A surfer traverses a large wave.

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 wisteria clad, semi-detached Cotswold country cottage overlooks a shingled courtyard
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Surrounded by fields and woodland in Chalford, Gloucestershire, October Cottage promises tranquillity. The charming stone-built rural cottage in the Cotswold Hills possesses beautiful gardens and fresh air, a wood-burning stove, flagstone floors, contemporary comforts, space for pets and a blend of old and new.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a single-storey, stone barn conversion with a contemporary wood and glass extension.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Based on the Isle of Anglesey, Bwthyn Gwyn is a meticulously restored stone-built barn conversion, reappointed as a vibrant and welcoming holiday home in the countryside. The two-bedroom property is perfect for small families and combines contemporary comforts with rustic style for a relaxing breakaway.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 1

Holly Bush is a charming romantic cottage on a working farm in the hamlet of Luntley near Leominster in Herefordshire. Replete with exposed beams, trusses and original features, the rural cottage boasts undeniable charm, contemporary comforts, generous outdoor spaces and blissful tranquillity.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A red brick Herefordshire holiday cottage with a ground floor extension is surrounded by a low tone wall
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Point Cottage is a gorgeous 18th-century stone-built cottage full of rustic charm. The pet-friendly, 2-bedroom village holiday cottage near Hereford features a wood burner, exposed wood beams, wall timbers and floors, plus lovely grounds with views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 4

Timbers is an elegant coastal cottage in an enviable waterside location above the tidal creek. This large holiday cottage in Newton Ferrers boasts ample grounds, beautiful gardens, light-filled rooms & its own private tidal slipway. Enjoy peace and seclusion in style just moments from the South Devon coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A historic black-and-white-timbered Herefordshire barn conversion with a large lawn.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Stay in a cottage that once housed a baby elephant and enjoy self-catering holidays in the delights of the Herefordshire countryside. Elephant Cottage is a romantic and pet-friendly holiday cottage in Bromyard which boasts exposed beams, trusses, wattle and daub, an open fire and contemporary design, and a vibrant garden and rural views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A long, stone-built, single storey, courtyard barn conversion in Gwynedd
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Isallt is a homely stone-built holiday home near Harlech between Snowdonia and the Cambrian coast. Located on a farm, this Grade II listed 19th-century barn conversion has been refurbished to a high standard and is perfect for a rural retreat near the beach for a family holiday. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Riding Through the Clouds is a stylish converted fishing warehouse in Newlyn on the Cornish coast. The chic coastal cottage boasts exposed stone walls, local art, geothermal heating, open-plan design, and a spacious terrace that captures the sun and leads to the nearby Coombe River.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A Northamptonshire barn conversion with a paved courtyard surrounded by open fields.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 1

Rectory Cottage is a gorgeous romantic cottage surrounded by lush green fields near Clipston in Northamptonshire. The eco-friendly holiday cottage sits on 14 acres of farmland. It boasts beautiful grounds, outdoor dining areas, incredible views, and a chic open-plan interior with natural light and high-end décor.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • 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.