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.

Twin photos of a stone cottage exterior and a swirling hot tub.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Stables in the quaint Cotswold village of Little Tew, Oxfordshire, offers modern comforts amidst a peaceful setting for the ideal holiday home with a hot tub for couples and small families. It is a pet-friendly barn conversion with an enclosed garden, hot tub, breakfast bar, wood burner, and two bedrooms with TVs.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This detached Quantock Hills holiday cottage is close to the village of Bicknoller near the coastal resort of Watchet and can sleep four people in two bedrooms.

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A wooden 2-storey Essex holiday cottage overlooks a lawned garden, shaded by tall trees with four sun lounger on the grass.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

"The Limes" is a charming Island holiday cottage located on private Osea Island on the enchanting Essex Coast. It is perfect for a cosy and inviting escape for up to five guests. The cottage features a warm lounge with garden access, two spacious double rooms, and an additional single room. It also boasts a well-equipped kitchen, two elegant bathrooms with roll-top baths, and a private garden. Osea Island is a private island that offers a lot of attractions, including a private beach, saltwater lido, outdoor pool, cinema room, games room, gym, and 4.5 miles of coastline to explore with bikes. If you're looking for a tranquil getaway, "The Limes" is the perfect place to discover and start planning your next seaside escapade.

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A 2-storey holiday cottage with a large sun terrace overlooks a sandy beach.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

A luxury five-bedroom holiday home in North Devon with a hot tub and spectacular coastal views. This large property is just a short walk from the beach and the lively seaside resort of Woolacombe.

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Sleeps
18
Bedrooms
9

With stunning rural views and a hilltop position, what is there not to like about this large, luxury Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage in Wearhead? The elegant and dog-friendly Burnhope Shooting Lodge sleeps 16 in 9 bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms with fabulous walks from the front door and a fishing lake.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Perched atop an inspiring scenic hilltop location in North Wales, the Bryn Howell Stables in Llangollen is a superb, 3-bedroom rural retreat in Denbighshire for 2-6 guests. This dog-friendly vintage holiday property is a remote cottage that has been beautifully renovated for family holidays.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Escape to a unique Cornish holiday experience in a Beautiful stone-built Cornish cottage, sleeping up to 4 guests. Located in the historic town of Fowey and just a short walk away from the beach via an idyllic woodland footpath, this holiday cottage with its stunning stone construction is the perfect place for a getaway and - even better - your four-legged friends are welcome too!

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A courtyard barn conversion with a frontage comprising wall-to-ceiling French windows.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Wheelhouse Cottage is a barn conversion with exposed beams, a log fire, and a pretty courtyard, and it sleeps 6. Perfectly positioned for exploring the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and coast, this countryside holiday cottage in North Yorkshire is near the village of Sowerby, in the Vale of Mowbray.

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A modern cross-timbered gable overlooking a drive, lawn and a spacious parking area
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
6

Celebrate a momentous occasion at Arden Hill Farm House, a refined country house near Stratford-upon-Avon with stunning views, an elegant interior, spacious gardens and a hot tub. The rural cottage offers a traditional exterior, access to many walking and cycling paths, and tranquillity.

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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.