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.

Stone-built bungalow exterior overlooking a paved courtyard in Robin Hoods bay
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Abbey View Cottage is a charming stone-built barn conversion on a working coastal farm near Robin Hood’s Bay, which offers couples the peace and seclusion of a romantic cottage. The pet-friendly holiday home provides beautiful views across farmland to Whitby Abbey and proximity to the North York Moors.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Escape to the tranquillity of a pretty rural Somerset setting and enjoy a memorable family getaway at the recently refurbished Stable Cottage. This charming and characterful converted holiday property boasts modern comforts and amenities, providing ample space for all the family to relax and unwind. Don't miss out on this idyllic retreat and book your holiday today!

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2-storey Victorian town house with bay windows and small front garden
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
3

A charming and cosy family- and pet-friendly getaway in Marske-by-the-Sea, Victoria Cottage is a delightful balance of historic touches and modern convenience with room for four. This cottage makes the most of its excellent seaside location, offering a family holiday in a warm, comfortable environment.

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Gable end of a wooden eco-lodge in an orchard setting.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Orchard Cottage is a beautiful timber-clad holiday cottage in Ledbury, Herefordshire surrounded by lush green countryside. The pet-friendly cottage enjoys wonderful views and offers a sun-drenched deck, generous grounds, light and airy open-plan spaces, an outdoor games area and the chance to truly relax.

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Exterior of a thatched 2-storey village holiday cottage in the Cotswolds.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Mrs Daffodil is a romantic thatched rural cottage in the Cotswolds with a honeystone exterior. The pet-friendly holiday home in Kemble enjoys serenity and countryside views and promises original features such as oak beams, flagstone floors, vaulted ceilings, an inglenook fireplace, and real fire.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Explore coastal bliss at 5 The Lanterns, a stylish coastal cottage in Hope Cove. Perched on the second floor, relish breathtaking bay views from two balconies. This 3-bed retreat, perfect for cottage holidays in Hope Cove, offers sleek interiors, a fully equipped kitchen, and designated parking. Enjoy beach walks just moments away, dine in village restaurants, and discover the charm of South Hams. This pet-friendly gem is ideal for a tranquil escape and invites you to experience the allure of coastal living in South Devon. Discover more about this contemporary coastal cottage.

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Exterior of a single-storey coach house convrsion with a small, flower-filed front garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A coastal and pet-friendly Cornish cottage, An Kres is a pretty, stylish seaside holiday home for two. Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac in the pretty fishing village of Mevagissey, An Kres is a modern, ground-floor cottage providing peace and quiet just a short stroll from Mevagissey harbour.

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A stone-built country cottage overlooks a large courtyard
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Bluebird Cottage is a charming Derbyshire farm cottage near Ashbourne where you might make some animal friends on the farm before venturing into the beautiful Peak District countryside. With two bedrooms, this remote country cottage is perfect for a small family self-catering holiday.

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Aerial view of an Exmoor river valley overlooked by village cottages.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Withymead Cottage is an Exmoor holiday cottage in Withypool in the heart of the National Park. The single-storey cottage overlooks and leads down to the River Barle through mature landscaped gardens offering fabulous moorland views, often with the world-famous Exmoor ponies and deer grazing.

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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.