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 of a country house with sun room surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
4

‘Lorna Doone County’ plays host to Oare Manor Cottage, a beautiful property in a stunning valley. The pet-friendly Exmoor holiday cottage in Oare boasts superb views and manicured gardens, a generous sunroom, rustic elegance, a wood burner, exquisite furnishings and the promise of memories.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

8 Tawney House apartment occupies the first floor of the stone-built traditional house in Matlock. The rural apartment offers access to the village of Matlock and the wonders of the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales, plus furnished grounds and light and airy modern rooms with mullioned windows.

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Exterior of a sonte-buklt Exmoor holiday cottage with a background of trees and a clear sky
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Set on a working farm of 280 acres in Exmoor National Park is Honeycott, a lovingly-converted remote holiday cottage near Wheddon Cross in Somerset. Sleeping 4, the pet-friendly cottage features a stone exterior, expansive grounds with views, private outdoor spaces, and a generous open-plan design.

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A single-storey wooden brick path crosses a lawn to the front door of wooden barn conversion
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

This outstanding period barn conversion with a hot tub is in the East Yorkshire village of Leven and can sleep six people in three bedrooms.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

The Old Barn is a charming stone-built cottage near Swanage offering stylish accommodation. Set on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset's large and pet-friendly holiday home promises tranquillity, lovely views, spacious grounds, fresh air, open-plan living and a cosy log fire.

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A twin-gabled house overlooks a large lawn bordered by a tall hedge.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

New Lodge promises stunning views of Lake Ullswater from its cosy sitting room. The lakeside cottage in Watermillock, Cumbria, promises seclusion and modern sophistication, architectural design, floor-to-ceiling windows, two log fires, lovely gardens and a private shoreline with a small jetty.

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ATudor farmhouse with timbered beam and overhanging floor overlooks a mature garden.
Sleeps
13
Bedrooms
7

Top Farm House exudes rural charm. The Grade II listed 17th-century farmhouse in Knockin is surrounded by the Shropshire countryside and boasts original beams, uneven floors and antique furnishings, as well as a wood-burning stove, Aga, baby grand piano, four-poster bed, playroom & lovely gardens.

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A semi-detached stone farm cottage with a lawn and picnic table.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Appletree is an impressive stone-built cottage on a working farm near Alnwick in Northumberland. The rural cottage sleeps 6 and boasts tranquillity and fresh country air, beautiful countryside views, furnished outdoor spaces and a play area, contemporary styling, and a log fire.

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A stone-built terraced cottage with a large, 1st floor bay window overlooks a quiet street.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Jackson Cottage, ideally situated for exploring the North East of England in the peaceful village of Alnmouth, Northumberland, is a coastal cottage with splendid views of Alnmouth Bay and upside-down accommodation that comes fully equipped to an exceptionally high standard for discerning guests.

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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.