Any suggestions for self-catering in the SW?

So my parents have decided to visit and would like to go to the SW (the only details they gave) and do self-catering for a week in June.  Now if it was me and DH and DD we would just plan it and go and see what it is like.  But my parents are not very forgiving when things are not nice or as described.  So I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a place that they have visited before?

I think a town location would be better than a farm.   We live in the Peaks and have never been South of London so I really don't know what my choices are.  I think that they don't really have a vision of the SW but have chosen it because they think it will be warmer.  So I was thinking maybe Somerset, Bath area - but I really don't know.  Any advice would be appreciated.

I haven't been to the SW (though I definitely plan to visit), but my boyfriend and I did self-catering all over Scotland last spring.  I planned everything online. 

What I can tell you is that, by and large, we found that the descriptions/photos shown of the properties gave an accurate sense of the accommodation.  Every place we stayed was registered with and given a star rating by the Scottish Tourist Board, and that really helped as well.  I would assume there's a similar reviewing body for England, and they probably have a website. 

If you search sites like TripAdvisor.com, you can also sometimes find user reviews of properties.  A final thing I did when looking at self-catering rentals was to check the Google Maps street view, to get a better picture of the overall neighborhood.  I was able to see what shops, pubs, etc. were in the area, how much traffic, etc.  If you're looking in small towns or rural areas, you can't get street view, but you can still zoom in and get a look at the scenery and overall layout.

Take a look at Mr and Mrs Smiths http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/self-catering. They have some absolutely beautiful self catering cottages and are top notch. When thinking of the SW, I would think more along the lines of Devon and Cornwall, but Somerset, Dorset or Wiltshire would be lovely if you dont want to go that far.

Some of the self-catering booking websites we have used (recently):

http://classic.co.uk/

http://www.cottages4you.co.uk/sites/cottages4you/pages/home.aspx?clickcd=21200&gclid=CMSV2bGTiaACFVAA4wod-VLCjg&http://www.cottages4you.co.uk/?clickcd=21200

http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/

Somerset and Dorset are most definitely the Southwest!  The former Kingdom of Wessex is what is now Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset.  I believe that officially, the SW is Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, though Cornwall is more its own entity, with a Celtic heritage and a different history than Wessex.     

I have only done self-catering in the New Forest, but pretty much anywhere in the West Country will have something good to offer.  I agree with woadgrrl that Trip Advisor is a good resource.  In Somerset and Dorset, I would recommend Bath, Cheddar, Dorchester and Poole.   Even if you don't want to stay on a farm, it's well worth driving around and exploring the little villages, especially in the springtime they are gorgeous, with flowers everywhere. 

If they're looking for someplace warm, there are nice beachy towns along the south coast, like Poole, Bournemouth, Bognor Regis, Weymouth, etc.  Although, even if the sun is warm it's still likely to be windy.  I live in Dorchester, and was in Somerset for a year, so if you have specific questions feel free to PM me

Like Historyenne I've only done self catering in the New Forest (Milford on Sea), Scarborough and Whitby as we usually go on holiday with my in-laws and the dogs.

Further to what Mrs. R's posted you may want to look at these:
http://www.english-country-cottages.co.uk/sites/english-country-cottages/pages/Home.aspx

http://www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk/

I've never used either, but they're recommended by BabyCentre.  Usually we pick a place we want to stay and then narrow down to the tourist board for that area to find a place to stay.  You'll usually have an easier time finding a place to stay if you pick a few possible locations and search for accommodation then.

One thing to be sure for your daughter is to make sure the place you rent is family / child-friendly and if you need any special accommodation for your daughter that they provide it.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions.  We are such easy going travelers sort of go with whatever, but I want to make sure for my parents who are very picky that it is the
"right" place.  I was thinking Somerset because it is not as far of a drive and you would be close to Bath and Cheddar, etc for day trips.

I will keep you up-to-date as we move forward with our plans.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions.  We are such easy going travelers sort of go with whatever, but I want to make sure for my parents who are very picky that it is the
"right" place.  I was thinking Somerset because it is not as far of a drive and you would be close to Bath and Cheddar, etc for day trips.

I will keep you up-to-date as we move forward with our plans.

No advice, but good luck finding something your family is okay with.  I too suffer from the picky travelling parents. 

I don't have any advice about websites for self-catering, but I live in Cornwall and have lots of suggestions of villages/towns/areas which would be really nice. PM me if you'd like any tips, OK?