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.

End of terrace holiday cottage with large windows and Juliet balcony.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Harbour View enjoys beautiful views of Porthmadog Harbour. It offers families a modern and spacious seaside holiday let in North Wales and Snowdonia. The pet-friendly apartment is in a quiet residential area close to beaches, which features light-filled spaces, modern comforts, and a refreshing sea breeze.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
7

It may look Victorian, but Hartcliffe View is a large, sumptuously furnished, modern house in a rural location, standing in moorland on the edge of the Peak District near Penistone in South Yorkshire. This dog-friendly holiday cottage sleeps 15. It has a games room and football pitch in the garden.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
22
Bedrooms
8

Once a village pub, The Anchor has been tastefully converted to create a large Forest of Dean Holiday Cottage, complete with a hot tub and games room. This family-friendly holiday home in Gloucestershire lies in a magical rural location in the Wye Valley. Pets welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Managed by My Favourite Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey barn conversion overlooks a paved courtyard and open countryside in North Wales.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Discover The Stables at Cae Gwyn, a remote Denbighshire farm cottage boasting original features and breathtaking views. This large holiday cottage with a hot tub offers four bedrooms, ample parking, and charming living spaces, including a games room and snug. With nearby attractions like Ruthin and Llangollen, it's the perfect base for exploring North Wales. View the full description for an unforgettable getaway.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
8

A charming Grade-II listed stone holiday cottage in Snainton near Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast, this pet-friendly holiday cottage sleeps 17 in 8 bedrooms and oozes warmth and charm. Relax in the hot tub, walk in the North York Moors or enjoy a day trip to the seaside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Stone-built, single storey barn conversion overlooking open countryside.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Willows is a one-bedroom Weymouth holiday cottage ideal for couples or solo travellers. It is set on our working farm in Dorset overlooking the Fleet Lagoon and the mighty Jurassic Coastline. It is also ideal for walkers, cyclists, and people who just want to escape to the peace and tranquillity of the Dorset countryside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Stag Lodge is a large, dog-friendly, remote Highland cottage set on the 12,000-acre Glencarron Estate near Strathcarron in the Western Highlands, within easy reach of the West Coast beaches. It offers accommodation for eight people in four bedrooms, one double and three twins.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Managed by My Favourite Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A country cottage on the edge of a wood surrounded by well-kept lawns and flower beds.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A pretty stone-built cosy coastal cottage near Kirkcudbright with sea views, Cutlar's Cottage is set in its own fully enclosed garden overlooking a wildflower meadow. It's a glorious walk to the seashore and a 2-3 minute amble to the landscaped loch and pavilion.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
North Yorkshire barn conversion surrounded by a lawn, trees and mature shrubs
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Hayloft successfully combines old-world charm with vibrant colours in a charming stone-built detached barn conversion in the village of Lastingham. The 18th-century romantic holiday cottage in North Yorkshire boasts a stylish open-plan living area with character and an open fire. The Cottage is nicely situated for walking holidays on the North York Moors.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays