A surfer traverses a large wave.

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.

Exterior of a luxury thatched coastal cottage in with porch and low stone wall.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Old Maids Cottage is a luxury holiday cottage on the spectacular North Devon coast. It has been fully restored as an open-plan holiday home for six people, with three double bedrooms (two en-suite). You’ll enjoy this picture-perfect thatched cottage, which oozes the holiday feeling from the moment you arrive.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
An old stone walled thatched holiday cottage positioned next to a road.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Minnie's Cottage in Dorset is an attractive dwelling ideal for a peaceful holiday stay. Built in the 17th century and featuring a traditional thatched roof the building showcases historic charm and is nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac at the heart of the picturesque village of Burton Bradstock.

Just 2.5 miles from the town of Bridport and along the scenic route to the coastal town of Weymouth, Burton Bradstock is centrally located within Dorset's Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its natural beauty. The area is known for its noteworthy coastal and inland scenery, offering a diverse range of landscapes to explore.


 

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
Exterior of a Newtonmore holiday cottage in a restored railway signal box.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Enjoy a holiday in a thoroughly modern property converted from a historic signal box. The Signal Box is a rural holiday cottage for couples in Newtonmore with stunning views of the Cairngorms and all of the comforts of home. It was chosen as one of the 50 best UK holiday cottages by The Times Newspaper.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Take tea overlooking the old mill pond at the stone-built Locks Cottage and enjoy the idyllic setting of this two-bedroom, rural holiday cottage in Langcliffe near Settle. Gaze upon the green hills of the Yorkshire Dales and unwind by the open fire in a cosy, peaceful cottage near the River Ribble.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Smoking Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a luxury Sidmouth holiday cottage surrounded by beautiful flower-filled gardens.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Take a closer look at Hemphaye, a charming 17th-century house and now a luxury self-catering coastal cottage in East Devon with Wi-Fi. It sleeps up to 6 people in 3 bedrooms (2 bathrooms) and is an easy walk from the beach and the town centre of Sidmouth.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A chalet bungalow and twin garage overlook a sloping front lawn and tarmac driveway
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Perched atop a hill in Mawgan Porth, Pepperpots enjoys ocean views. The sophisticated holiday cottage in North Cornwall welcomes pets and offers contemporary comforts close to sandy surfing beaches along the Cornish coastline. Beautiful gardens capture the views and provide space for sunbathing on hot summer days.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A double fronted 3-storey coastal cottage in Inistow.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Cool Stone Cottage is sleek, modern and elegant. The pet-friendly cottage in Instow carries a distinct coastal vibe and lies just moments from the beach and the highlights of North Devon. Natural light floods the cottage, and the sea breeze can be enjoyed in the open-plan spaces or the lovely garden.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Oak Tree Cottage is a delightful, romantic village cottage for two near Beverley, in the North York Moors and on the North Yorkshire Coast. Just moments from sandy beaches, the pet-friendly property boasts a generous lawned garden with a summerhouse and an interior with arched windows, contemporary style, and comfort.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Aerial view of the cottage and gardens surrounding it.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Ty Gwyrdd (Green House) Plas Drygarn Cottage is a rural holiday cottage in Pembrokeshire located in the lower yard of our smallholding along with our newly renovated Ty Coch (Red House) in a beautiful country location near Crymych with amazing views from the windows/patio/garden. It is ideal for both family holidays and couples alike. 2 well behaved dogs allowed after reading conditions of hire

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic 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 directly to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.