A surfer traverses a large wave. Find holiday cottages for active holidays in the open air.

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
5
Bedrooms
3

Spectacular ocean views extend to the horizon from Galatea, a coastal cottage within the Whitby Lighthouse complex. The unique cottage offers elegant and light-filled accommodation, spacious furnished grounds, a refreshing sea breeze, sophistication, and seclusion within easy reach of the beach. 

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2-storey Victorian town house with bay windows and small front garden
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
3

A charming and cosy family- and pet-friendly getaway in Marske-by-the-Sea, Victoria Cottage is a delightful balance of historic touches and modern convenience with room for four. This cottage makes the most of its excellent seaside location, offering a family holiday in a warm, comfortable environment.

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A large house with a portico overlooks a lawn bordered by mature shrubs.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Explore Holset House, a large coastal property in South Devon offering the perfect setting for self-catering holidays in East Portlemouth. With breathtaking views of Dartmoor, this luxurious and well-equipped retreat features five bedrooms, a formal dining room, and expansive lawns for relaxation. Just over half a mile from sandy beaches and a short ferry ride to Salcombe, it's an ideal escape for families and friends. Discover comfort, grandeur, and convenience in this exceptional holiday home. View now for an unforgettable experience.

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L-shaped exterior of a country cottage with a lawn surrounded by flowering shrubs and bushes.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Church Farm is a rustic stone-built holiday cottage in Stoke Pero, a small village in the Exmoor National Park. The pet-friendly holiday home sleeps four and offers views of rolling hills, a furnished garden, an interior with exposed beams, antique and hunting décor, Laura Ashley linen, and a cosy wood-burning stove.

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Exterior of a large timber lodge with a spacious deck overlooking an equally spacious, secure lawn.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

This is a fantastic, recently-built holiday home near Carbis Bay that is detached and has a reverse-level layout. It boasts five bedrooms and has been finished to an exceptional standard, with stylish and spacious accommodation. The property is situated in a slightly elevated location, offering breathtaking views of the sea and coastline from the front. On a clear day, you can see all the way up the coast to Godrevy Lighthouse and even as far as St Agnes Head.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This unique accommodation is part of a historic water mill and retains original features, including exposed beams and huge mill windows. The peaceful Warwickshire village of Tredington is ideally situated between the Cotswolds and Stratford-on-Avon. Fishing is available on-site.

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A classic country house with a row of five windows overlooks a shrub0filled garden lined by wrought iron railings.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Flanders Hall is a large and impressive Grade II listed Georgian country house in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales in West Burton. This pet-friendly holiday home in secluded rural surroundings is perfect for large family holidays or a get-together with friends in the great outdoors.

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A gable end with floor to roof windows overlooks a lawn with a deck.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

Betony is a chic coastal cottage surrounded by green hills and fresh air. Sitting just outside Bamburgh, the pet-friendly cottage boasts views of Bamburgh Castle, a spacious outdoor entertaining area, ample windows, natural light, sleek finishes, and access to the Northumberland coast.

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A contemporary barn conversion surrounded by open countryside.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Exposed beams and stone walls add character to Big Sky Barn, a luxurious brick and flint cottage set between the Norfolk countryside and coast. The pet-friendly cottage in Ridlington is surrounded by farmland, just moments from the beach, and offers open-plan design and generous furnished gardens.

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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 direct to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.