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.

Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Located next to a stream in the village of Cark in Cartmel, 14 Low Row is a charming holiday cottage in the Lake District. This pet-friendly accommodation in Cumbria provides easy access to all the local attractions and offers modern amenities, several outdoor relaxation areas, exposed wooden beams, and a comfortable wood burner for a cosy stay.

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Exterior of a chalet bungalow overlooking an ornate garden with rockery
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

North End Farm's Old Dairy is a very comfortable, spacious rural holiday cottage for couples near Bridport in Broadchurch country on Dorset's Jurassic Coast with walks and beautiful beaches nearby. Well-equipped kitchen, central heating, wood burner and Strauss piano. Great pubs.

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A lighthouse complex offers clifftop views along the North Cornwall coast.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
5

For a genuinely quirky holiday home with stunning ocean views, stay at Lizard Lighthouse on the Southernmost tip of mainland Britain. This large Cornwall holiday cottage near Helston stands in a remote cliff-top location with spectacular coastal walks.

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Exterior of a brick-built country cottage with a patio dining set on its courtyard.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Country Idyll is an elegant rural cottage located close to Grantham. It is built with beautiful stone and surrounded by picturesque countryside and a lovely garden that offers delightful views. The cottage features ornate furnishings and boasts outdoor spaces along with a cosy log fire, promising a tranquil and comfortable stay.

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A rural holiday cottage with a terracotta roof sits behind a lawn with a shingled footpath.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Avonside Cottage is a unique riverside holiday cottage set beside the Avon River in the historic village of Pill in Somerset. The property sleeps four and boasts a sunny patio with river views, a lawned space, an interior with vaulted ceilings and wooden panelling, and open-plan design and true style.

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A spacious double-bedroom with a bed and deep, polished copper bath.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Botloes Cottage is a beautiful wooden-clad cottage surrounded by lush green fields on Botloes Farm in Newent, Gloucestershire. The romantic cottage offers seclusion and sophistication and promises couples a log fire, exposed beams, a copper bath, an Aga stove and a beautiful garden with lovely views.

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2-storey exterior of. stone-built barn conversion overlooking a paved terrace and a lawn
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Harvest Cottage welcomes couples to a pretty stone and pantiled farm cottage near Pickering in the heart of picturesque Levisham. The pet-friendly, one-bedroom barn conversion offers ample gardens and peace and quiet. It is an ideal base for exploring the North York Moors and coast.

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A two storey brick house with a large gable end overlooks a lawn and spacious parking area.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Apple Mill is a delightful Grade II listed holiday cottage in East Devon, accessed via its own driveway. This large rural retreat near Tipton St John sleeping 8 has a secluded, private garden, hot tub and courtyard.

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Stone built front exterior of a traditional Cumbrian cottage overlooking a quiet road.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Glen Bank won the Visit England's 5* Gold Award in 2019. Fields and woodland surround this Cumbrian property in Appleby-in-Westmoreland. The pet-friendly cottage boasts outdoor entertaining areas with sweeping views and offers a light-filled orangery, two wood burners, exposed beams, and a dog shower.

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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.