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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.

Exterior of a double-fronted, wisteria-clad Abbotsbury holiday cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Market House, an Abbotsbury holiday home, offers a tastefully updated, spacious retreat with charming original features. This family-friendly holiday let in Dorset accommodates up to six guests, featuring a wood-burning stove, contemporary decor, and a delightful courtyard. Centrally located, it provides easy access to Abbotsbury's quintessential high street and numerous attractions, including the Subtropical Gardens and the Jurassic Coast Path. Discover the charm of this family-friendly retreat – your ideal coastal escape in Dorset.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

A large waterside holiday cottage in the Norfolk Broads steps from the popular Broadland village of Horning, Swan Dyke Cottage offers a peaceful retreat from which to explore this picturesque region, a two-storey pet-friendly cottage with brick panelling, open fire, and four spacious bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
End of terrace holiday cottage with large windows and Juliet balcony.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Harbour View enjoys beautiful views of Porthmadog Harbour. It offers families a modern and spacious seaside holiday let in North Wales and Snowdonia. The pet-friendly apartment is in a quiet residential area close to beaches, which features light-filled spaces, modern comforts, and a refreshing sea breeze.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 3-storey holiday cottage in Swanage with twin bay windows.
  • Sleeps 14
  • Bedrooms 7

Enjoy the beauty of the Jurassic Coast with a stay at 20 Ulwell Road, a large Swanage holiday let in Swanage on the Dorset coast, along the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck. This three-storey pet-friendly cottage boasts seven bedrooms, an AGA cooker set in exposed brickwork, an annexe with an en-suite king-size bedroom, and a tiered garden.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A contemporary Staffordshire Holiday cottage with floor-to-ceiling French windows overlooks a terrace and flower garden.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 2

Within the quiet hamlet of Moneystone, Barks Cottage is nestled within the boundless greenery of the Peak District. This single-story countryside cottage is a lovingly maintained spacious holiday home amidst peaceful Staffordshire scenery - an idyllic rural getaway. Pets welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
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  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A slate-roofed, stone holiday cottage in Powys nestles beneath a step hill toppped with a wood.
  • Sleeps 11
  • Bedrooms 5

The character and location of Y Sgubor are delightful. The large rural holiday home in Mid Wales is situated near Llangynog with superb views of Pennant Valley, charming décor, modern fittings, an outdoor hot tub, a sun-trap patio, an open fire and five thoughtfully decorated bedrooms. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
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  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Somerset stone barn conversion overlooks a large lawn lined by flower beds and shrubs.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 4

Tradition defines Ryecroft Barn, a large, elegant Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage in Glusburn. It is surrounded by rolling green hills and manicured gardens. The pet-friendly property boasts a spacious sunroom, outdoor entertaining areas, exposed beams, a fireplace, oak furnishings and stained-glass windows.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Walnut Cottage is a lovely converted barn near the village of Washford, Somerset. The pet-friendly holiday cottage is one of the Shells Cottages and boasts serenity, a private outdoor hot tub, light-filled spaces, a wood-burning stove, a vaulted beamed ceiling, and access to the coast and countryside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey barn conversion overlooks a paved courtyard and open countryside in North Wales.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Discover The Stables at Cae Gwyn, a remote Denbighshire farm cottage boasting original features and breathtaking views. This large holiday cottage with a hot tub offers four bedrooms, ample parking, and charming living spaces, including a games room and snug. With nearby attractions like Ruthin and Llangollen, it's the perfect base for exploring North Wales. View the full description for an unforgettable getaway.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays

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 directly to check that what you want to do on holiday is precisely the activity accessible at the cottage.