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.

A contemporary 1st floor apartment with an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling glass windows and wrap around balcony.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Castle View is a striking, architecturally designed, large holiday home in Warwickshire opposite Warwick Castle. With a seamless blend of new and old, the cottage features exposed beams and stone walls, an orangery, a lovely garden, balconies and impressive views of the famous castle.

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Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

Becks Fold is a large Lake District holiday cottage with grandiose decor and a modern style. Double-height ceilings, original vaulted beams and underfloor heating create a sense of charm at this genuinely warming and inviting secluded rural retreat close to Lake Coniston in Cumbria. Sleeps 10.

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3-storey contemporary seaside apartment block with glass-screened balconies.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The golden sands of Woolacombe Bay beckon guests at 7 Putsborough, a sophisticated seaside holiday apartment in Devon. The pet-friendly apartment in the Byron complex boasts contemporary styling and modern comforts, plus access to a swimming pool and other facilities, all a short walk from the beach.

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A 3-storey, wood and glass holiday home in a rural location.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Scarlet Pimpernel is a sophisticated rural cottage offered by Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa in Colchester, Suffolk. The contemporary retreat boasts beautiful views of the golf course and gardens and features open-plan spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light and large balconies.

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A bungalow with a large sunroom overlooks a drive with plenty of parking space
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Located in the picturesque coastal town of Rhyl, Beach Cottage stands as a shining example of an exceptional family seaside retreat. Perfectly situated just a brief 2-minute stroll from Kinmel Bay's inviting beach, and offering easy access to the bustling heart of Rhyl, this holiday haven exudes quality and comfort. Impeccably furnished to provide a capacious home away from home, Beach Cottage is the ideal choice for families seeking a beachside break.

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A large cottage with a ground floor extension is surrounded by open fields and moorland.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Enjoy a romantic rural retreat in the Derbyshire Peak District at Hathaway Cottage, a stone-built cottage for couples on a working hill farm in the hamlet of Oilerbrook near Castleton. Enjoy majestic countryside views, comfortable accommodation, and easy access to the Pennine Way.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Two Tweenways, near the Lake District village of Ambleside, is the perfect romantic holiday cottage for couples in Cumbria. It is complete with a fitted kitchen, dining area, small patio with garden furniture, and access to magnificent Lake Windermere and its nearby attractions.

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ATudor farmhouse with timbered beam and overhanging floor overlooks a mature garden.
Sleeps
13
Bedrooms
7

Top Farm House exudes rural charm. The Grade II listed 17th-century farmhouse in Knockin is surrounded by the Shropshire countryside and boasts original beams, uneven floors and antique furnishings, as well as a wood-burning stove, Aga, baby grand piano, four-poster bed, playroom & lovely gardens.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Discover the coastal serenity of 16 Combehaven, a top-floor duplex apartment in Salcombe, South Devon. This holiday rental is ideally situated just a 5-minute walk from Salcombe's heart and offers three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a balcony with stunning estuary views. Featuring modern amenities, underground parking, and close proximity to sandy beaches, it promises to be the perfect South Devon retreat. Come and explore the charm of this Salcombe holiday rental and escape to the seaside, where comfort meets coastal allure.

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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.