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.

A country cottage on the edge of a wood surrounded by well-kept lawns and flower beds.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A pretty stone-built cosy coastal cottage near Kirkcudbright with sea views, Cutlar's Cottage is set in its own fully enclosed garden overlooking a wildflower meadow. It's a glorious walk to the seashore and a 2-3 minute amble to the landscaped loch and pavilion.

  • Active Holidays
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Sliding doors reveal the luxuriously furnished open-plan exterior of a modern holiday cottage.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Kersey Cottage is a beautiful, newly refurbished, family-friendly holiday home in the heart of Flushing village with an open plan living to sleep up to 8 guests in comfort. Dogs are welcome, and the spacious sun-trap garden is a real bonus!

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Ground-floor frontage of a stone-built holiday cottage in Mousehole.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Romance is assured at The Langley Tarne, a pet-friendly, one-bedroom holiday cottage Mousehole that boasts many traditional features as well as an open fire, modern comforts, and contemporary style a 2-minute stroll from the gorgeous harbour and the beautiful coastline of Cornwall.

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Exterior or an old 3-storey country cottage in Norfolk overlooking a large lawn bordered by mature trees.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Laylands is a grand old house just moments from the beach in Well-next-the-Sea. As one of the original houses in the region, this large Norfolk holiday cottage boasts numerous original features, such as an open fire, which blend seamlessly with the modern décor. The expansive gardens make for a perfect holiday.

  • Active Holidays
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A table  with parasol and chairs tands on a sunny patio behind a stone built holiday cottage in Devon.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Escape to tranquillity at Buzzards View, a captivating holiday home in Cornworthy. Renovated in 2022, this South Devon country cottage nestles in the scenic Dart Valley. Revel in the open-plan kitchen/diner, unwind in the spacious sitting room, and relax on the tranquil patio. Three chic bedrooms, including a master with ensuite, guarantee comfort. Benefit from off-street parking and explore the fuller description for an in-depth look at this charming South Devon getaway.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
5

Hazel Barn is a large, luxurious farmhouse with a hot tub for cottage holidays in North Devon. The family-friendly Exmoor cottage lies on the owner’s rural property. It treats guests to an open fire, indoor and outdoor games areas and captivating views of North Molton village and beyond.

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A large house with two bay wings overlooks a shrub-liined lawn.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Nairn is a luxurious holiday cottage with a hot tub in Braunton on the North Devon coast. Boasting impressive grounds and outdoor entertaining areas, the pet-friendly cottage promises a memorable holiday. It also offers indoor and outdoor play areas and has a log fire.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
2

Sleep among the canopy is The Treehouse, a luxurious rural cottage in Halse, Somerset, which boasts beautiful views, a swimming pool and a hot tub. The wooden-clad cottage includes a fireplace and promises 5-star eco-friendly comfort, access to the countryside, and miles of sandy beaches.

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North Yorkshire barn conversion surrounded by a lawn, trees and mature shrubs
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Hayloft successfully combines old-world charm with vibrant colours in a charming stone-built detached barn conversion in the village of Lastingham. The 18th-century romantic holiday cottage in North Yorkshire boasts a stylish open-plan living area with character and an open fire. The Cottage is nicely situated for walking holidays on the North York Moors.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside 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.