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 semi-detached Cornish cottage overlooks a block-paved courtyard.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Curlew's Cwtch offers country charm within reach of the ocean. The pet-friendly holiday cottage lies moments from the beaches of Polzeath. It boasts views of the Cornish countryside from its ample garden, a pastel palette with local art, open-plan design, picture windows and a wood-burning stove.

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Exterior of a contemporary house in Cornwall with a balcony overlooking a large lawned garden bordered with shrubs and trees.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This beautiful home is just a short drive from Truro. Situated within The Valley Resort, it has everything you need for a stylish retreat close to fantastic amenities. You can enjoy outdoor dining on your private patio or take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque surrounding woodland—it's the perfect Cornish holiday for a small family of two couples..

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Exterior of a brick-built holiday bungalow in Fakenham with spacious off-road parking.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Country charm defines Honey Buzzard Barn. The stone-built, pet-friendly, rural holiday cottage in Fakenham sits in a quiet space near Fakenham and boasts exposed beams, a woodburning stove, a country-style kitchen and feature brick walls. A pleasant courtyard provides space to relax, and the delights of Norfolk await.

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Daffodils grow in front of a stone-built barn conversion in the Cumbrian countryide
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Eel House is a large Lake District holiday barn conversion in Cumbria, sleeping ten guests in five ground-floor bedrooms. Set in rural surroundings on the large Graythwaite country estate in a pleasant courtyard, Eel House guests use Estate leisure facilities, including a heated indoor pool, play area, fitness suite and trout fishing lake.

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A paved path leads to the side entrance of a brick built, Isle-of-Wight holiday cottage
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A romantic holiday retreat for two awaits visitors to the Isle of Wight at The Sail Loft Annexe. Just west of the historic harbour town of Yarmouth, guests can easily access a private beach from this delightful ground-floor beach apartment.

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A large stone-built Exmoor cottage surrounded by trees and open fields.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Yenworthy Cottage is a stone-built Exmoor holiday cottage set on a working farm in Countisbury, near Lynmouth. The pet-friendly cottage promises lovely ocean views, gorgeous gardens, and contemporary comforts and elements such as a wood burner, beams and slate floors.

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A single storey Northumberland barn conversion surrounded by a large, tree-fringed lawn
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Find peace at the gorgeous Drovers Rest stone cottage on the edge of the Northumberland National Park and close to Otterburn. This cosy and remote Northumberland holiday cottage offers tranquillity and access to outdoor pursuits, National Trust homes and Hadrian’s Wall.

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A stone cottage with a large porch overlooks a walled lawn and flower beds.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Cowstonegill is a magnificent, detached, listed farmhouse with panoramic views over seventeen acres of private land. This four-bedroom Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage near Wet Burton offers four spacious bedrooms and large gardens. The property boasts authentic features, including an open fire and even a games room.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Burrow is a beautifully transformed chapel in Somerset, surrounded by well-maintained lawns and picturesque countryside. This romantic holiday cottage in Bruton welcomes pets and features impressive vaulted beamed ceilings, charming arched windows, a cosy mezzanine bedroom, a wood burner, a wine cooler, and even a home cinema. It's an ideal place to unwind and enjoy peace and quiet.

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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.