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.

Behind a low stone wall and lawns stands a lighthouse tower and buildings.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

View Stopes Cottage at The Old Higher Lighthouse, an unusual Portland Bill holiday cottage with sea views near Weymouth in Dorset, offering a sensational and unique holiday home. Once the dwelling place of Marie Stopes, this converted Jurassic Coast Lighthouse sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey holiday cottage in Ulverston in a convrted stone barn surrounded by a low stone wall.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A cosy romantic holiday cottage in the Lake District for couples near Ulverston, Thimble Cottage is a Cumbrian barn conversion featuring a galleried double bedroom and open plan living area; the cottage lies in a secluded area, close to Ulverston, Coniston, and Furness Coast beaches.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Semi-detached cottages with French windows overlook a large lawn.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Views of the working farm and the ocean beyond greet guests at Stephen’s Cottage in Alnmouth, Northumberland. The three bedrooms sit within the stone walls of this pet-free end terrace, which has been delightfully furnished and befitting a charming country property with modern amenities.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Northumberland farmhouse in open countryside overlooks a row of traditional barns
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
6

Homestone Farmhouse is a large, traditional, stone-built farmhouse on a 250-acre working farm in an idyllic, secluded rural location 5 miles from Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula. View this child-friendly farmhouse in Scotland sleeps 11 in 5 bedrooms. Pets welcome.

  • 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
3 storey exterior of a large modern Shropshire holiday home with outdoor dining facilities and a large laen.
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
6

This charming Grade II listed Shropshire holiday cottage in Bishop's Castle sleeps 15 in 6 bedrooms in the tranquil Shropshire market town of Bishop's Castle—perfect for countryside walking holidays along the England-Wales border for families or friends. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A thatched Hampshire holiday cottage sits behind a flowering hedgerow in the countryside.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

3-Bedroom, Pet-Friendly New Forest Holiday Home Near Lymington

Forest Cottage, ideal for self-catering holidays in the New Forest, invites you to a charming retreat. Nestled in a fabulous location, this detached thatched cottage exudes character with exposed beams and a peaceful garden. Sleeps five in three bedrooms, providing a quaint escape for families and couples. Direct forest access is perfect for New Forest walking holidays. Explore nearby attractions like Beaulieu Village, Lymington, and Bucklers Hard. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the New Forest—book your stay for a delightful holiday experience.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of an old brick-built house with dormer windows in the roof. It overlooks a large lawn in which stands a tall fir tree.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Peak Hill Cottage blends old and new in a rural location on the Suffolk coast in Theberton. It features exposed beams, an inglenook fireplace and modern furnishings and is surrounded by rolling green hills. Ideal for a family holiday. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Barn conversions are reflected in the waters of a lake.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Duror is a pretty, three-bedroom holiday cottage at Lower Aylescott near Woolacombe in North Devon. The child-friendly cottage is within easy reach of award-winning beaches and the Exmoor National Park. Sleeping 2-6, guests can access onsite fishing and a children's play area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Managed by My Favourite Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a large thatched Dartmoor farmhouse amidst mature gardens
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

View Langstone Farm, a rural holiday home near Chagford, Devon, just two miles from the vibrant little town. This four-bedroom country haven offers a rustic interior with exposed beams, a fully equipped kitchen, and an inviting sitting room. Enjoy superb views, a tranquil pond, and ample off-road parking. Surrounded by green hills and close to wild moors, it's an ideal escape for a family or friends seeking a relaxing break in Dartmoor National Park. Discover more about this charming rural retreat by reading the fuller description.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays