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.

2-storey chalet bungalow surrounded by a garden.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Beautiful barn conversion with brand New Hot Tub fitted in Feb 2022. This semi-rural cottage near Stratford-upon-Avon is surrounded by gorgeous countryside. It boasts an interior replete with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and a hot tub, ensuring a memorable and delightful holiday.

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A waterside patio with sun-loungers overlooking an estuary.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

In a Quayside location and fully refurbished, this beautiful holiday cottage in Flushing has enchanting sea views, a balcony and private parking. Blue Water Cottage sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms with two bathrooms, and is also dog-friendly.

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A Somerset farmhouse overlooks a large lawn lined by shrubs.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Trinity Cottage is a gorgeous detached cottage surrounded by greenery in Roadwater, Somerset. The large, pet-friendly holiday cottage boasts beautiful views over the surrounding valley and offers a log fire and spacious rooms with subtle elegance. A sophisticated escape with access to Exmoor and the coastline.

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Exterior of a stone-built Dorset chalet bungalow overlooking a front lawn and drive.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Lanes End, a charming Chetnole holiday rental, offers a delightful escape with three bedrooms: one ground-floor king-size, one double, and one twin. Enjoy modern amenities like a bathroom with a walk-in shower, a kitchen/diner, and a living/dining room with a wood-burning stove. The property features a private driveway, front lawn, and rear garden with furniture. Immerse yourself in comfort with WiFi, TV, and essential supplies included. Experience tranquillity in this pet-friendly retreat, where no smoking is allowed — book now for a memorable Dorset getaway in all seasons.

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Rxterior of a contemporary eco-loodge with large floor-to-ceiling plate glass windows and doors opening onto a wooden deck with a hot tub.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A luxurious eco-lodge set within Strawberryfield Park in Cheddar. With a wraparound furnished deck and sumptuous hot tub, this beautifully designed and furnished home delivers style and comfort in equal measure. Perfectly suited to families or groups of friends, it makes for a superb stay in Somerset.

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Exterior of a stone-built Dartmoor holiday cottage tucked into a fold in the surrounding Devon countryside
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Woodstone Barn: A Spacious Dartmoor Holiday Cottage for Eight in Devon

Resting on a gentle slope above the West Devon Way, Woodstone offers a serene rural retreat just one and a half miles from the majestic Dartmoor National Park. With the capacity to comfortably accommodate eight guests, Woodstone Barn is the ideal large holiday home in Devon for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Grace Cottage is a characterful 19th-century holiday cottage in Porlock on the West Somerset coast. The stone-built cottage sleeps four and welcomes pets. It offers a suntrap garden, abundant natural light, an open-plan design, a log fire, and easy access to the coast and the Exmoor National Park.

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Front exterior of a double-fronted terrace cottage with large sash windows and a front garden
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Primrose Hill Farmhouse offers two bedrooms of cosy, welcoming charm in a family-friendly cottage overlooking Hutton-le-Hole in the North York Moors. The mid-terrace cottage is ideally placed for active holidaymakers and those who appreciate the charm of traditional rural living.

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Exterior of a 2 storey detached house overlooking a garden and driveway.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

This spacious holiday home in Torbay offers stunning views of Brixham Marina and the bay towards Torquay. The open-plan living space is bright and inviting, and the enclosed garden with seating makes it an excellent choice for families or friends looking to spend a memorable break in Brixham.

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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.