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.

An end-of-terrace, brick holiday cottage in Church-Stretton behind a front lawn.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Betty’s Barn is a brick-built barn conversion on a 200-acre farm in the peaceful village of Eaton-under-Heywood, 5 miles from Church Stretton. This beautifully furnished countryside holiday cottage in South Shropshire sleeps 5, with gardens, ponds and access to idyllic woodland. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Large thatched farmhouse overlooks a spacious lawn
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
6

North End's large listed Farmhouse is available for Dorset holiday lets all year. It is situated in a spectacular countryside setting on the Jurassic Coast, between the lively market towns of Bridport and Lyme Regis. Beaches, culture, pubs, and walks are easily accessible. Pets are welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Large 3-storey contemporary holiday home with well-kept gardens.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Three Gables is a five-bedroom house in a small rural village at the western end of the Isle of Wight. If you stay with us, you'll wake up to stunning country views accompanied by birdsong. And if you're lucky, you might even glimpse a red squirrel.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Cottage Discounts
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Bungalow exterior on paved terrace with hot tub.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Discover pure romance at The Stables amidst the serene Somerset countryside at our enchanting holiday cottage. Nestled in nature's rural embrace in The Quantock Hills near Stogumber, this cosy haven is tailor-made for couples seeking a romantic escape with their beloved pets. Immerse yourselves in the tranquil surroundings while indulging in modern luxuries that include a private hot tub, creating cherished memories in this single-storey holiday cottage in The Quantocks.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Stone-built Cumbrian holiday cottage with a front garden behind a low stone wall.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

This waterside Lake District holiday cottage sits on a peaceful riverbank in the Cumbria village of Cark-in-Cartmel, close to cosy pubs and independent shops. Riverside View is a coastal cottage that sleeps 7, with stunning countryside views within the Lake District National Park. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Front exterior of a stone-built countryside house  and garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This beautiful, well-equipped, dog-friendly Lake District Holiday Cottage near Cunsey has views over Lake Windermere from its location on the 5000-acre Greythwaite country estate. Guests have access to a heated indoor swimming pool, gym, fishing, and a kids' play area. Hilltop sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Side view of a long farmhouse and large lawn.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Crepe Farm Cottage is a pet-friendly detached holiday cottage in Bridport, a short walk from Symondsbury Village. It sleeps 7 in 4 bedrooms and has 2 log burners, a hot tub, and a large private garden with outstanding rural views of Colmers Hill!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a country cottage and garden behind a picket fence.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Ty Gwyrdd (Green House) Plas Drygarn Cottage is a rural holiday cottage in Pembrokeshire located in the lower yard of our smallholding along with our newly renovated Ty Coch (Red House) in a beautiful country location near Crymych with amazing views from the windows/patio/garden. It is ideal for both family holidays and couples alike. 2 well behaved dogs allowed after reading conditions of hire

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A hot tub and sunloungers on the deck of an timber eco lodge.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

This stunning eco-lodge in the beautiful Somerset countryside makes the perfect couples' retreat. The master suite has a king-size bed and a bathroom complete with a huge freestanding bath and LED lighting. Laze the hours away in your fab hot tub or enjoy a sunset together in the starlit courtyard.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • 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.