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.

Exterior and courtyard of a stone-built, Exmoor barn conversion
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A stunning farming estate with a swimming pool in the heart of North Devon, The Old Stables is a rural holiday cottage located in a scenic valley between Bishop's Nympton and South Molton on the edge of Exmoor National Park with easy access to Devon's coastline and other attractions.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

View this traditional coastal cottage in Northumberland; Lyndhurst Cottage is a stone-built semi-detached property, a relaxing and easygoing Northern getaway enjoying the best of the Northumberland Coast and countryside a short stroll to the harbour and beach at Beadnell Bay.

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Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Shells Cottage is a gorgeous, thatched rural Somerset holiday cottage with a hot tub on beautiful grounds near Washford and the coast. The detached, pet-friendly cottage promises seclusion and sophistication, an open fire, exposed beams and stone walls, wooden floors, a large garden and beautiful views.

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Exterior of a stone-built riverside cottage on Exmoor
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Riverside Cottage is a stone-built Exmoor holiday cottage in Brendon. It offers bags of character with contemporary styling & a wood-burning stove and access to the Noth Devon coast and countryside. The pet-friendly cottage sleeps four and features a delightful furnished garden that catches the sun.

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A stone cottage with a large porch overlooks a walled lawn and flower beds.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Cowstonegill is a magnificent, detached, listed farmhouse with panoramic views over seventeen acres of private land. This four-bedroom Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage near Wet Burton offers four spacious bedrooms and large gardens. The property boasts authentic features, including an open fire and even a games room.

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A jasmine-clad, semi-detached, traditional Cotswold 'honeystone' country cottage.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Jasmine Cottage is a cute 300-year-old Cotswold stone cottage nestled in the idyllic village of Windrush in Oxfordshire. The pet-friendly cottage is surrounded by National Trust land and boasts an inglenook fireplace, a hand-built kitchen and flagstone floors, a lovely garden and a log fire.Escape to the idyllic village of Windrush in Oxfordshire and experience the charm of Jasmine Cottage, a 300-year-old Cotswold stone cottage. Surrounded by National Trust land, this pet-friendly cottage offers the perfect retreat with its cozy inglenook fireplace, stunning hand-built kitchen with flagstone floors, lovely garden and inviting log fire. Book your stay now and indulge in the peace and tranquility of this charming cottage.

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Exterior of a row of terraced houses with potted bayleaf trees aside the front doors.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Perfectly situated for couples and small families hoping to explore the Norfolk Broads, Valentine Cottage in the heart of the Norfolk market town of Aylsham, offers cosy and welcoming accommodation, a pet-friendly cottage with wood burning stove, Freeview TVs, and a brick-built summerhouse.

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Exterior of a wisteria-clad stone-built holiday cottage in Porlock on a sunny day.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Jasmine Cottage is a charming stone-built end-terrace located on the edge of Porlock. The coastal holiday cottage in Somerset boasts breathtaking sea views and can comfortably accommodate up to six guests. The pet-friendly cottage offers guests a sun-trap enclosed garden, a breezy open-plan design, coastal chic decor, abundant natural light, charming furnishings, and a cosy wood-burning stove.

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A deck with a hot tub and sun beds overlooks a surfing beach.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

For many people, especially previous guests, Memory House is Woolacombe's most prestigious holiday cottage. It enjoys uninterrupted views of Woolacombe beach across to Putsburough. The large ground-to-ceiling windows across the entire ground floor mean you can watch the surfers over breakfast or magnificent sunsets over the sea in the evening.

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  • 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.