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 modern, 2-storey, half-timbered house overlooks a long garden and paved terrace lined by palm trees.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
5

Tredarloe is a comfortable 5-bedroom detached South Devon holiday home. This large holiday property in Salcombe has lovely rural views with estuary glimpses and spacious suntrap gardens, including a patio, raised decking area, balcony and large lawn.

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A timber-framed holiday cottage on Osea Island with two sun-loungers on its lawn
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Sweet Shop, a charming cottage on Osea Island, is perfect for couples seeking a tranquil getaway. This bijou retreat in the island's village area offers an open living and bedroom space, a well-equipped kitchen, and a shower room. Guests enjoy access to private beaches, a saltwater lido, an outdoor heated pool, a tennis court, a cinema room, a games room, a gym, and four event spaces. The island's communal facilities include a pool, tennis court, The Shack, free bicycles, a lido pool, a cinema and more. Bring up to two dogs for a weekly fee of £30 each. Short breaks are available.

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A Swiss-style wooden holiday lodge with a 1st floor deck looks out across lush Somerset countryside.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Panoramic Views is a chalet-inspired countryside cottage in the Trull area on the outskirts of the county town of Taunton, Somerset, offering stunning views of the Blackdown and Quantock hills, with a well-equipped kitchen, king master with en-suite with walk-in shower, and two flat-screen TVs.

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The exterior of a brick-built Dorset bungalow is surrounded by lawns, shrubs, and mature trees.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Wyndthorpe Cottage is a charming rural dwelling located in the idyllic village of Milton Abbas. The cottage boasts a beautiful mature garden, which is fully furnished and offers picturesque views of the Dorset countryside. Inside, the cottage is designed with modern comforts in mind, featuring a sophisticated open-plan layout that is flooded with natural light.

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A modern 2-storey house with a full length balcony with all lights on in the dusk.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

A superb coastal holiday cottage in Beesands, South Devon. Beautifully designed to make the most of its excellent position on the coast, you'll find a luxurious interior and fantastic sea views. Three spacious bedrooms and loads of outdoor space mean plenty of room, and it even has a cinema!

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£-storey Stone house and conservatory surrounded by gardens.
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
7

Pensarn Hall is a large, impressive Victorian country house with lovely gardens in the Snowdonia National Park. This pet-friendly, rural holiday home in Llanbedr sleeps 15 in 7 bedrooms and is within easy reach of fabulous sandy beaches.

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A flower-filled garden with rural views alongside a Somerset holiday cottage.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
5

Surridge Farmhouse is a Grade II listed Exmoor cottage in the Brendon Hills near Waterrow in Somerset. The large, pet-friendly cottage sits on 80 acres of grounds, is steeped in tradition with exposed beams and fireplaces, and offers a games room, modern comforts, and an Iron Age Play Fort for children.

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Wisteria-clad exterior of a Luxury waterside holiday home.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Stunning views of the River Yealm await visitors to Elphinstone, a large, luxurious holiday cottage in Newton Ferrers, Devon. Situated close to the sea, the impressive cottage offers a spacious deck, outdoor entertaining areas, an open-plan design, abundant natural light, a neutral palette and tranquillity.

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Hafton Castle from drone
Sleeps
42
Bedrooms
19

Hafton Castle is a beautiful historic building nestling next to the loch in Hunter's Quay, just outside Dunoon on the Cowal Peninsula.

The Castle is a large holiday home, totally self-catering and can accommodate up to 42 guests in 19 en-suite bedrooms.  The living accommodation comprises sitting rooms, a dining room, a library and a large conservatory, providing plenty of communal space for the 42 guests.

There is a large indoor swimming pool, a games room with snooker and a children's playground.

There are lovely grounds in which to walk, play and picnic and plenty of parking.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
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  • 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.