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 stone, 2-storey, Dorset barn conversion overlooks a courtyard.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Drackenorth Lodge is a large and impressive rural holiday home in Hooke. The Lodge sleeps eight and is finished to a very high standard. It offers multiple furnished outdoor spaces, a light-filled open-plan layout with exposed beams, and an upside-down design. This converted barn has beautiful village views and the Dorset countryside.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

Woodlands is a large, family-friendly holiday cottage that sleeps 8. Ideal for children, It is a large semi-detached Edwardian Farmhouse with Wi-Fi set in the countryside 1.5 miles from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The farmhouse lies off a quiet country lane with a large garden and ample parking. Pets are welcome.

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A 3-storey, wood and glass holiday home in a rural location.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Scarlet Pimpernel is a sophisticated rural cottage offered by Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa in Colchester, Suffolk. The contemporary retreat boasts beautiful views of the golf course and gardens and features open-plan spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light and large balconies.

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A hot tub under a pergola sits in front of a large 2-storey, Somerset farmhouse.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
5

Surridge Farmhouse is a Grade II listed Exmoor cottage in the Brendon Hills near Waterrow in Somerset. The large, pet-friendly cottage sits on 80 acres of grounds, is steeped in tradition with exposed beams and fireplaces, and offers a games room, modern comforts, and an Iron Age Play Fort for children.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Ysgubor Penrallt is a little treasure, a romantic, rural retreat for two near Bangor in North Wales with superb sea views across the Menai Straits to Anglesey—a perfect coastal location for couples exploring North Wales beaches and Snowdonia in all seasons.

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A two-storey Essex holiday cottage overlooking a lawn with a parasol on Osea Island
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Garden House is a warm and inviting Essex holiday cottage on Osea Island located near the waterfront, boasting a charming and cosy atmosphere. The interior is tastefully decorated, radiating comfort and sophistication, making it an excellent choice for a luxurious holiday retreat. This holiday home is situated in the central village area of the island, providing convenient access to all the island's attractions while also offering a private and secluded refuge.

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Q double-fronted, redbrick terraced holiday cottage in Wareham.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Ammonite is a characterful Dorset coastal cottage on the Jurassic Coast in the Dorset town of Wareham. It can sleep seven people in four bedrooms.

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A stone-built cottage with enclosed porch overlooks a secure lawned garden
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This converted 17th-century stone barn with a private, enclosed garden is located half a mile up a private drive on a working arable farm near the village of Docklow. It offers plenty of country walks with stunning unspoilt views.

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A stone barn conversion with a wisteria-clad pergola over the front door is surrounded by large lawns.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Perfectly located for exploring the Peak District, Church Barn is a beautifully presented countryside cottage with beamed ceilings, flagged floors, an open fire and a mature garden. This cosy holiday cottage for couples lies in the pretty village of Fenny Bentley, surrounded by glorious countryside.

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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.