Holiday Cottages for Active Breaks

Find self-catering cottages for breaks built around walking, cycling, fishing, watersports and time outdoors. Each stay is different: an active break may mean a nearby route or venue, a practical base for exploring, or a confirmed on-site facility.

Use the filters to choose a destination, group size and the features that matter to you. Before booking, check the individual property listing for the exact activity information, including whether facilities are on site, how far away a route or attraction is, and any arrangements you need to make.

Large 3-storey contemporary holiday home with well-kept gardens.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

Three Gables is a five-bedroom house in a small rural village at the western end of the Isle of Wight. If you stay with us, you'll wake up to stunning country views accompanied by birdsong. And if you're lucky, you might even glimpse a red squirrel.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Introducing Ty Afal (Apple House), your charming Powys Holiday Cottage nestled in the heart of the Mid Wales countryside. This eco-friendly holiday lodge with a hot tub has been lovingly handcrafted on our working family farm. It promises an unforgettable self-catering rural retreat.

From the moment you arrive, you'll sense the warmth and dedication we've poured into every detail, ensuring your stay is nothing short of extraordinary. Whether it's a romantic getaway, a family retreat, a laid-back reunion with loved ones, or your cherished honeymoon, Ty Afal is here to create lifelong memories.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Unwind in the heart of Powys countryside with a warm welcome from Hugh, Sarah, and their family at Ty Ceirios, a remarkable eco-lodge with a hot tub in Carno. You're about to embark on a log house holiday like no other, carefully crafted with love and attention to detail, making it the perfect destination for a romantic retreat, a relaxing family vacation, a laid-back reunion with loved ones, or even a cherished honeymoon.

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

Ty Gwilym Holiday Cottages is in the heart of St Davids, with three cottages for up to 2, 4, or 6 people. They are close to the Cathedral and shops and within ten minutes of the coastal path and beaches at Whitesand Bay and Caerfai Bay.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Well Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 1

Well cottage is a bright airy 1 bedroom cottage all on one level. It sleeps 2 to 4 guests and has private off road parking. Situated on the edge of the village of Manston it is close to the Kent coast with lots of award winning sandy beaches. It has a Gold 3 Star rating from Quality in Tourism.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 2

Wheelhouse Cottage is an authentic Yorkshire cottage near Pickering. It has a four-poster bed, beamed ceilings, and a traditional fireplace. The award-winning property at Keld Head Cottages boasts a stone façade, beautiful views, extensive gardens, and children's indoor and outdoor play areas.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Escape to a large Shropshire holiday cottage with a swimming pool. The whole family will love William’s Hayloft. Set on a vast property, the pet-friendly cottage in Alkington promises fresh air and facilities such as woodland, an indoor swimming pool, a multi-sports court and a children’s play area, plus a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

A stunning new North Devon beach apartment for 2015 in Westward Ho! This beautiful seaside holiday apartment has a contemporary interior, high-quality spec with a balcony and fantastic sea views, directly overlooking the beach in this family-friendly resort.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
exmoor barn conversion overlooks a shrub-filled garden and drive.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Bilbrook apartment is one of 12 Holiday Cottages at Duddings. Sleeps 3 in 2 bedrooms. It is set in the rural Avill valley in Somerset near Dunster & Minehead within The Exmoor National Park. Indoor pool, spa bath, tennis court, games room, trampoline. Families & dogs are welcome. Visit-England 4-star.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Set amidst the splendour of Exmoor National Park in the beautiful Avill Valley, Bossington Cottage near the medieval village of Dunster, Somerset, is part of a nine-acre complex of countryside cottages, a pet-friendly family holiday retreat with two first-floor bedrooms and shared indoor pool.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
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
A stone-built, 2-storey courtyard cottage with foxgloves flowering in its garden.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Cherry Cottage near Slapton Sands in South Devon was built at Buckland Court in 2001. This large rural holiday cottage sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms. It is furnished to a high standard, including Wi-Fi. Central heating and modern insulation ensure this cottage is ideal for off-season use. Pets welcome

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior and front garden of a stone-built Dorset holiday cottage with outdoor dining furniture on its terrace.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Chideock Cottage is a well-equipped holiday cottage which is available all-year-round. Situated in the village of Chideock with stunning views of the hills and just a 20 minute walk to the beach at Seatown. There is a lovely foodie pub just over the road, too!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stout wooden door in an ivy-clad stone-built porch surrounded by shrubs and flowers.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Cleeve apartment is one of twelve 4-star Holiday Cottages at Duddings Cottages near Dunster. The twin-bedroom Exmoor holiday home for couples is set in the beautiful valley of the River Avill in the Exmoor National Park. Communal facilities include an indoor pool, spa bath, tennis court, games room, trampoline, etc. Families and dogs are most welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a 2-storey, wooden A-Frame eco lodge surrounded by oprn countryside
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Comraich, which means sanctuary and protection in Gaelic, is a cozy and fully equipped wooden holiday home that can accommodate up to six people. It offers all the necessary amenities for a family to enjoy a self-catering stay. It is located on a remote rural hillside behind the village of Kilchoan and boasts stunning sea views over to the Isle of Mull. Pets are welcome to join the guests.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays

Plan an active self-catering break

An active holiday can be as energetic or as relaxed as you choose. You may be planning long-distance walks, family bike rides, a fishing break, a coastal adventure or simply a stay with easy access to the outdoors. Start with the activity you most want to do, then use the property details to decide whether the location and facilities suit your plans.

Your breakUseful details to check
WalkingNamed routes, access point, terrain and distance from the cottage
CyclingRoad or trail access, secure bike storage, washing facilities and local hire
FishingWhether fishing is on site or nearby, access arrangements and permits
WatersportsDistance to the water, launch access, equipment provision and seasonal conditions
Family activitiesWhether the activity is on site, nearby, suitable for your group and needs advance booking

Check the practical details before booking

A cottage near an activity is not necessarily within walking distance, and an activity mentioned in a description may not be available throughout the year. Confirm the journey from the property, parking or public transport, equipment storage, booking requirements and any age, ability or safety restrictions.

If an activity provider, route manager or local authority has its own rules, check them before travelling. Weather, tides, water conditions and seasonal opening times can affect outdoor plans.

Explore a more specific holiday

For a cottage chosen chiefly for walking, browse our walking holidays. For cycling breaks, see holiday cottages for cyclists, and for angling stays, explore fishing holidays.

You can also combine your plans with waterside cottages, coastal holiday cottages, dog-friendly cottages or short breaks.

Frequently asked questions

Not always. A property may have an on-site facility, be close to a route or venue, or simply be a practical base for outdoor plans. Check the individual listing for the exact information.

It varies by property. Check the route name, distance and access details before booking, especially if you are travelling without a car.

Only where this is clearly stated on the property listing. Bring or hire equipment unless its availability is confirmed.

Many outdoor breaks suit dogs, but property rules and local access restrictions vary. Use the dog-friendly cottages collection and check the listing before booking.

Some activities, equipment hire, permits and guided sessions may need advance booking. Check directly with the relevant provider before travelling.