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 single storey stone cottage sits behind a low stone wall.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Rowan Cottage is a superb and large rural holiday cottage near Newby Bridge, sleeping eight on the Bigland Hall Estate in the Lake District. It has fantastic rural views, a private hot tub and a large wrap-around patio courtyard garden on two levels with a lawn.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

An enchanting Shropshire countryside farm cottage near Shrewsbury, the Corn House is located on a 100-acre working cattle farm. This small, rural house, with a fabulously luxurious yet rustic interior, lies on the outskirts of the village of Leighton and sleeps four.

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

Nestled in the attic of a stone-built former farmhouse, Lower Norton Apartment on the outskirts of the South Hams town of Dartmouth, Devon, is a romantic flat with an inset balcony offering magnificent countryside views and boasting exposed beams, quality furnishings, and king master with an en-suite.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A detached, doubled-froted stone-built house with a slate roof with a slate roof, large lawned garden and views of Snowdonia/
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Ymlch Bach farmhouse, a late 19th-century stone-built semi-detached holiday cottage on a working farm, sleeps 7. It has sympathetically integrated its original character with contemporary style and fittings. The farmhouse in Criccieth is within easy reach of North Wales beaches and Snowdonia.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a weather-boarded East Sussex Cottage and lawned garden.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Cherry Cottage is a spacious, modern rural holiday cottage in East Sussex boasting seclusion and tradition. The pet-friendly cottage lies in Ripe, near Lewes and boasts stunning rural views, exposed beams and outdoor entertaining areas. Beautiful walks lead from its doorstep, and the wonders of Sussex await.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built Highland holiday cottage with a hot-tub on its deck.
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
  • Agency Cottages
  • 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, Cotswold 'honey stone' cottage with mullioned windows.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Escape to the picturesque village of Broad Campden in Gloucestershire and experience the charm of Ingleside Cottage. This beautiful mid-terrace Cotswold stone cottage is the perfect holiday retreat, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern features. With exposed beams, flagstone floors, leaded windows, and a cosy log fire, the cottage exudes warmth and comfort. Its antique furnishings and modern amenities make for a comfortable stay, while the ample space for pets to play ensures they can join in on the fun. Book Ingleside Cottage now and experience the magic of the Cotswolds.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Forming part of an aesthetically pleasing terrace of cottages, Shepherds Nook is a rural holiday cottage in North Charlton. A tastefully decorated Northumberland holiday home with modern amenities, Shepherds Nook offers a cosy and convenient base to explore Northumberland’s beautiful coast and countryside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
2-storey beach house with a large 1st-floor deck.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Bayview is a large Cornish coastal cottage in Portwrinkle, a tiny fishing village in Whitesand Bay. Bayview is a pet-friendly holiday cottage with a hot tub. This large property sleeps 8 guests in 4 bedrooms. It's perfect for golfing or family beach holidays.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Cottage Discounts
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages