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 stone-built Exmoor farmhouse standing ina.  remote moorland location
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

This large Exmoor holiday home is in a beautiful secluded position surrounded by moorland near Simonsbath and can sleep ten people in five bedrooms. Limecombe is ideally located for walking and cycling holidays on Exmoor.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Godrevy Lighthouse complex in a clifftop location.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Godrevy enjoys unrivalled views from its location atop the cliffs on the southernmost point of mainland Britain. The pet-friendly, seaside cottage in the Lizard Lighthouse offers modern comforts and spectacular views plus access to coastal walking paths and the beautiful beaches of Cornwall.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Set amidst the splendour of Exmoor National Park in the beautiful Avill Valley, Bossington Cottage near the medieval village of Dunster, Somerset, is part of a nine-acre complex of countryside cottages, a pet-friendly family holiday retreat with two first-floor bedrooms and shared indoor pool.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
19
Bedrooms
8

Luxuriously large barn conversion Yorkshire Pennine cottages, we have four properties here at Smallshaw Farm near Penistone, sleeping from 2 to 7 (19 people in all). They are surrounded by 700 acres of open farmland with a large garden area. Dogs are welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
5

Bryn Cemllyn is a large rural holiday cottage in Gwynedd that sleeps 12. Located in the Coed-y-Brenin Forest near Dolgellau, it lies inland from the coast at Barmouth and just south of the Snowdonia National Park - a fabulous location for holidays in the Great Outdoors. Pets Welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Semi-detaachd, brick holiday home in caersws with off-road parking spaces.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

7evern blends tradition with contemporary style in a converted barn near the village of Caersws in Mid Wales. The rural holiday cottage lies on Porth Farm, and the light and airy converted barn offers families joyful décor, exposed beams, and access to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built terraced holiday cottage near Fakenham
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Dairy Barn is a charming rural holiday cottage near Fakenham bursting with a traditional character set on 7 acres of grounds in Toftrees, Norfolk. The 18th-century barn conversion welcomes pets and boasts lovely gardens, exposed beams, a swimming pool, and a games room featuring brick walls and a contemporary setting.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Chairs around an outdoor dining table offer beautiful sea views.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Crag is a unique, secluded seaside cottage near Housel Bay near Helston, with spectacular ocean views from its cliff-top position. It offers an open fire, luxury fittings, an expansive patio, space for children, artistic design features and access to sandy beaches on the Cornish coastline.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A balcony with table and chairs overlooks Sidmouth's seafront.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

York House is a beautifully restored Georgian beachfront holiday home in Sidmouth, offering luxurious comforts and stunning sea views. Relax by the fireplace in the living room or cook in the fully equipped kitchen. Cross the Esplanade to the beach the beach to enjoy leisurely seaside strolls. Gather for meals in the spacious dining area overlooking the sea or dine al fresco on one of two terraces. With its prime location and coastal charm, York House promises an unforgettable seaside holiday in Sidmouth.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages