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.

An end-of-terrace, brick holiday cottage in Church-Stretton behind a front lawn.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Betty’s Barn is a brick-built barn conversion on a 200-acre farm in the peaceful village of Eaton-under-Heywood, 5 miles from Church Stretton. This beautifully furnished countryside holiday cottage in South Shropshire sleeps 5, with gardens, ponds and access to idyllic woodland. Pets welcome.

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A mature garden slopes up to a large house backed by trees.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Gaze across the coastline of Porlock Bay from Elthorne, a large Exmoor coastal cottage just moments from the centre of Porlock, a desirable little seaside town in Somerset. Play with your pets in the beautiful private gardens and relax in the 1930s cottage with a wood burner and spacious light-filled rooms.

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A tree-lined drive way curves toward a large rendered holiday home in Perthshire.
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

The Duke of Atholl built this large Perthshire holiday cottage as a shooting lodge and offers beautiful rural views from its hillside location near Dunkeld. Riechip now offers pet-friendly self-catering accommodation in 8 bedrooms for up to 16 guests. Perfect for walking or golfing holidays.

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Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Wheelhouse Cottage is an authentic Yorkshire cottage near Pickering. It has a four-poster bed, beamed ceilings, and a traditional fireplace. The award-winning property at Keld Head Cottages boasts a stone façade, beautiful views, extensive gardens, and children's indoor and outdoor play areas.

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A stylishly furnished lounge with wide-screen TV and splendid ocean views.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Sea You There is a chic seafront cottage with incredible ocean views in Redcar, Yorkshire. The pet-friendly cottage boasts bay windows that capture the view, open-plan spaces with a distinct coastal vibe, and sleek modern furnishings. Relax to the sound of the waves and the sea breeze.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Gently Down the Stream is an impressive riverside cottage in Horstead by the banks of the River Bure in  Norfolk. The pet-friendly holiday home in Norfolk features exposed beams, character, sophistication, and views. Fishing, tennis, kayaking and relaxation are also available, and the coast is nearby.

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A semi detached, part-tiimbeer contemporary cottage with fold-back French windows, a patio and spacious lawn.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Hunters Moon is a modern rural holiday cottage in the hamlet of Curscombet. The pet-friendly East Devon coast holiday cottage features a generous furnished garden, a spacious interior with an open-plan design, abundant natural light, and a wood-burning stove.

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A single storey barn conversion with dolding French windows opening onto a dining terrace.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Enjoy the country and the coast at Bromholm Barn, a luxurious 200-year-old cottage in Ridlington, Norfolk. The pet-friendly cottage offers a single-level open-plan design, exposed stone walls and beams, abundant natural light, a southwest-facing courtyard, ample grounds, and even a tent.

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Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Upper Instow Beach Cottage is a charming first-floor North Devon holiday let that overlooks the estuary. The dog-friendly waterside apartment sleeps five people in three bedrooms. It has a lovely balcony to sit in and enjoy uninterrupted views across the beach and estuary to Appledore and beautiful sunsets.

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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.