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.

Sliding doors reveal the luxuriously furnished open-plan exterior of a modern holiday cottage.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Kersey Cottage is a beautiful, newly refurbished, family-friendly holiday home in the heart of Flushing village with an open plan living to sleep up to 8 guests in comfort. Dogs are welcome, and the spacious sun-trap garden is a real bonus!

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Set on the edge of Herefordshire's River Arrow, this large riverside holiday cottage in Eardisland stands in a scenic location in an attractive Herefordshire village. This dog-friendly holiday home is ideal for family or friends who want to walk in or explore this idyllic rural corner of Herefordshire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a stone-built country house surrounded by trees and parkland
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Deery Me is a luxurious rural holiday cottage in Oxfordshire set amid Blenheim Palace Park in Woodstock. Within easy reach of Oxford and the Cotswolds, the gorgeous 3-bedroom, pet-friendly cottage rests on the banks of the River Glyme within beautiful grounds and offers lovely outdoor areas, a fireplace and style.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A spacious lounge with sofas, woodburner and coffee table
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A log-burning fire crackles in Cranny, a cosy rural holiday cottage near Bude at East Thorne Farm. This pet-friendly holiday cottage in North Cornwall is surrounded by countryside and includes a beautiful garden, adventure playground, spa, indoor games room and proximity to the sea.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A large house with two bay wings overlooks a shrub-liined lawn.
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Nairn is a luxurious holiday cottage with a hot tub in Braunton on the North Devon coast. Boasting impressive grounds and outdoor entertaining areas, the pet-friendly cottage promises a memorable holiday. It also offers indoor and outdoor play areas and has a log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A rural holiday cottage with a terracotta roof sits behind a lawn with a shingled footpath.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Avonside Cottage is a unique riverside holiday cottage set beside the Avon River in the historic village of Pill in Somerset. The property sleeps four and boasts a sunny patio with river views, a lawned space, an interior with vaulted ceilings and wooden panelling, and open-plan design and true style.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a stone-built single storey cottage with a slate roof overlooking an empty cobbled street.
Sleeps
Bedrooms

 

Discover Your Coastal Haven on the Scottish Borders

Embrace the tranquillity of coastal living in the Scottish Borders at 15 Bogan, an idyllic two-bedroom end-terrace Coldingham holiday cottage. Nestled in the charming Berwickshire village of Coldingham, this delightful coastal holiday home provides the perfect retreat for couples or a family of four and a furry friend or two.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A single storey, stone barn conversion overlooks a lawned garden with outdoor table and chair.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Cosy Cottage offers compact yet comfortable accommodation for couples on holiday in the West Country. It is a delightful romantic country cottage situated on the edge of Dobwalls in Cornwall. It features a lovely double bedroom, a modern kitchen, and a small garden with rural views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A modern Ilfracombe holiday cottage surrounded by a split level wooden deck at dusk.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Situated just moments from Lee Bay, The Old Apple Store is a luxurious coastal cottage boasting a spacious deck and hot tub with beautiful views. The thoroughly modern holiday home near Ilfracombe offers an open-plan design with authentic urban chic, an open fire and the chance to explore the stunning North Devon coastline.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays