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 Devon barn conversion with a deck at sunset.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Tumbledown Barn is a luxurious barn conversion and a North Devon holiday let in Knowstone. This property offers three spacious ensuite bedrooms and an open-plan living area with a wood-burning stove. The private courtyard features a hot tub and outdoor kitchen. The barn is pet-friendly, set on 20 acres of scenic farmland. Nearby, explore Exmoor and North Devon’s spectacular, award-winning beaches. Enjoy a night dining at the Michelin Star restaurant, the Masons Arms. View the complete description to learn more about this exceptional rural retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A lounge with twin sofas, inglenook fireplace and French windows.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Folded into the idyllic landscapes of North Devon, Keepers Lodge is a stylish two-bedroom (both ensuite) rural retreat with a hot tub. Located in the quaint village of Knowstone, it offers a blend of rural charm and modern convenience. The cottage on the edge of Exmoor features spacious interiors adorned with rustic elegance and modern amenities. Set amidst expansive gardens, it provides a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Discover the allure of countryside living at Keepers Lodge. Explore further details about this enchanting rural holiday cottage today.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a country house with sun room surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
4

‘Lorna Doone County’ plays host to Oare Manor Cottage, a beautiful property in a stunning valley. The pet-friendly Exmoor holiday cottage in Oare boasts superb views and manicured gardens, a generous sunroom, rustic elegance, a wood burner, exquisite furnishings and the promise of memories.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Oak Tree Cottage is a delightful, romantic village cottage for two near Beverley, in the North York Moors and on the North Yorkshire Coast. Just moments from sandy beaches, the pet-friendly property boasts a generous lawned garden with a summerhouse and an interior with arched windows, contemporary style, and comfort.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
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  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a contemporary wood-clad barn conversion comprising 3 New Forest holiday cottages
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

For an unforgettable Hampshire getaway, view Oak Barn, a charming village holiday cottage in Dammerham, perfect for self-catering holidays in the New Forest. This spacious barn conversion offers an open-plan layout, two accessible bedrooms, and a hot tub with scenic views. Discover the historic village of Damerham, just three miles from Fordingbridge. Oak Barn provides a unique blend of modern comfort and rural tranquillity. View the full description for more information.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A modern house with a vine covered 1st floor balcony overlooks a shrub-filled front garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Nutwood is a delightful detached cottage perched near Lake Windermere in Lakeside. The pet-friendly cottage is well-positioned for a holiday in Cumbria and the Lake District. It features a spacious furnished deck, lovely grounds, an interior with modern furnishings, an open fire, and ample light.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a single-storey Exmoor holiday cottage overlooking a garden full of mature shrubs and trees.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Welcome to Nuthatch, your ideal romantic retreat within the picturesque Three Gates Farm. This delightful Exmoor farm cottage is the perfect haven for couples (and their pets) seeking a cosy and intimate escape. It is ideally located for walking holidays exploring Exmoor and Mid-Devon, no matter the season.

  • Active Holidays
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Wooden chair outside than open front door of a holiday cottage
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Nobby's is a charming pet-friendly cottage that combines the best of both worlds - the coast and the countryside. The cottage is located on East Thorne Farm, in the beautiful North Cornwall countryside near Bude on East Thorne Farm. Families can enjoy a range of activities, including an adventure playground, an indoor games room, a spa, a campfire, and picturesque rural walks.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
A twin-gabled house overlooks a large lawn bordered by a tall hedge.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

New Lodge promises stunning views of Lake Ullswater from its cosy sitting room. The lakeside cottage in Watermillock, Cumbria, promises seclusion and modern sophistication, architectural design, floor-to-ceiling windows, two log fires, lovely gardens and a private shoreline with a small jetty.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages

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.