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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.

Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Cricket Cottage sits on the banks of the River Esk, near the historic fishing town of Whitby. This airy riverside cottage sleeps five guests in three bedrooms. Surrounded by some of North Yorkshire’s most idyllic countryside, it has a private patio and wonderful views towards a dramatic viaduct.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
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  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Introducing Ty Afal (Apple House), your charming Powys Holiday Cottage nestled in the heart of the Mid Wales countryside. This eco-friendly holiday lodge with a hot tub has been lovingly handcrafted on our working family farm. It promises an unforgettable self-catering rural retreat.

From the moment you arrive, you'll sense the warmth and dedication we've poured into every detail, ensuring your stay is nothing short of extraordinary. Whether it's a romantic getaway, a family retreat, a laid-back reunion with loved ones, or your cherished honeymoon, Ty Afal is here to create lifelong memories.

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  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
22
Bedrooms
8

Once a village pub, The Anchor has been tastefully converted to create a large Forest of Dean Holiday Cottage, complete with a hot tub and games room. This family-friendly holiday home in Gloucestershire lies in a magical rural location in the Wye Valley. Pets welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
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  • Managed by My Favourite Cottages
  • Short Breaks
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Exterior of a large Manor Farm Barn made of wood surrounded by a tree-filled garden.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

A splendid 18th-century barn conversion with a hot tub in an acre of gardens in the rural village of Thorndon, Suffolk, this large holiday home offers spacious living for up to 10 guests. It has a large dining room, a vast inglenook fireplace, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a well-equipped farmhouse kitchen.

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A large stone-built barn conversion in a remote rural setting.
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
5

This idyllic, large 17th-century Welsh Farmhouse with a hot tub offers rural self-catering holidays in Gwynedd for large families or groups of friends, blending an olde worlde ambience with up-to-date facilities. Ysugubor is a pet-friendly property in a rural location near Dinas Mawddwy with lovely views – a genuine walkers' paradise.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 3-storey holiday home is surrounded by lawns and a spacious block paved parking area.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Discover Ley Park, an enticing large holiday cottage in North Devon, offering a captivating blend of comfort and coastal charm. It is perched half a mile from Welcombe, a hamlet just a short stroll from Welcombe Mouth Beach. This smart retreat boasts sea-view bedrooms, a cosy wood-burning stove, and a spacious dining room. Ideal for family gatherings, the enclosed garden with a patio and grassy area provides a scenic backdrop. Explore this idyllic holiday let in North Devon for an unforgettable coastal escape.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Battens is a delightful stone-built cottage on a working farm in a beautiful rural corner of East Devon within easy reach of the coast. The pet-friendly holiday cottage near Colyton sleeps six. It offers ample enclosed grounds, lovely views, a patio and a games room, plus sunny open-plan spaces with sophisticated design, exposed beams and peace & fresh air.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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Large holiday bungalow on Ocea Island with picnic tables. Sleeps 8. Pets welcome.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

One Manor Beach Cottage on Osea Island is a luxurious Essex holiday cottage by the shingle beach, just 90 minutes from London. This remarkable coastal retreat offers private beaches, an outdoor pool, a saltwater lido, a cinema room, a games room, and more. The spacious cottage features four stylish bedrooms, two bathrooms with rolltop baths, and a well-equipped kitchen. Enjoy sea views and a private garden. Ideal for special celebrations and family holidays, it's pet-friendly, offers short breaks, and welcomes two dogs.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
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Single storey exterior of a restored Station Masters cottage.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Accessible by train, Station Masters Cottage is a large holiday home in Worcestershire. It combines modern amenities with characterful charm and offers three bedrooms with en-suites, a cosy sitting room with a wood-burning stove, and a spacious kitchen/diner. The enclosed garden with a barbecue is perfect for family gatherings. At the same time, its proximity to local attractions like the Severn Valley Railway and Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve ensures an unforgettable getaway. Explore further for complete details.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday 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.