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 sprawling Dartmoor Manor house ovrlooks a sweeping, tree-lined lawn.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
8

This extraordinary manor house is nestled in the idyllic countryside, a mere mile from the village of Bridestowe, situated on the periphery of the Dartmoor National Park. A living testament to history, dating back to the 13th century, it stands as a truly exceptional Grade II* listed haven, ideally suited for families and large groups of friends seeking resplendent gathering spaces.

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Outdoor dining chairs cluster around a table on a tree-lined lawn on Osea Island. Behind them is a cross-timbered holiday cottage on Osea Island.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Introducing The Chase, a charming cottage situated on the tranquil Osea Island. This elegant retreat in Essex features a cosy lounge area with a log burner, spacious bedrooms, and three well-appointed bathrooms. Whether you're looking for quality time with family or some peaceful moments to yourself, this cottage offers the perfect ambience. With its four-poster beds and roll-top baths, you are guaranteed a comfortable stay. During summer, you can relax in the private garden with a fire pit and barbecue. Osea Island provides a range of private amenities, including beaches, a saltwater lido, an outdoor pool, a tennis court, a cinema room, a games room, and much more. So, come to Osea Island and experience your ideal seaside getaway.

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Stone-built, 2-storey Devon barn conversion by a paved courtyard and hedgerow.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Keepers Lodge, a holiday cottage in Knowstone, offers a tranquil and secluded rural getaway. Located in North Devon, close to Exmoor, this 16th-century thatched longhouse extension provides 5-star self-catering accommodation for up to 4 guests.

With two spacious ensuite bedrooms, modern amenities seamlessly blend with the historical charm of the property. The open-plan living space boasts an inglenook fireplace and other original features. Guests can unwind in the private courtyard with a hot tub, or explore the 20-acre farm grounds and nearby Exmoor National Park. The area offers stunning landscapes, from moorlands to coastal vistas, which are perfect for nature lovers to explore. After a day of exploring, guests can relax at the nearby Michelin-starred Masons Arms.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

5 Wye Rapid Cottage is a welcoming mid-terrace Wye Valley holiday cottage in the natural wonderland of Symonds Yat in Herefordshire. The pet-friendly waterside cottage offers families an ideal base for exploring the wonders of Herefordshire and features a large outdoor area with landscaped gardens and a modern, spacious interior.

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Exterior of a row of terraced houses with potted bayleaf trees aside the front doors.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Perfectly situated for couples and small families hoping to explore the Norfolk Broads, Valentine Cottage in the heart of the Norfolk market town of Aylsham, offers cosy and welcoming accommodation, a pet-friendly cottage with wood burning stove, Freeview TVs, and a brick-built summerhouse.

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A stone-built barn conversion in North Devon overlooks a farm courtyard
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Seekings Cottage is a delightful farm cottage for two located on the edge of the beautiful Exmoor National Park near South Molton. Several good pubs are nearby, including one with a Michelin-star within easy distance.

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A flower-filled, paved formal garden courtyard surrounded by large and small barn conversions
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
4

Set on the grounds of a decades-old family farm amidst botanical gardens and medieval architecture, The Cobnut near the village of South Newington, Oxfordshire, is a child-friendly Cotswolds holiday cottage featuring a brick fireplace, exposed beams, and two comfy upstairs bedrooms.

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An exterior of s Victorian holiday villa in Torquay with ample car parking space in front.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Holcombe House is a large and luxuriously presented Torbay holiday cottage in Torquay. This detached period property can sleep twelve people in six bedrooms.

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A 2-storey Cornish cottage overlook a tree-lined garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Old Coach House is a modern rural holiday cottage set in the heart of Cornwall. The pet-friendly whitewashed cottage in Roche is ideally situated to explore the countryside and the coast. It boasts exposed beams, contemporary design features, and a pleasant sunny courtyard.

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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.