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 limestone-built Dorset holiday cottage with a porch and tiny front garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Explore Dovecot Cottage, a quality holiday home in the sleepy coastal village of Portesham in Dorset. This charming retreat boasts an open-plan living space, a delightful garden room, and a secure patio garden, ideal for relaxation and pets. Discover hidden gems like Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens and Chesil Beach on the stunning Jurassic Coastline. With allocated parking, proximity to Weymouth and Dorchester, and local amenities, it's the perfect choice for cottage holidays in Dorset. Immerse yourself in tranquillity—view our full description for an unforgettable Dorset holiday!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Explore the enchantment of Ingle Tor, a luxurious holiday cottage situated on the Bovey Castle Hotel estate in Devon. This cottage is surrounded by tranquil woodlands and is an ideal base for walking holidays on Dartmoor. Experience a sophisticated and well-equipped retreat with an open-plan living space, three en-suite bedrooms, and private terraces.

Relax in the hotel's 5-star lounges, enjoy dining in the on-site restaurants, and indulge in leisure facilities such as an indoor pool and tennis courts. With EV charging facilities, pet-friendly accommodation options, and a wide range of activities, Ingle Tor promises an unforgettable getaway for families or friends looking for self-catering holidays near Bovey Tracey.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
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  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Eterior of a vintage railway carriage converted to a holiday rental in a garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A Victorian Railway Carriage converted into a small holiday cottage sleeps 2, set in a pretty private garden with ample parking that leads into a three-acre field. Ideal for couples, semi-rural location on the edge of the village of Wisbech St Mary. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Stables, situated amidst the owners’ 130 acres of wooded farmland in the rural village of Fifehead Neville, is a dog-friendly cottage in Dorset. It is a barn conversion lovingly renovated to an exceptionally high standard. The cottage offers spectacular views across the Blackmore Vale.

 

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built cottage with a first floor that forms an arch over a driveway to a courtyard.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

This smart, peaceful end-of-terrace holiday cottage is in Newton Ferrers, a scenic waterside village in a rural valley 1 1/2 miles from the South Devon Coast. It has three bedrooms and can sleep six people.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Double-fronted exterior of a limestone block-built cottage with sash windows.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Explore Rockwell House, a large holiday home in the Pennines and an enticing Wearhead holiday let. It has modern comforts and period charm and boasts spacious bedrooms with en-suites, a cosy living area with wood-burning stoves, and a fully equipped kitchen. Nearby attractions like Killhope Lead Mining Museum and Hamsterley Forest offer outdoor adventures. With room for nine guests, it’s perfect for family getaways. Discover more about this inviting retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A vine-clad, stone-built, corner cottage on an empty village street.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

 

Discover Cuckoo Cottage, a historic stone dwelling in Pateley Bridge, offering comfort and charm. With three tranquil bedrooms, a cosy woodburning stove, and modern amenities, it's an ideal holiday home in the Yorkshire Dales. Enjoy leisurely strolls, outdoor adventures, and nearby attractions in Nidderdale's stunning landscapes. Experience the best of Yorkshire Dales while living like a local at Cuckoo Cottage. Explore more about this delightful retreat now!

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large lawn with apple trees has a row of farm cottages in the background.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Hen Cottage is a delightful holiday cottage located in the beautiful rural area of North Devon. Stunning grounds surround the cottage, which offers lovely rural views of Little Torrington and the surrounding countryside. Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a heated swimming pool, a games room, and an open fire. The cottage successfully blends modern comforts with traditional charm, creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for guests.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
19
Bedrooms
8

Luxuriously large barn conversion Yorkshire Pennine cottages, we have four properties here at Smallshaw Farm near Penistone, sleeping from 2 to 7 (19 people in all). They are surrounded by 700 acres of open farmland with a large garden area. Dogs are welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages

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.