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.

Exterior of Culls Cottage holiday home at night
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Culls Cottage is a 5-star Cotswold holiday cottage. This Grade II listed luxury eco-cottage is located in Southrop, an unspoilt Cotswold village near historic Lechlade-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. This beautifully furnished, child-friendly stone cottage sleeps six guests.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Eco Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A country cottage on the edge of a wood surrounded by well-kept lawns and flower beds.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

A pretty stone-built cosy coastal cottage near Kirkcudbright with sea views, Cutlar's Cottage is set in its own fully enclosed garden overlooking a wildflower meadow. It's a glorious walk to the seashore and a 2-3 minute amble to the landscaped loch and pavilion.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
Exterior of a stout North Devon farm cottage overlooking a garden.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Duck Cottage is a large luxury barn conversion in North Devon, nestling in a quiet corner of Little Torrington. The rural cottage boasts commanding views over its generous gardens and woodlands. It features an open fire, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a library, a games room and access to farm animals.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 78
  • Bedrooms 39

Large Thatched Somerset Longhouse and eleven attractive cottages sleeping 2,2,3,4,4,4,4,5,10/12,12, 16/18 in 1-8 bedrooms near Dunster and Minehead in The Exmoor National Park. Facilities at Duddings Country Cottages include:

* Indoor pool

* spa bath

* games room

* tennis court

* trampoline

* play centre

* families and dogs welcome.

* VisitEngland 4-star.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
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  • Independent Cottages
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  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A secluded holiday bungalow surrounded by lawns in the Scottish countryside.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Eilean Feoir is a detached and well-equipped Scottish holiday cottage by the beach in the stunning West Coast village of Portuairk in Argyll; tastefully decorated, bright and spacious, it's a perfect rural cottage for a seaside family holiday. The well-equipped, detached holiday home welcomes pets.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a single storey holiday lodge overlooking s garden with palm trees.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 3

Elm is an ideal seaside escape. The coastal holiday cottage in Blue Anchor Bay, Somerset, boasts incredible ocean and countryside views from its delightful gardens, which catch the sea breeze. The cottage also offers a games room, wheelchair access, and contemporary comforts and is within easy reach of Exmoor and The Quantock Hills.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
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  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a large mock Tudor house with 1st floor balcony.
  • Sleeps 24
  • Bedrooms 9

Fairlea Grange is a superb, large, and comfortable Victorian townhouse in Abergavenny, sleeping up to 24 guests. It is in a perfect location for exploring the Brecon Beacons and the Welsh Marches. Facilities in this dog-friendly holiday home include a huge Home TV Lounge, Games Room, Hot Tub and Mini-gym.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a large, 3-storey, brick-built Wye Valley cottage with a large lawn.
  • Sleeps 24
  • Bedrooms 11

Forest House is a spacious holiday cottage located in Coleford, situated in the heart of the picturesque Forest of Dean. This property was formerly a 4-star hotel but is now converted into a self-catering accommodation that is perfect for large groups of holidaymakers who wish to explore the surrounding area. With 11 bedrooms, it can comfortably accommodate up to 24 guests.

  • Accessible Cottages
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Outdoor seating surrounds a burning firepit at dusk
  • Sleeps 26
  • Bedrooms 17

An award-winning collection of seven luxury holiday cottages is set on our farm, just two miles from Beverley in East Yorkshire. There are two, three, four, and six-bedroom cottages with free Wi-Fi. You can arrive any day, and there are ground-floor bedrooms with wet rooms. Pets are welcome, and you can see virtual tours. The cottages have been awarded 5-star gold.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
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  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Eco Cottages
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  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A large, 3-storey detached house built of stone with a 1st floor clad in slates.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

A newly renovated luxury Cornish holiday cottage full of character and charm is set amidst peaceful countryside. A short drive from Padstow, the Camel Trail, and many North Cornwall beaches, Glebe Cottage sleeps 8 in 4 ensuite bedrooms. It has a delightful garden with a private sunny patio and is dog-friendly.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
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  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
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  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a 2-storey coach house conversion with covered porch and garden lawn
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Grampian is an attractive, newly refurbished large country cottage with a pool located at the heart of Clippesby Hall Family Holiday Park near the Norfolk coast. With a cool, contemporary feel and a wonderful sense of space, you can relax and unwind as soon as you arrive. Pets are welcome. It sleeps 8.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A footpath flanked by privet hedges leads to a stone-built holiday cottage with a covered porch.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Greenwich Cottage is a stylish, home-from-home character cottage in the West Dorset village of Chideock on the Jurassic Coast. It sleeps up to 3 and is perfect for a romantic or small family getaway within walking distance to 3 excellent pubs and the beach at Seatown.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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A large lawn with apple trees has a row of farm cottages in the background.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Hen Cottage is a delightful holiday cottage located in the beautiful rural area of North Devon. Stunning grounds surround the cottage, which offers lovely rural views of Little Torrington and the surrounding countryside. Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a heated swimming pool, a games room, and an open fire. The cottage successfully blends modern comforts with traditional charm, creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for guests.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
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  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A fenced-in outdoor pool on a lawn overlooked by a large holiday cottage.
  • Sleeps 24
  • Bedrooms 10

High Cloud is a large and comfortable Wye Valley Farmhouse and separate Barn in Monmouthshire with a swimming pool and hot tub. It offers self-catering holidays in a secluded countryside location—no neighbours or traffic noise, just panoramic, far-reaching rural views. Pets are welcome.

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

Keeper Cottage West stands at the most westerly point of mainland Britain, nestled below the majestic Ardnamurchan Lighthouse on the shores of Loch Linnhe, the gateway to Ben Nevis. This cosy granite, pet-friendly seaside cottage with WiFi sleeps 4 in a lovely remote rural location.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic 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.