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 large farmhouse stands at the end of a wide drive with lawns to one side.
Sleeps
22
Bedrooms
10

Lowe Farmhouse is a large Holiday Cottage near Hereford located on a 230-acre farm in the Herefordshire countryside. It sleeps 22 in 10 bedrooms with ample communal areas, two well-equipped kitchens, a large dining room, and a games room. It's stunningly rural but not isolated - it's just a ten-minute walk to the local village and pub.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Moorparks Barn is a North Devon holiday home in Beaford, a village near Great Torrington. Reverse-level accommodation offers two bedrooms on the ground floor, one king-size and one twin. Ground floor bathroom. Stairs leading to the lounge/diner, kitchen and cloakroom. The Barn is suitable for children over six years of age.

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Aerial view of Marine Cottage in Falmouth looking across rooftops towards the sea.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Marine Cottage is a stunning 18th-century house located in the heart of Falmouth, a charming Cornish town. This Grade II-listed seaside cottage boasts luxurious detailing, an open fire, and a sun-drenched courtyard that offers breathtaking views of the nearby seaside, which is just a short stroll away.

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L-shaped exterior of a barn conversion with a gable end of wood-framed glass windows overlooking a large lawn.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Westbrook Barn is a Somerset holiday home situated on the outskirts of the charming village of Evercreech. It is a charming countryside cottage with four well-presented bedrooms spread on either side, a mezzanine area, exposed ceiling beams, a cosy sitting room with a feature fireplace, and an outdoor gazebo.

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2-storey chalet bungalow surrounded by a garden.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Beautiful barn conversion with brand New Hot Tub fitted in Feb 2022. This semi-rural cottage near Stratford-upon-Avon is surrounded by gorgeous countryside. It boasts an interior replete with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and a hot tub, ensuring a memorable and delightful holiday.

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exterior view of a stone-built barn conversion amidst a garden full of mature shrubs, bushes and a lawn.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Set in a gorgeous countryside location near Holywell Bay just six miles west of Newquay, this beautifully restored eco home is perfect for four and accepts two dogs. Tastefully furnished with a spacious living area, two luxurious bedrooms and fantastic rural views, it is the ideal family retreat in any season.

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A stone built holiday cottage in Ampleforth with a deck and courtyard containing outdoor seating option.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Ford End Cottage is a delightful rural cottage in the lovely village of Ampleforth in the North York Moors and Coast. Ideally situated for an enjoyable holiday, the pet-friendly cottage offers an open fire, a pleasant garden, light-filled spaces & reminders of its 18th-century origins.

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A timbered eco-lodge sits in front of mature woods overlooking open fields.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Escape to the countryside and experience an enchanting holiday at Woodbell Lodge. This luxurious cottage is one of five detached properties located on the beautiful Wakes Hall Estate, near the village of Wakes Colne in Essex. The property is pet-friendly and features a veranda, hot tub, two en-suite bedrooms, and modern eco-technology.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Positioned at the end of the three-mile shingle beach at Slapton Sands, you couldn’t get closer to the sea if you tried. Step inside this beautiful apartment, and you’ll instantly feel at home. Enjoy the fantastic sea views from the Juliet balcony, or relax in the spacious open-plan living areas.

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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.