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.

Exterior of a stone-built holiday cottage in the Lake District.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Enjoy a peaceful, relaxing Lake District holiday in Mill Cottage, a dog-friendly home just a few minutes walk to Lake Windermere on the 5000-acre Graythwaite country estate. This cosy, well-equipped cottage sleeps 4—shared use of the indoor heated pool and other leisure facilities.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Ivey-clad exterior of an Exmoor stone barn conversion.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Set among the meadows in the Quarme Valley, West Huckham Barn is a converted rural holiday cottage on Exmoor boasting wonderful moorland views and contemporary style. The pet-friendly cottage near Wheddon Cross has a wood-burning stove, traditional features, vaulted ceilings, expansive grounds and a conservatory.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Wisteria-clad, gable end of a restored weavers cottage with two rows of windows in The Pennines.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Tyas Cottage is a secluded rural cottage in West Yorkshire and offers lovely walks from its doorstep. The elegant pet-friendly cottage near Bradshaw boasts a sculpture-filled garden, antique furnishings, modern comforts, woodland views, a log fire, a four-poster bed and exposed beams.

  • Active Holidays
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A view from sun loungers on a balcony to surf breaking on a beach in the distance.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Sunnycliffe House is a stunning 3-bedroom North Devon holiday cottage in Woolacombe with panoramic sea views across the Bay. This beautiful coastal cottage overlooks Combesgate Beach, Baggy Point and Lundy Island. The house is mainly open-plan, with a sunny terrace off the lounge, a picnic table, and sun loungers.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A row of barn conversions are reflected in the surface of a lake.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Braefoot is a North Devon countryside cottage in West Down close to beaches at Woolacombe and Ilfracombe. This child-friendly rural retreat at Lower Aylescott Farm is ideally located for family holidays exploring the North Devon coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Barn conversions are reflected in the waters of a lake.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Duror is a pretty, three-bedroom holiday cottage at Lower Aylescott near Woolacombe in North Devon. The child-friendly cottage is within easy reach of award-winning beaches and the Exmoor National Park. Sleeping 2-6, guests can access onsite fishing and a children's play area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Two rows of cottages converted from stables line two-sides of a courtyard.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

This charming holiday cottage in Enniskillen is decorated to a high standard. It features period furnishings and a wood-burning stove. The cottage also has a small outdoor patio, a sitting area, a kitchen, a twin bedroom, and a bathroom.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A lighthouse complex with a squat tower perches on a clifftop.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Rowena Cottage is uniquely positioned inside a converted lighthouse near Swanage. It enjoys superb ocean views from Anvil Point. The pet-friendly cottage features ample grounds to soak up the views of the Dorset coastline. It boasts luxury and a rare chance to get away in a spectacular location.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A modern single storey lodge stands in front of trees overlooking a hedge-lined field.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This delightful lodge on Wakes Hall Farm is a haven of peace on 500 acres of private land. Recently awarded a five-star AA rating, it features an open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting area, a verandah, and a hot tub. The historic town of Colchester is 40 minutes away.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • 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.