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 small country house in Cumbria surrounded by trees and parkland
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A secluded holiday home just outside the Lake District National Park, Udford House sits along the River Eamont near the historic market town of Penrith, Cumbria. It is a child-friendly countryside cottage featuring ground-floor underfloor heating, an open fire, and original beams throughout.

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Exterior of a stone-built thatched cottage in Dorset.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Dormouse Cottage is situated in the desirable Dorset village of Burton Bradstock. It is a stone-built cottage with a thatched roof and character. The pet-friendly cottage sits near the beach and offers a lovely courtyard, exposed beams, an inglenook fireplace, a cottage-style kitchen, and modern elegance.

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A siungle storey wing of a stone-bult property overlooks a terrace and gardens.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Summer Palace: A Tranquil Retreat for Couples in Middleham

Nestled in the heart of the charming village of Middleham in North Yorkshire, The Summer Palace stands as an exceptional stone-built, detached cottage, offering an idyllic escape for couples seeking respite amid picturesque rural surroundings.

 

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Front entrance to a contemporary barn conversion in Somerset.
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
6

Selworthy is a 4-Star Gold West Somerset Holiday Cottage sleeping 11 in 6 bedrooms. This large, dog-friendly cottage is on a small country estate in an Exmoor valley near Dunster and Minehead. Facilities include an indoor pool, hot tub, games room, tennis court, trampoline and play centre.

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A grand 3-storey, brick-built Tudor house overlooks a large, formal lawned gardens.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
12

Surround yourself with royal luxury at Upton Cressett Hall, a grand regal cottage in Shropshire. Marvel at the manicured grounds of the pet-friendly cottage, and indulge in the seclusion and beauty of a residence boasting log fires, exposed beams, antique furnishings and unique décor.

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A terraced row of Norfolk cottages with flower-filled front gardens.
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
7

The Hobart Spring is an impressive rural property surrounded by the beauty of East Anglia and is perfect for special celebrations. The pet-friendly cottage boasts beautiful expansive grounds for entertaining, elegant décor, exposed beams and panelling, log fires in hearths and Aga.

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The exterior of a stone-built Exmoor farmhouse in a remote moorland location.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

This large Exmoor holiday home is in a beautiful secluded position surrounded by moorland near Simonsbath and can sleep ten people in five bedrooms. Limecombe is ideally located for walking and cycling holidays on Exmoor.

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A steam-train passes by a line-side holiday cottage on a sunny summer's day.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Located near Woolston in Somerset, Railway Cottage is a picturesque destination for steam railway enthusiasts. This pet-friendly cottage on the West Somerset Railway boasts stunning countryside views, charming interiors, a cosy log burner, bright and airy rooms, oak flooring, and modern amenities. It has also earned a 4-star gold rating.

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A stone-built Herefordshire cottage overlooks a tree-lined lawn and parking space.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

2 The Oaks is an elegant 19th-century semi-detached sandstone cottage set amidst manicured gardens in Hoarwithy, Herefordshire. The rural holiday cottage boasts generous grounds with wonderful views and fresh air, a sophisticated interior with exposed beams, open-plan spaces and a wood burner.

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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.