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 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Garden steps lead to the exterior of a classic 3-storey Georgian house with sash windows on all floors.
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

Viaduct House is a large and well-equipped 8-bedroom waterside holiday home on the banks of the River Wye in the Forest of Dean. It is perfect for country walks, cycling, and fishing in this gloriously scenic corner of Gloucestershire. Pets are welcome!

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A stone-built holiday barn conversion overlooks a large lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Apple Store is a charming Herefordshire holiday cottage in Whitchurch boasting exposed beams, stone walls and features windows. The pet-friendly cottage in Herefordshire's beautiful countryside offers couples a romantic retreat in a one-bedroom cottage close to the Forest of Dean. It features multiple outdoor relaxation areas and contemporary comforts.

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A large country Manor house with a timbered Tudor wing.
Sleeps
24
Bedrooms
11

The Manor on the Monnow is an impressive baroque manor house located on the east bank of the River Monnow, just a short walk from the centre of Monmouth. The property comfortably accommodates 24 guests in 11 bedrooms/9 bathrooms, with spacious communal areas, great outdoor space, and a hot tub too!

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A 3-storey-rendered Herefordshire farmhouse overlooks a block-paved courtyard.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Wye View is a sophisticated modern Wye Valley holiday let with traditional features and views of the River Wye. The romantic cottage in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, is furnished to a very high standard and features a bay window, wooden floors, exposed stone walls and a light-filled, open-plan design.

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A 2-storey house with a single-storey wing, overlooks a courtyard with a BBQ terrace.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Eleven acres of private grounds surround Howle Hideaway, a sophisticated romantic cottage in the Herefordshire countryside. The rural holiday cottage in Ross-on-Wye blends contemporary style with rustic charm. It features a traditional fireplace housing a woodburner, tiled floors, a lawned garden, and a patio with beautiful rural views.

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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.