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 restored coach house with a large deck surrounded by a flower and shrub filled garden on Exmoor.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Coach House near the seaside village of Porlock Weir, Somerset, is the perfect romantic getaway for two along the Exmoor coast; a small dog-friendly cottage offering gorgeous views of Porlock Bay from the private terrace, stone flagged flooring and an upstairs double bedroom with comfy king-size bed.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Enjoy a romantic Cotswolds holiday with a stay at Second Nature on the outskirts of the spa town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, the perfect getaway for couples wanting to explore this picturesque region. Second Nature is an eco-friendly rural retreat for two boasting a distinctive four-poster bed and walk-in rain shower.

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Aerial photo of a detached cottage surrounded by lawns and open countryside
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Ty Gwyrdd (Green House) Plas Drygarn Cottage is a rural holiday cottage in Pembrokeshire located in the lower yard of our smallholding along with our newly renovated Ty Coch (Red House) in a beautiful country location near Crymych with amazing views from the windows/patio/garden. It is ideal for both family holidays and couples alike. 2 well behaved dogs allowed after reading conditions of hire

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A double-fronted exterior of a converted coach house with large quartered windows overlooking a flagstoned courtyard.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Enjoy relaxing self-catering holidays in a quiet rural corner of the Lancashire countryside at Balloo. This converted 3-bedroom coach house stands on 200 acres of grounds on the Wyreside House Estate with ponds and riverside picnic spots.

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Exterior of a contemporary detached village house behind a dry stone wall.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

 Tawny Cottage is a spacious holiday let with a hot tub in the Cotswolds, perfect for families and groups. This pet-friendly property sleeps eight guests in four bedrooms. It features a large garden, a wood-burning stove, and an open-plan kitchen/dining area. The cottage is located in Fulbrook village, close to Burford and local attractions. Guests can enjoy nearby walking and cycling trails, as well as visits to Oxford and Blenheim Palace. Discover more about this large holiday let in the Cotswolds.

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Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
4

Cariad Cottage is a large, pet-friendly Ceredigion Holiday Cottage with a hot tub. Located near Aberaeron in a quiet countryside location, this welcoming rural cottage sleeps 11 in 4 bedrooms, one being wheelchair accessible with a wet room. Cariad has two fun-fishing lakes.

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A single-storey clapperboard barn conversion with a patio and well-kept lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Broomers Barn is a beautifully appointed single-storey, wooden-clad barn located in a very pretty and peaceful setting. Full-length bi-fold doors open up from the living space onto a private decked area and lawns with uninterrupted views over the surrounding countryside.

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A Lighthouse complex on a clifftop with panoramic ocean views.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Panoramic ocean views stretch before Verity Cottage, a sophisticated coastal cottage within Trevose Head Lighthouse. The coast of Cornwall lies on either side of the cottage, which boasts outdoor entertaining spaces, contemporary comfort, light and airy design, the chance to get away from it all with more clean, fresh, revitalising air than you could shake a windsock at.

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Front exterior of a 2-storey holiday home in Thurlestone with a wide drive for parking.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Explore Lower Goosewell Cottage, a charming South Devon Coastal Cottage. This Thurlestone holiday let is near the village pub and South West Coastal Path and offers easy beach access. Enjoy luxurious comforts, including an open-plan lounge with entertainment amenities, a well-equipped kitchen, and ensuite bedrooms. Outside, relax on the sea-facing patio or explore the spacious garden. Off-road parking and stunning sea views make it the perfect seaside cottage for your Thurlestone getaway. View now for more details!

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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.