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.

Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

Belle Isle Castle – Hamilton Wing is a large holiday home near Enniskillen that offers sumptuous accommodation for up to 16 guests on an estate spread over eight picturesque islands on the northern tip of Upper Lough Erne in County Fernaugh, a child-friendly property with modern amenities expertly complementing original features.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Large Holiday Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
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A grand 3-storey Georgian country house in the Cornish countryside partly surrounded by trees.
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

The Vean is a large Georgian country house near St Austell, nestled among woodland, boasting refinement and luxury, abundant grounds, and an open fire. The luxury holiday cottage on Caerhays Estate is ideal for special occasions and just moments from Cornwall's coastline.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Aerial photo of a Loch in the Scottish Highlands with a holiday cottage in the foreground.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Enjoy a unique holiday with a stay at Port na Mine, a large and child-friendly cottage near the Scottish village of Taynuilt, Argyll and Bute. The luxury cottage affords picturesque views of Loch Etive and Glencoe, featuring six bedrooms, a wood effect electric fire, and a fully enclosed garden. Enjoy a unique holiday with a stay at Port na Mine, a large and child-friendly cottage near the Scottish village of Taynuilt, Argyll and Bute. The luxury cottage affords picturesque views of Loch Etive and Glencoe, featuring six bedrooms, a wood effect electric fire, and a fully enclosed garden.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages
L-shaped exterior of a stone-built cottage surrounded by lawns and a secure hedge.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

RedRoofs, with stunning views over the Esk Valley within the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, is a spacious home ideally suited for family holidays or a weekend getaway for a group of friends. It lies within easy reach of the village pub, while Whitby is only a short drive away.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A half-timbered Tudor cottage  in Leominster overlooks a shingle parking space and shrub-filled garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Cobbler’s cottage is a quintessential black-and-white rural holiday cottage in Pembridge, an attractive village in Herefordshire. Replete with beamed walls and ceilings. The pet-friendly, semi-detached cottage has been beautifully renovated and offers a wood burner, conservatory, enclosed garden, summerhouse and bespoke kitchen.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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A lighthouse holiday cottage complex on a rugged North Devon clifftop.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Enjoy unique self-catering holidays in North Devon with a stay at Siren, one of four refurbished former lighthouse keepers’ cottages overlooking Bull Point near the village of Mortehoe, Devon, a child-friendly cottage that sleeps up to five, featuring three bedrooms, a fully fitted kitchen, and absolutely gorgeous sea views.

  • Active Holidays
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A stone, 2-storey, Dorset barn conversion overlooks a courtyard.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Drackenorth Lodge is a large and impressive rural holiday home in Hooke. The Lodge sleeps eight and is finished to a very high standard. It offers multiple furnished outdoor spaces, a light-filled open-plan layout with exposed beams, and an upside-down design. This converted barn has beautiful village views and the Dorset countryside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
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.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Cotswold Barn conversion surrounded by trees and shrubs.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Discover Buckland Wood Barn, a tranquil Broadway holiday home in The Cotswolds. The Cotswolds. This secluded property offers breathtaking views of the valley and a peaceful atmosphere. The property is spread over 50 acres and is surrounded by a private wood and stream, providing the perfect setting for serenity and escape. The charming village of Broadway, also known as the "show village of England," is just a short distance away, with its historic charm and delightful shops. The barn is tastefully furnished and boasts two spacious bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom and modern amenities. The large patio with garden furniture and barbecue is perfect for al fresco dining. Book now for an inspiring Cotswold holiday!

 

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small 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 directly to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.