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.

  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

 

View No.9 The Vista, an eco holiday lodge in Woolacombe. Set within the small and peaceful Willingcott holiday park, just 2 miles from Woolacombe Beach, this retreat accommodates up to 8 guests. Its open-plan layout seamlessly connects the kitchen, dining, and living areas flooded with natural light. The modern kitchen boasts sleek surfaces and amenities to make life easier for culinary enthusiasts. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a master king-size room with an en-suite and a twin room, there's ample space for relaxation. Enjoy outdoor living on the large decked area with a hot tub and extensive shared grounds.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Aerial view of a country cottage on the edge of a wood overlooking fields in Glamorgan
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Nos Da (Welsh for 'good night') is a beautifully presented contemporary cottage offering the ideal tranquil escape in South Wales' beautiful countryside and nearby coastline. It is perfect for walkers and cyclists, and there are many attractions nearby, including the Millennium Stadium.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a single-storey Exmoor holiday cottage overlooking a garden full of mature shrubs and trees.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Welcome to Nuthatch, your ideal romantic retreat within the picturesque Three Gates Farm. This delightful Exmoor farm cottage is the perfect haven for couples (and their pets) seeking a cosy and intimate escape. It is ideally located for walking holidays exploring Exmoor and Mid-Devon, no matter the season.

  • Active Holidays
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a country house with sun room surrounded by beautiful gardens.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 4

‘Lorna Doone County’ plays host to Oare Manor Cottage, a beautiful property in a stunning valley. The pet-friendly Exmoor holiday cottage in Oare boasts superb views and manicured gardens, a generous sunroom, rustic elegance, a wood burner, exquisite furnishings and the promise of memories.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Old Barbican is a large 18th-century detached period property and a superb holiday home in Looe that exudes quality, charm and character. The large 4-bedroom seaside property is a short distance from the bustling seaside port of Looe, one of Cornwall’s most popular seaside destinations.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Old Church House is a Grade II listed 16th-century rural cottage nestled beside the churchyard at High Bray. Situated between the country and the coast in Brayford, Devon, the gorgeous pet-friendly cottage boasts multi-pane windows, oak beams, stone fireplaces, and a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a luxury thatched coastal cottage in with porch and low stone wall.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Old Maids Cottage is a luxury holiday cottage on the spectacular North Devon coast. It has been fully restored as an open-plan holiday home for six people, with three double bedrooms (two en-suite). You’ll enjoy this picture-perfect thatched cottage, which oozes the holiday feeling from the moment you arrive.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A semi-detached house with a shrub-filled front garden and privet hedge.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Old Malthouse is a sophisticated rural cottage in Monksilver, Somerset, which blends tradition and modernity. Replete with exposed beams and a wood burner, the pet-friendly property once supplied malt to the region and is an ideal place to enjoy a local cider or an ale after a day exploring Exmoor.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Large thatched cottage overlooking a large lawn fringed with flowering shrubs.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Old Thatch is a charming Grade II-listed coastal cottage in Torcross, Devon, with panoramic ocean views and expansive grounds. The masterfully renovated thatched-roof cottage boasts landscaped furnished gardens, a sun-drenched conservatory, a log fire, exposed beams and beach access.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey stone-built house overlooks a courtyard.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

One Grooms Cottage is a luxurious stone-built holiday cottage in Dunster. Its interior promises guests tradition and sophistication. Original features are scattered throughout the pet-friendly property, which boasts contemporary furnishings and technology and places guests within the beautiful Exmoor National Park.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey-cottage overlooks a lawn surrounded by trees.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Escape to Lower Spire Cottage and experience the beauty of Exmoor, just a short walk from your pet-friendly, three-bedroom holiday home in the moorland hamlet of Simonsbath. Enjoy breathtaking views in a stunning, picturesque setting, perfect for a tranquil getaway with your family - with the benefit of a very good pub within walking distance.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

The rural holiday cottage near Muir of Ord in Ross-Shire sits at the foot of the Scottish Highlands and offers whisky Masterclasses. The large and pet-friendly holiday home also boasts beautiful grounds, authentic décor, a hot tub and an open fire, plus accessibility for people with disabilities.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a 2-storey cottage with courtyard and large tarmac parking space.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Overstream Annexe is a delightful romantic cottage in the beautiful seaside village of Porlock in Somerset. The two-storey house is ideally situated for exploration of the Exmoor region. It offers an open-plan design, a sun-trap patio, contemporary comforts, peace and a cosy log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A large, stone-built contemporary cottage with a stone wall, surrounded by countryside.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Pastures Barn is a beautiful stone-built conversion on lush grounds in Leek, Staffordshire. The pet-friendly cottage offers an escape, a hot tub, a wood burner, a sauna, spacious gardens, a games room, contemporary comforts and proximity to the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterpark Nearby
Exterior of a terraced stone-built holiday cottage in Dunster.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Pebble Cottage is a delightful renovation of a traditional cottage for holidays exploring the West Somerset coast and Exmoor. The pet-friendly holiday cottage in Dunster sleeps four and offers a vibrant mature, south-facing, furnished garden, a stylish interior with an open-plan design and a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • 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.