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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.

Single storey of a barn conversion overlooking a lawn on a North Yorkshire farm.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

The Smithy at Keld Head Cottages is a quaint romantic cottage on a gorgeous property outside Pickering in North Yorkshire. The rural holiday cottage boasts exposed beams, a traditional fireplace, award-winning gardens, beautiful views, and extensive indoor and outdoor play areas.

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  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A modern New Forest holiday home overlooks a large shingle drive and a garage.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Discover Homelands, an exquisite Hampshire holiday let in Brockenhurst, adorned with the prestigious Visit England Gold Award and a 2018 ROSE Award. This luxurious semi-detached cottage, tastefully furnished with a forest theme, offers impeccable comfort and style. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a modern kitchen cater to every need. Enjoy a wood-burning stove, a south-facing garden, and private parking for two cars. Perfectly located for self-catering holidays in the New Forest, with Brockenhurst rail station minutes away for holidays by rail. Immerse yourself in this award-winning property—your gateway to a delightful Hampshire escape.

  • Accessible By Train
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A wooden holiday lodge in Washford overlooks a patio with a hot tub. on a terrace/
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Elm Lodge is a wood-clad cottage on a lovely property close to the coast in Washford, Somerset. The modern cottage boasts an open-plan design and contemporary style, a deck with gorgeous views, a hot tub, an inviting interior with an open fire, exposed beams, and oak floors.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
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  • Eco Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a wooden holiday lodge in Watchet, surrounded by lawns,mature pine tree and beach hedges.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Enjoy a breathtaking sunset view over Blue Anchor from the private deck of Pines, a charming romantic cottage situated in Cleeve Park, Somerset. You can also take your time to explore the beautiful region of Exmoor and unwind at a coastal cottage that features an open-plan design, ample natural light, and a spacious enclosed garden.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Take tea overlooking the old mill pond at the stone-built Locks Cottage and enjoy the idyllic setting of this two-bedroom, rural holiday cottage in Langcliffe near Settle. Gaze upon the green hills of the Yorkshire Dales and unwind by the open fire in a cosy, peaceful cottage near the River Ribble.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Smoking Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages
Derby Cottage, a stone-built, ivy-clad Peak District holiday cottage.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Derby is a luxury holiday cottage for couples at Endmoor Farm in the Derbyshire Peak District near Bakewell. This beautifully furnished, pet-friendly cottage in secluded rural surroundings is a beautifully appointed romantic retreat in the countryside for two (+cot) at any time of the year.

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A large, thatched, wisteria-clad Somerset holiday cottage with a covered porch.
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

The West Wing forms the greater part of a traditionally built thatched Somerset Longhouse. It sleeps 12 in 6 bedrooms and is one of 12 holiday cottages at Duddings, near Dunster & Minehead in The Exmoor National Park. Indoor pool, tennis court. Spa bath. Families & dogs are welcome. Visit England 4-star

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
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  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
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A semi-detached Cornish cottage overlooks a block-paved courtyard.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Curlew's Cwtch offers country charm within reach of the ocean. The pet-friendly holiday cottage lies moments from the beaches of Polzeath. It boasts views of the Cornish countryside from its ample garden, a pastel palette with local art, open-plan design, picture windows and a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A large, brightly lit house overlooks a swimming pool at dusk.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

This 1930's renovated holiday home is a comfortable retreat with plenty of space to accommodate up to 8 people.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays

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 directly to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.