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.

An end-of-terrace, brick holiday cottage in Church-Stretton behind a front lawn.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Betty’s Barn is a brick-built barn conversion on a 200-acre farm in the peaceful village of Eaton-under-Heywood, 5 miles from Church Stretton. This beautifully furnished countryside holiday cottage in South Shropshire sleeps 5, with gardens, ponds and access to idyllic woodland. Pets welcome.

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Facade of a rambling country house overlooking an open field.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Set in the private grounds of Combermere Abbey, Callander Cottage is a light and airy property with tasteful, contemporary furnishings and a fresh, calming colour palette. With its own small private garden, it's perfectly located next to the beautiful walled garden at the Abbey.

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A courtyard barn conversion with a frontage comprising wall-to-ceiling French windows.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Wheelhouse Cottage is a barn conversion with exposed beams, a log fire, and a pretty courtyard, and it sleeps 6. Perfectly positioned for exploring the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and coast, this countryside holiday cottage in North Yorkshire is near the village of Sowerby, in the Vale of Mowbray.

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View of a large sandy surfing beach beyond sea front lawns in Newquay
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

This beautiful apartment is the perfect escape for two in Newquay. With wonderful views over the Pentire Headland, you'll be welcomed by a bright and contemporary interior and a furnished balcony from which to enjoy the spectacular sea views.

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Exterior and patio of a single-storey, wooden eco-lodge surrounded by trees.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

Once a barn in a beautiful rural location, The Kingfisher’s Nest has been lovingly converted to create an idyllic one-bedroom waterside holiday cottage on the banks of Cowesby Beck in North Yorkshire. It is nicely located for exploring the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales. This luxury cottage sleeps 4 in one double bedroom plus a sofa bed.

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An end-terrace stone-built Gwynedd holiday cottage with a paved, secure front patio.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
1

Rural and delightfully remote, Cwm Yr Afon Cottage is located on a sheep farm. This beautifully renovated rural cottage in the North Wales countryside is a small, romantic retreat in Snowdonia. Dog-friendly and child-friendly. Sleeps 3.

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Exterior of a sandstone cottage with a courtyard lined by flowering shrubs.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
3

Gaze upon gorgeous coastal views or stunning moorlands during your stay at Honey Bee Cottage, a child-friendly holiday cottage in Staintondale. Converted from a former farm building, this charming rural holiday home near Scarborough with exposed timbers sleeps 4. Pets welcome.

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A 2-torey rural holiday cottage overlooks a garden pond
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This beautiful, well-equipped, dog-friendly Lake District Holiday Cottage near Cunsey has views over Lake Windermere from its location on the 5000-acre Greythwaite country estate. Guests have access to a heated indoor swimming pool, gym, fishing, and a kids' play area. Hilltop sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms.

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A long, stone-built, single storey, courtyard barn conversion in Gwynedd
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Isallt is a homely stone-built holiday home near Harlech between Snowdonia and the Cambrian coast. Located on a farm, this Grade II listed 19th-century barn conversion has been refurbished to a high standard and is perfect for a rural retreat near the beach for a family holiday. Pets welcome.

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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.