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 holiday cottage lounge with sofa, coffee table and wide-screen tv.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Mallard Cottage is a lovely holiday property in the charming village of Newton-on-Rawcliffe in the North York Moors. The property is pet-friendly and offers four different accommodation options. It features three bedrooms spread over two floors. The cottage's first floor, which includes a sitting room, kitchen/dining room, twin bedroom, and wet room, is perfect for wheelchair users. It is designed to comfortably accommodate full-time wheelchair users.

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Exterior of a stone-built thatched village cottage overlooking a large lawn with a flowerbed.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

The Old Post Office sleeps five over three bedrooms. It is conveniently located in the heart of Symondsbury Village with access to plenty of countryside walks and near the market town of Bridport and the Jurassic coast. Dogs welcome.

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Large LEyburn holiday cottage built with local stone and surrounded by a low stone wall.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Eastburn Cottage is a magnificent 17th-century farmhouse with an open fire, original beams and sleeps 7. This attractive Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage sits in the heart of the traditional village of Newbiggin, a stroll from a charming pub and 3 miles from the North Yorkshire market town of Leyburn.

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A two-storey converted bakery cottage behind wrought-iron railings in an elevated position above a village street.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Bakery is a modern and welcoming romantic cottage spread over two floors in Watchet. The Somerset coastal cottage rests in a quiet corner of the seaside town. It boasts a cosy wood burner, an open-plan design, a lovely garden and patio and the promise of a memorable holiday among sandy beaches.

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A 3-storey, glass-fronted house curves around a courtyard with a central lawn and sofas
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
6

Indulge in a delightful luxury cottage vacation at Woolbrook Reservoir in Sidmouth - a stunning coastal cottage retreat with an awe-inspiring design. This holiday home in East Devon features spacious rooms, a captivating atrium, and a rooftop garden complete with a wood-fired hot tub. The property includes common areas like a high-quality kitchen, a games room, and an outdoor lounge suite. Located less than 1.5 miles from Sidmouth, it provides privacy and offers breathtaking views.

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Doiuble-fronted exterior of a stone holiday cottage in Cumbria surrounded by mature trees.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A thoughtful barn conversion, one of four cottages located by the River Lune in a beautifully remote location near Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria. The Old Stables is a countryside cottage on the western edge of Yorkshire Dales National Park, featuring exposed beams, upside-down accommodation and under-floor heating.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Farmhouse is a dog-friendly 3-bedroom Yorkshire Farmhouse in Penistone, offering glorious rural views right across to the Peak District. Sleeps 6. Perfect for walking and cycling holidays in The Pennines.

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A stone-built Feock holiday cottage overlooks a flagstone patio with outdoor tables and chairs
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Discover the enchanting Blue Cottage in Feock, Cornwall. This traditional Cornish retreat oozes character with granite window seats, beamed ceilings, and an original Rayburn stove. Accommodating up to six guests, it's ideal for those seeking a cosy, historic escape. Relax by the open fire, explore the Roseland Peninsula, and enjoy watersports nearby. With three bedrooms, a charming garden, and proximity to St Mawes and Falmouth, Blue Cottage promises a quintessential Cornwall experience.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Bower Cottage is a large, stylish detached barn conversion offering self-catering holidays in Beaminster with generous accommodation and bright contemporary furnishings in an Outstanding National Beauty area in the West Dorset countryside.

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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.