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 Coniston holiday bungalow with a lawn and large tarmac space for guest's cars
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

With glorious views looking down onto Coniston Water, Underwood is a beautifully presented single-story Lake District holiday cottage with a private hot tub for families of friends wishing to spend time in this Cumbrian Walkers paradise. Sleeps 6. Pets welcome.

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Exterior of a 2-storey wooden barn converted to a New Forest holiday cottage
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Imagine a tranquil escape to the enchanting New Forest, where the embrace of nature and the comfort of a well-appointed barn conversion harmonize to create the ideal self-catering holiday. Welcome to Ash Barn, a captivating retreat nestled within the grounds of Goesmere Gardens, just a leisurely three miles west of Fordingbridge and on the outskirts of the charming village of Damerham. Here, you will discover the perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation, where a high-ceilinged and spacious interior serves as a delightful canvas for family or friends seeking a memorable getaway.

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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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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Retreat is featured in the Daphne Du Maurier novel The King’s General. Couples can write their own holiday narrative at this romantic cottage with a cute patio in St Keyne near Liskeard, Cornwall. The pet-friendly, 1-bedroom rural cottage features inviting, modern décor blended with rustic charm.

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Sleeps
18
Bedrooms
8

The Stables Cottages, one of 12 4-star Exmoor Holiday Cottages at Duddings, is a large Somerset holiday cottage sleeping 16-18 in 8 bedrooms. It is in a beautiful rural valley near Dunster in The Exmoor National Park. Amenities include an Indoor pool, spa bath, games room, tennis court, trampoline, etc. Pets welcome.

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Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
5

The Old Robin Hood is a Grade II listed rural cottage near Holmesfield that boasts beautiful Peak District views and Derbyshire Dales. The large, pet-friendly cottage possesses country charm and modern comforts and includes a spacious garden, a hot tub, a games room, exposed beams and an open fire.

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A 2-storey, stone-built holiday cottage in Cumbria overlooking a sunny courtyard
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Old Cottage lies in the quaint rural village of Nateby near Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria between The Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. The two bedrooms sit downstairs, while the kitchen and sitting room enjoy rural views from the first floor of this dog-friendly cottage.

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Doiuble-fronted exterior of a stone holiday cottage in Cumbria surrounded by mature trees.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A thoughtful barn conversion, one of four cottages located by the River Lune in a beautifully remote location near Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria. The Old Stables is a countryside cottage on the western edge of Yorkshire Dales National Park, featuring exposed beams, upside-down accommodation and under-floor heating.

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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.