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.

A Stone-built cottage surrounded by a low stone wall with open fields beyond.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Escape to the splendour of the Pembrokeshire Coast with a stay at Clicketts Heath. This spacious and welcoming countryside cottage is located between the Welsh towns of Tenby and Saundersfoot. The cottage is pet-friendly and features a well-equipped kitchen, a sitting room with Freeview TV, and three first-floor bedrooms.

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A semi-detached Cornish cottage overlooks a block-paved courtyard.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Curlew's Cwtch offers country charm within reach of the ocean. The pet-friendly holiday cottage lies moments from the beaches of Polzeath. It boasts views of the Cornish countryside from its ample garden, a pastel palette with local art, open-plan design, picture windows and a wood-burning stove.

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Exterior of a long, stone built Derbyshire holiday cottage overlooking a garden with mature tree.
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
5

Abbey Cottage is a spacious Grade II listed 13th-century cottage whose grounds host the rustic ruins of Denbigh Friary. Set in Denbigh in North Wales, the pet-friendly cottage offers access to Snowdonia, an acre of grounds, an open fire and a successful blend of modern style and tradition.

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A timber eco-lodge backed by trees overlooks an open field.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Brooks Lodge is an award-winning eco-friendly cottage surrounded by lush green fields in Piddinghoe, Sussex, just moments from the scenic Egrets Way Footpath. This rural cottage boasts wonderful countryside views and offers extensive grounds, large windows to capture the views, and a stylish contemporary interior.

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Gable end of a wooden eco-lodge in an orchard setting.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Orchard Cottage is a beautiful timber-clad holiday cottage in Ledbury, Herefordshire surrounded by lush green countryside. The pet-friendly cottage enjoys wonderful views and offers a sun-drenched deck, generous grounds, light and airy open-plan spaces, an outdoor games area and the chance to truly relax.

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A semii-detached Dorset cottage overlooks a paved front courtyard for parking.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Dating back to the 1600s, Candy Cottage boasts rustic charm and tranquillity. The pet-friendly cottage in Thornford promises touches of yesteryear, space for pets, and a wood-burning stove in a traditional fireplace. A roll-top bath offers relaxation & the cottage is well situated in Dorset.

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Exterior of a 2-storey wooden barn converted to a New Forest holiday cottage
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Imagine a tranquil escape to the enchanting New Forest, where the embrace of nature and the comfort of a well-appointed barn conversion harmonize to create the ideal self-catering holiday. Welcome to Ash Barn, a captivating retreat nestled within the grounds of Goesmere Gardens, just a leisurely three miles west of Fordingbridge and on the outskirts of the charming village of Damerham. Here, you will discover the perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation, where a high-ceilinged and spacious interior serves as a delightful canvas for family or friends seeking a memorable getaway.

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An indoor heated pool with a surrounding terrace. Floor-to-ceiling windows line one side.
Owl
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Owl is a two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor beneath Granary. The apartment has two bedrooms, a double and a twin and an open-plan living area with a fitted kitchen, lounge and dining area. The apartment also has a shared indoor heated pool, spa, and sauna. Well-behaved dogs welcome.

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L-shaped single-storey exterior of a Warwickshire holiday cottage overlooking a courtyard.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Cider Press is a light, warm and spacious semi-detached rural cottage in Ilmington, Warwickshire. The Cotswold stone barn conversion welcomes pets and is situated on a quiet lane in an AONB. The cottage offers lovely views, modernity, walks from the door, a garden with a small stream, and a log fire.

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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.