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.

The exterior of a double-fronted house with a patio containing dining furniture  2.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Combe Lane Cottage is a holiday cottage in Exford, a picturesque Somerset village with gorgeous rural views from its generous enclosed garden. The pet-friendly cottage boasts tranquillity, a wood-burning stove, and a light and airy design. Guests enjoy access to the picturesque hills, valleys, and wild moorland of Exmoor National Park and a hassle-free holiday.

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Exterior of a large, modern, brick-built chalet bungalow overlooking a paved patio
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Set on the edge of the pretty village of Crantock on the North Cornwall coast, Talland Croft is a large and charming 5-bedroom house that sleeps 10. The dog-friendly house is a short walk across dunes to a Crantock or an even shorter walk into the heart of Crantock, with good pubs and local shops.

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A heated indoor swimming pool with a hot tub.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Granary is a pet-friendly countryside apartment located on the first floor with access to an indoor heated pool, hot tub and sauna in Newton-on-Rawcliffe, Pickering. This cosy apartment has an open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner, providing stunning views of the Vale of Pickering and beyond. It has been attractively designed to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.

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An Exmoor Longhouse overlooks a quiet, steep-banked country lane.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Situated deep in the heart of the Exmoor National Park on the outskirts of the riverside village of Exford, Somerset, you’ll find Greenslades, a large, child-friendly holiday cottage offering gorgeous countryside views, four bedrooms (two en-suite), beamed ceilings, and two wood-burner stoves.

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An arch in a wall leads to a courtyard of an Exmoor holiday cottage.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

 The Old Kitchen is a newly refurbished, family-friendly holiday let in Exford. It accommodates up to four guests in two king-sized bedrooms. The property features an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area. It includes a snug with an L-shaped sofa and TV. Guests can enjoy a private patio with outdoor seating. An EV charging point and off-road parking for two cars are available. Located half a mile from Exford's centre, this stylish holiday home offers easy access to Exmoor's attractions.

 

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Climbing roses surround the porch of a country cottage in Somerset.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
1

Forge Cottage is situated in Wootton Courtenay, one of the most desirable villages in Exmoor. This pet-friendly cottage promises couples romance and serenity. The spacious rural holiday cottage lies close to the heart of the village and offers cosy comfort plus access to the Somerset coast and the Exmoor National Park.

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A bungalow with double French Windows onto a patio and a lawn ringed by trees.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Hunter Cottage is a newly-built romantic holiday cottage in the Cotswolds offering sophistication and seclusion in Clanfield. Set in a lovely corner of the Cotswold National Park, the contemporary rural cottage boasts views of surrounding fields, an orchard from its ample gardens, and an airy and elegant interior.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

High Bridge Haven boasts beautiful ocean views from its gardens and offers couples a romantic getaway in Kirkby-in-Furness. The newly-built cedar cottage rests on spacious grounds in Cumbria and offers true sophistication, a gazebo with a hot tub, a light-filled interior and a wood-burning stove.

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A double-fronted stone cottage overlooks a sunny lawn edged with flowers.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Mill Cottage is a delightful two-bedroom holiday property near Tintagel in North Cornwall, nestled in a designated National Landscape. It offers families an idyllic getaway in the village of St Nectan’s Glen. The coastal cottage boasts gorgeous gardens surrounded by trees with a babbling brook.

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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.