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.

Exterior of a rural, 3-storey coastal holiday home and garden.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
6

Tyddn Goronwy is a large and spacious Welsh Coast holiday cottage in Gwynedd with a swimming pool between Barmouth and Harlech Castle. The spacious house is very nicely equipped and furnished. The property sleeps 10 and is a 10-minute walk to a big sandy beach.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A stone barn conversion overlooks an outdoor swimming pool in a shrub-filled garden
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

The Old Byres is a large holiday cottage, bursting with character on the rural West Somerset coast in Washford village between Watchet and Dunster. This tastefully furnished, pet-friendly holiday property sleeps 16 guests who have use of an outdoor heated swimming pool, sauna and hot tub.

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

Luxury defines 6 Middlecombe, a coastal apartment near the beach in Woolacombe Bay in Devon. The pet-friendly holiday apartment features a sun-drenched balcony, a sophisticated interior with light and airy spaces, an indoor swimming pool, a games room, a sauna, a treatment room, and fun in the sun.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A bungalow with a sun room and terrace overlooks a sunken garden.
Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
7

Treetops is a large holiday cottage in Monmouthshire with a swimming pool located in the sleepy village of Govilon near the attractive market town of Abergavenny. It sleeps 17 and is perfect for large groups, walking and cycling holidays in the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
3-storey contemporary holiday home with large balcony and patio overlooks a lawn.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Cormorant is a beautiful coastal cottage that makes for the perfect Dartmouth holiday retreat. It offers access to a communal pool, tennis court, and a golf course. This three-storey property is located in South Hams and provides modern comforts. The stylish interiors and open-plan design create a warm and inviting atmosphere. You can enjoy a fully equipped kitchen, log burner, and Smart TV. There are three bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, providing ultimate relaxation. The front patio, BBQ area, and balconies offer the perfect space for outdoor living. This cottage is ideal for golfers, families, or couples. Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore this Dartmouth holiday cottage with its alluring amenities.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A shingle path leads up to a stone-built Norfolk bungalow with two long lawns.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Far Barn is a delightful Grade II listed stone cottage near the lovely market town of Fakenham. The pet-friendly Norfolk holiday cottage boasts ample grounds, beautiful gardens, multiple furnished spaces, an interior with exposed beams, sophisticated design features, and an open fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built holiday cottage in the Lake District.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Enjoy a peaceful, relaxing Lake District holiday in Mill Cottage, a dog-friendly home just a few minutes walk to Lake Windermere on the 5000-acre Graythwaite country estate. This cosy, well-equipped cottage sleeps 4—shared use of the indoor heated pool and other leisure facilities.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a single-storey cottage surrounded by trees and flowering shrubs.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Mineshop Holiday Cottages are located in the heart of the stunning Mineshop Valley, a short walk through the fields and woodland to the beach at Crackington Haven near Bude in North Cornwall. Set in a secluded and tranquil spot, it's the perfect getaway for families, couples and dog owners.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
2-storey, clapper-board lodge overlooks a courtyard ringed by a secure wall.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Higher Close lies just steps from Mawgan Porth and enjoys views of the Cornish coastline. Sleeping 8, the luxurious coastal cottage catches the sea breeze in its generously furnished garden and boasts an architectural design with sunlit rooms, chic décor, a wood-burning stove, a games room, and a pizza oven.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury 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 directly to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.