Active Holiday Cottages in North Devon

North Devon is a good choice for a holiday with plenty to do outdoors. From surfing and coastal walks to cycling trails, moorland routes and quiet country lanes, there are easy ways to build an active break around the interests of your group.

Browse active holiday cottages in North Devon and choose a self-catering base for walking, surfing, cycling and days by the sea. Whether you are planning a long weekend on the coast or a full week exploring the area, a cottage gives you the flexibility to set your own pace.

A large house with two bay wings overlooks a shrub-liined lawn.
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

Nairn is a luxurious holiday cottage with a hot tub in Braunton on the North Devon coast. Boasting impressive grounds and outdoor entertaining areas, the pet-friendly cottage promises a memorable holiday. It also offers indoor and outdoor play areas and has a log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • 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
A single-storey, luxury chapel conversion in the North Devon countryside.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

The Old Chapel is a superb North Devon holiday cottage on the coast in Clovelly. The former chapel boasts 10 acres of meadows with a pond and sea views, church windows, vaulted beamed ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and many more original features.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury 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 Lighthouse holiday complex in a clifftop location.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Spectacular ocean views greet guests at Sherrin, a modern North Devon holiday cottage at Bull Point Lighthouse. The pet-friendly holiday home in Mortehoe offers spacious grounds, a light and airy interior with wooden floors, contemporary design features and access to the delights of the North Devon coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A lighthouse holiday cottage complex on a rugged North Devon clifftop.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Enjoy unique self-catering holidays in North Devon with a stay at Siren, one of four refurbished former lighthouse keepers’ cottages overlooking Bull Point near the village of Mortehoe, Devon, a child-friendly cottage that sleeps up to five, featuring three bedrooms, a fully fitted kitchen, and absolutely gorgeous sea views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a stone-built barn conversion in Bideford with large floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor overlooking a courtyard with flower pots lining the wall.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Enjoy a rural escape in the North Devon countryside with a stay at The Corn Tallet, one of a group of child-friendly holiday cottages near Bideford on a working sheep farm. It features a heated swimming pool and upside-down accommodation for up to six guests.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a converted Devon coach house with a double garage
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

This large holiday cottage in Braunton, within easy reach of fabulous sandy beaches at Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe, can sleep twelve people in six bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of asemi-detached restored fisherman's cottage with a paved courtyard in Appledore.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

The Retreat is a charming North Devon holiday cottage in Appledore. The pet-friendly cottage offers an enviable waterside location, a spacious garden, exposed beams and sash windows, and a fantastic base for memorable seaside holidays.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A Devon barn conversion with a deck at sunset.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Tumbledown Barn is a luxurious barn conversion and a North Devon holiday let in Knowstone. This property offers three spacious ensuite bedrooms and an open-plan living area with a wood-burning stove. The private courtyard features a hot tub and outdoor kitchen. The barn is pet-friendly, set on 20 acres of scenic farmland. Nearby, explore Exmoor and North Devon’s spectacular, award-winning beaches. Enjoy a night dining at the Michelin Star restaurant, the Masons Arms. View the complete description to learn more about this exceptional rural retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A holiday apartment open plan living area with lounge and kitchen.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Luxury defines 10 Middlecombe, a coastal apartment near the beach in Woolacombe Bay in North Devon. The pet-friendly holiday apartment features a sun-drenched balcony, a sophisticated interior with light and airy spaces, access to an indoor swimming pool, games room, sauna and treatment room, and fun in the sun.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Spacious seaside apartment lounge with sofa, coffee table and sideboard.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Fun in the sun is assured at 16 Woolacombe, a luxurious coastal apartment in Woolacombe Bay, Devon. The apartment bathes in natural light and carries an effortless coastal chic throughout. It also offers a swimming pool, sauna, treatment room, and modern comfort just minutes from the beach.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
L-shaped sofa with cushions and coffee table in a stylish lounge with French windows to a balcony.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Part of a brand-new luxury apartment complex in the heart of Woolacombe, Devon, 2 Middlecombe is an accessible two-bedroom, pet-friendly apartment home offering sumptuous accommodation along the North Devon coast. It features a private patio and open-plan living space. Guests enjoy access to an indoor pool and sauna.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Comfortable cotton sofas in an open-plan living area
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Part of the brand-new Byron Apartments complex on the ground floor of a block of apartment homes, 2 Putsborough in the heart of Woolacombe, Devon, offers a luxurious coastal holiday for up to four guests, a pet-friendly apartment with an en-suite master double and access to indoor pool and gym.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Open-plan living areas in a holiday apartment with French doors to a balcony.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

2 Rockham is part of the Byron Apartments complex in the heart of Woolacombe. It's a new child-friendly luxury apartment home on the second floor boasting an en-suite master, a well-equipped kitchen, and access to a range of amenities such as a games room and indoor pool.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays

Walking holidays in North Devon

North Devon offers a mix of coastal, countryside and moorland walks. Head along the coast for sea views and beach walks, explore woodland and river valleys inland, or spend a day on Exmoor for a more open landscape.

There are routes for a short morning walk as well as longer days on the trail. Staying in a cottage means you can return to a comfortable space, dry off, make dinner and plan the next day’s route.

Surfing holidays on the North Devon coast

North Devon is well known for surfing, with beaches around Croyde, Saunton, Woolacombe and Putsborough all giving you different options for time in and around the water.

Choose a cottage close to the coast for early starts, relaxed beach days and an easy place to return to after surfing. Check local conditions, tides and individual beach guidance before heading out.

Cycling holidays in North Devon

Cycling is another good reason to choose North Devon. The Tarka Trail and wider Devon Coast to Coast route provide options for leisurely rides, longer days in the saddle and traffic-free stretches suited to a relaxed pace.

You can also explore quiet country lanes, estuary routes and countryside around towns and villages including Braunton, Barnstaple, Bideford and Great Torrington.

Find the right cottage for an active break

When choosing an active holiday cottage, look for the details that will make your stay easier:

  • Parking for beach trips and day excursions
  • Space for bikes, boards, walking boots and outdoor gear
  • Nearby footpaths, cycle routes or beach access
  • A garden or outdoor area to relax after a busy day
  • Dog-friendly accommodation if you are bringing your dog

Facilities vary by property, so always check the individual listing before booking.

Explore North Devon your way

An active holiday in North Devon can be as full-on or as relaxed as you want it to be. Surf one day, walk the coast the next, take a cycle ride along the trail and leave time for a pub lunch, a village browse or a quiet evening at your cottage.

You may also like to browse North Devon holiday cottages, walking holiday cottages across the UK, or active holiday cottages in Braunton and Woolacombe.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. North Devon has beaches for surfing, coastal and countryside walking routes, Exmoor nearby and cycling options including the Tarka Trail.

Popular surf areas include Croyde, Saunton, Woolacombe and Putsborough. Conditions vary, so check local guidance before heading into the water.

Yes. You can choose from beach walks, coast-path routes, countryside trails, river valleys and walks on Exmoor.

Yes. The Tarka Trail and Devon Coast to Coast route offer cycling options, alongside quieter local roads and lanes.

Look for practical features such as parking, outdoor space, storage for equipment and access to the activities you want to enjoy.