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.

2-storey gable end of a holiday apartment block with stairs and balconies.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

Redwood, a large coastal apartment in Croyde, sleeps ten people. It welcomes groups, including stag and hen groups, perfect for fun beach holidays at one of Devon's top award-winning beaches. Redwood is open-plan with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining area, a lounge, a balcony and a kitchen.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Stone-built terraaced holiday cottage on a quiet village treet.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Beachside Cottage sits just moments from the beach. The pet-friendly, 3-bedroom holiday cottage in Minehead offers guests a contemporary style. Its outdoor space is ideal for al fresco dining, while its interior promises true comfort with a light and airy design.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Miller’s House is a stone-built miller’s residence restored with modern comforts, providing a restful haven for families and pets near Tintagel in St Nectan’s Glen. Gorgeous gardens and a babbling stream in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surround this rural holiday home in North Cornwall.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built cottage with a first floor that forms an arch over a driveway to a courtyard.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

This smart, peaceful end-of-terrace holiday cottage is in Newton Ferrers, a scenic waterside village in a rural valley 1 1/2 miles from the South Devon Coast. It has three bedrooms and can sleep six people.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A thatched farmhouse and barns overlook a large reed-fringed pond.
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
6

North End's large listed Farmhouse is available for Dorset holiday lets all year. It is situated in a spectacular countryside setting on the Jurassic Coast, between the lively market towns of Bridport and Lyme Regis. Beaches, culture, pubs, and walks are easily accessible. Pets are welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built,single storey holiday cottage with vine covered walls and a front garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Dove Cottage is a traditional 2-bedroom Lake District holiday cottage sleeping four on a 5,000-acre country estate near Hawkshead in a scenic rural spot by Lake Windermere. Guests enjoy the use of a communal indoor heated swimming pool, games room, gym, and kids' play area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a white-rendered holiday bungalow with a large forecourt for parking
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Perched atop West Pentire headland, Cormorant enjoys uninterrupted ocean views and a short walk to the beach. The pet-friendly Crantock holiday cottage in Cornwall boasts beautiful gardens, a sun-trap conservatory, an open fire, and an open-plan design with contemporary elegance and a sea breeze.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Part of two unique single-storey chalets deep in the hamlet of Heights of Achterneed, the Larchfield Chalet 2 offers a remote Highlands holiday home near Strathpeffer. It offers unbeatable views of Scotland’s gorgeous hillsides. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Interior of a spacious pine-floored lounge with pine beams, rugs and large sofas.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This rural holiday cottage in Derbyshire is a beautiful, semi-detached barn conversion on a working sheep farm in a peaceful location that sleeps up to four people.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • 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.