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 row of barn conversions are reflected in the surface of a lake.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Braefoot is a North Devon countryside cottage in West Down close to beaches at Woolacombe and Ilfracombe. This child-friendly rural retreat at Lower Aylescott Farm is ideally located for family holidays exploring the North Devon coast.

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Barn conversions are reflected in the waters of a lake.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Duror is a pretty, three-bedroom holiday cottage at Lower Aylescott near Woolacombe in North Devon. The child-friendly cottage is within easy reach of award-winning beaches and the Exmoor National Park. Sleeping 2-6, guests can access onsite fishing and a children's play area.

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A stone barn conversion overlooks a lawn and flower-filled garden
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
6

Dolly's barn is a large 17th-Century barn near Ilfracombe, which has been lovingly converted into a charming 6-bedroom luxury holiday cottage sleeping 11 with disabled access in a beautiful spot on the North Devon Coast.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Stag Lodge is a large, dog-friendly, remote Highland cottage set on the 12,000-acre Glencarron Estate near Strathcarron in the Western Highlands, within easy reach of the West Coast beaches. It offers accommodation for eight people in four bedrooms, one double and three twins.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Sleeping up to four in two bedrooms, pretty Royd  Cottage, a Holiday Cottage in West Down, just a few miles from the stunning North Devon coastline and Woolacombe Beach. This family-friendly country cottage has onsite fishing and a children's play area.

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2-storey gable end of a holiday apartment block with stairs and balconies.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

Redwood, a large coastal apartment in Croyde, sleeps ten people. It welcomes groups, including stag and hen groups, perfect for fun beach holidays at one of Devon's top award-winning beaches. Redwood is open-plan with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining area, a lounge, a balcony and a kitchen.

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A stone-built, 2-storey courtyard cottage with foxgloves flowering in its garden.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Cherry Cottage near Slapton Sands in South Devon was built at Buckland Court in 2001. This large rural holiday cottage sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms. It is furnished to a high standard, including Wi-Fi. Central heating and modern insulation ensure this cottage is ideal for off-season use. Pets welcome

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Single storey of a barn conversion overlooking a lawn on a North Yorkshire farm.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Smithy at Keld Head Cottages is a quaint romantic cottage on a gorgeous property outside Pickering in North Yorkshire. The rural holiday cottage boasts exposed beams, a traditional fireplace, award-winning gardens, beautiful views, and extensive indoor and outdoor play areas.

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A stone-built barn conversion surrounded by open countryside with a ramp to the front door.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Grain Store possesses all the charm of a stone-built 19th-century grain store and offers superb views of the sea and Cader Idris from its lush garden. The pet-friendly property spoils guests with exposed beams and contemporary facilities and lies just moments from lovely Abersoch in North Wales.

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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.