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.

3-storey exterior of a Whitby holiday home with a garage on the ground floor
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Shipwrights sits by the River Esk just a few moments from the beautiful beaches of Whitby. This large seaside holiday cottage in North Yorkshire is situated among Whitby's attractions and catches the sea breeze in its charming garden—a perfect location to explore the North York Moors and Coast.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A single storey, Gwynedd barn conversion in a courtyard with outdoor tables and chairs.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Savour the spectacular Menai Straits view from the Penrallt Cottage patio and delight in the peace and tranquillity of this stone-built conversion near Bangor in North Wales. Appreciate the combination of contemporary style and traditional charm of this coastal cottage.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Situated on a beautiful farm overlooking the Jurassic Coast in West Dorset, The Swallows is one of seven-holiday cottages at Character Farm Cottages near Weymouth. 4-star rated by Visit England, it comfortably sleeps four. It is exceptionally well-appointed and open throughout the year. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey barconversion with a low stone wall overlooks a paved drive and a spacious lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Heath Cottage in the rural hamlet of Ollerbrook, Derbyshire, is the ideal High Peak romantic cottage for couples on holiday in the East Midlands, a stone-built barn conversion situated close to the owners’ farmhouse with cosy beamed living room and patio with lovely views of the countryside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
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  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
Decked entrance, outdoor dining area and meadow setting.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A private lodge for couples only. Just a 5-minute drive from North Devon surf beaches and SW coast path. This immaculate, one-bedroom luxury lodge has a king-size bed and a gorgeous bathroom. Well-appointed kitchenette. South-facing outdoor decking, set in a pretty meadow. A calm and relaxing retreat.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Stone-built exterior of an Exmoor country house and its courtyard garden.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
1

Allerford View is the only self-catering apartment at Bossington Hall near Porlock. This one-bedroom Exmoor holiday apartment with a wet room is listed as ‘accessible’, but it is equally suitable for non-disabled gusts. The adaptions are discrete and unobtrusive. We created this apartment as there are few self-catering properties in the area with facilities like this.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Stables is a lovely two-bedroom, two-bathroom holiday cottage in Beverley, rated 5-star. Set on our farmstead in 19 acres of grass and woodland two miles from historic Beverley. Free wifi - arrive any day - ground floor bedroom and wetroom. SEE OUR VIRTUAL TOUR ON OUR WEBSITE.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A large, contemporary 3-storey apartment building with a central gable of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Make your stay along the Welsh Riviera memorable with a stay at The Mushroom House, a fabulous ground-floor, seaside holiday apartment in  Tenby. This one-bedroom romantic cottage for couples is just steps from award-winning Pembrokeshire beaches. It features open plan living space and a front decked area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This unique accommodation is part of a historic water mill and retains original features, including exposed beams and huge mill windows. The peaceful Warwickshire village of Tredington is ideally situated between the Cotswolds and Stratford-on-Avon. Fishing is available on-site.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • 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.