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

Positioned at the end of the three-mile shingle beach at Slapton Sands, you couldn’t get closer to the sea if you tried. Step inside this beautiful apartment, and you’ll instantly feel at home. Enjoy the fantastic sea views from the Juliet balcony, or relax in the spacious open-plan living areas.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior  of a brick-built, village holiday cottage and front garden at dusk.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Pear Tree House is a stylish, well-equipped, dog-friendly 3-bedroom village holiday home close to York.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built barn conversion with a securely fenced lawn and level access from the parking spaces.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

Set on a working farm on the northern slopes of Exmoor National Park is Yenworthy Barn, a wonderfully refurbished rural cottage in the hamlet of Countisbury, Devon. Boasting superb views of the Channel, the pet-friendly holiday cottage offers a wood-burning fire, contemporary comforts & a slice of history.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Gable end of a contemporary wooden lodge in Powys with floor-to-ceiling windows
Sleeps
Bedrooms
2

Shepherd’s Rest is a luxurious holiday cottage surrounded by open countryside near Llandyssil in Powys, Mid Wales. The pet-friendly rural cottage boasts glorious views and tranquillity, an open fire, a hot tub, extensive grounds, a sophisticated interior and serenity.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A siungle storey wing of a stone-bult property overlooks a terrace and gardens.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Summer Palace: A Tranquil Retreat for Couples in Middleham

Nestled in the heart of the charming village of Middleham in North Yorkshire, The Summer Palace stands as an exceptional stone-built, detached cottage, offering an idyllic escape for couples seeking respite amid picturesque rural surroundings.

 

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Granary Cottage is a stone-built holiday cottage in Staintondale that treats guests to blissful rural charm within the North York Moors National Park. The pet-friendly coastal cottage houses contemporary features, peace and tranquillity and stunning ocean views from its spacious gardens.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-torey rural holiday cottage overlooks a garden pond
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This beautiful, well-equipped, dog-friendly Lake District Holiday Cottage near Cunsey has views over Lake Windermere from its location on the 5000-acre Greythwaite country estate. Guests have access to a heated indoor swimming pool, gym, fishing, and a kids' play area. Hilltop sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

This cosy countryside holiday cottage for couples sleeps two on a peaceful 200-acre farm near Church Stretton in the rural village of Eaton-under-Heywood. Kite’s Nest is a beautiful barn conversion surrounded by South Shropshire’s picturesque countryside, with access to gardens, ponds and woods.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey house with a ground-floor extension overlooks a courtyard and mature garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Coachman’s Cottage is a gorgeous romantic bolthole with ocean views in West Porlock, Somerset. The former stable block sleeps two, welcomes pets, and features contemporary style and traditional charm, ample grounds, wooden floors, furnished outdoor spaces, a sea breeze and a log fire. 

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays