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.

Exterior of a 3-storey townhouse on a quiet lane in Looe.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

On the edge of the old part of East Looe and a short stroll from the seafront and sandy beach nestles The Den, a roomy and contemporary ground-floor apartment in a 100-year-old building. It has its own parking and a rock-face enclosed courtyard, ideal for enjoying barbecues on sunny days.

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A stone-built barn conversion overlooks a lawned garden.
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
4

Nestled in the rural hamlet of Bottomhouse near Ipstones village, Bottomhouse Barn is a large and spacious 18th-century barn. It offers self-catering holidays to large families or groups of friends. This Peak District holiday home in Derbyshire sleeps 15 and benefits from gorgeous rural views and a hot tub.

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An Anglesey bungalow surrounded by lawns and a woodland backdrop.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Spectacular views of Blue Flag Llanddona Beach are available from almost every window of this pet-friendly cottage for four in Anglesey. With everything arranged on a single floor, Hen Felin Isaf is convenient, welcoming, and relaxing, truly a seaside holiday destination of your dreams.

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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 stone-built North Yorkshire holiday cottage surrounded by woods and fields.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Based on a quiet, traditional hill farm in Farndale near Kirkby-Moorside, The Arches is a stone-built barn conversion offering luxury self-catering holidays in the North York Moors. Meticulously restored to modern living standards, the semi-detached cottage is ideal for families of all ages. Pets welcome.

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A single-storey Dorset holiday cottage overlooks a large lawn surrounded by a wooden fence, trees and rose bushes.
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
5

Situated amidst the splendour of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and boasting amenities suitable for all ages, Court House Farmhouse is a large holiday cottage on the edge of the Dorset village of Whitchurch Canonicorum. This a child-friendly cottage with five bedrooms, a private hot tub, and a shared games barn.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A charming, modern Lake District holiday apartment for two set in an idyllic rural location, this beautifully decorated property in Bowness-on-Windermere sleeps two and is a perfect base from which to explore the Lake and surrounding countryside.

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A lawn slope down boat moored on the banks of the River Severn
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

If breathtaking views and the waterside scenery are a priority for you, Rosewaters Cottage near Stourport-on-Severn offers you plenty. Sitting on the banks of the River Severn, this Worcestershire dog-friendly holiday home offers luxury waterside self-catering for 2-7 guests.

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Exterior of an Exmoor Barn conversion on a bend in an empty country lane.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Situated on a working sheep farm and featuring comfortable upside-down self-catering accommodation on Exmoor, The Granary near the rural village of Luxborough, Somerset, makes a peaceful retreat amidst the Exmoor countryside. This child-friendly barn conversion has charming beams, exposed stone walls, and solid oak floors.

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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.