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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 large timber lodge with a spacious deck overlooking an equally spacious, secure lawn.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

This is a fantastic, recently-built holiday home near Carbis Bay that is detached and has a reverse-level layout. It boasts five bedrooms and has been finished to an exceptional standard, with stylish and spacious accommodation. The property is situated in a slightly elevated location, offering breathtaking views of the sea and coastline from the front. On a clear day, you can see all the way up the coast to Godrevy Lighthouse and even as far as St Agnes Head.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a wooden eco lodge with a hot tub on its deck.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Cedar Lodge is a luxurious holiday lodge located in Cheddar, Somerset. It features two bedrooms and is situated on the outskirts of the Mendip Hills in a designated National Landscape. This 5-star eco-friendly lodge is located in a peaceful rural setting and is well-suited for parents with very young children as it is baby-friendly.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A rambling, stone-built cottage in Cumbria with a terraced garden
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Whether blanketed in snow or blossoming with wildflowers, the grounds of Cazenovia Hall complement this Grade II listed rural holiday home near Greystoke in Cumbria. The pet-friendly cottage promises extensive gardens, beautiful views, an open fire and a masterful blend of modernity and tradition.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built cottage overlooking a paved courtyard with dining table and chairs.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

The Cottage, located in Catford House, is a charming and romantic cottage situated in the heart of Somerset, on the edge of Exmoor National Park. Nestled in the Quantock Hills, this rural cottage is surrounded by stunning countryside and offers couples a recently refurbished and pet-friendly retreat that features a private courtyard and all modern amenities for a comfortable stay.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone cottage with enclosed porch and sun lounge overlooking a lawn.
  • Sleeps 11
  • Bedrooms 4

Castle View is a tastefully furnished, large, family-friendly village holiday cottage in Helmsley in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. It is also within an easy drive of the North Yorkshire coast. This dog-friendly holiday let sleeps 11 in 4 bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
The exterior of a stone-built country cottage overlooks a pretty garden.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Cascade Cottage is a gorgeous holiday home in the heart of the Exmoor National Park near the moorland village of Exford. It is an ideal child-friendly holiday retreat and can be accessed by a footbridge. The cottage features a spacious kitchen, exposed beams, and a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A contemporary house with a large 1st-floor terrace and ground-floor deck.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

A luxury holiday cottage on Anglesey, Bwthyn Awel, is large enough to comfortably accommodate ten guests in five bedrooms. This secluded rural cottage with panoramic sea views over Church Bay is perfect for walking, cycling and beach holidays in North Wales.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
A stone-built, vine-clad barn conversion behind a low stone wall
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

A large and impressively furnished stone barn conversion in Hawkshead, Bull Pen is a pet-friendly Lake District holiday cottage that sleeps ten on the rural Greythwaite Estate. Guests enjoy access to the Estate's heated indoor swimming pool, gym, and children's play area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A wide, 2-storey, stone house in Snowdonia with three gable ends flanked by single storey wings facing a large, level lawn with mature trees.
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will love the proximity to Snowdonia of this six-bedroom rural holiday cottage near the Conwy village of Pentrefoelas, which boasts views of the stunning countryside as well as wheelchair access, endless entertainment options, cosy open fires and a games room.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday 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.