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 contemporary 2-storey brick house surrounded by open fields.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

The Mayfair in the Cambridgeshire hamlet of Six Mile Bottom makes the perfect place for a large family or group holiday, a contemporary child-friendly cottage featuring six spacious bedrooms, a modern kitchen, and a wraparound garden with stunning countryside views.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Torquay holiday cottage sits behind a rose covered stone wall.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Explore the charm of Little Acre, a recently refurbished holiday let in Torquay's serene Wellswood Village. This charming retreat is perfect for family getaways on the English Riviera, offering comfort with a sunny rear courtyard, a well-equipped kitchen, and three inviting bedrooms. With its proximity to Anstey's Cove and Meadfoot Beach, Little Acre is an ideal seaside escape in South Devon. Discover nearby attractions such as Kent's Cavern and Babbacombe Model Village, or enjoy the gastropub and traditional delights within reach. Little Acre promises a delightful home-away-from-home experience for a memorable English Riviera holiday.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
A garden table with a parasol sits outside a stone-built barn conversion in Cumbria.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Onsite owners greet you with a welcome package, just the first of many outstanding touches you’ll find with a stay at Woodside Barn, a remote, child-friendly holiday cottage in the secluded hamlet of Pennington on the Cumbrian coast near Ulverston and the Lake District. Sleeps 4.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Stone-built exterior of a Peak District Cottage with flower-covered flagstone terrace.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Jasmine Cottage is a charming countryside retreat in Derbyshire's Peak District, blending traditional features with modern amenities. The child-friendly cottage features an en-suite bathroom with a waterfall shower and a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey barn conversion with  terracotta tiles nestles against a cluster of small trees overlooking a large garden and fields in East Sussex.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Set amidst an East Sussex valley north of the South Downs, Cherrystone Barn is a rural retreat near Lewes; a perfect holiday getaway for couples, this romantic countryside cottage with a hot tub has an enclosed garden offering expansive views, an open-plan living area and a separate bedroom with en-suite rolltop bath.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
8

A charming Grade-II listed stone holiday cottage in Snainton near Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast, this pet-friendly holiday cottage sleeps 17 in 8 bedrooms and oozes warmth and charm. Relax in the hot tub, walk in the North York Moors or enjoy a day trip to the seaside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
1st floor exterior o fa stone built Kendal holiday cottage.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

In the Lake District charming town of Kendal, you’ll find this romantic cottage built for two nestled down a short alley just a few hundred yards from the surrounding town centre. With so much to offer in all seasons, you’ll fall in love with Wood Cottage in Cumbria.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a wooden eco-lodge with woods to the rear and open fields in the foreground.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Exposed beams and trusses, a timber-clad exterior and spacious rooms make this converted barn near Rhayader an ideal rural retreat for families and couples planning a walking or cycling holiday exploring Mid-Wales, including the Brecon Beacons and the Radnorshire Hills.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a brick-built barn conversion surrounded by open countryside
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Little Owl’s Barn is gorgeous. The romantic Herefordshire barn conversion is nestled among apple orchards near Preston Wynne. It offers luxurious fittings, exposed beams, and wonderful views of the surrounding 100 acres of farmland and orchards. Generous grounds and seclusion complete the picture.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm 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.