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 white-rendered 2-tory, semidetached holiday cottage in Cumbbria overlooks a quiet lane.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Kings Cottage in the historic market town of Alston, Cumbria, makes the perfect dog-friendly holiday cottage for couples planning a romantic holiday in the Pennines. This recently refurbished character cottage lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • 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
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Dovedale Lodge offers comfortable accommodation for up to four guests in the quiet Peak District hamlet of Blore, Derbyshire, a charming countryside cottage on the grounds of the Old Rectory featuring French furnishings, modern well-equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, and fabulous views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Two Tweenways, near the Lake District village of Ambleside, is the perfect romantic holiday cottage for couples in Cumbria. It is complete with a fitted kitchen, dining area, small patio with garden furniture, and access to magnificent Lake Windermere and its nearby attractions.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
An open air swimming pool with park benches on its terrace surrounded by a tall hedge.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Bowline enjoys an enviable location in the heart of Salcombe and treats guests to subtle elegance. The coastal cottage in Devon with a heated swimming pool offers an open-plan living space which catches the sunlight and ensures comfort and relaxation, plus lovely views of the surrounding area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Swanage Driftwood is a large, modern coastal cottage in Dorset boasting light and airy spaces and contemporary chic. The pet-friendly holiday cottage in Swanage lies just moments from the beach and offers a sun-filled interior and multiple outdoor entertaining spaces, plus access to bespoke Wellness packages.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
7

It may look Victorian, but Hartcliffe View is a large, sumptuously furnished, modern house in a rural location, standing in moorland on the edge of the Peak District near Penistone in South Yorkshire. This dog-friendly holiday cottage sleeps 15. It has a games room and football pitch in the garden.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large chalet bungalow with a conservatory overlooks a very large garden.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
4

Redway Lodge is a large and sophisticated Exmoor coastal cottage just moments from beaches in Porlock Weir. The modern cottage boasts beautiful views across the Porlock vale to the sea and offers spacious and elegant rooms and bedrooms with en-suite. Stroll to the beach and explore the independent shops and galleries in the centre of Porlock.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Ground-floor frontage of a stone-built holiday cottage in Mousehole.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Romance is assured at The Langley Tarne, a pet-friendly, one-bedroom holiday cottage Mousehole that boasts many traditional features as well as an open fire, modern comforts, and contemporary style a 2-minute stroll from the gorgeous harbour and the beautiful coastline of Cornwall.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays