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 large, stone-built contemporary cottage with a stone wall, surrounded by countryside.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Pastures Barn is a beautiful stone-built conversion on lush grounds in Leek, Staffordshire. The pet-friendly cottage offers an escape, a hot tub, a wood burner, a sauna, spacious gardens, a games room, contemporary comforts and proximity to the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales.

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Large Victorian Manor House with two turreted wings overlooks a large lawn.
Sleeps
20
Bedrooms
10

Manor House, located on Osea Island, offers a remarkable escape. Accessible via a Roman tidal causeway, this exclusive Essex holiday cottage is an extraordinary retreat. Explore a range of activities, including an outdoor pool, saltwater lido, tennis court, cinema, and 4.5 miles of coastline. The grand Edwardian house boasts ten bedrooms, most with four-poster beds and en-suite bathrooms. It's an ideal celebration venue, with reception rooms, a country kitchen, and captivating water views. Book this extraordinary destination for a minimum of 2 nights, with flexible arrival days.

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End of terrace exterior with off-road parking of a seaside holiday home in Hunstanton.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Northgate Loft is a thoroughly modern and spacious seaside holiday let in Hunstanton with easy access to the sandy beaches of Hunstanton and the Norfolk coast. The coastal cottage boasts ample windows with ocean views and is situated within the heart of the coastal town. Escape to the seaside and relax.

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A U-shaped, stone barn conversion with floor-to-ceeiing windows looks out over a large shingled courtyard.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

A family- and pet-friendly country getaway near Ravensworth in the Yorkshire Dales, this 3-bedroom pet-friendly barn conversion on a working farm sleeps 7, Convenient to local market villages, Larklands balances rustic and new in one stylish rural retreat in North Yorkshire.

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A stone-built, 2-storey cottage in Cumbria overlooks a large lawn.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Stone-built Fell Foot is a large rural holiday home in Santon Bridge dating back to 1899. The pet-friendly cottage with a hot tub is set amidst the countryside of Cumbria and the Lake District. It offers spacious grounds, antique furnishings, an open fire and panoramic views of Wast Water Fells.

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Exterior of a wisteria-clad, double-fronted Georgian House and front garden.
Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
8

Crepe Farmhouse is a large luxury farmhouse in Symondsbury surrounded by stunning scenery. Guests have exclusive access to the swimming pool, sauna, games room, cinema room, and large garden. It is ideal for extended families, celebrations, and large groups. Dogs are welcome.

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Sleeps
13
Bedrooms
5

A fun-filled self-catering holiday in the Yorkshire Dales awaits at Laurel Bank, a large, five-bedroom, pet-friendly holiday home near the rural village of Embsay. Laurel Bank Cottage sits among mature gardens. This charming and modern cottage is finished with dashes of bold colour and country style.

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Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

Deerclose is a large Yorkshire Dales Farmhouse offering self-catering accommodation for large families and groups of friends in the tiny village of Horsehouse near Leyburn in Coverdale. High up on the fells, this characterful farmhouse offers stunning rural views of the Dales countryside.

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Eterior of a double-fronted terraced cottage overlooking an empty village street.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
2

With views over the village green, Chapel Cottage is an ideal family cottage. The pet-friendly cottage in Exford provides comfort and style and is set inside Exmoor National Park and its endless natural wonders. Set over three levels, the cottage boasts a wood burner plus generous outdoor areas for relaxation.

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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.