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
4
Bedrooms
2

In the heart of the North York Moors National Park, come to stay at Lanes Barn, a countryside cottage in the remote village of Glaisdale, new Whitby, North Yorkshire, that comfortably sleeps four and provides the perfect home base to explore all that the region has to offer.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A spacious,brick-built 3-storey holiday cottage in the Lincolnshire countryside near Kings Lynn. A large drive and lawned gardens surround the house.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Keepers Cottage in the civil parish of Middleton, Norfolk, is a traditional Victorian cottage set on an arable farm, a light and airy property lovingly converted into a dog-friendly holiday home featuring three king-size bedrooms (two with en-suites), spacious sitting room, and a stone courtyard.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A long, 2-storey stone house overlooks a sloping lawn with a picnic table.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Based in the small North Cornwall coastal village of Bossiney, The Round House is a semi-detached dog-friendly holiday cottage overlooking the beautiful land of North Cornwall. Close to Tintagel, The Round House is in a prime location for enjoying the sandy Cornish beaches for a fun family getaway.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 3-storey-rendered Herefordshire farmhouse overlooks a block-paved courtyard
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Wye View is a sophisticated modern Wye Valley holiday let with traditional features and views of the River Wye. The romantic cottage in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, is furnished to a very high standard and features a bay window, wooden floors, exposed stone walls and a light-filled, open-plan design.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A large open plan lounge with beamed ceiling, widescreen TV and comfy sofas.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Award-winning large 2-bedroom barn conversion - 5-star Gold. Free wifi - all on one floor, spacious ground floor bedrooms/wetrooms. Set on our rural farmstead in 19 acres of grass and woodland 2 miles from the historic town of Beverley. Arrive any day. Pets welcome. USE THE VISIT WEBSITE BUTTON TO SEE OUR WEBSITE VIRTUAL TOUR.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A semi-dtached, stone-buit North Yorkshire holiday cottage sits behind afront garden with shrubs and roses.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This semi-detached, sandstone coastal cottage is in the countryside hamlet of Dalehouse on the edge of Staithes on the North Yorkshire coast and can sleep four people in two bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a twin-gabled house with a full-length balcony overlooking a large garden.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Underwood House is a delightful south-facing manor with impressive views of the surrounding countryside in East Knoyle, Wiltshire. The generous balcony and grounds ensure relaxation and the spacious interior offers a farmhouse kitchen, a cosy log fire, bespoke furnishings, oak beams and charm.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large thatched cottage overlooks spacious, freshly-mown lawns.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Magna Cottage is a 300-year-old cottage with a thatched roof, abundant character, a large mature garden, and many homely comforts. The pet-friendly holiday cottage in a secluded corner of Dorset near Shaftesbury boasts an inglenook fireplace, contemporary style and beautiful views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior and patio of a single-storey, wooden eco-lodge surrounded by trees.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

Once a barn in a beautiful rural location, The Kingfisher’s Nest has been lovingly converted to create an idyllic one-bedroom waterside holiday cottage on the banks of Cowesby Beck in North Yorkshire. It is nicely located for exploring the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales. This luxury cottage sleeps 4 in one double bedroom plus a sofa bed.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages