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.

Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The charming property located at Wickmere near Sheringham boasts antique furniture, exposed beams, and a wood-burning stove, surrounded by breathtaking views of the countryside. Cromer, a popular seaside town, is only nine miles away.

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Exterior of a 2-storey contemporary home with twin floor-to-ceiling French windows opening onto the garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Bucket & Spade is a beautiful coastal cottage in East Devon, just a stone's throw away from the pristine white sands of Seaton. The pet-friendly holiday home boasts a spacious garden with an outdoor relaxation area, a cosy log fire, and an open-plan design with a chic coastal feel.

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A light and spacious, lavishly furnished open-plan living area, with original artwork on the walls.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A distinct coastal vibe permeates Fish and Ships, a contemporary coastal cottage in the heart of Whitby in North Yorkshire. Whitby’s harbour is a short walk from the apartment, which offers light and airy spaces with abundant natural light, as well as relaxed sophistication and open-plan design.

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Stone-built exterior of a Peak District Cottage with flower-covered flagstone terrace.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Jasmine Cottage is a charming countryside retreat in Derbyshire's Peak District, blending traditional features with modern amenities. The child-friendly cottage features an en-suite bathroom with a waterfall shower and a wood-burning stove.

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Exterior of a Cotswold stone cottage behind a gated front garden.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Chestnuts is a large, Eco-Luxe, 5-star Gold Cotswold holiday Cottage in Shilton, an unspoilt village near historic Burford in Oxfordshire. Sleeps 8. This award-winning cottage has been beautifully renovated and furnished to create a relaxing and child-friendly rural retreat in the Cotswolds.

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1930s-style detached chalet bungalow with a paved deck surrounded by lawns and the Dorset countryside.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

This large shooting lodge is located in Dorset with peaceful rural views in a secluded location, only a short walk to Symondsbury. Axen Lodge sleeps eight over four bedrooms. This property accommodates a large garden with a hot tub, trampoline and gas BBQ. Dogs are welcome.

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Exterior of a old holiday cottage overlooking Porlock Weir harbour at high tide.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Situated in the heart of the seaside village of Porlock Weir, Somerset, Harbour House Apartment once housed the harbour master but now makes an idyllic holiday home along the Exmoor coast, a waterside cottage featuring two cosy bedrooms and French windows offering gorgeous views of the bay.

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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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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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  • 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.