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.

Daffodils grow in front of a stone-built barn conversion in the Cumbrian countryside
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Eel House is a large Lake District holiday barn conversion in Cumbria, sleeping ten guests in five ground-floor bedrooms. Set in rural surroundings on the large Graythwaite country estate in a pleasant courtyard, Eel House guests use Estate leisure facilities, including a heated indoor pool, play area, fitness suite and trout fishing lake.

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Exterior of a restored Scottish croft with stone walls thatched roof in a remote location on Skye
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Beaton’s Croft is a truly unique romantic getaway. The A-listed rural cottage is listed under the National Trust for Scotland and occupies a secluded corner of Kilmuir on the Isle of Skye. With a thatched roof and whitewashed walls, plus an open fire, the Croft exudes character and enjoys views.

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Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

This lovely rural holiday cottage in Noth Devon is located one mile from the village of Muddiford near Barnstaple and sandy beaches. It can sleep five people in three bedrooms.

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Exterior  of a brick-built, village holiday cottage and front garden at dusk.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Pear Tree House is a stylish, well-equipped, dog-friendly 3-bedroom village holiday home close to York.

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A 3-storey, brick-built mill conversion alongside the mill race.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Puddle Cottage is part of an 18th-century water mill in the quiet Warwickshire village of Tredington, on the edge of the Cotswolds. It is in a charming riverside location with its own secluded garden and steps leading down to the mill stream. Pets are welcome. Fishing is available on-site.

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Well Cottage
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

Well cottage is a bright airy 1 bedroom cottage all on one level. It sleeps 2 to 4 guests and has private off road parking. Situated on the edge of the village of Manston it is close to the Kent coast with lots of award winning sandy beaches. It has a Gold 3 Star rating from Quality in Tourism.

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3-storey exterior of a Whitby holiday home with a garage on the ground floor
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Shipwrights sits by the River Esk just a few moments from the beautiful beaches of Whitby. This large seaside holiday cottage in North Yorkshire is situated among Whitby's attractions and catches the sea breeze in its charming garden—a perfect location to explore the North York Moors and Coast.

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A single storey, Gwynedd barn conversion in a courtyard with outdoor tables and chairs.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Savour the spectacular Menai Straits view from the Penrallt Cottage patio and delight in the peace and tranquillity of this stone-built conversion near Bangor in North Wales. Appreciate the combination of contemporary style and traditional charm of this coastal cottage.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Situated on a beautiful farm overlooking the Jurassic Coast in West Dorset, The Swallows is one of seven-holiday cottages at Character Farm Cottages near Weymouth. 4-star rated by Visit England, it comfortably sleeps four. It is exceptionally well-appointed and open throughout the year. Pets welcome.

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  • 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.