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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 House with large conservatory is surrounded by a garden with lawns and mature shrubs.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Chapel Knap is a luxurious Exmoor holiday cottage on the Somerset coast dating back to the 12th century. The pet-friendly cottage in Porlock Weir, Somerset, boasts an impressive sunroom and a subtropical garden with stunning ocean views. It also features period furnishings, a log fire, seclusion, and access to the delights of Exmoor.

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Interior and exterior photos of Chapel Cottage, a double-fronted Exmoor holiday cottage in Exford.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
2

With views over the village green, Chapel Cottage is an ideal family cottage. The pet-friendly cottage in Exford provides comfort and style and is set inside Exmoor National Park and its endless natural wonders. Set over three levels, the cottage boasts a wood burner plus generous outdoor areas for relaxation.

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Herefordshire Shepherds Hut is shaded by trees in a garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Cedar Tree is a gorgeously cute romantic shepherd's hut for two set among green gardens and open countryside in the Hampshire hamlet of Cole Henley. The delightful former shepherd’s hut is decorated and furnished to a high standard. It is set on Peak House Farm, offering beautiful views of the North Wessex Downs and a heated swimming pool.

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Exterior of a large timber lodge with a spacious deck overlooking an equally spacious, secure lawn.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

This is a fantastic, recently-built holiday home near Carbis Bay that is detached and has a reverse-level layout. It boasts five bedrooms and has been finished to an exceptional standard, with stylish and spacious accommodation. The property is situated in a slightly elevated location, offering breathtaking views of the sea and coastline from the front. On a clear day, you can see all the way up the coast to Godrevy Lighthouse and even as far as St Agnes Head.

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Exterior of a wooden eco lodge with a hot tub on its deck.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Cedar Lodge is a luxurious holiday lodge located in Cheddar, Somerset. It features two bedrooms and is situated on the outskirts of the Mendip Hills in a designated National Landscape. This 5-star eco-friendly lodge is located in a peaceful rural setting and is well-suited for parents with very young children as it is baby-friendly.

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A rambling, stone-built cottage in Cumbria with a terraced garden
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Whether blanketed in snow or blossoming with wildflowers, the grounds of Cazenovia Hall complement this Grade II listed rural holiday home near Greystoke in Cumbria. The pet-friendly cottage promises extensive gardens, beautiful views, an open fire and a masterful blend of modernity and tradition.

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Exterior of a stone-built cottage overlooking a paved courtyard with dining table and chairs.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Cottage, located in Catford House, is a charming and romantic cottage situated in the heart of Somerset, on the edge of Exmoor National Park. Nestled in the Quantock Hills, this rural cottage is surrounded by stunning countryside and offers couples a recently refurbished and pet-friendly retreat that features a private courtyard and all modern amenities for a comfortable stay.

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Exterior of a stone cottage with enclosed porch and sun lounge overlooking a lawn.
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
4

Castle View is a tastefully furnished, large, family-friendly village holiday cottage in Helmsley in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. It is also within an easy drive of the North Yorkshire coast. This dog-friendly holiday let sleeps 11 in 4 bedrooms.

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The exterior of a stone-built country cottage overlooks a pretty garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Cascade Cottage is a gorgeous holiday home in the heart of the Exmoor National Park near the moorland village of Exford. It is an ideal child-friendly holiday retreat and can be accessed by a footbridge. The cottage features a spacious kitchen, exposed beams, and a wood-burning stove.

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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.