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
4
Bedrooms
2

Experience luxurious living in this exquisitely designed eco-lodge located in the stunning Cheddar countryside at Strawberryfield Park. This spacious and bright two-bedroom lodge boasts three sets of glass sliding doors that lead out to a beautifully decked terrace, which comes complete with comfortable outdoor seating and a bubbling hot tub.

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A wooden 2-storey Essex holiday cottage overlooks a lawned garden, shaded by tall trees with four sun lounger on the grass.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

"The Limes" is a charming Island holiday cottage located on private Osea Island on the enchanting Essex Coast. It is perfect for a cosy and inviting escape for up to five guests. The cottage features a warm lounge with garden access, two spacious double rooms, and an additional single room. It also boasts a well-equipped kitchen, two elegant bathrooms with roll-top baths, and a private garden. Osea Island is a private island that offers a lot of attractions, including a private beach, saltwater lido, outdoor pool, cinema room, games room, gym, and 4.5 miles of coastline to explore with bikes. If you're looking for a tranquil getaway, "The Limes" is the perfect place to discover and start planning your next seaside escapade.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

James Court Cottage is located on the idyllic grounds of the Irton Hall Estate, just outside the peaceful Cumbria village of Santon Bridge. This cosy Lake District holiday cottage sleeps 4 with oak flooring, a wood-burning stove and excellent walking and climbing on its doorstep. Pets welcome

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Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Granary Stone House is a large holiday cottage on the Northumberland Coast with views over Embleton Bay north of Alnwick. The pet-friendly, beautifully furnished property sleeps 12 in 6 bedrooms and welcomes large families and groups throughout the year.

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Exterior of a brick-built, 3-storey seaside town house with a small front garden.
Sleeps
18
Bedrooms
9

Elwin House is a large Victorian townhouse just 200m from the beach in Cromer. This pet-friendly holiday cottage in North Norfolk makes an ideal base for memorable group holidays and celebrations with its ocean views, sea breeze and an interior that boasts comfort and period features.

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A half-timbered and thatched Tudor Cotswold cottage and garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Corner Thatch is a stunning chocolate box holiday cottage in Abbots Morton from the 17th century. The former post office is a Grade II listed property boasting a thatched roof and black and white half-timbered charm, traditional features, delightful gardens and access to Worcestershire.

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Sleeps
22
Bedrooms
8

Once a village pub, The Anchor has been tastefully converted to create a large Forest of Dean Holiday Cottage, complete with a hot tub and games room. This family-friendly holiday home in Gloucestershire lies in a magical rural location in the Wye Valley. Pets welcome.

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A tall, sdtone-built barn conversion with a spacious courtyard.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Exposed beams and original features abound in Malham, a rural holiday cottage near Settle set within 150 acres of countryside in the Yorkshire Dales. Malham welcomes families and pets to enjoy modern comforts, an on-site restaurant, a games room and a heated swimming pool.

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Exterior and deck of a single-storey wooden holiday lodge in Minehead
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Vikings Annexe is a luxurious coastal cottage in Somerset, offering breathtaking views of Minehead. The cottage can comfortably accommodate four people and boasts a spacious furnished deck and a beautiful garden. With its modern open-plan design, large windows, high-quality furnishings, and refreshing sea breeze, Vikings Annexe is the perfect place to relax and unwind. To top it all off, the cottage also features a hot tub for guests to enjoy.

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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.