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.

Single storey exterior of a white-rendered bungalow with hanging flower baskets.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Palmer’s Lodge induces romance with its charming exterior, cosy, contemporary open-plan layout, fresh flowers and a bottle of wine upon arrival. The one-bedroom romantic cottage lies on the outskirts of Elgoskerry, surrounded by lush green meadows and beautiful beaches for which Cornwall is famed.

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A stone barn conversion overlooks a lawn and flower-filled garden
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
6

Dolly's barn is a large 17th-Century barn near Ilfracombe, which has been lovingly converted into a charming 6-bedroom luxury holiday cottage sleeping 11 with disabled access in a beautiful spot on the North Devon Coast.

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Exterior of a stone-built cottage overlooking a paved courtyard with dining table and chairs.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Cottage, located in Catford House, is a charming and romantic cottage situated in the heart of Somerset, on the edge of Exmoor National Park. Nestled in the Quantock Hills, this rural cottage is surrounded by stunning countryside and offers couples a recently refurbished and pet-friendly retreat that features a private courtyard and all modern amenities for a comfortable stay.

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Large modern chalet bungalow approached by a spacious block paved drive.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

This large luxury holiday cottage in Ventnor lies in the south of the Isle of Wight, a short stroll from the beach at \Steephill Cove. The beach at Steephill Cove is a short stroll away, and Ventnor Botanical Gardens is just a two-minute walk away.

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A gable-windowed holiday cottage overlooks a large lawn bordered by bushy shrubs.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Garden View is an impressive holiday apartment in Porlock Weir with a gorgeous garden and views over the countryside to the coast of Somerset. Situated within a former Edwardian hunting lodge, the pet-friendly cottage sleeps four. It has a lovely lawned garden with a furnished area for outdoor dining, plus a light and airy interior with an open-plan design.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Bakers Farm Oast is a stunningly authentic detached rural cottage in the High Weald AONB in Ticehurst. Set on the Sussex/Kent border, the rural cottage sleeps four and offers contemporary chic and country charm, a delightful private garden, local wildlife, lovely views, and a wood-burning stove.

 

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A tall, 2-storey, stone-built cottage overlooking a mature garden with a terrace and palms.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Lower Norton Farmhouse is a luxurious rural cottage in Dartmouth boasting seclusion and beautiful South Devon views. The pet-friendly, large, stone-built cottage is surrounded by lush countryside and promises a spacious landscaped garden, a sunlit conservatory, open-plan design, elegance and log fires.

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An isolated Pennine farm house is surrounded by empty moorland.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Get away from the bustle of everyday life with a stay at The Retreat, a remote countryside cottage at the head of an unspoilt valley high above the Pennine market town of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, boasting biomass-fired underfloor heating, three wood-burners, hot tub, and five bedrooms.

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Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
7

View this large Roa Island holiday cottage for rent with a hot tub, observation tower and sea views across Morecambe Bay. This Cumbrian holiday cottage near Ulverston is within easy reach of the Lake District. Roa Island House sleeps 17 in 7 bedrooms on the Barrow Peninsula.

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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.