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
6
Bedrooms
3

Discover the coastal serenity of 16 Combehaven, a top-floor duplex apartment in Salcombe, South Devon. This holiday rental is ideally situated just a 5-minute walk from Salcombe's heart and offers three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a balcony with stunning estuary views. Featuring modern amenities, underground parking, and close proximity to sandy beaches, it promises to be the perfect South Devon retreat. Come and explore the charm of this Salcombe holiday rental and escape to the seaside, where comfort meets coastal allure.

  • Agency Cottages
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  • Fishing Holidays
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A waterside balcony with seating overlooks a small marina
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A newly refurbished 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment finished to a high standard with views across the water. The stunning riverside location means that there will always be something out of the window to occupy your attention. WiFi to keep in touch with your friends back home, and reserved parking.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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Stone-built terraced cottage with a flower-filled window basket.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Coquet Cottage blends sleek modern touches with dark, rich antique décor in a traditional mid-terrace holiday cottage in Amble-by-the-Sea. The stone-walled, pet-free, seaside cottage features a regal master bedroom with heavy wooden furniture and an ultra-modern single room on the Northumberland coast.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Walking Holidays
A Cotswold holidy cottage with a vine-covered exterior.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The 99 Yew Trees is a gorgeous 3-bedroom holiday cottage in Painswick overlooking the church in the heart of The Cotswolds. The 16th-century townhouse boasts a lavish garden full of mature plants and a neutral palette accentuated by traditional features such as the fireplace, wood burner, exposed beams and stone walls.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large, contemporary 3-storey apartment building with a central gable of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Make your stay along the Welsh Riviera memorable with a stay at The Mushroom House, a fabulous ground-floor, seaside holiday apartment in  Tenby. This one-bedroom romantic cottage for couples is just steps from award-winning Pembrokeshire beaches. It features open plan living space and a front decked area.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Bryndol is a charming holiday cottage in Aberdaron. It is family—and pet-friendly and is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It offers comfort and refinement with superb coast and country views. Located just moments from Aberdaron, this rural holiday cottage is a ten-minute walk to the beach.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A modern New Forest holiday home overlooks a large shingle drive and a garage.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Discover Homelands, an exquisite Hampshire holiday let in Brockenhurst, adorned with the prestigious Visit England Gold Award and a 2018 ROSE Award. This luxurious semi-detached cottage, tastefully furnished with a forest theme, offers impeccable comfort and style. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a modern kitchen cater to every need. Enjoy a wood-burning stove, a south-facing garden, and private parking for two cars. Perfectly located for self-catering holidays in the New Forest, with Brockenhurst rail station minutes away for holidays by rail. Immerse yourself in this award-winning property—your gateway to a delightful Hampshire escape.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
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  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a barn conversion overlooking a terrace with a hot tub.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Stables Cottage is a comfortable and stylish countryside cottage in the Northern Yorkshire Dales near Barnard Castle. Accommodation is all on the ground floor and sleeps two to four people in two bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
4-storey exterior of contemporary harbourside apartments in Weymouth.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Harbourside Haven Apartment 3 is a luxurious Dorset seaside apartment perched above Weymouth Marina. Enjoying beautiful views and a soft sea breeze from its balcony and open-plan living area, the sophisticated property places guests in the centre of the coastal resort and the coastline.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages

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.