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 fenced-in outdoor pool on a lawn overlooked by a large holiday cottage.
Sleeps
24
Bedrooms
10

High Cloud is a large and comfortable Wye Valley Farmhouse and separate Barn in Monmouthshire with a swimming pool and hot tub. It offers self-catering holidays in a secluded countryside location—no neighbours or traffic noise, just panoramic, far-reaching rural views. Pets are welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 3-storey, wood and glass holiday home in a rural location.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Scarlet Pimpernel is a sophisticated rural cottage offered by Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa in Colchester, Suffolk. The contemporary retreat boasts beautiful views of the golf course and gardens and features open-plan spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light and large balconies.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A single storey wooden barn conversion with an extended roof to create a sheltered terrace.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A unique Scandinavian-style eco-friendly cottage with a swimming pool blessed with timber finishes and surrounded by lawned gardens in a tranquil Isle of Wight coastal setting. Furnished to a very high standard, romance and relaxation are assured in this child and pet-free luxury getaway near Ryde.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
 with a large barn converted into a row of rural holiday cottages to a courtyard
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Withycombe is one of 12 4-Star Exmoor Holiday Cottages at Duddings & sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms. It is set in the beautiful Avill valley in the Exmoor National Park, near Dunster & Minehead. Indoor pool & spa bath, games room, tennis court, trampoline, play centre etc. Families & dogs are very welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Dairy Barn is a charming rural holiday cottage near Fakenham bursting with a traditional character set on 7 acres of grounds in Toftrees, Norfolk. The 18th-century barn conversion welcomes pets and boasts lovely gardens, exposed beams, a swimming pool, and a games room featuring brick walls and a contemporary setting.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A large house with a portico overlooks a lawn bordered by mature shrubs.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Explore Holset House, a large coastal property in South Devon offering the perfect setting for self-catering holidays in East Portlemouth. With breathtaking views of Dartmoor, this luxurious and well-equipped retreat features five bedrooms, a formal dining room, and expansive lawns for relaxation. Just over half a mile from sandy beaches and a short ferry ride to Salcombe, it's an ideal escape for families and friends. Discover comfort, grandeur, and convenience in this exceptional holiday home. View now for an unforgettable experience.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large and rambling, brick-built country house and wing overlooks the Denbighshire countryside
Sleeps
19
Bedrooms
8

Richmond Hall is a grand, luxurious rural cottage with a heated swimming pool set among gorgeous grounds in St Asaph, North Wales. Guest amenities include a gym, sauna, games room, all-weather tennis court, luxury décor, traditional charm, a glass summerhouse, and easy access to lovely St Asaph.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A modern detached house on a quiet hillside, blockpaved road.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Beachcombers is a lovely coastal cottage in Newquay with a pool just moments from the sands of Porth Beach in Cornwall. Pastel hues and modern facilities feature in the cottage, including generous open-plan living space. Beachcombers are ideal for a coastal family holiday.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
A large brick house backed by tall pine trees overlooks an extensive lawn.
Sleeps
24
Bedrooms
10

The Croft offers large country house self-catering accommodation amidst 6 acres of gardens with a private indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and hot tub in a rural Herefordshire hamlet near Peterchurch. Sleeps 24 in 11 bedrooms (7 en-suite).

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote 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.