A surfer traverses a large wave. Find holiday cottages for active holidays in the open air.

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.

Stylish, sunlit lounge interior with sofa, armchairs and wide-screen TV
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Chic on Fleek is a modern holiday apartment in the heart of the county town of Taunton, Somerset, a welcoming romantic cottage featuring a contemporary colour scheme, modern appliances, and a master king with an en-suite walk-in shower, just a short walk from local pubs and historic castle.

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Contemporary 3-storey holiday cottage in Cornwall with an integral garage.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Cutting-edge design and enviable views distinguish this luxury Cornish coastal cottage in Millbrook. Balconies with lake views, a furnished garden, big corner sofas and a cinema room invite relaxation. At the same time, the Cornwall coast waits to be explored just moments from this ultra-stylish 3-bedroom holiday cottage.

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A 2-storey house with a central clocktower and a long 1st-floor deck overlooking a spacious lawn.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

2-bedroom self-catering apartments for smaller families or couples at the Clippesby Hall family holiday park in Norfolk. Guests benefit from balcony views over the Old Walled Garden and enjoy a communal indoor heated swimming pool.

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A Stone-built cottage surrounded by a low stone wall with open fields beyond.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Escape to the splendour of the Pembrokeshire Coast with a stay at Clicketts Heath. This spacious and welcoming countryside cottage is located between the Welsh towns of Tenby and Saundersfoot. The cottage is pet-friendly and features a well-equipped kitchen, a sitting room with Freeview TV, and three first-floor bedrooms.

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A single storey stone built cottage with a raised terrace overlooking a garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The delightful village of Lastingham houses this 18th-century stone-built cottage for couples with an authentic exterior and high-quality interior. The romantic cottage features delightful decor plus a patio area within easy reach of The North York Moors National Park or the coast at Whitby.

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Exterior of a large timber lodge with a spacious deck overlooking an equally spacious, secure lawn.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

This is a fantastic, recently-built holiday home near Carbis Bay that is detached and has a reverse-level layout. It boasts five bedrooms and has been finished to an exceptional standard, with stylish and spacious accommodation. The property is situated in a slightly elevated location, offering breathtaking views of the sea and coastline from the front. On a clear day, you can see all the way up the coast to Godrevy Lighthouse and even as far as St Agnes Head.

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A large, rendered Hereford holiday home overlooks a spacious paved courtyard
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

Cedars House is a large Herefordshire holiday cottage in Whitchurch amidst a designated National Landscape. It is beautifully restored and combines modern amenities with original features, including wood floors and fireplaces. This adorable and pet-friendly Georgian property can accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 bedrooms (4 en-suite).

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L-shaped exterior of a country cottage with a lawn surrounded by flowering shrubs and bushes.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Church Farm is a rustic stone-built holiday cottage in Stoke Pero, a small village in the Exmoor National Park. The pet-friendly holiday home sleeps four and offers views of rolling hills, a furnished garden, an interior with exposed beams, antique and hunting décor, Laura Ashley linen, and a cosy wood-burning stove.

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A long country lodge in North Yorkshire overlooking a walled paddock lined by trees
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Masongill Lodge is a charming rural cottage in the hamlet of Masongill, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This Grade II-listed Yorkshire longhouse was built in 1709 and features exposed beams, two log fires, an Aga, and a walk right from the front door. The property also includes a paddock and garden with breathtaking views.

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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 direct to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.