A surfer traverses a large wave. Find holiday cottages for active holidays in the open air.

Book Self-Catering Holiday Cottages For Active Holidays

Scroll down to find a choice of self-catering cottages suitable for those seeking an active holiday involving sporting or outdoor pursuits. Whether walking in England, climbing mountains in Scotland, riding rapids or zip wires in Wales, the holiday cottages listed here will be near an attractive choice of activities to enjoy in the great outdoors. Many activity cottages will offer on-site facilities such as fishing, swimming pools and tennis courts or will be surrounded by long, bracing walks in the country or along the miles of scenic coastal footpaths. 

Click on the preview description of any cottage to view its main page.

A contemporary 2-storey Ludlow holiday cottage with a courtyard and lawn.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Glebe Barn is an impressive 19th-century detached barn conversion in the delightful village of Caynham in Shropshire. The attractive rural cottage blends modernity with exposed oak beams, trusses and doors, rewarding guests with an open fire, a lovely sun-trap garden, tranquillity & pleasant views.

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A wood and slate Cotswold holiday cottage overlooks a terrace with dining table and lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Couples seeking a relaxing getaway will enjoy a stay at The Sycamore, a delightful romantic Cotswold holiday cottage for couples near the historic village of Arlington in Gloucestershire. It's the perfect weekend retreat featuring plenty of natural light streaming from double-height windows, beamed ceilings, and wood floors.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Forming part of an aesthetically pleasing terrace of cottages, Shepherds Nook is a rural holiday cottage in North Charlton. A tastefully decorated Northumberland holiday home with modern amenities, Shepherds Nook offers a cosy and convenient base to explore Northumberland’s beautiful coast and countryside.

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A 3-storey, brick-built, Dorset Mill House overlooks a cobbled courtyard.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Mill House is a large Dorset holiday home in Maiden Newton, Dorset, which makes an ideal holiday retreat for large families and groups of friends, a Grade II listed child-friendly cottage featuring stylish décor, a games room, six spacious bedrooms, and a large enclosed garden with patio and barbecue.

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A large stone-built farmhouse overlooks a secure lawn and flower beds.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

This detached farmhouse with an annexe is a large holiday cottage in Starbotton. It is picturesque and has six bedrooms, which can accommodate twelve people. The main house sleeps eight people and has four double bedrooms (one with an ensuite shower), a family bathroom and a ground-floor bathroom.

The annexe sleeps four people and has one double and one twin, both with an ensuite shower. Also in the main house are a fitted kitchen with a dining area, scullery, pantry, dining room with a wood burning fire, sitting room with open fire, snug and music room/library. Outside is off-road parking for six cars and gardens with a hot tub, patio and furniture, a large paddock and 14 acres of grazing land. Situated in the heart of Wharfedale, it is a perfect location for walking holidays in the Dales,

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A stone-built riverside cottage in Derbyshire overlook. large lawn.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

River Lodge served as the gatehouse to the National Trust’s Ilam Hall, and the stone-built rural holiday cottage in the Peak District retains much of its original charm. A river runs by the spacious gardens of the pet-friendly cottage amidst green pastures and far-reaching rural views.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Seaspray is the perfect Dorset coastal destination for walkers, families and beach lovers! Seaspray offers a taste of life by the beach in the pretty village of Eype. The beach at Eype welcomes dogs all year round, and the property is dog-friendly.

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A lounge with comfortable seating and rural views in a
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

One acre of beautiful grounds surrounds The Loft, a romantic oak-framed barn offering self-catering holidays in Goring-on-Thames. Views to Goring Gap greet couples from the balcony and the open-plan living area, while the enticing and well-designed interior draws in natural light. Revel in the fresh air and seclusion.

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Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

A large luxury holiday cottage in Denbighshire, The Beeches is located near the centre of Llangollen. Its proximity to the River Dee suggests packing a picnic basket of crackers and wine to relax by the river bank on sunny days. This beautifully furnished 5-bedroom dog-friendly cottage sleeps 10.

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Activity holidays don't need to involve knuckle experiences. For families with young children or those preferring a 'healthy holiday' without the risk of injury, consider hiring bicycles to explore a Sustrans Cycle route or a cycle path such as the Tarka Trail in North Devon or The Bonsal Trail in Derbyshire. To ensure that a holiday cottage has precisely what you are looking for, e.g. an outdoor shower for washing the salt of wetsuits and surfboards, use the Visit Website button to go to a cottage's website for further information. Alternatively, e-mail or phone the owners direct to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.