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.

Stone-built Cornish barn conversion surrounded by shrub-lined, lawns.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A fresh, home-made pie welcomes guests to Tregadjack Farmhouse, a luxurious country cottage near Helston surrounded by gorgeous gardens in Tregathenan. Inglenook fireplaces and exposed beams, antique furnishings and contemporary fittings fill this gorgeous, pet-friendly rural property in Cornwall.

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An extended holiday bungalow backed by mature trees with a spacious patio equipped for outdoor dining.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Spring Water Barn is a luxurious romantic cottage set on 20 acres of beautiful grounds on the Bonython Estate. Set near Helston in Cornwall, the sophisticated cottage offers stunning gardens and private outdoor spaces, as well as contemporary style, a wood-burning stove, exposed beams and serenity.

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Bromyard barn conversion with large floor-height windows, in open countryside.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Wall Hills Barn is a large Herefordshire holiday cottage in Bromyard. It is perched atop a hill providing majestic views of the English and Welsh countryside. It offers the perfect rural holiday home in Herefordshire for groups. This child-friendly cottage has six bedrooms, a games room, and underfloor heating.

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A lighthouse complex offers clifftop views along the North Cornwall coast.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
5

For a genuinely quirky holiday home with stunning ocean views, stay at Lizard Lighthouse on the Southernmost tip of mainland Britain. This large Cornwall holiday cottage near Helston stands in a remote cliff-top location with spectacular coastal walks.

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L-Shaped bungalow with large potted palms and mature shrubs on its terrace.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

St. Corantyn Cottage lies on the gorgeous Bonython Estate and enjoys the seclusion of 20 acres of beautiful grounds near Helston in Cornwall. The light-filled, elegant country cottage near Helston offers an open fire and multiple outdoor relaxation spaces, as well as gorgeous rural views.

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A lighthouse complex on a rugged clifftop in Cornwall.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Bishop Rock is a cosy seaside cottage located within Lizard Lighthouse, which boasts panoramic views over the ocean from atop the cliffs. The unique property near Lizard Village promises modern comforts, subtle décor, and direct access to this beautiful stretch of the Cornish coast.

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Clapper-board exterior of a 2-storey apartment with a terracotta roof and large courtyard.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

River View is a romantic cottage in Aldeburgh which occupies the first floor of Marsh Lodge & enjoys gorgeous views of Hazlewood Marsh. The luxuriously appointed cottage rewards couples with sophisticated design features, a sun-trap courtyard, and views of the famous big skies of Suffolk.

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A wooden eco-lodge surrounded by a deck and a large lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

4 Faraway Fields is a delightful romantic cottage boasting modern interiors and seclusion. The nicely-appointed hilltop cottage on the outskirts of Dobwalls in Cornwall features a hot tub and offers lovely rural views of the sunset, especially from the sky deck with a glass in hand.

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Exterior of a townhouse in Wells with a red front door.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

7a Cathedral Green is a gorgeous Grade II listed cottage in Wells, Somerset, dating back to the 15th century. The elegant cottage boasts views of the cathedral and is ideally situated in England’s smallest city. It offers a lawned garden, sophisticated contemporary décor, sash windows and pastel hues.

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