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.

A spacious wooden floored lounge with twin sofas, TV and a woodburner.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Welcome to this charming Coldingham holiday cottage, your ideal holiday home in Berwickshire 7 Bogan. Nestled on a quiet village street, it offers a delightful retreat that has recently undergone extensive renovations to ensure comfort and enjoyment. This three-bedroom cottage is perfect for families or friends seeking a tranquil yet well-connected escape.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Welcome to Your Coastal Retreat in Coldingham

Discover the epitome of comfort and convenience at this splendid Coldingham holiday cottage, your ultimate coastal holiday home in Northumberland. Situated in the picturesque village of Coldingham, just north of Eyemouth, this large, spacious and meticulously maintained detached cottage offers an ideal escape for families and groups of friends yearning for a pet-friendly seaside getaway on the North East coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A thatched country cottage on Dartmoor overlooks its front hedge
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Thorn Cottage, a secluded Chagford holiday let in Dartmoor, beckons with charm. Nestled in a tranquil hamlet, this pet-friendly country cottage features a captivating granite fireplace and a wood-burning stove. Three cosy bedrooms under the thatch offer countryside views. A fenced paddock with a summerhouse adds allure. Chagford's vibrant village, with shops and dining, is nearby. Explore this inviting retreat—your ideal pet-friendly getaway for a truly secluded Dartmoor holiday.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A double fronted stone-built North Devon country cottage with arched windows
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Explore the charm of Chapel Cottage in Welcombe, a delightful hamlet on the North Devon coast. Just 1½ miles from the stunning Welcombe Mouth beach, this self-catering haven offers a cosy rural retreat with a country-style kitchen, wood-burning stove, and four peaceful bedrooms. The nearby Old Smithy Inn serves excellent food, and the South West Coast Path awaits for scenic cliff-top walks. Discover the perfect blend of comfort and coastal beauty at Chapel Cottage in Welcombe for your self-catering holidays in North Devon.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large large stone barn conversion in Devon surrounded by open fields and mature trees
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

Swallows Reach is an exquisite large holiday cottage in Halwell, a dream South Devon holiday home with a swimming pool. This impressive farm cottage boasts five beautifully appointed bedrooms, four with en suite facilities, spanning three levels. Enjoy the inviting open-plan living space, including a lounge with a wood-burning stove, and relish the fully equipped kitchen. With the added allure of an indoor pool, shared play area, and the convenience of off-road parking, Swallows Reach promises a perfect pet-friendly getaway for families or groups.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A terrace with dining facilities lies in front of a long, 2-storey, contemporary house.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Welcome to Yarrow, your large Jurassic Coast holiday cottage in charming Charmouth. This Dorset coastal retreat is perfect for families or friends seeking a break in all seasons. Yarrow is more than just a holiday let; it's a stylishly presented home away from home. Our property has undergone extensive renovations and extensions, ensuring your stay is nothing short of exceptional.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built Dartmoor holiday cottage tucked into a fold in the surrounding Devon countryside
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Woodstone Barn: A Spacious Dartmoor Holiday Cottage for Eight in Devon

Resting on a gentle slope above the West Devon Way, Woodstone offers a serene rural retreat just one and a half miles from the majestic Dartmoor National Park. With the capacity to comfortably accommodate eight guests, Woodstone Barn is the ideal large holiday home in Devon for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
6

A warm welcome awaits guests at Ash Villa, a splendid Victorian villa perched atop an elevated position, offering breathtaking vistas of the picturesque West Yorkshire countryside and the nearby Peak District. This distinguished four-storey detached house, sleeping 15, is the epitome of an ideal Pennine holiday cottage, perfect for large families or groups seeking a memorable retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Close up of a farm cottage exterior in The Quantock Hills showing the front door and surrounding shrubbery.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Discover The Old Bakery, a charming 17th-century dwelling nestled within the picturesque village of Crowcombe at the heart of the Quantock Hills. This characterful retreat, at Town End Farm, is not just for families but caters to couples of all ages seeking seclusion and luxury in Somerset's stunning countryside, regardless of the season.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • 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.