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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 remote stone-built shooting lodge nestles in the lee of a Scottish mountainside.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Luxury accommodation meets peaceful isolation at the wonderful Glenuaig Lodge, a dog-friendly, large and remote four-bedroom self-catering cottage for eight guests in the heart of the Glencarron Estate near Strathcarron. The Lodge enjoys beautiful views and is accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles.

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Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
5

Ddol Helyg Farmhouse is a large and spacious North Wales holiday cottage near Llanberis. It is situated on the grounds of the owner's 30-acre livery yard on the edge of the village of Llanrug in the Snowdonia National Park.

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A stone-built, slate-roofed Lake District holiday cottage surrounded by shrubs and small trees with hilly fields in the distance.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

In a secluded, peaceful rural location a mile outside Hawkshead, Hatter's Cottage is an 18th-century 2-bedroom holiday cottage in the Lake District. It is available all year round for stays of one week or more. It is a good base for those who like the outdoors. Children over 10 are welcome.

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Exterior of a grand 3-storey Highland hunting lodge and gardens.
Sleeps
18
Bedrooms
11

Glencarron is a beautiful Victorian shooting lodge near Strathcarron. It can sleep up to 18 in 11 bedrooms. This lovely large holiday home in Inverness-shire enjoys breathtaking views of the Glencarron Estate, which covers over 12,000 acres of the Scottish Highlands. Pets are welcome.

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Exterior of a stone-built barn conversion in Bideford with large floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor overlooking a courtyard with flower pots lining the wall.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Enjoy a rural escape in the North Devon countryside with a stay at The Corn Tallet, one of a group of child-friendly holiday cottages near Bideford on a working sheep farm. It features a heated swimming pool and upside-down accommodation for up to six guests.

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Exterior of a Cotswold honey-stone cottage overlooking a small lawn and patio with a dining table.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Laburnum Cottage is a charming and well-maintained country cottage in the picturesque Worcestershire village of Broadway. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, this lovely Cotswold holiday home boasts a mature private garden and can accommodate up to three guests in two double bedrooms. It's an ideal choice for anyone looking to escape to the tranquil countryside for a relaxing break. The property also features private parking and is dog-friendly, perfect for guests who want to bring their furry friends along on their holiday.

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A stone barn stands alone surrounded by wheat fields.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Blagdon Lower Barn promises true seclusion in its beautifully positioned remote location amid the Dorset countryside. Fields surround the pet-friendly cottage near Dorchester. It boasts extensive gardens with rural views and an interior with a high brick arch, open fire, open-plan design and luxurious décor.

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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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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.