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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.

Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Visitors to Alpine Lodge are offered the rare privilege of enjoying a rural cottage between the mountains and the sea. The pet-free, detached cottage sits on its own grounds on the outskirts of Rhyd-y-Foel in North Wales and is just moments from Snowdonia and the sandy beaches of Abergele.

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A countryside bungalow at the head of a drive with mature trees in th background
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Stay at Gwern Tyno on the North Wales coast for a pleasant and comfortable self-catering holiday in Colwyn Bay, Clwyd. This rural holiday let is situated in the picturesque Nant-Y-Glyn Valley. It offers a sitting room and dining area with access to a patio and large garden, affording magnificent farmland views.

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A stone-built North Devon barn conversion overlooks a paved courtyard.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
3

Escape to the tranquillity of West Bowden Farm, a charming Exmoor farm cottage near Knowstone. This spacious retreat, part of a 17th-century farmhouse, offers a peaceful self-catering holiday for up to six guests. Enjoy far-reaching rural views from the inviting sitting room. Explore the farm fields and sleep peacefully in well-appointed bedrooms. Modern amenities and a pet-friendly policy make it the perfect base for exploring Exmoor's beauty. Discover the authentic charm of Exmoor country at this idyllic rural retreat.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Two Tweenways, near the Lake District village of Ambleside, is the perfect romantic holiday cottage for couples in Cumbria. It is complete with a fitted kitchen, dining area, small patio with garden furniture, and access to magnificent Lake Windermere and its nearby attractions.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Escape to a large Shropshire holiday cottage with a swimming pool. The whole family will love William’s Hayloft. Set on a vast property, the pet-friendly cottage in Alkington promises fresh air and facilities such as woodland, an indoor swimming pool, a multi-sports court and a children’s play area, plus a wood-burning stove.

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A large old Northamptonshire rectory looks out over flowerbeds and a spacious lawn.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Old Rectory is a large cottage in Maidford in Northamptonshire. The pet-friendly luxury cottage is a gift for groups and families, boasting a swimming pool and games room. Spacious grounds invite entertaining, and the interior promises pleasant interior design surprises and a log fire.

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Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
7

A large and pet-friendly holiday cottage in Chiddington comprises a self-contained wing of a delightful Tudor manor house with a tennis court and games room. It is located on the Kent-Sussex border. It sleeps 17 in 7 bedrooms in 6 acres of gardens in Chiddingston near Hever.

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Nestling into a bend on a remote country lane this Gwynedd rural retreat is a single-storey barn conversion.torey barn conversion nestles into a bend in a country lane
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Ty Cerrig, with incredible rustic décor sleeping five, is built from an ancient barn in Llanbedr. This magnificent coast and countryside getaway near Harlech in Snowdonia offers homely modern features and easy access to breathtaking natural scenery and many outdoor activities. Pets welcome.

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A stone built holiday cottage in Hovingham overlooks a steam running past its frontage on a summer's day.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Harwood Cottage is a truly elegant stone cottage set beside a small stream in Hovingham, Yorkshire, sleeping 6. A lawned garden hosts the conservatory, while the interior features a log fire in the sitting room and many original details lovingly restored, combined with contemporary comforts.

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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.