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.

A stone cottage with a large porch overlooks a walled lawn and flower beds.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Cowstonegill is a magnificent, detached, listed farmhouse with panoramic views over seventeen acres of private land. This four-bedroom Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage near Wet Burton offers four spacious bedrooms and large gardens. The property boasts authentic features, including an open fire and even a games room.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A jasmine-clad, semi-detached, traditional Cotswold 'honeystone' country cottage.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Jasmine Cottage is a cute 300-year-old Cotswold stone cottage nestled in the idyllic village of Windrush in Oxfordshire. The pet-friendly cottage is surrounded by National Trust land and boasts an inglenook fireplace, a hand-built kitchen and flagstone floors, a lovely garden and a log fire.Escape to the idyllic village of Windrush in Oxfordshire and experience the charm of Jasmine Cottage, a 300-year-old Cotswold stone cottage. Surrounded by National Trust land, this pet-friendly cottage offers the perfect retreat with its cozy inglenook fireplace, stunning hand-built kitchen with flagstone floors, lovely garden and inviting log fire. Book your stay now and indulge in the peace and tranquility of this charming cottage.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a row of terraced houses with potted bayleaf trees aside the front doors.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Perfectly situated for couples and small families hoping to explore the Norfolk Broads, Valentine Cottage in the heart of the Norfolk market town of Aylsham, offers cosy and welcoming accommodation, a pet-friendly cottage with wood burning stove, Freeview TVs, and a brick-built summerhouse.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A deck with a hot tub and sun beds overlooks a surfing beach.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

For many people, especially previous guests, Memory House is Woolacombe's most prestigious holiday cottage. It enjoys uninterrupted views of Woolacombe beach across to Putsburough. The large ground-to-ceiling windows across the entire ground floor mean you can watch the surfers over breakfast or magnificent sunsets over the sea in the evening.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Managed by My Favourite Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Family-friendly Pippenwell Cottage at Farditch Farm is a luxury Peak District holiday cottage amidst beautiful rural surroundings in Derbyshire. This dog-friendly cottage sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms (1 en-suite) in a high-quality barn conversion.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A stone barn conversion with steps to a 1st floor enntrnce from a patio with table and chairs.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A romantic cottage in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, Lottie’s Loft is a lovely studio apartment, once a blacksmith’s workshop in Grassington, North Yorkshire, that’s been carefully restored and furnished to provide superb accommodation for couples on holiday in beautiful Wharfedale. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a double-fronted cottage with a covered porch on a sunny day.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Introducing Pen-y-Bont, a charming pet-friendly holiday cottage located in Aberdaron, on the North Wales coast. The cottage features three bedrooms, modern amenities, and a cosy wood burner to provide warmth and comfort. Guests can also enjoy a private patio, games room, bike and kayak storage, and off-road parking. The cottage's central location in Aberdaron puts it just a few steps away from the beach, shops, and pubs, making it an ideal getaway for families, friends or couples looking for a relaxing coastal retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey holiday cottage with a large sun terrace overlooks a sandy beach.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

A luxury five-bedroom holiday home in North Devon with a hot tub and spectacular coastal views. This large property is just a short walk from the beach and the lively seaside resort of Woolacombe.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Managed by My Favourite Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A gsrden path lesds past an ornamental fountain to sa stone. built Somerset holiday cottage
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Parish Stone is a picture-perfect cottage in the peaceful locale of Timsbury in Somerset. Just moments from Bath, the stone-built cottage enjoys an ideal location and a lovely furnished garden, pleasant views, serenity, and an interior with elegant furnishings and contemporary comforts.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • 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.