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.

Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
7

Wheelbarrow Castle is a large Herefordshire holiday cottage, partly dating back to the 16th Century, that lies in rural surroundings near Leominster in the pretty village of Stoke Prior. This well-maintained and nicely furnished dog-friendly holiday home sleeps 17 in 7 bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey holiday cottage in Watchet with a gabled porch opening onto a village street.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
3

Situated just 100 yards from Watchet marina is Cuain Cottage, a new holiday cottage in this lovely seaside town of Somerset. The coastal cottage features exposed beams, original features, and contemporary comforts and is just a hop and step away from the beaches and attractions of Watchet.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a brick-built holiday bungalow in Fakenham with spacious off-road parking.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Country charm defines Honey Buzzard Barn. The stone-built, pet-friendly, rural holiday cottage in Fakenham sits in a quiet space near Fakenham and boasts exposed beams, a woodburning stove, a country-style kitchen and feature brick walls. A pleasant courtyard provides space to relax, and the delights of Norfolk await.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Stone built exterior of a Yorkshire Dales cottage with large zinc plant pots lining the front.
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Middle Cottage lies in the sleepy Wensleydale village of Middleham. This 3-bedroom pet-friendly Dales holiday cottage is perfect for family holidays exploring the Dales or North York Moors. The Cottage is a short stroll to historic Middleham Castle, the childhood home of Richard III.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Aerial view of Marine Cottage in Falmouth looking across rooftops towards the sea.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Marine Cottage is a stunning 18th-century house located in the heart of Falmouth, a charming Cornish town. This Grade II-listed seaside cottage boasts luxurious detailing, an open fire, and a sun-drenched courtyard that offers breathtaking views of the nearby seaside, which is just a short stroll away.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

Belle Isle Castle – Hamilton Wing is a large holiday home near Enniskillen that offers sumptuous accommodation for up to 16 guests on an estate spread over eight picturesque islands on the northern tip of Upper Lough Erne in County Fernaugh, a child-friendly property with modern amenities expertly complementing original features.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
An end-of-terrace, brick holiday cottage in Church-Stretton behind a front lawn.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Betty’s Barn is a brick-built barn conversion on a 200-acre farm in the peaceful village of Eaton-under-Heywood, 5 miles from Church Stretton. This beautifully furnished countryside holiday cottage in South Shropshire sleeps 5, with gardens, ponds and access to idyllic woodland. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
2-storey exterior of a stone-built Peak District holiday cottage in a remote rural location.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

With breathtaking views of the Staffordshire Moorlands, this countryside holiday cottage in Buxton sleeps seven and features an open fire and a beautifully furnished living area. Downsdale Cottage is a cosy barn conversion on the edge of the pretty village of Flash in the Peak District National Park.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Cricket Cottage sits on the banks of the River Esk, near the historic fishing town of Whitby. This airy riverside cottage sleeps five guests in three bedrooms. Surrounded by some of North Yorkshire’s most idyllic countryside, it has a private patio and wonderful views towards a dramatic viaduct.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays