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.

Main photo
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Ty Coch (Red House) is our 2nd barn conversion in the lower yard of our secluded Pembrokeshire smallholding. The long building lends itself perfectly to the open-plan dining room/kitchen/lounge. It sleeps 7 in 3 bedrooms with two bathrooms. It is child & dog friendly with a fenced back garden from the new conservatory added March 2024.

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A small holiday cottage in St. Abbs sits behing a flourishing garden of small trees,sshrubs and a winding garden path.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Originally built for lighthouse keepers, Near Bank Cottage is a traditional end-terrace, stone-built cottage near St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve and offers guests an open fire and calming views. The pet-friendly property connects to the reserve and the fascinating Scottish Borders region.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

Holly Bush is a charming romantic cottage on a working farm in the hamlet of Luntley near Leominster in Herefordshire. Replete with exposed beams, trusses and original features, the rural cottage boasts undeniable charm, contemporary comforts, generous outdoor spaces and blissful tranquillity.

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A Lighthouse complex on a clifftop with panoramic ocean views.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Panoramic ocean views stretch before Verity Cottage, a sophisticated coastal cottage within Trevose Head Lighthouse. The coast of Cornwall lies on either side of the cottage, which boasts outdoor entertaining spaces, contemporary comfort, light and airy design, the chance to get away from it all with more clean, fresh, revitalising air than you could shake a windsock at.

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Exterior of a white-rendered holiday bungalow with a large forecourt for parking
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Perched atop West Pentire headland, Cormorant enjoys uninterrupted ocean views and a short walk to the beach. The pet-friendly Crantock holiday cottage in Cornwall boasts beautiful gardens, a sun-trap conservatory, an open fire, and an open-plan design with contemporary elegance and a sea breeze.

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A chalet bungalow overlooks a front lawn and large parking area.
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
5

Amidst the beauty of the Lake District is the lovely holiday cottage Hazel, part of the Woodland Cottages resort on the eastern shores of Lake Windermere near the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, a child-friendly cottage featuring a hot tub, wood-burning stove and five bedrooms.

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Exterior of a brick-built Shropshire barn conversion with a courtyard.
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
6

Corn House, on the grounds of a 700-acre farm near Church Stretton. A large luxury Shropshire holiday cottage with a pool, it offers group accommodation for up to fifteen guests. This Grade II listed barn conversion has six spacious bedrooms, an oak bespoke fully equipped kitchen, and access to a pool, hot tub and tennis courts.

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A semii-detached Dorset cottage overlooks a paved front courtyard for parking.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Dating back to the 1600s, Candy Cottage boasts rustic charm and tranquillity. The pet-friendly cottage in Thornford promises touches of yesteryear, space for pets, and a wood-burning stove in a traditional fireplace. A roll-top bath offers relaxation & the cottage is well situated in Dorset.

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A Somerset farmhouse overlooks a large lawn lined by shrubs.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Trinity Cottage is a gorgeous detached cottage surrounded by greenery in Roadwater, Somerset. The large, pet-friendly holiday cottage boasts beautiful views over the surrounding valley and offers a log fire and spacious rooms with subtle elegance. A sophisticated escape with access to Exmoor and the coastline.

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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.