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.

Two rows of cottages converted from stables line two-sides of a courtyard.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

This charming holiday cottage in Enniskillen is decorated to a high standard, with period furnishings and a wood-burning stove. It features a sitting area, kitchen area, twin bedroom and bathroom. It has a small outside patio.

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A lighthouse complex with a squat tower perches on a clifftop.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Rowena Cottage is uniquely positioned inside a converted lighthouse near Swanage and enjoys superb ocean views from Anvil Point. The pet-friendly cottage features ample grounds to soak up the views of the Dorset coastline and boasts luxury and a rare chance to get away in a spectacular location.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Curlew Cottage promises seclusion and escape. The pet-friendly rural cottage in Lower Peover, lies near Knutsford in Cheshire and is surrounded by countryside and a delightful garden. The lovingly-appointed interior features light-filled spaces and a subtle palette and ensure a restful holiday.

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A modern single storey lodge stands in front of trees overlooking a hedge-lined field.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This delightful lodge on Wakes Hall Farm is a haven of peace on 500 acres of private land. Having recently been awarded a five-star AA award, it features an open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting area, a verandah and a hot tub. The historic town of Colchester is 40 minutes away.

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A detached and thatched village cottage overlooks a village green in Worcestershire.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

eld Cottage is a romantic holiday cottage in Worcestershire set on the slopes of Bredon Hill on the outskirts of the village of Elmley Castle. This cottage for couples boasts gorgeous views of unspoilt countryside, a stone thatched holiday home with an inglenook fireplace, wood burner, rolltop bath, and first-floor double bedroom.

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L-shaped exterior of a barn conversion surrounded by open fields.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Ty Newydd is an impressive, large rural cottage with stunning views of the Conwy Estuary. The pet-friendly holiday cottage in Colwyn Bay sits on the vast Bodnant Estate. It offers guests a truly luxurious property with extensive gardens, period features and a chance to connect with nature and the outdoors.

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A stone-built Dorset cottage overlooks a lawn and rose beds.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Evergreen is a historic cobb cottage from 1860 surrounded by the free-roaming section of a national park. The charming rural cottage in Bransgore sits among the Dorset countryside and coast and offers tranquillity and beautiful views, plus luxurious furnishings, contemporary design and seclusion.

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A lighthouse on a clifftop overlooking the ocean.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Situated on the grounds of a working lighthouse at the southernmost point in Devon, Landward Cottage near the abandoned coastal village of Hallsands overlooks Start Bay. It offers gorgeous sea views and a pet-friendly three-bedroom South Devon holiday cottage featuring a gravel patio and cosy sitting room.

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A large thatched cottage overlooks spacious, freshly-mown lawns.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Magna Cottage is a 300-year-old cottage with a thatched roof, abundant character, a large mature garden, and many homely comforts. The pet-friendly holiday cottage in a secluded corner of Dorset near Shaftesbury boasts an inglenook fireplace, contemporary style and beautiful views.

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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.