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.

North Devon coastal cottages exteriors.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Weavers Cottage, sleeping up to four, is one of seven dog-friendly North Devon holiday cottages at semi-rural Muddlebridge House near Barnstaple. It features an indoor swimming pool and a two-acre garden. It is within easy reach for excellent sandy beaches, cycling on the nearby Tarka Trail, walks on Exmoor, fishing and golf.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A large tile-roofed house with a sunroom overlooks a lo-rendered wall.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Blaensilltyn Farmhouse in the Ceredigion Countryside is a large, detached, pet-friendly farmhouse near Newcastle Emlyn. Located on a working farm, this spacious and well-equipped holiday home with a hot tub in West Wales sleeps 12 in 5 bedrooms and lies within easy reach of the coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
6

Ingleside is a large Gloucestershire holiday cottage on the outskirts of the Forest of Dean near Westbury Ingleside sleeps 14 in 6 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms plus ample living space, including a sunroom and games room. The enclosed garden includes a bike store and BBQ facilities.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Semi-detached Exmoor country cottage with conservatory and lawned garden.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Blagdon Cottage is an elegant and isolated Exmoor holiday cottage in Wheddon Cross. It offers ample grounds with country views, a lovely garden, wooden panelling, an open-plan design, a delightful sunroom and the peaceful tranquillity that comes from its rural location high up on Exmoor. The large semi-detached cottage welcomes pets and sleeps 7/8 people.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large Cotswold barn conversion to form a holiday cottage in open countryside.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
4

Rambler's Barn is a charming rural barn situated on 21 acres of fields in Gloucestershire. This beautiful pet-friendly holiday cottage is located in Moreton-in-the-Marsh and boasts a lovely Cotswold stone exterior, which complements its stunning garden. With three bedrooms, a sophisticated log fire, contemporary amenities, and a separate annexe, this tranquil cottage provides the perfect rural retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Pendeen lighthouse holiday cottages in a clifftop location
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Argus Cottage is a unique coastal cottage set inside Pendeen Lighthouse atop the cliffs of Pendeen. The pet-friendly cottage boasts stunning ocean views and an abundance of wildlife, as well as a generously sized, furnished garden, contemporary design features, a sea breeze and access to the Cornwall coast and South West Coast Path.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
An open plan lounge with sofas, TV and a dining table and chairs.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Orchard View is a charming rural retreat nestled in the picturesque village of Goodleigh, North Devon. This newly refurbished two-bedroom cottage on a working farm has been thoughtfully designed to provide complete accessibility—step into the welcoming open-plan living area, complete with a cosy wood-burning stove and a contemporary kitchen. The ground-floor bedroom and ensuite have been carefully crafted to be wheelchair-friendly, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their stay to the fullest. With its proximity to Exmoor, Barnstaple, and a host of scenic footpaths, idyllic villages, and stunning beaches, Orchard View offers an ideal base for creating unforgettable memories in the heart of nature. Find out more about this enchanting countryside haven and start planning your perfect stay today.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Cottage Discounts
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Large stone-built rural cottage exterior with a spacious lawn.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A beautiful hillside traditional stone-built end terraced house in the Peak District village of Bakewell, River Cottage has been thoughtfully renovated to a high standard and sleeps up to four people. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built country cottage for couples overlooks a large and sunny lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Worthy Cottage is a romantic Exmoor holiday cottage for couples in Porlock Weir. The ‘gatehouse’ cottage welcomes pets and enjoys ocean views, a generous lawned garden, an interior blending tradition with style, an open-plan design and a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • 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.