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.

Exterior of a stone-built station-master's house overlooking a platform of a steam railway.
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
5

For a stunning retreat that pulls out all the stops, The Station House is a large North Yorkshire holiday home full of charm. The Grade II listed Victorian property is ideal for large family groups, offering exquisite accommodation from which to explore the North York Moors and the Whitby coast.

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Large cottage with balcony and floor-to-ceiling French windows in Padstow.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Spectacular views of Treyarnon Bay greet guests at Trewalder, a stunning coastal cottage on the Cornish coast. The pet-friendly cottage sits above the beautiful beach and the gorgeous gardens catch the sea breeze, while the interior boasts ample windows, contemporary elegance and a wood burner.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Escape to a serene getaway at Woodland Retreat Shepherd's Hut - a beautiful wooden-clad and romantic cottage situated among a forest in Brundish, Suffolk. You can snuggle up in the comfortable and modern space, unwind on the deck, and explore the lush woodland before ending the day around the outdoor fire pit. If you have a horse, you're also welcome to bring it along to enjoy this peaceful rural retreat.

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A semi-detached Cotswold holiday cottage with leaded, bay windows overlooks a village street.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Dervish is a gorgeous Cotswold stone cottage nestled in the village of Broadway in Gloucestershire. The rural cottage boasts beams and antique furnishings, including an ornamental fireplace, and is centrally located for exploring the village and the surrounding wonders of the Cotswold countryside.

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A pair of slate-roofed stone cottages in Herefordshire with large gardens overlook a counry lane.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Birches is a Wye Valley Holiday cottage nestled beneath the Black Mountains. It is the perfect rural retreat to enjoy spectacular scenery or the Hay-On-Wye literature festival. Try hill walking, paragliding, horse riding or walking in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Pets welcome.

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Exterior of a large holiday cottage surrounded by spacious lawns.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Manicured gardens & open countryside surround Ardsley Cottage, a stylish rural holiday cottage with a hot tub at Longford Hall Farm in Hollington. The elegant cottage sits among the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales & features spacious grounds with lovely views, contemporary comforts and seclusion.

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Remote barn conversion surrounded by open fields and mature trees in The Pennines.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Imagine a large holiday home near Ripponden, nestled within the rugged and picturesque Pennine landscape, where rural tranquillity meets pure luxury. Welcome to Top Barn, a spacious and inviting 6-bedroom holiday cottage with a hot tub to bring families and friends closer amidst the stunning West Yorkshire Pennines.

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Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
7

A large and pet-friendly holiday cottage in Chiddington comprises a self-contained wing of a delightful Tudor manor house with a tennis court and games room. It is located on the Kent-Sussex border. It sleeps 17 in 7 bedrooms in 6 acres of gardens in Chiddingston near Hever.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

Discover the secluded luxury of Chapel House One, an Essex holiday cottage on Osea Island, surrounded by the Blackwater Estuary. Revel in the exclusive tidal island, a 90-minute escape from London, with private beaches, an outdoor pool, tennis court, cinema room, games room, and more. This dog-friendly waterside cottage offers flexible accommodation, ideal for family get-togethers—Book Chapel House One for a unique, beautiful getaway with stylish living areas and mezzanine space. Explore the island, visit The Puffin Pub, and enjoy EV charging facilities.

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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.