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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.

Stone-built terraced farm cottage in Somerset overlooking a courtyard.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

East Harwood Farm Cottage is a pet-friendly, stone-built cottage located on a working farm in Timberscombe. It sleeps four and boasts stunning countryside views, stabling for horses, and a wood-burning stove.

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Village cottages overlook a sandy South Devon beach.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Positioned at the end of the three-mile shingle beach at Slapton Sands, you couldn’t get closer to the sea if you tried. Step inside this beautiful apartment, and you’ll instantly feel at home. Enjoy the fantastic sea views from the Juliet balcony, or relax in the spacious open-plan living areas.

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Outdoor swimming pool with table of drinks and snacks in front.
Sleeps
13
Bedrooms
6

Live in luxury at Gitcombe House, a large holiday rental in Cornworthy, your ideal South Devon holiday home with a pool. This Georgian manor farmhouse boasts six bedrooms, classic furnishings, and an AGA-equipped kitchen. Enjoy grand dining, relax by the open fire, and explore the extensive grounds with shared pools. Experience elegance and comfort – book your unforgettable holiday in South Devon now.

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A single storey barn conversion with Frenchwindos and a mature garden of shrubs and small trees.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Bradbridge Barn is a gorgeous stone-built rural cottage in a peaceful location in Newton Ferrers in Devon. The sophisticated, open-plan cottage sleeps 4, retains features such as exposed beams and wooden panelling, and boasts a handcrafted kitchen, a lovely furnished garden, and tranquillity.

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A stone-built cottage with a first floor that forms an arch over a driveway to a courtyard.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

This smart, peaceful end-of-terrace holiday cottage is in Newton Ferrers, a scenic waterside village in a rural valley 1 1/2 miles from the South Devon Coast. It has three bedrooms and can sleep six people.

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A holiday apartment overlooks a long sandy beach in South Devon.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Discover a waterfront retreat for self-catering holidays for two in Torcross at Lower Reeds, a charming beach apartment. Situated on the seafront, it offers a romantic escape with panoramic ocean views. The well-equipped kitchen, comfortable living room, and a rear double bedroom with en suite provide a cosy haven for couples. Enjoy a front terrace overlooking the sea and off-road parking. Two well-behaved dogs are welcome. Explore Torcross and nearby coastal gems, making Lower Reeds ideal for a tranquil beach getaway.

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Exterior of a large contemporary house with a raised terrace and surrounded by mature gardens.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Clamoak Cottage is a charming waterfront cottage in Clamoak boasting a thoroughly modern interior combined with exposed beams and touches of yesteryear and an open fire. The pet-friendly cottage offers outdoor spaces with sweeping views of the Tamar River and the South Devon countryside.

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Exterior of a large country house with a Highland mountain in the background.
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
7

Biallid is a large, dog-friendly country house in the heart of the Scottish highlands. It has seven bedrooms and sleeps fifteen guests. The house is set on its own riverside grounds outside Newtonmore. Fishing and shooting are available for guests to book, and they are surrounded by fantastic Highland scenery.

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A single-storey, stone-built, luxury Exmoor barn conversion surrounded by trees and hedgerows.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Enjoy self-catering cottage holidays on Exmoor with a stay at Higher Bumsley Barn, a charming barn conversion near the rural settlement of Parracombe, Devon. It stands on 50 acres of an Environmental/Conservation Farm and is a countryside cottage with a vaulted ceiling, two comfy bedrooms, and a Woodburner.

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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.