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.

Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Stag Lodge is a large, dog-friendly, remote Highland cottage set on the 12,000-acre Glencarron Estate near Strathcarron in the Western Highlands, within easy reach of the West Coast beaches. It offers accommodation for eight people in four bedrooms, one double and three twins.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Sleeping up to four in two bedrooms, pretty Royd  Cottage, a Holiday Cottage in West Down, just a few miles from the stunning North Devon coastline and Woolacombe Beach. This family-friendly country cottage has onsite fishing and a children's play area.

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3 cottages overlook a sandy beach at low tide.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Upper Instow Beach Cottage is a charming first-floor North Devon holiday let overlooking the estuary. The dog-friendly waterside apartment has three bedrooms and sleeps five people. It has a lovely balcony where guests can enjoy uninterrupted views across the beach and estuary to Appledore and beautiful sunsets.

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Against a woodland backdrop, a large cottage with a spacious deck overlooks a flower and shrub-filled garden surrounding a lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Stable Block is an Exmoor holiday cottage for couples near the ancient seaside village of Porlock Weir with underfloor heating and an open-plan living and dining area. It's perfect for romantic breaks on the Somerset coast. This dog-friendly cottage features a Juliette balcony and has gorgeous views of the garden and Porlock Bay,

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Derby Cottage, a stone-built, ivy-clad Peak District holiday cottage.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Derby is a luxury holiday cottage for couples at Endmoor Farm in the Derbyshire Peak District near Bakewell. This beautifully furnished, pet-friendly cottage in secluded rural surroundings is a beautifully appointed romantic retreat in the countryside for two (+cot) at any time of the year.

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Restored Fortified Country House surrounded by open fields in Cumbria.
Sleeps
24
Bedrooms
12

Blencowe Hall is an award-winning Grade I-listed fortified manor in Blencowe dating back to the 1400s. Situated in Blencowe, Cumbria, the pet-friendly rural property boasts period features, open fires, extensive manicured grounds, activities such as trout fishing, stunning views and contemporary elegance.

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Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

Belle Isle Castle – Hamilton Wing is a large holiday home near Enniskillen that offers sumptuous accommodation for up to 16 guests on an estate spread over eight picturesque islands on the northern tip of Upper Lough Erne in County Fernaugh, a child-friendly property with modern amenities expertly complementing original features.

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A grand 3-storey Georgian country house in the Cornish countryside partly surrounded by trees.
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

The Vean is a large Georgian country house near St Austell, nestled among woodland, boasting refinement and luxury, abundant grounds, and an open fire. The luxury holiday cottage on Caerhays Estate is ideal for special occasions and just moments from Cornwall's coastline.

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Aerial photo of a Loch in the Scottish Highlands with a holiday cottage in the foreground.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Enjoy a unique holiday with a stay at Port na Mine, a large and child-friendly cottage near the Scottish village of Taynuilt, Argyll and Bute. The luxury cottage affords picturesque views of Loch Etive and Glencoe, featuring six bedrooms, a wood effect electric fire, and a fully enclosed garden. Enjoy a unique holiday with a stay at Port na Mine, a large and child-friendly cottage near the Scottish village of Taynuilt, Argyll and Bute. The luxury cottage affords picturesque views of Loch Etive and Glencoe, featuring six bedrooms, a wood effect electric fire, and a fully enclosed garden.

  • Active Holidays
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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.