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
4
Bedrooms
2

A stunning new North Devon beach apartment for 2015 in Westward Ho! This beautiful seaside holiday apartment has a contemporary interior, high-quality spec with a balcony and fantastic sea views, directly overlooking the beach in this family-friendly resort.

  • Active Holidays
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Exterior of a large L-shaped stone farm house overlooking a large courtyard parking area.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

One of two wonderfully refurbished farm cottages near the rural village of Clawddnewydd in Clwyd, Maestyddyn Farm House (Maes for short) makes an ideal holiday base for large families and groups in North Wales. This large pet-friendly cottage features a shared games room, hot tub, sauna, and five stylish bedrooms each with TVs and en-suite.

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A row of thatched village cottages overlook trees and flowering bushes on a village green.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

11 The Green is a charming thatched cottage located in the coastal village of Otterton, perfect for those looking for self-catering holidays in East Devon. The village is home to a historic working watermill and offers easy access to local amenities, beaches, clifftop walks, and scenic country lanes. The holiday home boasts a tastefully decorated interior with two cosy bedrooms, a spacious living area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a delightful garden for al fresco dining. It's an ideal base for exploring the beauty of East Devon.

 

 

 

 

 

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Exterior of a sonte-buklt Exmoor holiday cottage with a background of trees and a clear sky
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Set on a working farm of 280 acres in Exmoor National Park is Honeycott, a lovingly-converted remote holiday cottage near Wheddon Cross in Somerset. Sleeping 4, the pet-friendly cottage features a stone exterior, expansive grounds with views, private outdoor spaces, and a generous open-plan design.

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A cottage lounge with a pine-beamed ceiling and comfortable leather sofas.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Located close to Dorset’s Jurassic Coast near Bridport, The Cider Barn is a newly refurbished family-friendly barn conversion in secluded rural surroundings at Hembury Mil in Askerwell. The Cider Barn sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms, appealing to those planning beach or walking holidays on the Dorset coast.

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a wooden eco-lodge with a wide deck overlooks a lawn in a pine-woodland clearingg
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Tucked away along their own woodland track and with private parking, these distinctive detached lodges benefit from the facilities of the Clippesby Hall family holiday park in Norfolk. They simultaneously combine a sense of separateness and peaceful relaxation. Pets are welcome.

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Aerial view of cottages overlooking a river and surrounded by trees.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Craig Lodge is a beautiful holiday home located near Banff that sits beside the River Deveron, providing a perfect fishing spot for salmon and trout. This secluded holiday home is surrounded by stunning wooded countryside and is an excellent choice for fishing enthusiasts and those who enjoy walks on the Moray Firth Coast in Aberdeenshire. The area offers amazing scenic walks for both two and four-footed guests right from the front door.

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A large Cotswold barn conversion to form a holiday cottage in open countryside.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
4

ambler's Barn is a charming rural barn situated on 21 acres of fields in Gloucestershire. This beautiful pet-friendly holiday cottage is located in Moreton-in-the-Marsh and boasts a lovely Cotswold stone exterior, which complements its stunning garden. With 3 bedrooms, a sophisticated log fire, contemporary amenities, and a separate annexe, this tranquil cottage provides the perfect rural retreat.

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Exterior or a stone-built barn conversion surrounded by a flower-filled garden
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
3

Escape to the picturesque village of Brayford, located on the western edge of Exmoor National Park, for a rejuvenating self-catering holiday. Experience the charm of Barn Cottage, a beautiful three-bedroom cottage with stunning views of the surrounding countryside, covered in wildflowers. This pet-friendly cottage is located in a small rural North Devon village, perfect for a peaceful getaway.

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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.