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.

A red brick Herefordshire holiday cottage with a ground floor extension is surrounded by a low tone wall
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Point Cottage is a gorgeous 18th-century stone-built cottage full of rustic charm. The pet-friendly, 2-bedroom village holiday cottage near Hereford features a wood burner, exposed wood beams, wall timbers and floors, plus lovely grounds with views.

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A modern single storey lodge stands in front of trees overlooking a hedge-lined field.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This delightful lodge on Wakes Hall Farm is a haven of peace on 500 acres of private land. Having recently been awarded a five-star AA award, it features an open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting area, a verandah and a hot tub. The historic town of Colchester is 40 minutes away.

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Exterior of a barn conversion overlooking a garden courtyard
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Pasture View Cottage is a large eco-friendly, single-storey country cottage on the edge of Pickering for holidays exploring the North York Moors and the North Yorkshire coast. Features include a large private garden and a very well-equipped kitchen. Children will love the play area and play shed.

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Stone-built, barn conversion exterior with a raised, secure BBQ terrace.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

The Old Cart House is a large luxury barn conversion in the North York Moors, situated on a hill farm in Farndale near Helmsley; a genuinely stunning renovation from top to bottom, this large holiday home in North Yorkshire boasts top-of-the-range decor throughout and contemporary finishes, perfect for group and large family holidays. Pets welcome.

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A modern detached house with large windows and space for off-road parking in front.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Set in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is Gwelfor, a luxurious coastal holiday cottage in Marloes. The large, sophisticated house enjoys access to the highlights of South Wales and Pembrokeshire. It offers a contemporary open-plan design, light-filled spaces, lovely grounds, a sea breeze and a wood burner.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Visitors to Alpine Lodge are offered the rare privilege of enjoying a rural cottage between the mountains and the sea. The pet-free, detached cottage sits on its own grounds on the outskirts of Rhyd-y-Foel in North Wales and is just moments from Snowdonia and the sandy beaches of Abergele.

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A terraced stone cottage with a low wall around the front garden
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The stone walls of Englewood Cottage encase a delightfully appointed, two-bedroom, pet-friendly holiday cottage in Northumberland, replete with contemporary fittings, exposed timber beams, inglenook fireplace, multi-fuel stove, four poster beds and a large garden bordered by a small stream.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Compass is a stylish one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the resort town of Swanage, Dorset, a romantic flat within a pleasant courtyard that makes a cosy holiday escape for couples, with a private parking space, fully fitted kitchen, breakfast bar, tiled bathroom, and comfy sitting area.

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A chapel conversion with a large rose window sits behind a low stone wall.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Old Methodist Chapel is a sophisticated conversion of the old chapel in Rosedale Abbey. Set amid the North York Moors and Coast, the cottage features tall arched windows, exposed timbers, stripped pine doors, a cast iron and marble fireplace, a furnished sunny patio, and an open fire.

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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.