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.

An Exmoor coast holiday cottage with a large raised deck is surrounded by trees and mature gardens.
Sleeps
1
Bedrooms
2

The Stable Block, near the ancient seaside village of Porlock Weir, Somerset, makes the perfect romantic getaway along the Exmoor coast. It is a dog-friendly cottage featuring a Juliette balcony with gorgeous views of the garden and Porlock Bay, underfloor heating, and an open-plan living and dining area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A pet-friendly barn conversion and garden on Exmoor
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Tucked into a peaceful, wooded valley, Red Deer Cottage offers a natural haven for self-catering holidays near the moorland village of Wheddon Cross in Somerset, Quarme Coombe. This charming Exmoor holiday home is a three-bedroom, pet-friendly cottage with a pretty garden, a master bedroom with an en-suite and Juliet balcony, and open-plan living space.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
An Exmoor stone barn conversion within a courtyard in the North Devon countryside
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Pony Stalls, near Brompton Regis, is a recently converted stone-built barn on a working farm in the Brendon Hills on Exmoor, just a stone’s throw from Wimbleball Lake, which is within easy walking distance. Sleeping up to 6 guests in three rooms, it’s well-suited to families.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Large, 3-storey coastal holiday cottage surrounded by gardens in Porlock Weir
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Coach House near the seaside village of Porlock Weir, Somerset, is the perfect romantic getaway for two along the Exmoor coast; a small dog-friendly cottage offering gorgeous views of Porlock Bay from the private terrace, stone flagged flooring and an upstairs double bedroom with comfy king-size bed.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
Exterior of an Exmoor rural cottage with a garden full of shrubs.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Allerford is one of twelve 4-Star Exmoor Holiday Cottages in the beautiful Avill valley near Dunster, sleeping five in three bedrooms. Use indoor pool, spa, games room, tennis court, trampoline, play centre, etc. Families and pets are most welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large Exmoor holiday cottage nestles in a remote wooded valley.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
5

Whitley Farm is a 5-bedroom Grade II listed farmhouse located on the outskirts of Exmoor National Park in North Devon. Offering self-catering accommodation for up to 9 guests plus a cot, this charming farmhouse near the rural village of Molland is perfect for families and groups seeking a peaceful retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a brick-built Shropshire barn conversion with a courtyard.
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
6

Corn House, on the grounds of a 700-acre farm near Church Stretton. A large luxury Shropshire holiday cottage with a pool, it offers group accommodation for up to fifteen guests. This Grade II listed barn conversion has six spacious bedrooms, an oak bespoke fully equipped kitchen, and access to a pool, hot tub and tennis courts.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
The gable end of a 2-storey wisteria-clad Dunster Cottage with a paved courtyard in front.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Grist Mill is a large and characterful rural holiday cottage in Dunster, a medieval village on the West Somerset coast. It is a charming semi-detached cottage that can accommodate up to eight guests. It boasts a spacious leafy garden with furnished areas, a brand-new sunroom, unique decor and furnishings, an open-plan design, a modern style, and a warm and inviting wood-burning stove.

The large semi-detached cottage sleeps eight and features a large leafy garden with furnished areas, a new sunroom, quirky décor and furnishings, open-plan design, contemporary style and a cosy wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A large Someerset house overlooks a spacious lawn lined by flowering shrubs and trees.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Vale View Apartment is a light, airy, spacious first-floor holiday apartment in Porlock Weir within the west wing of a beautiful Edwardian hunting lodge. Patio doors open onto a private balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the front of the property. Sleeps four guests.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • 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.