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 large tile-roofed house with a sunroom overlooks a lo-rendered wall.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Blaensilltyn Farmhouse in the Ceredigion Countryside is a large, detached, pet-friendly farmhouse near Newcastle Emlyn. Located on a working farm, this spacious and well-equipped holiday home with a hot tub in West Wales sleeps 12 in 5 bedrooms and lies within easy reach of the coast.

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A large 1930s country house with a large well-kept lawn.
Sleeps
25
Bedrooms
11

Gather friends for a memorable weekend away at Ashleigh House, an elegant and affordable rural cottage near Henley-in-Arden. The sophisticated country house boasts a hot tub and sun lounge with a snooker table, ample gardens, a south-facing patio for entertaining, and period furnishings.

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Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
7

Bearwood House and Cottage are half-timbered rural holiday cottages in Leominster. Sleeping 15 people, the pet-friendly cottages in Herefordshire boast undeniable charm, beautiful views, indoor and outdoor games, a hot tub, loggia, a sunken garden, an arboretum, log fires and a tennis court.

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A contemporary country house overlooks a terrace with table laid for meals.
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
7

 

Golden Meadow is a luxurious holiday home located in South Devon that offers a unique coastal retreat. The architectural design of the property is a blend of steel, glass, and stone, creating a captivating appeal. The property features seven spacious bedrooms, a cinema room, and stylish reception areas, making it ideal for gatherings of family and friends. The outdoor spaces are Mediterranean-inspired and offer flagstone terraces and panoramic views of Start Bay. The kitchen is well-appointed, and the expansive dining room provides the perfect setting for socializing and entertaining. Golden Meadow is located near Torcross and Dartmouth, providing easy access to South Devon's sandy coves and coastal delights.

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A long, stone-built, single storey, courtyard barn conversion in Gwynedd
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Isallt is a homely stone-built holiday home near Harlech between Snowdonia and the Cambrian coast. Located on a farm, this Grade II listed 19th-century barn conversion has been refurbished to a high standard and is perfect for a rural retreat near the beach for a family holiday. Pets welcome.

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Exterior of a large, L-shaped brick East Yorkshire farmhouse overlooking a spacious courtyard and lawn.
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
7

Hall Garth is a large and impressive rural holiday cottage in Beverley sitting on beautiful grounds near Beverley in the Vale of York and Yorkshire Wolds. The grand house sleeps 14 and boasts outdoor entertaining areas with stunning views, a luxurious interior with a log fire, exposed beams, rural elegance and an open-plan design.

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Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Nuffies Cottage is a gorgeous converted barn with panoramic views of rolling green hills. The rural cottage boasts stone walls and is situated on a working farm near Winster in the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales. Exposed beams and country charm combine with modern comforts to ensure relaxation.

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Exterior of a Newtonmore holiday cottage in a restored railway signal box.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Enjoy a holiday in a thoroughly modern property converted from a historic signal box. The Signal Box is a rural holiday cottage for couples in Newtonmore with stunning views of the Cairngorms and all of the comforts of home. It was chosen as one of the 50 best UK holiday cottages by The Times Newspaper.

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Exterior of a semi-detached thatched cottage overlooking a lawned garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Blueberry Cottage in Old Cleeve makes the perfect holiday home for exploring the Exmoor coast. This 16th-century Somerset coastal cottage near the national park and Minehead Beach has two bedrooms upstairs, a thatched roof, low doorways, beamed ceilings, and a pretty cottage garden.

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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.