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 reed-fringed lake sits in front of a 2-storey Shropshire barn conversion.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
6

Buttercups Haybarn is a detached 5-star rural cottage set amidst woodland and green fields in Alkington, Shropshire. The luxurious Georgian cottage blends tradition with urban chic, with shared use of an indoor swimming pool, multi-sports court, an Under 5's play area, plus wonderful rural views.

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Exterior of a long, stone-built barn conversion in Priestcliffe, overlooking a courtyard and a walled garden.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Broadway Barn at Lydford Farm in the rural Peak District hamlet of Priestcliffe is a large, high-quality holiday cottage lovingly created by converting a traditional Derbyshire barn. This pet-friendly holiday home sleeps 12 in 6 bedrooms (2 en suite), perfect for large or dual family holidays.

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A white-rendered contemporary house fronted by iron-railings.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Introducing Exmoor View, an inviting countryside property nestling in North Molton, a peaceful Moorland village in North Devon. Step into a contemporary, pet-friendly retreat where stylish touches of grey and white walls and hints of lilac and purple pay homage to the nearby heather-clad moorland. This 3-bedroom Exmoor holiday home sleeps six.

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A twin-gabled Exmoor barn conmverion surounded by a lawn.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Large families looking to holiday off the beaten track can enjoy a stay at Nethercote Byre in the centre of Exmoor, a child-friendly barn conversion near the Somerset villages of Winsford and Exford. It features a living room with a wood burner, a games room with table football and four comfy bedrooms.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Annexe is one of 12 Exmoor Holiday Cottages at Duddings Country Cottages in the beautiful Avill Valley near Dunster and Minehead. It sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms. Facilities include an indoor pool, spa bath, games room, tennis court, trampoline, and play centre. Families and dogs are welcome. The Annexe is 4-star rated by Visit England.

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Spacious, open-Plan interior of a modern seaside holiday apartment.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A modern luxury apartment home in a brand-new North Devon coastal complex, 5 Putsborough in the heart of the seaside resort village of Woolacombe, Devon, offers a family-friendly holiday stay, a pet-friendly home with a master bedroom having a  king-sized bedroom and an en-suite bathroom, private balcony, and access to indoor pool and gym.

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Exterior of a thatched Abbotsbury holiday cottage with farm buildings behind.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Enjoy the gentle allure of Dairy Cottage, a serene Dorset coast cottage in Abbotsbury. It offers rural views, a pet-friendly garden, and a cosy wood-burning stove. With three bedrooms, including two doubles and a twin, it comfortably accommodates six guests. The well-equipped farmhouse-style kitchen/diner is perfect for preparing and tucking into family meals. Explore nearby Abbotsbury, the Subtropical Gardens, and the Southwest Coast Path. Experience a wonderful Dorset holiday at this Abbotsbury holiday rental. Book now for an enriching escape amidst picturesque rural surroundings.

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A stone Penrith holiday home with a 1st floor Juliet Balcony overlook a paved courtyard.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Get swallowed up in the beauty of the remote North West Cumbrian countryside at the quieter end of The Lake District with a stay at the secluded Swallow’s Nest, a cosy, family-friendly, 5-Star Gold, barn conversion in Catterlen, near Penrith.

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A remote 2-storey barn conversion in a moorland location.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Meadows Edge once saw life as a reading room, and the detached cottage still offers couples a tranquil, romantic getaway in Holwick. Skilfully converted and boasting modern comforts, the pet-friendly, old stone barn features an upside-down design to capture the views of the Yorkshire Dales best.

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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.