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.

Front exterior of a tone built barn conversion in Cumbria with a small, pave courtyard.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Hill Side Barn is a spacious Lake District barn conversion with a hot tub that sleeps six guests seeking a high-quality rural retreat in a quiet rural corner of Cumbria that’s not too far from the best bits of the Southern Lake District and the Cumbrian coast.

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A large, brightly lit house overlooks a swimming pool at dusk.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4
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Exterior of a slate-roofed barn conversion overlooking a courtyard in Shropshire.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Olde Cowshed offers couples and families a two-bedroom luxury cottage in Shropshire with a games room, home gym and hot tub on a 250-acre working farm in Westhope Village. This rural holiday home is surrounded by the beautiful countryside with easy reach of many attractions. Pets welcome.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

The Norfolk Beacon is a sophisticated North Norfolk coastal cottage within the lighthouse at Winterton-on-Sea. Sitting within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the pet-friendly cottage boasts a sea breeze, beautiful views, unique architecture, a library, a log fire, a patio and a sunroom.

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Cottage window view of a rocky river flowing through a village in a valley.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Lorna Doone Cottage is a Lynmouth Holiday Cottage enjoying beautiful views of the East Lyn River from its elevated hillside location in Lynmouth, Split over three floors, the coastal cottage is just moments from the quaint village centre and the beach and offers a lovely balcony, contemporary comfort and a warming log fire for those autumn and winter holidays.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

If a picturesque setting and luxury living are what you're looking for, you'll love this contemporary Georgeham holiday lodge with a hot tub. Set in a charming North Dvon village near Braunton, this pet-friendly holiday home is just a short drive from sandy beaches at Saunton and Croyde and offers a stylish interior.

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A stone-built Exmoor barn conversion at sunset.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Come and experience the charm of Tumbledown Barn, a delightful holiday cottage located in Knowstone that is pet-friendly and comes with a hot tub. This cottage, which used to be a cow shed, has been tastefully transformed into a spacious 3-bedroom stone and cob retreat that offers both rural tranquillity and modern luxury. With ensuites, open-plan living, and a private courtyard, it is an ideal space to relax and unwind. You can soak in the hot tub, enjoy alfresco dining, and explore the stunning views of Exmoor. This cottage is perfect for family getaways or couples' retreats in the heart of Exmoor National Park.

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A 2-storey holiday cottage with a large sun terrace overlooks a sandy beach.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

A luxury five-bedroom holiday home in North Devon with a hot tub and spectacular coastal views. This large property is just a short walk from the beach and the lively seaside resort of Woolacombe.

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A large countryside Braunton holiday cottage with a large terrace and mature gardens.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Charlesworth is a very impressive detached chalet bungalow perched above the village of Braunton in North Devon. The pet-friendly cottage enjoys estuary views from its lovely garden and boasts a sophisticated design, light-filled spaces, a table tennis table, a garden hammock and a summerhouse.

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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.