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.

A stone-built LAke District Cottage sits in a woodland clearing surrounded by mature trees.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Carrholme is a large Grade II listed Yorkshire Dales Holiday Cottage, brimming with rural charm and modern conveniences as well as generous gardens and views over Settle and the Yorkshire Dales. The charming cottage that once housed Prince Charles promises regal comfort for groups and welcomes pets.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of an end-of-terrace rural holiday cottage with a large bay window and walled front garden. and
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Our cottage provides self-catering accommodation in Snowdonia. We are small, dog-friendly, and located 5 miles from Betws y Coed. We are away from the hustle and bustle of Betws y Coed but close enough to take advantage of all the shops and restaurants. The village has a shop, pub, and restaurant.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a 3-storey Edwardian country house surrounded by a walled garden.
Sleeps
22
Bedrooms
9

Hollytree House is a spacious 3-storey holiday home in Symonds Yat, Wye Valley. The house offers breathtaking views of the river and comes equipped with a relaxing hot tub. It's perfect for large groups of up to 22 guests looking for a peaceful and rural location to spend special occasions, reunions, or self-catering holidays. The house is an ideal place for those who want to spend their time enjoying the beauty of the river and its surroundings.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Managed by My Favourite Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Aerial image of a Shropshire holiday barn surrounded by open fields and woods.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Wassall Barn is an elegant barn conversion situated on beautiful grounds in Craven Arms, Shropshire. The property is pet-friendly and offers stunning views of the countryside. The spacious rooms feature an open-plan design that allows plenty of natural light to flood in, and the contemporary style is complemented by trussed full-height ceilings.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A row of three stone-built cottages with walled gardens.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Bill's Place is a beautifully appointed two-bedroom Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage in the village of Bainbridge near Hawes. This 2-bedroom country cottage is filled with original features and can sleep up to three guests.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
An exterior of s Victorian holiday villa in Torquay with ample car parking space in front.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Holcombe House is a large and luxuriously presented Torbay holiday cottage in Torquay. This detached period property can sleep twelve people in six bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large, contemporary 3-storey apartment building with a central gable of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Make your stay along the Welsh Riviera memorable with a stay at The Mushroom House, a fabulous ground-floor, seaside holiday apartment in  Tenby. This one-bedroom romantic cottage for couples is just steps from award-winning Pembrokeshire beaches. It features open plan living space and a front decked area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A lighthouse complex on a rugged clifftop in Cornwall.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Bishop Rock is a cosy seaside cottage located within Lizard Lighthouse, which boasts panoramic views over the ocean from atop the cliffs. The unique property near Lizard Village promises modern comforts, subtle décor, and direct access to this beautiful stretch of the Cornish coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
5

Ddol Helyg Farmhouse is a large and spacious North Wales holiday cottage near Llanberis. It is situated on the grounds of the owner's 30-acre livery yard on the edge of the village of Llanrug in the Snowdonia National Park.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Walking Holidays

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.