A surfer traverses a large wave. Find holiday cottages for active holidays in the open air.

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 modern holiday bungalow with a large block-paved parking area
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

This detached Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage sleeps 3 in the attractive village of Embsay, near the market town of Skipton. Wynville is set in beautiful gardens, with a modern kitchen, beautifully decorated lounge and dining room, and idyllic walks and cosy country pubs on its doorstep.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Explore the North York Moors National Park and the North Yorkshire coastline from Barn Cottage.  This romantic holiday cottage above Robin Hood’s Bay has been charmingly restored as a rural retreat for couples to take in the majestic scenery of the coast and North York Moors.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Keepers Cottage is a stone-built luxury holiday cottage in the Lake District on the Bigland Estate in the village of Blackbarrow, near Newby Bridge in Cumbria. This rural cottage sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms - all ensuite with Smart TVs. With underfloor heating, it's perfect for holidays all year round.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
2-storey stone-built cottage overlooking a shrub-lined lawn.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

West House is an 18th-century, stone-built, semi-detached rural cottage set among beautiful grounds near Middleton-in-Teesdale, in the Yorkshire Dales. The traditional exterior houses a contemporary interior with touches of yesteryear, an open fire, and spectacular views from all vantage points.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A single storey stone built cottage with a raised terrace overlooking a garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The delightful village of Lastingham houses this 18th-century stone-built cottage for couples with an authentic exterior and high-quality interior. The romantic cottage features delightful decor plus a patio area within easy reach of The North York Moors National Park or the coast at Whitby.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Part of two unique single-storey chalets deep in the hamlet of Heights of Achterneed, the Larchfield Chalet 2 offers a remote Highlands holiday home near Strathpeffer. It offers unbeatable views of Scotland’s gorgeous hillsides. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a barn conversion overlooking a terrace with a hot tub.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Stables Cottage is a comfortable and stylish countryside cottage in the Northern Yorkshire Dales near Barnard Castle. Accommodation is all on the ground floor and sleeps two to four people in two bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Abbotts Wood is a large, pet-friendly holiday home in Hampshire, sleeping 12 in 5 bedrooms (3 ensuites). Facilities in this luxury house include an indoor heated swimming pool, a (free) fishing lake complete with ducks for feeding and 3 acres of grounds to explore.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A double fronted 3-storey coastal cottage in Inistow.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Cool Stone Cottage is sleek, modern and elegant. The pet-friendly cottage in Instow carries a distinct coastal vibe and lies just moments from the beach and the highlights of North Devon. Natural light floods the cottage, and the sea breeze can be enjoyed in the open-plan spaces or the lovely garden.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday 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 direct to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.