A surfer traverses a large wave.

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.

Spacious seaside apartment lounge with sofa, coffee table and sideboard.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Fun in the sun is assured at 16 Woolacombe, a luxurious coastal apartment in Woolacombe Bay, Devon. The apartment bathes in natural light and carries an effortless coastal chic throughout. It also offers a swimming pool, sauna, treatment room, and modern comfort just minutes from the beach.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
North Devon coastal cottages exteriors.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Weavers Cottage, sleeping up to four, is one of seven dog-friendly North Devon holiday cottages at semi-rural Muddlebridge House near Barnstaple. It features an indoor swimming pool and a two-acre garden. It is within easy reach for excellent sandy beaches, cycling on the nearby Tarka Trail, walks on Exmoor, fishing and golf.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
2 storey contemporary house with floor to ceiling windows, terrace nd garden
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Mor Awelon, in the charming village of Goodwick, has an upside-down design to capture the views of the Pembrokeshire countryside and the ocean beyond. Ultra-modern finishes define this rural holiday cottage near Fishguard, while its balcony and lawned garden invite relaxation and socialising.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Former fishing lofts and fisherrmans cottages overlook a quayside with small craft moored in the harbour.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

This large seaside holiday home in Falmouth provides an unrivalled location to enjoy your Cornish holiday. Nightingale House is on the waterfront overlooking Falmouth Harbour, with amazing views from most rooms and a huge terrace. It has four double bedrooms, three bathrooms, off-road parking for two cars and WiFi.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
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  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
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  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Gable end of a wood panelled Dorset barn conversion with wooden steps to a front door and deck.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Explore Brookhaven, the ideal Musbury holiday let—a barn conversion creating a modern, open-plan studio for couples seeking a rural retreat in East Devon. Recently finished to high standards, this charming apartment boasts a king-size bed, a well-equipped kitchen, and a private seating area overlooking the serene Axe Valley. Enjoy village amenities, coastal charm, and nearby attractions. Discover the allure of this Musbury cottage for couples and plan your escape. View full details for an unforgettable East Devon getaway.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a Newtonmore holiday cottage in a restored railway signal box.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Enjoy a holiday in a thoroughly modern property converted from a historic signal box. The Signal Box is a rural holiday cottage for couples in Newtonmore with stunning views of the Cairngorms and all of the comforts of home. It was chosen as one of the 50 best UK holiday cottages by The Times Newspaper.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a country home
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Chestnuts is a large, Eco-Luxe, 5-star Gold Cotswold holiday Cottage in Shilton, an unspoilt village near historic Burford in Oxfordshire. Sleeps 8. This award-winning cottage has been beautifully renovated and furnished to create a relaxing and child-friendly rural retreat in the Cotswolds.

  • Active Holidays
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Exterior of Culls Cottage holiday home at night
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Culls Cottage is a 5-star Cotswold holiday cottage. This Grade II listed luxury eco-cottage is located in Southrop, an unspoilt Cotswold village near historic Lechlade-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. This beautifully furnished, child-friendly stone cottage sleeps six guests.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A wooden 2-storey Essex holiday cottage overlooks a lawned garden, shaded by tall trees with four sun loungers 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 plan your next seaside escapade.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages

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 directly to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.