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.

Barn conversions in a courtyard overlook a raised flower bed in its centre
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Tucked in near the Great Fryup Dale in the heart of North York Moors National Park, The Byre in the civil parish of Danby, North Yorkshire, sits on a working organic farm, a two-storey countryside cottage featuring exposed beams, vaulted ceiling, and ground floor underfloor heating.

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Exterior ofa barn conversion behind a shrub-filled garden.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

One of nine countryside cottages that make up Keld Head Farm Cottages and nestled near the foot of rolling moorlands, Pigeon Cote near the market town of Pickering, North Yorkshire, retains much of its original charm and features, with open beamed ceilings and traditional stone fireplace.

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A lounge with armchairs, oak-beamed ceiling and a staircase.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
2

Mill Cottage is a multi-award-winning property set on Keld Head Cottages near Pickering in North Yorkshire. The stone-built rural cottage has been carefully refurbished with traditional features and modern comforts and boasts gorgeous gardens, large indoor and outdoor play areas and lovely views.

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Exterior of a large barn conversion with external steps to 1st flor front door - facing a mature garden
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The upside-down design of Barn Cottage captures the beautiful views of the Yorkshire countryside and adds another feature to this award-winning holiday cottage near Pickering. The rural cottage offers extensive manicured gardens with multiple play areas and spaces to entertain, relax, and unwind.

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A spacious,brick-built 3-storey holiday cottage in the Lincolnshire countryside near Kings Lynn. A large drive and lawned gardens surround the house.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Keepers Cottage in the civil parish of Middleton, Norfolk, is a traditional Victorian cottage set on an arable farm, a light and airy property lovingly converted into a dog-friendly holiday home featuring three king-size bedrooms (two with en-suites), spacious sitting room, and a stone courtyard.

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Exterior of a stone-built, semi-detached cottage with a  large, securely hedged-iin garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Kamba Cottage, located near Kirriemuir in the rural hamlet of East Murthill, offers guests a hot tub. This 3-bedroom, dog-friendly country cottage is an ideal base for exploring the Angus Glens, golf courses, ski fields, and the Highlands. It sleeps 6.

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A jasmine-clad, semi-detached, traditional Cotswold 'honeystone' country cottage.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Jasmine Cottage is a cute 300-year-old Cotswold stone cottage nestled in the idyllic village of Windrush in Oxfordshire. The pet-friendly cottage is surrounded by National Trust land and boasts an inglenook fireplace, a hand-built kitchen and flagstone floors, a lovely garden and a log fire. Escape to the idyllic village of Windrush in Oxfordshire and experience the charm of Jasmine Cottage, a 300-year-old Cotswold stone cottage. Surrounded by National Trust land, this pet-friendly cottage offers the perfect retreat with its cosy inglenook fireplace, stunning hand-built kitchen with flagstone floors, lovely garden and inviting log fire. Book your stay now and indulge in the peace and tranquillity of this charming cottage.

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Exterior of a wisteria-clad stone-built holiday cottage in Porlock on a sunny day.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Jasmine Cottage is a charming stone-built end terrace located on the edge of Porlock. This coastal holiday cottage in Somerset boasts breathtaking sea views and can comfortably accommodate up to six guests. The pet-friendly cottage offers guests a sun-trap enclosed garden, a breezy open-plan design, coastal chic decor, abundant natural light, charming furnishings, and a cosy wood-burning stove.

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Between shrubs and a mature tree, stands a Cornish 2-storey stone-barn conversion
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Jam First is a gorgeous stone-built romantic cottage in the lovely locale of Trethawle, Cornwall. The pet-friendly holiday home for two possesses a subtle luxurious style, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, a wood burner and a pleasant suntrap courtyard. Explore the Cornish coast and countryside in style.

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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.