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.

Large holiday bungalow on Ocea Island with picnic tables. Sleeps 8. Pets welcome.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

One Manor Beach Cottage on Osea Island is a luxurious Essex holiday cottage by the shingle beach, just 90 minutes from London. This remarkable coastal retreat offers private beaches, an outdoor pool, a saltwater lido, a cinema room, a games room, and more. The spacious cottage features four stylish bedrooms, two bathrooms with rolltop baths, and a well-equipped kitchen. Enjoy sea views and a private garden. Ideal for special celebrations and family holidays, it's pet-friendly, offers short breaks, and welcomes two dogs.

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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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Single storey exterior of a restored Station Masters cottage.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Accessible by train, Station Masters Cottage is a large holiday home in Worcestershire. It combines modern amenities with characterful charm and offers three bedrooms with en-suites, a cosy sitting room with a wood-burning stove, and a spacious kitchen/diner. The enclosed garden with a barbecue is perfect for family gatherings. At the same time, its proximity to local attractions like the Severn Valley Railway and Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve ensures an unforgettable getaway. Explore further for complete details.

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  • Short Breaks
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Large, 2-storey, Victorian house with a tree-lined garden
Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
9

Stoneleigh is a gorgeous 19th-century North Devon holiday let designed by prominent Victorian architect William Bryden and situated on the coast in Northam. This large, child-friendly holiday home boasts ornate brickwork, original sash windows, a traditional games room, and space for up to 17 guests.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Walking Holidays
Stone steps led up to the front door of a Victorian houe iin Skipton. An iron-barred gate stand at the bottom of the steps flanked by an ivy hedge.
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
7

Craven House is a large and dog-friendly Victorian House in Skipton with Wi-Fi, offering spacious self-catering accommodation for up to 14 guests in the Yorkshire Dales. Perfect for walking and touring holidays in North Yorkshire.

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A stone-built house with roses and wisteria climbing the walls.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
6

Wood Stanway House is a Grade-II listed property in a remote rural location in the Cotswolds. This Gloucestershire holiday let offers six beautifully appointed bedrooms, including ensuites and a roll-top bath. The ground floor features a well-equipped kitchen, a living/dining room with open fires, and a snug for family games. Outside, enjoy the enclosed wraparound garden with alfresco dining. Explore nearby villages, historic sites, and the cultural town of Cheltenham. Experience a luxury holiday home in the Cotswolds. View the full description for more details.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Bar Harbour is a spacious coastal cottage with a generous lawned garden and contemporary open-plan spaces just moments from the beach in Northumberland. This large Beadnell holiday cottage enjoys natural light and offers an enclosed garden with a furnished area, plus the chance to enjoy a sea breeze.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey wooden eco lodge surrounded by an open field.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

 

View No.9 The Vista, an eco holiday lodge in Woolacombe. Set within the small and peaceful Willingcott holiday park, just 2 miles from Woolacombe Beach, this retreat accommodates up to 8 guests. Its open-plan layout seamlessly connects the kitchen, dining, and living areas flooded with natural light. The modern kitchen boasts sleek surfaces and amenities to make life easier for culinary enthusiasts. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a master king-size room with an en-suite and a twin room, there's ample space for relaxation. Enjoy outdoor living on the large decked area with a hot tub and extensive shared grounds.

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Ocean view from the glass-windowed deck of a clifftop holiday cottage in Downderry
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Lookout represents a contemporary split-level detached property, gracing an elevated position that offers captivating vistas of the enchanting southern Cornish coastline. This exceptional self-catering accommodation in Downderry accommodates up to 6 guests within its three generously proportioned bedrooms, each thoughtfully equipped with en-suite bathrooms. Every room within Lookout provides sweeping panoramic views of the sea, ensuring a serene and picturesque experience, even from the comfort of the bathtub!

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Comfortable cotton sofas in an open-plan living area
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Part of the brand-new Byron Apartments complex on the ground floor of a block of apartment homes, 2 Putsborough in the heart of Woolacombe, Devon, offers a luxurious coastal holiday for up to four guests, a pet-friendly apartment with an en-suite master double and access to indoor pool and gym.

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  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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  • 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.