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 long brick-built barn conversion with a patio with table seating for 14.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
7

If you are looking for a memorable and truly luxurious holiday experience, look no further than The Shakespeare Lodge. Nestled in an elevated position near Stratford-upon-Avon, this beautiful rural cottage offers breathtaking countryside views that will take your breath away. With its elegant interior featuring exposed beams, sophisticated dining room, spacious grounds, and multiple entertaining spaces, The Shakespeare Lodge is the perfect place to create happy holiday memories with family and friends. So why wait? Book your stay at The Shakespeare Lodge today and get ready to experience the best of Shakespeare country in style!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
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  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Shakespeare Country
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Twin gabled exterior of a bungalow with a feenced-in, large wooden deck for BBQs surrounding it.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Dylan's Court is a rural farm cottage in Carmarthenshireshire. This dog-friendly holiday home near Laugharne is in a coastal location. It is child-friendly and wheelchair accessible. It lies within easy reach of beaches at Pendine, Tenby and Saundersfoot.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
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  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Granary Cottage is a stone-built holiday cottage in Staintondale that treats guests to blissful rural charm within the North York Moors National Park. The pet-friendly coastal cottage houses contemporary features, peace and tranquillity and stunning ocean views from its spacious gardens.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Remote Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
78
Bedrooms
39

Large Thatched Somerset Longhouse and eleven attractive cottages sleeping 2,2,3,4,4,4,4,5,10/12,12, 16/18 in 1-8 bedrooms near Dunster and Minehead in The Exmoor National Park. Facilities at Duddings Country Cottages include:

* Indoor pool

* spa bath

* games room

* tennis court

* trampoline

* play centre

* families and dogs welcome.

* VisitEngland 4-star.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
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  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
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  • Short Breaks
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Exterior of Taunton Castle with a large arch converted to luxury holiday apartments
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Castle House sits on the grounds of the Museum of Somerset in the county town of Taunton, Somerset, part of a 12th-century castle and offers a distinctive holiday experience, a large child-friendly cottage with four bedrooms over two stories, a modern kitchen, & signature Tudor Room sitting area.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
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Single storey Somerset barn conversion overlooks a large courtyard.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Downclose Piggery is a delightful former piggery with flagstone floors, exposed beams and a log fire. The rural cottage is surrounded by farms and woodland near North Perrott in Somerset. It promises sophisticated décor, open-plan spaces, expansive gardens with walks, and a sun-trap patio.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built cottage with enclosed porch overlooks a secure lawned garden
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This converted 17th-century stone barn with a private, enclosed garden is located half a mile up a private drive on a working arable farm near the village of Docklow. It offers plenty of country walks with stunning unspoilt views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Aa largendouble-fronted, 33-storey detached house overlooks  a spacious garden with an octagonal summerhouse
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Broad Meadows Farmhouse is a stunning rural cottage in the Queen Anne style dating back to the 1690s. The pet-friendly cottage is located in Bayton, Worcestershire, and sits on well-maintained grounds with multiple outdoor entertaining areas. The property boasts a hot tub, a treehouse, stunning views, a fire pit, elegance, and a wood burner.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Large Holiday Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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A spacious lounge with sofas, woodburner and coffee table
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A log-burning fire crackles in Cranny, a cosy rural holiday cottage near Bude at East Thorne Farm. This pet-friendly holiday cottage in North Cornwall is surrounded by countryside and includes a beautiful garden, adventure playground, spa, indoor games room and proximity to the sea.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent 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.