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 large cottage with a ground floor extension is surrounded by open fields and moorland.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Enjoy a romantic rural retreat in the Derbyshire Peak District at Hathaway Cottage, a stone-built cottage for couples on a working hill farm in the hamlet of Oilerbrook near Castleton. Enjoy majestic countryside views, comfortable accommodation, and easy access to the Pennine Way.

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A terrace of contemporary Cornish seaside cottages bathed in sunshine.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Sand Dunes in the seaside village of Crantock, Cornwall, offers the perfect holiday escape along the South West coast, a child-friendly coastal cottage featuring downstairs under-floor heating, an enclosed garden with a patio, and two bedrooms that comfortably sleep four guests.

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Entrance to a single storey seaside barn conversion in front of which is a wooden picnic table.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Couples on holiday in the north of England enjoy cosy accommodation at The Goat Shed, a barn conversion in the rural hamlet of High Normanby, North Yorkshire, a pet-friendly holiday cottage that retains much of its original character and sits near the Yorkshire coast and in North York Moors National Park.

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A Lighthouse tower and buildings on a grassy clifftop.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
4

Enjoy a unique holiday at Veronica Cottage, a stylish coastal cottage within Anvil Point Lighthouse near Swanage. Set within Durleston Country Park, the contemporary cottage enjoys spectacular ocean views and access to the beautiful beaches of Dorset. It offers spacious grounds and a sea breeze.

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Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

The Old Vicarage is an impressive detached property with lots of space, including four reception rooms. Set in a large, lawned garden, the property is in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors on the edge of the beautiful village of Rosedale Abbey.

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Ward Court holiday cottage isa brick property next to the village shop.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Bright and cosy, Wards Court 1 is perfect for a romantic getaway in Gloucestershire. Updated throughout, this self-catering apartment in Frampton on Severn is a lovely idyllic village retreat for two. The River Severn and nearby countryside offer many delightful options for exploring or simply relaxing together.

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A coach house conversion with tall trees behind and a lawn in front.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

The Coach House is an authentic rural holiday cottage in Gloucestershire on the beautiful grounds of a Grade II-listed 16th-century Old Rectory. The cottage in the little Cotswold village of Hawling near Cheltenham dates back to the 14th century and boasts stunning views over meadows, an open fire, luxurious décor and perfectly located for walking holidays in the Cotswold Hills.

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A twin-gabled holiday cottage nestles between two tall trees.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6
In the heart of the North Devon countryside lies Somers Hiscott, a luxury six-bedroom holiday home which can comfortably accommodate up to 12. Located in Hiscott near Barnstaple, Somers Hiscott offers its guests peace and tranquillity on a large 41-acre private estate.
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Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
6

Once Mevagissey’s first bank, this large, luxury Grade II listed holiday cottage in Cornwall now accommodates up to 10 people within six bedrooms spread across three floors. The well-appointed interior of this large, pet-friendly coastal cottage spoils guests with inner-city chic in a delightful rural location.

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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.