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 stone cottage with a large porch overlooks a walled lawn and flower beds.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Cowstonegill is a magnificent, detached, listed farmhouse with panoramic views over seventeen acres of private land. This four-bedroom Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage near Wet Burton offers four spacious bedrooms and large gardens. The property boasts authentic features, including an open fire and even a games room.

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A modern semi-detached Cornish holiday cottage with block-paved drive for car.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

7 Harlyn Cottages is a beautifully furnished, modern holiday home at Harlyn Bay near Padstow in North Cornwall. Within a short walk of a white sandy beach for surfing and rock-pooling, this family-friendly holiday cottage sleeps six and welcomes pets.

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A farmhouse lounge with large sofas and a widescreen TV
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

James’s Parlour is a spacious converted Georgian barn set on lush green fields in Alkington, Shropshire. The large rural cottage offers an open-plan design, exposed beams, trusses and brick pillars, and extensive furnished grounds with an indoor swimming pool, multi-sports court and play area.

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A wood and slate Cotswold holiday cottage overlooks a terrace with dining table and lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Couples seeking a relaxing getaway will enjoy a stay at The Sycamore, a delightful romantic Cotswold holiday cottage for couples near the historic village of Arlington in Gloucestershire. It's the perfect weekend retreat featuring plenty of natural light streaming from double-height windows, beamed ceilings, and wood floors.

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A 2-storey barn conversion overlooks a paved courtyard and open countryside in North Wales.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Discover The Stables at Cae Gwyn, a remote Denbighshire farm cottage boasting original features and breathtaking views. This large holiday cottage with a hot tub offers four bedrooms, ample parking, and charming living spaces, including a games room and snug. With nearby attractions like Ruthin and Llangollen, it's the perfect base for exploring North Wales. View the full description for an unforgettable getaway.

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Exterior of a vine-clad Cotswold honeystone cottage in Chipping Norton.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Lowfields is a quiet country cottage near Chipping Norton set on the edge of a peaceful hamlet in the heart of the Cotswolds. This spacious, child-friendly holiday cottage offers lovely rural views of the Oxfordshire countryside and welcomes pets.

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A spacious, wood-panelled lounge with leather sofas, hardwood coffee table and flooring.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Situated in the centre of Bath, Rose & Slate is perfectly positioned for a wonderful holiday in Somerset. The luxurious urban cottage boasts refined elegance and multiple fireplaces plus wooden floors, open-plan spaces, immaculate presentation and access to one of the most attractive and historic cities in Britain.

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A remote stone-built shooting lodge nestles in the lee of a Scottish mountainside.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Luxury accommodation meets peaceful isolation at the wonderful Glenuaig Lodge, a dog-friendly, large and remote four-bedroom self-catering cottage for eight guests in the heart of the Glencarron Estate near Strathcarron. The Lodge enjoys beautiful views and is accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles.

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A wisteria clad, semi-detached Cotswold country cottage overlooks a shingled courtyard
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Surrounded by fields and woodland in Chalford, Gloucestershire, October Cottage promises tranquillity. The charming stone-built rural cottage in the Cotswold Hills possesses beautiful gardens and fresh air, a wood-burning stove, flagstone floors, contemporary comforts, space for pets and a blend of old and new.

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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.