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.

Semi-detached holiday cottages on Osea Island with dormer windows in the roof and French windows, overlooking a large lawn
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Orange Blossom is a tranquil duplex apartment at the heart of Osea Island. With beaches, coastal trails, and activities a short walk away, this idyllic property offers a stylish, bohemian retreat for couples, families, or friends. It boasts three bedrooms, a charming garden, and shared access to Osea Island's wealth of facilities, including an outdoor pool, cinema room, games room, gym, and more. Enjoy the serene surroundings, complimentary Wi-Fi, and the seasonal charms of The Shack and The Puffin Pub.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a terraced stone-built holiday cottage in Dunster.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Pebble Cottage is a delightful renovation of a traditional cottage for holidays exploring the West Somerset coast and Exmoor. The pet-friendly holiday cottage in Dunster sleeps four and offers a vibrant mature, south-facing, furnished garden, a stylish interior with an open-plan design and a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A row of Victorian town houses leading to the sae in Tenby.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

This elegant Grade II listed, large holiday cottage in Tenby is in a quiet cobbled street within this beautiful seaside town in Pembrokeshire. Walk 80 yards one way to a stunning beach or the other way to the town centre with its medieval walls, harbour and fishing boats.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A drive flanked by lawns to an Exmoor barn conversion overlooked by beech trees.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A charming conversion above the stables turned into a small Exmoor holiday cottage nestling in the beautiful Doone Valley amidst pretty moorland countryside. The Hayloft in the small Somerset village of Oare features a stylish sitting room, a country-style kitchen with granite countertops, and two en-suite bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Aerial view of a holiday cottage surrounded by fields beneath a hilltop wood.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Orchard Cottage is a gorgeous stone-built romantic holiday cottage in the Wye Valley in a designated National Landscape in Penterry, Monmouthshire. The pet-friendly cottage offers contemporary comforts, a log fire, traditional charm, seclusion, an outdoor fire pit, and lovely rural views across Monmouthshire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a semi-detached, stone-built Alnwick barn conversion
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The upside-down design of Jenny’s Cottage in Alnmouth affords couples magnificent views of the Northumberland region from its first-floor living area. Views of the working farm and the ocean ensure romance and relaxation at this cosy rural retreat replete with touches of luxury and elegance.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Paved path to a front door through a shrub-filled garden and a lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Granary is a charming holiday cottage for couples on a quiet Suffolk farm in Thorndon. It features oak beam ceilings throughout, a cosy wood fire, and a large bedroom with a super-king bed and an ensuite bathroom. Its beautiful decor and tranquil rural setting make it ideal for a perfect romantic break.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Gable end of a wooden eco-lodge in an orchard setting.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Orchard Cottage is a beautiful timber-clad holiday cottage in Ledbury, Herefordshire, surrounded by lush green countryside. The pet-friendly cottage enjoys wonderful views and offers a sun-drenched deck, generous grounds, light and airy open-plan spaces, an outdoor games area and the chance to truly relax.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
An isolated Pennine farm house is surrounded by empty moorland.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Get away from the bustle of everyday life with a stay at The Retreat, a remote countryside cottage at the head of an unspoilt valley high above the Pennine market town of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, boasting biomass-fired underfloor heating, three wood-burners, hot tub, and five bedrooms.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • 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.