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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 leafy-clad exterior of a stone-built single-storey Exmoor holiday cottage with a flight of stone steps to the front door.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Shippon is a wonderfully converted cow shed on a working farm in the Exmoor National Park, Somerset. Dating back to the 14th century, the pet-friendly holiday cottage near Wheddon Cross sleeps four. It promises beautiful views and tranquillity, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, authentic style and a log fire.

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Double-fronted exterior of a rural holiday cottage with a large paved terrace.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

South View Country House, a spacious holiday home near Henley-in-Arden, will be available from April 2024. It can accommodate up to 12 guests and offers a brand-new hot tub, stunning rural views, and complete privacy.

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Exterior of a wisteria-clad, terraced holiday cottage in Mevagissey overlooking a cobbled street.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Elm Terrace welcomes families and pets to a gorgeous coastal cottage in the sought-after fishing village of Mevagissey, Cornwall. The seaside holiday home boasts ocean views and a sleek modern interior encased in an original stone façade. A small garden completes the attractions of this hilltop property.

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Exterior and interior of Royal Oak Cottage, a luxuriously furnished Exmoor holiday cottage in the moorland village of Withypool.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Royal Oak Cottage is an impressive Exmoor holiday cottage in Withypool. The pet-friendly cottage sleeps seven and boasts features of its past as an Ale House, including oak beams, two large fireplaces, stone walls and a bread oven. It also offers natural light and a sun-trap furnished patio.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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,

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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.