An octagonal, stone-built toll house shaded by trees.

Book Self-Catering Holidays in Quirky Holiday Cottages

Fancy a self-catering holiday in a quirky and unusual holiday property? Who wouldn’t say no to a holiday with friends in a luxury lighthouse or a beautifully restored Napoleonic Fort?

Search here to find an architecturally unique holiday cottage for a more than usually memorable holiday with family or friends. The UK has a splendid choice of distinctive and unusual character cottages appealing to those looking for something slightly different from a traditional house. 

While quirky cottages are not the ‘everyday’ holiday property, they still offer the same standards, facilities, and amenities you would expect to find in any decent holiday property worth its salt. Types of out-of-the-ordinary holiday lets include (but are not limited to):

  • Lighthouses
  • Windmills
  • Restored railway stations and carriages
  • Castles and Forts.
  • Shepherds Huts
  • Narrow Boats
  • Tree-houses
  • Signal boxes
  •  Follies 

View this collection of distinctive holiday properties to find one with that ‘must-stay’ funky factor for a long holiday or just a weekend break.

A modern 2-storey house with a glass-fronted balcony and a lawn dotted with small trees
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Situated near the heart of the lovely village of Dulverton, Merrijig is a modern, detached Dulverton holiday rental with a wood-burning stove; and a sun-drenched balcony. The family-friendly property promises a stress-free holiday close to many of Exmoor and Somerset's visitor attractions and offers a generous garden and contemporary creature comforts.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A multi-turreted Scottish castle in landscaped gardens.
Sleeps
24
Bedrooms
12

Isobel’s Expeditions is an opulent fairy tale castle near Edinburgh in Scotland. The magnificent grand cottage offers groups gorgeous, expansive grounds, a banquet room, a bar, incredible artwork, luxurious detailing, a private tennis court, many entertaining spaces & photogenic scenes

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
An ornate brick-built detached Kings Lynn holiday cottage overlooking a flower-filled garden.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

Pound Cake is a charming chocolate box cottage in the lovely hamlet of Stanhoe in Norfolk. The pet-friendly cottage exudes charm with its exposed beams and inglenook fireplace and combines this with eclectic décor while offering a pleasant mature garden and access to the country and the coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Cottage Discounts
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

A large luxury holiday cottage in Denbighshire, The Beeches is located near the centre of Llangollen. Its proximity to the River Dee suggests packing a picnic basket of crackers and wine to relax by the river bank on sunny days. This beautifully furnished 5-bedroom dog-friendly cottage sleeps 10.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A single storey, stone-built Cotswold holiday bungalow in Oxfordshire overlooks a large lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Orchid is a delightful romantic cottage on a working farm in Faringdon, Oxfordshire. The stone-built, pet-friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds combines rural tradition with an urban style and offers lovely views and fresh air, exposed beams, open-plan spaces, sleek design, a log fire outdoor spaces & a chance to unwind.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Aerial view of the flat Lincolnshire countryside with a groups of stable conversions surrounding a large courtyard
Sleeps
20
Bedrooms
10

The Dairy at Burghley is a gorgeous, large country cottage on a grand estate near Stamford In Cambridgeshire. The pet-friendly property rewards guests with rural elegance and modern luxury, open fires, outdoor entertaining areas, and access to Burghley House and its many events.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Doves Barn Suffolk
Sleeps
20
Bedrooms
8

This spacious Suffolk Barn conversion, Bradley, sits on 2 acres of land and provides well-furnished accommodation with stunning views of the countryside. Guests can also enjoy a hot tub.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Cottage Discounts
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a Peak District holiday cottage overlooking a large lawn.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The authentic stone exterior of this Cumbrian holiday cottage encases a luxury cottage with vaulted ceilings and timber beams. It is immaculately decorated with refined finishes, state-of-the-art appliances, and sumptuous views of The Lake District. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A courtyard barn conversion with a frontage comprising wall-to-ceiling French windows.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Wheelhouse Cottage is a barn conversion with exposed beams, a log fire, and a pretty courtyard, and it sleeps 6. Perfectly positioned for exploring the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and coast, this countryside holiday cottage in North Yorkshire is near the village of Sowerby, in the Vale of Mowbray.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays