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.

Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

They say that the view can make a holiday truly special, and families can certainly experience this at Glintings, a holiday cottage located in Polperro. This spacious and pet-friendly cottage in Cornwall can accommodate up to six people and boasts stunning views of the village and harbour from its sunny hillside location.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Stables at The Lammas is an elegant Cotswold stone barn conversion with a truly unique outdoor dining area surrounded by mature gardens in the village of Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire. The rural cottage boasts two courtyards, contemporary luxury and proximity to the best of the Cotswolds.

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A large Cumbrian with spacious sunroom with a raised, flower-filled terrace.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Elegance permeates Briarcliffe Cottage, a stone-built semi-detached Lake District holiday cottage in Lindale. Nestled in a traditional village with quaint narrow streets, the rural cottage possesses country charm, a gorgeous garden, modern comforts, a summer room and a cosy open fire. It sleeps six in three bedrooms.

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Stone-built, barn conversion exterior with a raised, secure BBQ terrace.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

The Old Cart House is a large luxury barn conversion in the North York Moors, situated on a hill farm in Farndale near Helmsley; a genuinely stunning renovation from top to bottom, this large holiday home in North Yorkshire boasts top-of-the-range decor throughout and contemporary finishes, perfect for group and large family holidays. Pets welcome.

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Spacious, open-Plan interior of a modern seaside holiday apartment.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A modern luxury apartment home in a brand-new North Devon coastal complex, 5 Putsborough in the heart of the seaside resort village of Woolacombe, Devon, offers a family-friendly holiday stay, a pet-friendly home with a master bedroom having a  king-sized bedroom and an en-suite bathroom, private balcony, and access to indoor pool and gym.

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Seafront houses and apartments overlook a beach in Falmouth.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Sand-n-Sea is a superb ground-floor apartment in the 5-Star Endcliffe development overlooking Gyllyngvase Beach. Located on Falmouth promenade, this luxury beach apartment features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a beachfront terrace and reserved parking. This is beachside Cornwall at its best!

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Front exterior of a 2-storey holiday home in Thurlestone with a wide drive for parking.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Explore Lower Goosewell Cottage, a charming South Devon Coastal Cottage. This Thurlestone holiday let is near the village pub and South West Coastal Path and offers easy beach access. Enjoy luxurious comforts, including an open-plan lounge with entertainment amenities, a well-equipped kitchen, and ensuite bedrooms. Outside, relax on the sea-facing patio or explore the spacious garden. Off-road parking and stunning sea views make it the perfect seaside cottage for your Thurlestone getaway. View now for more details!

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Front exterior of a stone-built countryside house  and garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This beautiful, well-equipped, dog-friendly Lake District Holiday Cottage near Cunsey has views over Lake Windermere from its location on the 5000-acre Greythwaite country estate. Guests have access to a heated indoor swimming pool, gym, fishing, and a kids' play area. Hilltop sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms.

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Exterior of a double-fronted, wisteria-clad Abbotsbury holiday cottage
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Market House, an Abbotsbury holiday home, offers a tastefully updated, spacious retreat with charming original features. This family-friendly holiday let in Dorset accommodates up to six guests, featuring a wood-burning stove, contemporary decor, and a delightful courtyard. Centrally located, it provides easy access to Abbotsbury's quintessential high street and numerous attractions, including the Subtropical Gardens and the Jurassic Coast Path. Discover the charm of this family-friendly retreat – your ideal coastal escape in Dorset.

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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.