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.

Stone-built exterior of an Exmoor country house and its courtyard garden.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
1

Allerford View is the only self-catering apartment at Bossington Hall near Porlock. This one-bedroom Exmoor holiday apartment with a wet room is listed as ‘accessible’, but it is equally suitable for non-disabled gusts. The adaptions are discrete and unobtrusive. We created this apartment as there are few self-catering properties in the area with facilities like this.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
The harbour and sea view from the deck of a Polperro holiday cottage.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
4

Discover Pilchard Rock, a large holiday cottage in Polperro offering stunning sea views. Enjoy 180-degree vistas from every window and balcony. Ideal for coastal walks and village exploration, this pet-friendly, luxury seaside cottage boasts a modern interior with spacious living areas and comfortable bedrooms. With its central location and charming design, Pilchard Rock promises a memorable getaway for couples, families, and groups. Explore now for an unforgettable seaside retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large, stone-built contemporary cottage with a stone wall, surrounded by countryside.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Pastures Barn is a beautiful stone-built conversion on lush grounds in Leek, Staffordshire. The pet-friendly cottage offers an escape, a hot tub, a wood burner, a sauna, spacious gardens, a games room, contemporary comforts and proximity to the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Large thatched cottage overlooking a large lawn fringed with flowering shrubs.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Old Thatch is a charming Grade II-listed coastal cottage in Torcross, Devon, with panoramic ocean views and expansive grounds. The masterfully renovated thatched-roof cottage boasts landscaped furnished gardens, a sun-drenched conservatory, a log fire, exposed beams and beach access.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A sprawling Dartmoor Manor house ovrlooks a sweeping, tree-lined lawn.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
8

This extraordinary manor house is nestled in the idyllic countryside, a mere mile from the village of Bridestowe, situated on the periphery of the Dartmoor National Park. A living testament to history, dating back to the 13th century, it stands as a truly exceptional Grade II* listed haven, ideally suited for families and large groups of friends seeking resplendent gathering spaces.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A remote 2-storey barn conversion in a moorland location.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Meadows Edge once saw life as a reading room, and the detached cottage still offers couples a tranquil, romantic getaway in Holwick. Skilfully converted and boasting modern comforts, the pet-friendly, old stone barn features an upside-down design to capture the views of the Yorkshire Dales best.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A terrace with dining facilities lies in front of a long, 2-storey, contemporary house.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Welcome to Yarrow, your large Jurassic Coast holiday cottage in charming Charmouth. This Dorset coastal retreat is perfect for families or friends seeking a break in all seasons. Yarrow is more than just a holiday let; it's a stylishly presented home away from home. Our property has undergone extensive renovations and extensions, ensuring your stay is nothing short of exceptional.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Semi detached cottage with conservatory and lawned garden.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Blagdon Cottage is an elegant and isolated Exmoor holiday cottage in Wheddon Cross. It offers ample grounds with country views, a lovely garden, wooden panelling, an open-plan design, a delightful sunroom and the peaceful tranquillity that comes from its rural location high up on Exmoor. The large semi-detached cottage welcomes pets and sleeps 7/8 people.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a large holiaday home in Penrith overlooking  a spacious lawn surrounded by a wooden fence.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Chimney Gill is a modern rural retreat near Sebergham in Cumbria and The Lake District. The large and beautiful holiday cottage on a working farm blends contemporary style with a country character, including exposed beams and a farmhouse kitchen. Guests enjoy complimentary access to a leisure club.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote 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 direct to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.