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.

Exterior of a 3-storey, farmhouse in Derbyshire.
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.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a hexagonal toll house in Nether Stowey
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

This listed 18th-century former toll house makes for a memorable romantic retreat in Somerset. This small yet enchanting Quantock Hills cottage lies on the quiet high street in Nether Stowey, a pretty Somerset coastal village, perfect for walking, riding and exploring unspoilt countryside.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A lighthouse on a clifftop overlooking the ocean.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Situated on the grounds of a working lighthouse at the southernmost point in Devon, Landward Cottage near the abandoned coastal village of Hallsands overlooks Start Bay. It offers gorgeous sea views and a pet-friendly three-bedroom South Devon holiday cottage featuring a gravel patio and cosy sitting room.

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

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A lighthouse complex with a squat tower perches on a clifftop.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Rowena Cottage is uniquely positioned inside a converted lighthouse near Swanage and enjoys superb ocean views from Anvil Point. The pet-friendly cottage features ample grounds to soak up the views of the Dorset coastline and boasts luxury and a rare chance to get away in a spectacular location.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A grand 3-storey, brick-built Tudor house overlooks a large, formal lawned gardens.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
12

Surround yourself with royal luxury at Upton Cressett Hall, a grand regal cottage in Shropshire. Marvel at the manicured grounds of the pet-friendly cottage, and indulge in the seclusion and beauty of a residence boasting log fires, exposed beams, antique furnishings and unique décor.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Enchanting 16th Century Pink Cottage in Coddenham, one of the prettiest Suffolk Villages. Fabulous walks. It is ideal for exploring the countryside and Suffolk Heritage Coast. Cyclists can keep their bikes in the enclosed courtyard garden. Perfect for a relaxing romantic break for one or two people.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Semi-detached, stone-built, slate-roofed Cornish Cottage with wooden sash windows.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Indulge in the serene allure of Cosy Cornish Cottage, the perfect Cornish coastal getaway for a family or small group of friends. This pet-friendly haven in Cornwall beckons with its charming ambience and spacious accommodation for up to 6 guests across 3 bedrooms, ensuring an intimate escape for couples or a cosy gathering for friends. Picture enchanting evenings by the crackling log burners and days brimming with exploration amidst Cornwall's breathtaking landscapes and attractions. Revel in the modern comforts, from Wi-Fi to underfloor heating, and savour the convenience of nearby shops and eateries. Whether you seek quiet moments with your partner or cherished memories with friends, Cosy Cornish Cottage offers a haven for relaxation and adventure. Secure your slice of romantic bliss today!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Lighthouse complex on a clifftop with panoramic ocean views.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Panoramic ocean views stretch before Verity Cottage, a sophisticated coastal cottage within Trevose Head Lighthouse. The coast of Cornwall lies on either side of the cottage, which boasts outdoor entertaining spaces, contemporary comfort, light and airy design, the chance to get away from it all with more clean, fresh, revitalising air than you could shake a windsock at.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages