A surfer traverses a large wave.

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.

Exterior of a 3-storey Georgian Townhouse and Garden.
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
6

The Normans is an imposing Georgian townhouse in the heart of Wells-next-the-Sea, promising groups elegance and sophistication. Perfect for marking special occasions, the luxury holiday cottage on the North Norfolk coast boasts a games room, a unique cinema room, gardens, ocean views and an open fire for out-of-season holidays.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
The exterior of restored railway carriage converted into self-ctering holiday accommodation with a vine-covered sun deck.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Ivywood is a Victorian Railway Carriage converted into a beautiful holiday cottage that sleeps 4. Set on the edge of the village of Wisbech St Mary in its own private garden with ample parking, which leads into a wood and 3-acre field. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sliding doors reveal the luxuriously furnished open-plan exterior of a modern holiday cottage.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Kersey Cottage is a beautiful, newly refurbished, family-friendly holiday home in the heart of Flushing village with an open plan living to sleep up to 8 guests in comfort. Dogs are welcome, and the spacious sun-trap garden is a real bonus!

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Ground-floor frontage of a stone-built holiday cottage in Mousehole.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Romance is assured at The Langley Tarne, a pet-friendly, one-bedroom holiday cottage Mousehole that boasts many traditional features as well as an open fire, modern comforts, and contemporary style a 2-minute stroll from the gorgeous harbour and the beautiful coastline of Cornwall.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of an old brick-built house with dormer windows in the roof. It overlooks a large lawn in which stands a tall fir tree.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Peak Hill Cottage blends old and new in a rural location on the Suffolk coast in Theberton. It features exposed beams, an inglenook fireplace and modern furnishings and is surrounded by rolling green hills. Ideal for a family holiday. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior or an old 3-storey country cottage in Norfolk overlooking a large lawn bordered by mature trees.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Laylands is a grand old house just moments from the beach in Well-next-the-Sea. As one of the original houses in the region, this large Norfolk holiday cottage boasts numerous original features, such as an open fire, which blend seamlessly with the modern décor. The expansive gardens make for a perfect holiday.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Large, thatched Dorset Farmhouse overlooking a courtyard.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Manor Farmhouse is a thatched and beautifully presented country cottage near Maiden Newton, sleeping eight in four bedrooms with expansive rural views and river frontage, situated in a peaceful and idyllic location.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a chalet bungalow overlooking an ornate garden with rockery
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

North End Farm's Old Dairy is a very comfortable, spacious rural holiday cottage for couples near Bridport in Broadchurch country on Dorset's Jurassic Coast with walks and beautiful beaches nearby. Well-equipped kitchen, central heating, wood burner and Strauss piano. Great pubs.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A table  with parasol and chairs tands on a sunny patio behind a stone built holiday cottage in Devon.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Escape to tranquillity at Buzzards View, a captivating holiday home in Cornworthy. Renovated in 2022, this South Devon country cottage nestles in the scenic Dart Valley. Revel in the open-plan kitchen/diner, unwind in the spacious sitting room, and relax on the tranquil patio. Three chic bedrooms, including a master with ensuite, guarantee comfort. Benefit from off-street parking and explore the fuller description for an in-depth look at this charming South Devon getaway.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays

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 directly to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.