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

Book Self-Catering Holidays in Quirky and Unusual Holiday Homes

Fancy a holiday that’s a bit off-kilter, 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?

Step into the delightfully eccentric world of quirky holiday cottages, where the ordinary takes a back seat and the extraordinary becomes your temporary abode!

Search here to find architecturally unique holiday cottages 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.

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  stone-built cottage overlooks a large lawn surrounded by flowering shrubs and bushes.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A perfect rural retreat set amidst a working sheep farm within the Exmoor National Park, Mill Cottage in Luxborough offers comfortable upside-down accommodation for up to six guests, a child-friendly cottage in Somerset with a spacious living area, a wood-burning stove, and an enclosed garden.

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A double bed with pillows, scatter cushions, bedside tables an lamps.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Studio is a one-bedroom North Norfolk holiday cottage in East Ruston. It offers a delightful and stylish opportunity for couples to relax and enjoy a peaceful (and cosy) holiday in all seasons, exploring the Norfolk Broads and nearby beaches along the coast. From an EV charger to underfloor heating, you'll find that The Studio is comfortably equipped for all you'll need during your stay, including some eco-friendly features.

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Entry arch and adjoining granite-built cottage overlook a castle courtyard.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The National Trust for Scotland offers Courtyard Cottage, a romantic apartment inside Drum Castle in Drumoak. The pet-friendly holiday cottage in Aberdeenshire dates back 700 years and boasts antique furnishings in keeping with its history, as well as an open fire, contemporary comforts and beautiful grounds.

  • Active Holidays
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Stable Cottage, the front of a stone-built barn conversion.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Stable Cottage on the North Norfolk coast in Cromer is a luxury 5-star Award-winning Norfolk holiday cottage. This beautifully furnished, pet-friendly holiday cottage in East Runton features a private hot tub, table tennis, pool table, Sky Q HD and a private walled garden + BBQ. It's a 5-minute walk from the Blue Flag beach.

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  • Short Breaks
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holiday lodge deck with a hot-tub, table and chairs
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Escape to the Somerset countryside near Cheddar at the beautiful Combe Hay eco-lodge, complete with luxury furnishings and a private Jacuzzi hot tub, perfect for a romantic getaway for two.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
Aerial view of a Cornish Lighthouse complex overlooking the sea.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Brook Cottage is a sophisticated coastal cottage set above the cliffs within Trevose Head Lighthouse near Padstow. The pet-friendly cottage enjoys spectacular ocean views and a sea breeze. It offers enclosed lawned gardens with furnished spaces, coastal chic and proximity to the many delights and attractions on the North Cornwall coast.

  • Active Holidays
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Circular exterior of cottage created within the base of a Suffolk windmill.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Harvey's Mill is a centuries-old Suffolk windmill near Saxmundham lovingly converted into a picture-perfect holiday cottage for two. It's a perfect rural bolthole for self-catering holidays and weekend romantic escapes, walking or cycling in the beautiful Suffolk Heritage Coast, and pets are welcome.

  • Active Holidays
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A lighthouse and cottages stands on a cliff edge.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Ariel is a stylish coastal cottage offering a unique getaway in Nash Point Lighthouse near Marcross on the South Wales Coast. The pet-friendly cottage sleeps 5. It provides uninterrupted ocean views and a sea breeze, lovely grounds with furnished spaces and an interior boasting contemporary chic, natural light and comfort.

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Pendeen lighthouse holiday cottages in a clifftop location
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Argus Cottage is a unique coastal cottage set inside Pendeen Lighthouse atop the cliffs of Pendeen. The pet-friendly cottage boasts stunning ocean views and an abundance of wildlife, as well as a generously sized, furnished garden, contemporary design features, a sea breeze and access to the Cornwall coast and South West Coast Path.

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

Whimsical Wonders: Quirky Holiday Cottages for the Adventurous Soul

Fancy a holiday that's a bit off-kilter? Step into the delightfully eccentric world of quirky holiday cottages, where the ordinary takes a back seat and the extraordinary becomes your temporary abode!

A Spin on Traditional Stays

Imagine waking up in a windmill, your head literally in the clouds (well, almost). These cylindrical charmers offer a slice of the high life, complete with winding staircases and panoramic views that'll make your Instagram followers green with envy.

Experience the Whimsical Beauty of Converted Railway Cottages

Or how about channelling your inner conductor in a converted railway carriage? All aboard the nostalgia express! These compact cottages are just the ticket for those who love to choo-choose unique accommodations.

Lighthouse Living: Not Just for Lonely Keepers

Lighthouse cottages are a beacon of hope for those who prefer their holidays with a dash of maritime magic. Fall asleep to the rhythm of crashing waves and wake up to views that'll make you feel like the king (or queen) of the sea.

Elevated Experiences

Tree huggers, rejoice! Luxury treehouses offer a chance to live out your childhood dreams, minus the splinters and wobbly planks. These lofty retreats come with all the mod cons, proving that the high life doesn't have to mean roughing it.

Fantasy Becomes Reality

Hobbit holes aren't just for the vertically challenged or Middle-earth enthusiasts. These earth-covered dwellings offer a chance to burrow into comfort, with round doors that would make Bilbo Baggins proud.

Signalling a New Kind of Stay

For a truly on-track holiday, converted signal boxes offer a unique vantage point. These elevated abodes give you a bird' s-eye view of the surrounding landscape, without needing actual wings.

Rustic Charm in a Compact Package

Shepherd's huts prove that good things come in small packages. These snug sanctuaries offer a cosy retreat that's perfect for those looking to count sheep in more ways than one.

Architectural Oddities

Follies, those wonderfully whimsical structures built purely for decoration, now offer more than just eye candy. Stay in a mock castle or a miniature Greek temple and live out your architectural fantasies.

These unusual holiday homes are more than just a place to rest your head; they're the starring characters in your next great adventure story. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a family escapade, or a solo sojourn, there's a quirky cottage waiting to become the backdrop to your holiday memories.

Ready to embark on your own distinctive holiday adventure? Explore our curated selection of quirky holiday cottages and unearth the perfect unconventional abode for your next getaway. From quirky cottages to unusual holiday homes, we offer a smorgasbord of properties that are anything but ordinary. Book directly with property owners and dive into a world of unique stays across the UK, enjoying transparent pricing and a personalised booking experience.

Your extraordinary holiday begins here. Uncover your ideal quirky cottage today and enter a world where the unusual becomes the unforgettable!