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.

Half hidden by trees, a luxury Hertfordshire cottage overlooks a long, manicured lawn.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Picture This is a luxurious rural cottage set on the grounds of Pembroke Farm near Slip End in Hertfordshire. The idyllic setting ensures relaxation, and the manicured gardens are a delightful space to dine and unwind. The farmhouse-style kitchen typifies the successful blend of tradition and modernity.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a single-storey, stone-built, Cheshire holiday cottage.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Set among the gorgeous countryside of Cheshire, Orchard Cottage is a modern barn conversion near Rainow that offers luxury, seclusion, and relaxation. The pet-friendly cottage boasts a delightful garden with beautiful views, a games room, an open fire, original features and sun-filled spaces.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Rear exterior of a long 2-storey cottage overlooking a paved terrace with a hot tub and a lawn.
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
6

Offering beautiful views over the Severn Valley, Old Rectory Cottage in a sleepy, rural Mid-Wales hamlet is a large holiday cottage near Newtown sleeping 14. This pet-friendly holiday home also has an indoor swimming pool and hot tub. Perfect for walking, cycling and fishing holidays.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a single-storey cottage surrounded by trees and flowering shrubs.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Mineshop Holiday Cottages are located in the heart of the stunning Mineshop Valley, a short walk through the fields and woodland to the beach at Crackington Haven near Bude in North Cornwall. Set in a secluded and tranquil spot, it's the perfect getaway for families, couples and dog owners.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A nicely refurbished two-storey, terraced townhouse with a small front garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Escape to the seaside! Colours Borrowed from the Sea is a sophisticated coastal cottage just moments from the beaches of Marske-by-the-Sea in Yorkshire. The pet-friendly cottage boasts coastal chic with light and airy spaces and a pleasant outdoor area that catches the sea breeze and the sun.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
Lawns surround the exterior of a large rural holiday cottage.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Thatch Barn is a charming holiday home in Acle on the edge of the picturesque Norfolk Broads. This inviting retreat can accommodate up to eight guests, making it the perfect choice for families or groups looking to escape to the country. The cottage has been lovingly restored to retain many original features, while also offering a modern and comfortable atmosphere. With its scenic countryside location, Thatch Barn provides a peaceful and relaxing base for coast and countryside holidays in Norfolk.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
L-shaped single-storey exterior of a Warwickshire holiday cottage overlooking a courtyard.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Cider Press is a light, warm and spacious semi-detached rural cottage in Ilmington, Warwickshire. The Cotswold stone barn conversion welcomes pets and is situated on a quiet lane in an AONB. The cottage offers lovely views, modernity, walks from the door, a garden with a small stream, and a log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Large single-storey stone-built barn conversion half-hidden by tall shrubs.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

This stylishly converted threshing barn is a large holiday cottage located in beautiful West Anstey, an attractive Exmoor village just inside the North Devon border. This luxury holiday home offers a spacious and secluded retreat for up to 6/8 guests. Enjoy stunning views of the gardens and surrounding countryside from the light and airy circular living room. Relax and unwind while taking in the tranquil atmosphere of The Roundhouse. With all the comforts of home, you’ll feel right at home in this homely setting. Enjoy easy access to many of the local attractions in Devon and Cornwall.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of The Old Power House converted to a large, 2-storey holiday cottage with two rows of five double windows.
Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
6

This large and pet-friendly North Yorkshire coastal holiday cottage near Saltburn-by-the-Sea stands just 800m from the beach and comes with a hot tub, sauna and BBQ. It has been created through a stylish upmarket conversion of a former Victorian powerhouse. The Powerhouse sleeps 17 in 6 bedrooms.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • 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.