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 double fronted 3-storey coastal cottage in Inistow.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Cool Stone Cottage is sleek, modern and elegant. The pet-friendly cottage in Instow carries a distinct coastal vibe and lies just moments from the beach and the highlights of North Devon. Natural light floods the cottage, and the sea breeze can be enjoyed in the open-plan spaces or the lovely garden.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
L-Shaped farm cottage overlooks a lawn with mature shrubs.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Church Farm is a beautifully preserved Exmoor holiday cottage in Stoke Pero belonging to the National Trust. It offers self-catering accommodation for seven guests in three bedrooms in a beautiful part of the National Park in an idyllic rural location near Dunkery Beacon, where wild red deer and Exmoor ponies roam freely. Pets are welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A heated indoor pool and large jacuzzi.
Sleeps
19
Bedrooms
10

Mel House Cottages are a group of four pet-friendly properties that sleep from 3 to 19 Guests in the centre of attractive Newton-on-Rawcliffe in the North York Moors. Three of the four properties are rated at various levels of accessibility for disabled use. Facilities include an indoor Pool, Hot Tub, and Sauna.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Luxury 3-Bedroom New Forest Treehouse with 3 Bathrooms.

Discover eco-friendly holiday bliss at Silvertree House in the New Forest at Shorefield Country Park. This unique treehouse retreat offers stylish interiors, a private hot tub, and outdoor amenities. Three bedrooms, including a ground-floor option, ensure comfort. Enjoy modern conveniences, from a 4K Smart TV to a fully-equipped kitchen. Immerse yourself in nature with a timber walkway and silver-accented design. Ideal for families, the park boasts a swimming pool, a gym, and entertainment. Experience the magic of treehouse holidays - book your stay now!

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Northamptonshire barn conversion with a paved courtyard surrounded by open fields.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

Rectory Cottage is a gorgeous romantic cottage surrounded by lush green fields near Clipston in Northamptonshire. The eco-friendly holiday cottage sits on 14 acres of farmland. It boasts beautiful grounds, outdoor dining areas, incredible views, and a chic open-plan interior with natural light and high-end décor.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a twin-gabled Exmoor Farmhouse set back from a country lane and surrounded by open fields with a distant sea view.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
3

Wingate Farm is an impressive coastal cottage above Lynmouth on a working farm in the hamlet of Countisbury, Devon. The large, pet-friendly holiday home enjoys stunning views of the Exmoor countryside and the ocean beyond and offers seclusion, spacious grounds, fresh air, contemporary design and a log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Falmouth waterfront with moored boats overlooked by houses and apartments.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

This large seaside holiday home in Falmouth provides an unrivalled location to enjoy your Cornish holiday. Nightingale House is on the waterfront overlooking Falmouth Harbour, with amazing views from most rooms and a huge terrace. It has four double bedrooms, three bathrooms, off-road parking for two cars and WiFi.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a stone-built holiday cottage in the Lake District.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Enjoy a peaceful, relaxing Lake District holiday in Mill Cottage, a dog-friendly home just a few minutes walk to Lake Windermere on the 5000-acre Graythwaite country estate. This cosy, well-equipped cottage sleeps 4. Shared use of the indoor heated pool and other leisure facilities.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
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.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays

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.