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.

Attached stone barns form an L-shape around a shrub and flower-filled courtyard garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Derby is a luxury holiday cottage for couples at Endmoor Farm in the Derbyshire Peak District near Bakewell. This beautifully furnished, pet-friendly cottage in secluded rural surroundings is a beautifully appointed romantic retreat in the countryside for two (+cot) at any time of the year.

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Exterior of Taunton Castle with a large arch converted to luxury holiday apartments
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Castle House sits on the grounds of the Museum of Somerset in the county town of Taunton, Somerset, part of a 12th-century castle and offers a distinctive holiday experience, a large child-friendly cottage with four bedrooms over two stories, a modern kitchen, & signature Tudor Room sitting area.

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A Norfolk cottage overlooks a spacious lawn and a riverbank with willow trees.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Glaven Cottage is charming a Grade II listed flint cottage on the banks of the River Glaven in Letheringsett. Situated between the country and coast of Norfolk, the 1870s cottage boasts exposed beams, a wood-burning stove, furnished spaces, rooms with river views and verdant gardens.

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Exterior of a single-storey, stone-built, Cheshire holiday cottage.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Set among the gorgeous countryside of Cheshire, Orchard Cottage is a modern barn conversion near Rainow that offers luxury, seclusion, and relaxation. The pet-friendly cottage boasts a delightful garden with beautiful views, a games room, an open fire, original features and sun-filled spaces.

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A 2-storey stone-built house overlooks a courtyard
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

One Grooms Cottage is a luxurious stone-built holiday cottage in Dunster. Its interior promises guests tradition and sophistication. Original features are scattered throughout the pet-friendly property, which boasts contemporary furnishings and technology and places guests within the beautiful Exmoor National Park.

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Exterior of a single-storey Cornish cottage surrouded by a tree-lined garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Millstream is a Tintagel holiday cottage for couples set in the picturesque St. Nectan’s Glen along the North Cornwall coast. This romantic rural retreat for two is in a former corn mill and retains its character, with a quaint arched door and sofa that converts into a full-size double bed.

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A 2-storey house with a ground-floor extension overlooks a courtyard and mature garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Coachman’s Cottage is a gorgeous romantic bolthole with ocean views in West Porlock, Somerset. The former stable block sleeps two, welcomes pets, and features contemporary style and traditional charm, ample grounds, wooden floors, furnished outdoor spaces, a sea breeze and a log fire. 

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Twin photos of a stone cottage exterior and a swirling hot tub.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Stables in the quaint Cotswold village of Little Tew, Oxfordshire, offers modern comforts amidst a peaceful setting for the ideal holiday home with a hot tub for couples and small families. It is a pet-friendly barn conversion with an enclosed garden, hot tub, breakfast bar, wood burner, and two bedrooms with TVs.

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A large 3-storey farmhouse and gardens is surrounded by mature trees on a hillside.
Sleeps
13
Bedrooms
5

Discover Lee House Farm, a luxurious rural holiday home with a hot tub in The Pennines. This elegant country house offers breathtaking views of Shibden Valley and boasts themed bedrooms. It's ideal for family celebrations or peaceful getaways with spacious living areas, a well-equipped kitchen, and ample outdoor space. The secluded garden, firepit, and undercover bar area are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the fresh air. You can also explore nearby attractions like the Piece Hall in Halifax or the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Experience the tranquillity of remote cottage holidays at Lee House Farm.

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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.