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 2-storey stone-built house overlooks a courtyard.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

One Grooms Cottage is a luxurious stone-built holiday cottage in Dunster. Its interior promises guests tradition and sophistication. Original features are scattered throughout the pet-friendly property, which boasts contemporary furnishings and technology and places guests within the beautiful Exmoor National Park.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
The exterior of a village holiday cottage with a sheltered porch and flower-filled planters on a village street.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Ruffles Cottage abounds in character. The pet-friendly cottage in the centre of Dunster promises a perfect family holiday with its carefully selected décor, wood-burning stove and endless contemporary comfort. Guests can explore footpaths on Exmoor, explore Dunster and its beach, ride steam trains on the West Somerset railway or relax in the cottage.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built holiday cottage in Dunster with a secure front garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Two Grooms Cottage promises refinement. The luxury holiday home in Dunster is fitted to an exceptionally high standard and is situated in the heart of the village. The stone-built rural cottage blends tradition with contemporary styles and offers spacious, well-appointed rooms plus access to the delights of the Exmoor National Park.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
An Exmoor cottage overlooks a quiet country lane.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

Enjoy life amidst Exmoor National Park’s unspoilt beauty with a stay at Travellers Rest, a large Exmoor holiday cottage near Timberscombe in Somerset with stone floors, wooden beams, and two wood-burning stoves. The cottage is set in a scenic valley surrounded by moors and woodland,

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Against a woodland backdrop, a large cottage with a spacious deck overlooks a flower and shrub-filled garden surrounding a lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Stable Block is an Exmoor holiday cottage for couples near the ancient seaside village of Porlock Weir with underfloor heating and an open-plan living and dining area. It's perfect for romantic breaks on the Somerset coast. This dog-friendly cottage features a Juliette balcony and has gorgeous views of the garden and Porlock Bay,

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Somerset coastal apartment lounge for couples with a sofa, armchair, side table and TV.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Hurlestone Apartment in Porlock is a charming romantic apartment in an Edwardian house with lovely views over the coastal village to the ocean. It offers a cute garden with a pond, plus a stylish and elegant interior. The apartment sleeps two and welcomes pets.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built house with loft conversion overlooks a low-walled front courtyard.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Dog House is a large and impressive coastal holiday home in Porlock. The pet-friendly cottage on the Exmoor coast sleeps eight and boasts a stone exterior, a sunny furnished courtyard, a spacious interior with natural light, an open-plan design and a wood burner.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a 2-storey cottage with courtyard and large tarmac parking space.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Overstream Annexe is a delightful romantic cottage in the beautiful seaside village of Porlock in Somerset. The two-storey house is ideally situated for exploration of the Exmoor region. It offers an open-plan design, a sun-trap patio, contemporary comforts, peace and a cosy log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a terraced seafront cottage with a walled front garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Discover Riversmeet, your ideal holiday home in Instow, North Devon. This sunset-facing seafront cottage offers breathtaking views of Instow Beach and Appledore. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, it accommodates up to six guests. Enjoy the open-plan living area with modern amenities. Pet-friendly and close to local amenities, it's perfect for families. Experience coastal living at its finest. View the full description for more details.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages

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.