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 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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Tiny islands, silhouetted against a setting sun on a calm sea on the Moray Firth in Scotland.
Sleeps
30
Bedrooms
13

Take a look at three luxury waterside cottages sleeping from 6-18 guests on or near Banff on the Moray Firth. The Old Customs House sits on the shores of the Moray Firth, while Craig Lodge and Craig Alvah overlook the Devoran River in an idyllic and remote rural location a few miles inland. All are exquisitely furnished. Montcoffer Cottages are perfect for walking or fly-fishing holidays in the Scottish Highlands and feature a choice of amenities, including hot tubs and an indoor pool.

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A brick house overlooks a large lawn with flower-filled borders
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Jacob’s Pond is a sophisticated rural cottage on the edge of Exmoor National Park near Monksilver in Somerset. The semi-detached cottage sleeps 7 in spacious rooms. It boasts a beautiful mature garden with multiple furnished areas, fantastic views, a conservatory, elegance, and a log fire.

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The exterior of a stone-built Exmoor farmhouse in a remote moorland location.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

This large Exmoor holiday home is in a beautiful secluded position surrounded by moorland near Simonsbath and can sleep ten people in five bedrooms. Limecombe is ideally located for walking and cycling holidays on Exmoor.

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Double-fronted cottage with large lawn surrounded by mature trees.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Ball Cottage is a charming holiday home located in Winsford, Somerset. Nestled within a lush garden, it boasts a beautiful stream that adds to the picturesque scenery. The cottage is perfect for those looking to go on walking holidays in Exmoor, as it is ideally located. Inside, you'll find many original features, including a lovely open fire that creates a cosy ambience. Additionally, you can explore the charming village and Exmoor National Park or head to the coast for a day trip.

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A track leads to a twin-gabled house with a monkey puzzle tree in the foreground.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

 Discover Crews Hill House, a Worcestershire holiday let near Alfrick. This large, four-bedroom Tudor farmhouse with a Victorian extension accommodates eight guests. It is set within eight acres and offers a blend of contemporary details and original features. Enjoy multiple relaxation spaces, including a sitting room with a wood-burning stove. The garden with a hot tub provides the perfect spot to unwind. Explore nearby walking trails and local attractions. View the complete description to learn more about this charming rural retreat.

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A single-storey, luxury chapel conversion in the North Devon countryside.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Old Chapel is a superb North Devon holiday cottage on the coast in Clovelly. The former chapel boasts 10 acres of meadows with a pond and sea views, church windows, vaulted beamed ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and many more original features.

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  • 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.