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 twin-gabled house overlooks a lawn with a water-feature.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Set in its own private grounds in Dartmoor National Park, Whitelady House is a stunning 6-bedroom Devon holiday cottage with a hot tub offering luxury self-catering accommodation for up to 12. Guests can also add a “Chalet” style catered option to their stay. Pets welcome.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Lake View Cottage is a rural holiday home in North Devona just outside the pretty North Devon coastal village of West Down' It lies within the grounds of Lower Aylescott Farm. One of 6 cottages, it shares lovely grounds, a fishing lake and a play area. The beaches at Woolacombe are only 5 miles away, and Exmoor is a 20-minute drive.

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3 cottages overlook a sandy beach at low tide.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Upper Instow Beach Cottage is a charming first-floor North Devon holiday let that overlooks the estuary. The dog-friendly waterside apartment sleeps five people in three bedrooms. It has a lovely balcony to sit in and enjoy uninterrupted views across the beach and estuary to Appledore and beautiful sunsets.

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A large detached, Victorian Gothic house surrounded by spacious lawns.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Nuide Farmhouse is a charming, large, pet-friendly 5-bedroom farmhouse in rural surroundings that sleeps 10. Set in rambling grounds, the house is ideal for self-catering holidays in the Cairngorms and has access to fishing on The Spey. Horse riding can be arranged locally in Newtonmore.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Blare Cottage at Lower Aylescott Farm stands amidst glorious North Devon countryside a few miles from the fabulous Woolacombe Beach. Guests can roam the grounds and fish the well-stocked lakes while children will enjoy the onsite children's play area. This lovely two-bedroom holiday home in West Down sleeps 4.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Sunset Beach is a large, modern four-bedroom holiday home in Croyde, North Devon's most desirable seaside village. The coastal cottage accommodates up to eight, within easy walking distance of the beach and village centre. The house has an enclosed garden and gorgeous countryside and ocean views.

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A barn conversion overlooks a calm lake.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This North Devon holiday cottage with on-site fishing and a children's play area is at Lower Aylescott. Smithy Cottage accommodates up to four guests in two bedrooms. It is situated in West Down, a pretty village outside Ilfracombe in the glorious North Devon countryside, just a handful of miles from the beach at Woolacombe.

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A hot tub with views across open countryside.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This beautiful two-bedroom barn conversion with a hot tub in North Devon is set in an idyllic rural location. It is only a short drive from the stunning North Devon coast and its outstanding beaches. Guests can relax and admire stunning coastal views from the large enclosed garden.

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A view from sun loungers on a balcony to surf breaking on a beach in the distance.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Sunnycliffe House is a stunning 3-bedroom North Devon holiday cottage in Woolacombe with panoramic sea views across the Bay. This beautiful coastal cottage overlooks Combesgate Beach, Baggy Point and Lundy Island. The house is mainly open-plan, with a sunny terrace off the lounge, a picnic table, and sun loungers.

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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.