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 patio table laid for tea in a Fowey holiday cottage with views to the waterside.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Place View is a beautiful, luxuriously furnished seaside holiday cottage in Fowey. It boasts modern amenities, an open fire, and a stunning terrace offering panoramic views of the estuary. The charming cottage sits atop a hill in the heart of this quaint Cornish village with its narrow, winding streets and abundance of restaurants, cafes and fascinating independent shops.

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Exterior of a brick-built barn conversion surrounded by open countryside
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Little Owl’s Barn is gorgeous. The romantic Herefordshire barn conversion is nestled among apple orchards near Preston Wynne. It offers luxurious fittings, exposed beams, and wonderful views of the surrounding 100 acres of farmland and orchards. Generous grounds and seclusion complete the picture.

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Doves Barn Suffolk
Sleeps
20
Bedrooms
8

This spacious Suffolk Barn conversion, Bradley, sits on 2 acres of land and provides well-furnished accommodation with stunning views of the countryside. Guests can also enjoy a hot tub.

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Exterior of a contemporary terraced seaside holiday cottage with floor-to-ceiling bedroom window.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Fastnet is a recently-built, spacious and lavish townhouse in Salcombe that is furnished to provide the best self-catering experience in Devon. It's just a short walk away from Salcombe's town centre and the beach. Fastnet is situated on the coast in the South Hams area of South Devon and can accommodate up to 8 guests in its 4 bedrooms.

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A stem engines rushes through Somerset countryside past two old carriages converted to holiday homes
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Experience a unique holiday in the Somerset countryside by staying in your very own railway carriage beside the vintage West Somerset Railway tracks near Williton. The Railway Carriage is an authentic replica fitted out to provide you with style and luxury. This pet-friendly holiday cottage has a 4-star rating and features an eco-friendly design, a log burner, and modern amenities.

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Tiny Islands on the calm Moray Firth are silhouetted against a golden sunset.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

The Old Customs House in Banff is a beautiful seafront holiday cottage that boasts a hot tub adjoining the Banff Marina. With its four spacious bedrooms, this luxurious cottage on the Moray Firth provides an unforgettable holiday experience for families and groups of friends.

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Aerial view of cottages overlooking a river and surrounded by trees.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Craig Lodge is a beautiful holiday home located near Banff that sits beside the River Deveron, providing a perfect fishing spot for salmon and trout. This secluded holiday home is surrounded by stunning wooded countryside and is an excellent choice for fishing enthusiasts and those who enjoy walks on the Moray Firth Coast in Aberdeenshire. The area offers amazing scenic walks for both two and four-footed guests right from the front door.

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Exterior of a 2-storey, wooden A-Frame eco lodge surrounded by oprn countryside
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Comraich, which means sanctuary and protection in Gaelic, is a cozy and fully equipped wooden holiday home that can accommodate up to six people. It offers all the necessary amenities for a family to enjoy a self-catering stay. It is located on a remote rural hillside behind the village of Kilchoan and boasts stunning sea views over to the Isle of Mull. Pets are welcome to join the guests.

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Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Todd Hills Hall Farmhouse is a luxurious rural cottage boasting panoramic views of the Pennines. The pet-friendly cottage near Melmerby in Cumbria boasts seclusion and fresh air. It features log fires, exposed beams and Aga, a hot tub, a snooker table, beautiful gardens and ornate furnishings.

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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.