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
6
Bedrooms
2

Sleep among the canopy is The Treehouse, a luxurious rural cottage in Halse, Somerset, which boasts beautiful views, a swimming pool and a hot tub. The wooden-clad cottage includes a fireplace and promises 5-star eco-friendly comfort, access to the countryside, and miles of sandy beaches.

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Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

Capel Dinorwig is a magnificent, converted, pet-friendly Welsh Chapel in Gwynedd, creating a large, luxury, eco holiday home near Llanberis in the Snowdonia National Park. It sleeps 16 in 8 bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms and a sauna. The remote, rural views from the chapel are absolutely stunning.

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A courtyard barn conversion with a frontage comprising wall-to-ceiling French windows.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Wheelhouse Cottage is a barn conversion with exposed beams, a log fire, and a pretty courtyard, and it sleeps 6. Perfectly positioned for exploring the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and coast, this countryside holiday cottage in North Yorkshire is near the village of Sowerby, in the Vale of Mowbray.

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Sleeps
18
Bedrooms
11

Glencarron is a beautiful Victorian shooting lodge near Strathcarron, sleeping up to 18 in 11 bedrooms. This lovely large holiday home in Inverness-shire enjoys breathtaking views of the Glencarron Estate, covering over 12,000 acres of the Scottish Highlands. Pets welcome.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Lime Kiln Farmhouse is a beautiful stone-built rural cottage within Castel Howard Estate in Coneysthorpe, Yorkshire. The pet-friendly cottage promises seclusion and access to the Centenary Way, generous grounds, a lovely furnished patio, tasteful antique furnishings and a cosy log fire.

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Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Bilbrook apartment is one of 12 Holiday Cottages at Duddings. Sleeps 3 in 2 bedrooms. It is set in the rural Avill valley in Somerset near Dunster & Minehead within The Exmoor National Park. Indoor pool, spa bath, tennis court, games room, trampoline. Families & dogs are welcome. Visit-England 4-star.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Scotch Hall Cottage is a beautiful Grade II-listed waterside holiday cottage in Denbighshire situated by the Llangollen canal next to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. The pet-friendly cottage in the village of Trevor boasts traditional charm and modern comforts. This former canal pay office offers a unique and relaxing holiday in North Wales.

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Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Escape to Lower Spire Cottage and experience the beauty of Exmoor, just a short walk from your pet-friendly, three-bedroom holiday home in the moorland hamlet of Simonsbath. Enjoy breathtaking views in a stunning, picturesque setting, perfect for a tranquil getaway with your family - with the benefit of a very good pub within walking distance.

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A stone-built Cumbrian farmhouse and attached barns in a remote moorland location
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Step back in time at the authentic stone remote cottage of Wray Green, which sits atop Wild Boar Fell in Cumbria. Sink into the comfort of the lovingly restored and furnished three-bedroom cottage. Pets are welcome. There is ample parking, plus a storage area for hiking and cycling gear. Sleeps 7.

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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.