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.

Exterior of a stone built holiday cottage in Whitby with a flagstoned front garden containing outdoor dining facilities.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Steak & Egton is a sophisticated terrace in the delightful Egton village in North Yorkshire. The pet-friendly cottage offers stone walls, a pretty flowering courtyard, an elegant and spacious interior with clawfoot baths, contemporary styling, a secret snug, tiled floors, and a log fire.

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3 storey exterior of a large modern Shropshire holiday home with outdoor dining facilities and a large laen.
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
6

This charming Grade II listed Shropshire holiday cottage in Bishop's Castle sleeps 15 in 6 bedrooms in the tranquil Shropshire market town of Bishop's Castle—perfect for countryside walking holidays along the England-Wales border for families or friends. Pets welcome.

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Quayside holiday apartment in Rye overlooks small craft moored to the waterfront at high tide
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Complete with a breakfast bar and Juliet balcony overlooking the quay of the River Rother, 16 The Boathouse is a romantic waterfront holiday apartment in Rye, affording couples on holiday along the East Sussex coastline the perfect home base to explore this historic port town.

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Exterior of a wooden eco-lodge with woods to the rear and open fields in the foreground.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Exposed beams and trusses, a timber-clad exterior and spacious rooms make this converted barn near Rhayader an ideal rural retreat for families and couples planning a walking or cycling holiday exploring Mid-Wales, including the Brecon Beacons and the Radnorshire Hills.

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Semi-detaachd, brick holiday home in caersws with off-road parking spaces.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

7evern blends tradition with contemporary style in a converted barn near the village of Caersws in Mid Wales. The rural holiday cottage lies on Porth Farm, and the light and airy converted barn offers families joyful décor, exposed beams, and access to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The charming and modern Hayloft Cottage is a converted hayloft in Staintondale, with views of the ocean and the surrounding North York Moors. The two-bedroom, pet-friendly coastal cottage in North Yorkshire features exposed beams, a stone exterior, and a sun-drenched garden.

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4-storey exterior of contemporary harbourside apartments in Weymouth.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Harbourside Haven Apartment 3 is a luxurious Dorset seaside apartment perched above Weymouth Marina. Enjoying beautiful views and a soft sea breeze from its balcony and open-plan living area, the sophisticated property places guests in the centre of the coastal resort and the coastline.

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End of terrace exterior with off-road parking of a seaside holiday home in Hunstanton.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Northgate Loft is a thoroughly modern and spacious seaside holiday let in Hunstanton with easy access to the sandy beaches of Hunstanton and the Norfolk coast. The coastal cottage boasts ample windows with ocean views and is situated within the heart of the coastal town. Escape to the seaside and relax.

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Exterior of a single-storey norfolk holiday cottage with outdoor seating and block-paved off-road parking.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Styled on a traditional Norfolk barn, 5d Hideways boasts vaulted beamed ceilings, wooden décor, and contemporary comforts. The Hunstanton holiday cottage on the North Norfolk coast is ideal for a seaside escape as it offers a delightful courtyard, open-plan spaces and proximity to sandy beaches.

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