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 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

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Ground floor, brick exterior of a barn conversion overlooking a shrub-filled garden
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Endless activities greet visitors to Oliver’s Mill, a large converted barn amid the rolling hills of Alkington. The 18th-century rural holiday cottage in Shropshire boasts style and traditional character and offers woodland, an indoor swimming pool, a multi-sports court & a children’s play area, plus a log fire.

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  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
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The double-fronted exterior of a rustic, terraced holiday cottage in a Mid Devon village street with a flowery creeper overhanging the front door.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Sausage Cottage in Oakford is a large and charming Mid Devon holiday cottage that can accommodate up to eight guests. It offers four delightful bedrooms, an inviting sitting room with an art deco fireplace, and a separate Snug/TV room. The cottage is situated within walking distance of the village pub and is an ideal base for exploring the idyllic moorland surroundings. It promises a unique and memorable stay for its guests.

  • Active Holidays
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A timber house on stilts beneath lime trees overlooks a large fenced garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Apple Tree House is a 5-star gold-rated rural cottage near Halse in Somerset. It is pet-friendly and sits below two mature lime trees, giving it the appearance of a mystical tree house. The Somerset holiday cottage combines country charm and modern amenities such as a swimming pool and a log burner. Guests can enjoy seclusion and a holiday amidst the idyllic foothills of The Quantocks.

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  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
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A Swiss-style wooden holiday lodge with a 1st floor deck looks out across lush Somerset countryside.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Panoramic Views is a chalet-inspired countryside cottage in the Trull area on the outskirts of the county town of Taunton, Somerset, offering stunning views of the Blackdown and Quantock hills, with a well-equipped kitchen, king master with en-suite with walk-in shower, and two flat-screen TVs.

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A restored windmill stands in the middle of a field of ripe wheat.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

This luxuriously furnished windmill, built in 1813 in the countryside near Usk in Monmouthshire, has been lovingly restored to create a large, quirky holiday cottage sleeping 12, close to the Brecon Beacons National Park. Pets are welcome.

  • Active Holidays
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Exterior of a sympathetically restored 3-storey farmhouse in County Durham.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Built in 1560, Scargill Castle epitomises country charm. The pet-friendly romantic cottage in Scargill, Yorkshire, emerges from the ruins of an old castle and features exposed beams, oak floors, a wood-burning stove, period furnishings and modern comforts, and seclusion and countryside views.

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Exterior of a Norfolk lighthouse converted to a luxury holiday home.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

The Norfolk Beacon is a sophisticated North Norfolk coastal cottage within the lighthouse at Winterton-on-Sea. Sitting within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the pet-friendly cottage boasts a sea breeze, beautiful views, unique architecture, a library, a log fire, a patio and a sunroom.

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Open-plan living space in a converted horse box in Somerset.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

Chill out in the Somerset countryside at Horsing Around, a converted horsebox near Frome. The luxury eco-friendly lodge offers expansive grounds with beautiful views, a spacious deck, and unique décor with modern comforts. Pick herbs from the garden and relax by the wood burner.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
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  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays

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!