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 terraced row of well-maintained Victorian Houses with small low-walled front garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Escape to Exmouth in this beautifully presented penthouse holiday apartment overlooking the Exe estuary. With two bedrooms sleeping four, this home is just a short stroll from Exmouth’s long, sandy beach and is the perfect retreat for a seaside holiday in one of Britain’s oldest and prettiest coastal towns.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a large 3-storey Wye Valley holiday home.
Sleeps
22
Bedrooms
9

Hollytree House is a spacious 3-storey holiday home in Symonds Yat, Wye Valley. The house offers breathtaking views of the river and comes equipped with a relaxing hot tub. It's perfect for large groups of up to 22 guests looking for a peaceful and rural location to spend special occasions, reunions, or self-catering holidays. The house is an ideal place for those who want to spend their time enjoying the beauty of the river and its surroundings.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Exmoor coastal cottage lounge with leather sofas, French windows to a garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Coachman’s Cottage is a gorgeous romantic bolthole with ocean views in West Porlock, Somerset. The former stable block sleeps two, welcomes pets, and features contemporary style and traditional charm, ample grounds, wooden floors, furnished outdoor spaces, a sea breeze and a log fire. 

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of an Exmoor country cottage with large chimney in front of tall trees and overlooking a large courtyard.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Set on a working farm near Wheddon Cross, the highest village on Exmoor, Hedgehog Cottage promises serenity and wonderful countryside views. The pet-friendly cottage offers fresh air, spacious grounds, a log fire, country charm, and contemporary luxury.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
3

Wingate Farm is an impressive coastal cottage above Lynmouth on a working farm in the hamlet of Countisbury, Devon. The large, pet-friendly holiday home enjoys stunning views of the Exmoor countryside and the ocean beyond and offers seclusion, spacious grounds, fresh air, contemporary design and a log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A country cottage overlooks a walled lawn garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Two Lower Spire Cottage is an Exmoor holiday cottage in the Liscombe Valley near Dulverton with beautiful rural views and within easy reach of open moorland for lovely walks. The pet-friendly three-bedroom cottage sleeps six.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
 L-shaped, 2-storey large holiday home in Minehead with a spacious garden.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Lily House is situated on a quiet road close to the centre of the seaside town of Minehead, Somerset, and nestled into the wooded slopes of North Hill. This large Exmoor holiday cottage offers a welcoming and homey feel, a child-friendly house with two sitting rooms, a woodburner stove, and four first-floor bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
An oak-beamed lounge with a woodburner, wide-screen TV and a comfy sofa.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

The Lofthouse is a spacious Somerset holiday apartment within striking distance of the beach in Minehead. The apartment retains exposed beams, stone walls and other original features and blends this with chic coastal décor and light-filled spaces. Enjoy easy access to the best of Minehead, Exmoor and the Somerset coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
An Exmoor holiday home on the banks of the calm River Barle flowing under a stone bridge.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

ridge Cottage is a pet-friendly holiday cottage located in Withypool, featuring river frontage, a beautiful garden, and authentic rural charm. The cottage includes exposed beams, tiled floors, antique furnishings, a log fire, and limewashed walls. Additionally, it offers a sunroom with lovely views and access to Exmoor.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside 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.