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 single-storey cottage  surrounded by trees and flowering shrubs.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Mineshop Holiday Cottages are located in the heart of the stunning Mineshop Valley, a short walk through the fields and woodland to the beach at Crackington Haven near Bude in North Cornwall. Set in a secluded and tranquil spot, it's the perfect getaway for families, couples and dog owners.

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A soingle-storey, stone-built, Exmoor barn conversion surrounded by trees and hedgerows.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Enjoy self-catering cottage holidays on Exmoor with a stay at Higher Bumsley Barn, a charming barn conversion near the rural settlement of Parracombe, Devon. It stands on 50 acres of an Environmental/Conservation Farm and is a countryside cottage with a vaulted ceiling, two comfy bedrooms, and a Woodburner.

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Atwin-gabled contemporary house with a large drive and secure fenced garden.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

The Retreat near the village of Lympsham, Somerset, sits on the edge of the Mendip Hills, a peaceful countryside cottage on a rural 300-year-old property featuring an open plan kitchen and dining area with quartz worktops and integrated appliances, four cosy bedrooms, and a wood-burning stove.

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A Thatched farmhouse with a garden surrounded by a picket fence.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

Bilshay Farmhouse is a pretty, thatched Dorset Farmhouse sleeping up to 10 over 4 bedrooms in a rural location with far-reaching views of rolling hills, a short distance from the market town of Bridport. This large holiday property also includes a hot tub, trampoline and games room. Dogs welcome.

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Exterior of a vine-clad Cotswold honeystone cottage in Chipping Norton.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Lowfields is a quiet country cottage near Chipping Norton set on the edge of a peaceful hamlet in the heart of the Cotswolds. This spacious, child-friendly holiday cottage offers lovely rural views of the Oxfordshire countryside and welcomes pets.

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A Weymouth apartment deck with a table laid for breakfast.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Discover the homely comforts of The Seafoal, a Lyme Regis holiday apartment, perfect for a seaside retreat for two. Enjoy breathtaking sea views, a private roof terrace, and a king-size bed. This contemporary haven, nestled behind Lyme’s main high street, offers a prime location with onsite parking. Immerse yourself in comfort with a well-equipped kitchen, smart TV, and Juliet balcony. Explore Lyme Regis’s charm, beaches, and iconic landmarks from this exclusive second-floor escape. Experience the best of the coast at The Seafoal – your ideal seaside apartment.

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Frontage of a large 3-storey, Devon country house overlooking an outdoor pool and tree-lined lawns.
Sleeps
38
Bedrooms
18

Discover the ultimate South Devon holiday rental at Alston Hall, a luxurious country retreat with a pool designed for large gatherings. With 18 bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, and extensive facilities, including indoor/outdoor pools, a tennis court, and more, it promises an idyllic stay for up to 38 guests. Immerse yourself in comfort, grandeur, and fun; perfect for family reunions or group getaways. Explore the stunning surroundings and enjoy easy access to Mothecombe Beach and Plymouth. View this luxury holiday home with a pool now.

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A 2-storey house with a ground-floor extension overlooks a courtyard and mature garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Coachman’s Cottage is a gorgeous romantic bolthole with ocean views in West Porlock, Somerset. The former stable block sleeps two, welcomes pets, and features contemporary style and traditional charm, ample grounds, wooden floors, furnished outdoor spaces, a sea breeze and a log fire. 

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Fun in the sun is assured at 16 Woolacombe, a luxurious coastal apartment in Woolacombe Bay, Devon, which bathes in natural light and carries an effortless coastal chic throughout. The apartment also offers a swimming pool, sauna, treatment room, and modern comfort just minutes from the beach.

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  • Walking Holidays

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.