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.

Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
8

A charming Grade-II listed stone holiday cottage in Snainton near Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast, this pet-friendly holiday cottage sleeps 17 in 8 bedrooms and oozes warmth and charm. Relax in the hot tub, walk in the North York Moors or enjoy a day trip to the seaside.

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An L-shaped, wood-panelled Essex holiday bungalow with a wooden deck containing a table and sunlounger all overlooking a large lawn.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

East Village No.2 is a luxurious coastal retreat located on Osea Island in Essex. This ground-floor gem is perfect for families or groups, featuring an open-plan living area that is ideal for gatherings. With two stylish bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, it can accommodate up to 5 guests. The garden is a lovely spot to enjoy, complete with a fire pit and BBQ. Osea Island offers a private beach, outdoor pool, cinema, and more, making it a unique getaway. East Village No.2 is the perfect escape for celebrations or a family break.

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An extended 2-storey Scottish barn conversion with one wall lined by roses
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Knott View sits within a 17th-century Grade II listed barn conversion on a working farm near Sedburgh in Cumbria. It lies between the Yorkshire Dales and The Lake District, offering guests outstanding views and tranquillity within a remote rural location. Sleeps 4.

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An exterior of s Victorian holiday villa in Torquay with ample car parking space in front.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Holcombe House is a large and luxuriously presented Torbay holiday cottage in Torquay. This detached period property can sleep twelve people in six bedrooms.

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The exterior of a double-fronted terraced cottage overlooks an empty village street.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
2

With views over the village green, Chapel Cottage is an ideal family cottage. The pet-friendly cottage in Exford provides comfort and style and is set inside Exmoor National Park and its endless natural wonders. Set over three levels, the cottage boasts a wood burner plus generous outdoor areas for relaxation.

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A lighthouse complex offers clifftop views along the North Cornwall coast.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
5

For a genuinely quirky holiday home with stunning ocean views, stay at Lizard Lighthouse on the Southernmost tip of mainland Britain. This large Cornwall holiday cottage near Helston stands in a remote cliff-top location with spectacular coastal walks.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

View this traditional coastal cottage in Northumberland; Lyndhurst Cottage is a stone-built semi-detached property, a relaxing and easygoing Northern getaway enjoying the best of the Northumberland Coast and countryside a short stroll to the harbour and beach at Beadnell Bay.

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A crossed-timbered Herefordshire country cottage with a lawned containing a mature tree.
Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
7

Nestling amidst Herefordshire Hills in a delightful rural location in the village of the same name, Little Cowarne Court is a large Bromyard holiday cottage, superbly created from traditional farm buildings for families or groups of friends sleeping 17 in 7 bedrooms.

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Exterior of a heritage railway station building in North Yorkshire.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Ticket Office is a unique, quirky romantic cottage in the heart of Ruswarp in the North York Moors. The Grade II listed former ticket office features a cast iron fireplace and mullion windows encased in stone walls. The pet-friendly property is ideal for couples seeking something different.

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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.