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.

Exterior of a terraced Cotswold holiday cottage overlooking a village street.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

The Cotswold Cedar is a sophisticated and romantic 2-bedroom holiday cottage near Painswick set on the grounds of a 16th-century house. The Cotswold stone cottage is gorgeously presented and offers a pleasant sun-trap garden with a furnished deck, bi-fold doors and

open-plan spaces promising total relaxation.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Sail Boats is a lovely beachfront holiday bungalow within walking distance of Marazion's sandy beach in far West Cornwall. The Cornish holiday cottage can sleep two people in one bedroom within sight and sound of the sea.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
6

If your large family is looking for a place in the Peak District for a cottage holiday, look no further than The Rindle! This large rural holiday cottage near Leek comfortably houses up to 14 people and serves as the perfect rural base for countryside holidays for families and friends.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Set on the edge of the pretty village of Crantock on the North Cornwall coast, Talland Croft is a large and charming 5-bedroom house sleeping 10. The dog-friendly house is a short walk across dunes to a Crantock or an even shorter walk into the heart of Crantock, with good pubs and local shops.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Managed by My Favourite Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
6

Once Mevagissey’s first bank, this large, luxury Grade II listed holiday cottage in Cornwall now accommodates up to 10 people within six bedrooms spread across three floors. The well-appointed interior of this large, pet-friendly coastal cottage spoils guests with inner-city chic in a delightful rural location.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of an Ingleton holiday cottage overlooking a garden in a rural location.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Some of the best views in England can be savoured from Netherscar in Chapel-le-Dale near Ingleton. The detached, remote holiday cottage lies among the rolling hills in a haven of peace and tranquillity and offers three bedrooms, an open fire, and ample space for pets and children to roam.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior view of a stonebuilt, L-shaped barn conversion in the Shropshire Countryside.
Sleeps
24
Bedrooms
9

Castell Courtyard is a large holiday cottage with a hot tub on a working sheep farm in the beautiful Shropshire Countryside. It sleeps up to 24 guests in 11 bedrooms near Oswestry and is perfect for walking holidays in the Tanet Valley and Berwyn Mountains.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Farmhouse is a dog-friendly 3-bedroom Yorkshire Farmhouse in Penistone, offering glorious rural views right across to the Peak District. Sleeps 6. Perfect for walking and cycling holidays in The Pennines.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
Aerial photo of Flushing in Cornwall.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
5

Pendeen is a large coastal holiday rental in Cornwall, sleeping up to 9. It is located in the sought-after Flushing village and offers spectacular river views across the estuary towards Falmouth. This luxury holiday home offers memorable holidays for groups of friends and families. Pets are Welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages