (20 minutes) – Anne Boleyn’s childhood home with award-winning gardens and water maze
Penshurst Place (15 minutes) – Medieval manor house with adventure playground and nature trail
Kent Life Heritage Farm Park (Maidstone, 20 minutes) – Working farm with animals, vintage vehicles, and children’s activities
Hop Farm Family Park (Paddock Wood, 15 minutes) – Adventure playground, animal farm, and seasonal events
Cobtree Manor Park (Maidstone, 25 minutes) – Free entry park with adventure playground and miniature railway
Haysden Country Park (Tonbridge, 15 minutes) – Nature walks, fishing lake, and wildlife watching
Bedgebury National Pinetum (30 minutes) – Go Ape high ropes course and forest adventures
Tyland Barn Visitor Centre (20 minutes) – Nature reserve with family-friendly trails
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Booking your perfect family escape is beautifully simple. Browse our available properties and dates online at childfriendlyholidays.org, then secure your chosen dates with a 35% deposit for Sol du Mazel or 50% for Hamptons Farmhouse. Once we receive your deposit and signed booking form, your reservation is confirmed and your family adventure awaits! For bookings made less than one month before arrival, full payment is required upfront to secure your stay.
Life happens, and we understand plans sometimes change. Our flexible cancellation policy is designed with families in mind:
• Cancel more than 3 months in advance: *No penalty* – full flexibility for your peace of mind.
• Cancel 2-3 months ahead: *50% charge* – we understand things can shift.
• Cancel within 2 months: *Full charge applies* – though if we successfully re-let your dates, you’ll receive a refund minus a 25% administration fee.
Absolutely! For stays longer than four weeks, we offer a 10% discount. We also regularly host guests who need a comfortable base for a while — whether they’re between houses, searching for a new home in the area, or having extension work done on their current property. Our hassle-free rental period makes it easy to feel at home from the moment you arrive. Just get in touch via email or our contact form to chat about your plans — we’re always happy to help families create lasting memories.
We require a £500 refundable security deposit to ensure our family-friendly properties remain pristine for every guest. This will be returned in full within 14 days of departure (often much sooner) following a brief property inspection, provided no damage or extra cleaning is needed.
While we adore all creatures great and small, our properties maintain a strict no-pets policy to ensure the comfort of all guests. Several family members and guests have allergies, and we want every family to breathe easily during their stay. However, our properties are surrounded by wonderful wildlife and farm animals that children love to observe and interact with safely.
Yes, all our properties are completely smoke-free environments. This ensures fresh, clean air for families and protects the health and comfort of all our guests. We believe in creating the healthiest possible environment for children to play, explore, and rest peacefully.
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Varius quam quisque id diam vel quam elementum pulvinar. Consequat mauris nunc congue nisi vitae suscipit tellus. Bibendum at varius vel pharetra vel turpis nunc. Gravida cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis. Sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit duis tristique. Eget magna fermentum iaculis eu non. Odio morbi quis commodo odio aenean sed adipiscing. Integer vitae justo eget magna fermentum iaculis eu. Ante in nibh mauris cursus mattis molestie a. Ut venenatis tellus in metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis. Sed odio morbi quis commodo odio aenean sed. Neque laoreet suspendisse interdum consectetur libero.
We highly recommend having a car to make it easier to visit local attractions and nearby towns.
Our properties are designed as tranquil family retreats, and we maintain policies that preserve the peaceful atmosphere for all guests. For special celebrations, we recommend discussing your specific needs with us directly, if you’re considering holding your special day with us, we’d be delighted to explore how we can make it work for you.
We don’t currently accept credit card payments — most guests pay by bank transfer. Full payment details are provided in our booking forms, and we’re happy to guide you through the process. We aim to make everything simple and stress-free, so you can focus on looking forward to your stay.
