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.

A single storey barn conversion with Frenchwindos and a mature garden of shrubs and small trees.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Bradbridge Barn is a gorgeous stone-built rural cottage in a peaceful location in Newton Ferrers in Devon. The sophisticated, open-plan cottage sleeps 4, retains features such as exposed beams and wooden panelling, and boasts a handcrafted kitchen, a lovely furnished garden, and tranquillity.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
The exterior of a double-fronted terraced cottage overlooks an empty village street.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
2

With views over the village green, Chapel Cottage is an ideal family cottage. The pet-friendly cottage in Exford provides comfort and style and is set inside Exmoor National Park and its endless natural wonders. Set over three levels, the cottage boasts a wood burner plus generous outdoor areas for relaxation.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a wisteria-clad, terraced holiday cottage in Mevagissey overlooking a cobbled street.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Elm Terrace welcomes families and pets to a gorgeous coastal cottage in the sought-after fishing village of Mevagissey, Cornwall. The seaside holiday home boasts ocean views and a sleek modern interior encased in an original stone façade. A small garden completes the attractions of this hilltop property.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Front exterior of a tone built barn conversion in Cumbria with a small, pave courtyard.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Hill Side Barn is a spacious Lake District barn conversion with a hot tub that sleeps six guests seeking a high-quality rural retreat in a quiet rural corner of Cumbria that’s not too far from the best bits of the Southern Lake District and the Cumbrian coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
1930s-style detached chalet bungalow with a paved deck surrounded by lawns and the Dorset countryside.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

This large shooting lodge is located in Dorset with peaceful rural views in a secluded location, only a short walk to Symondsbury. Axen Lodge sleeps eight over four bedrooms. This property accommodates a large garden with a hot tub, trampoline and gas BBQ. Dogs are welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Cottage Discounts
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Kitchen worktops and dining table in a Norfolk cottage with oak-beamed ceilings.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Stockman’s Cottage is a delightfully sophisticated rural cottage featured in Country Living Magazine. The pet-friendly holiday cottage near Derham, Norfolk, promises a gorgeous garden, fresh air, exposed beams, an inglenook fireplace with a wood burner, and contemporary style and rural seclusion.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
2-storey exterior of. stone-built barn conversion overlooking a paved terrace and a lawn
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Harvest Cottage welcomes couples to a pretty stone and pantiled farm cottage near Pickering in the heart of picturesque Levisham. The pet-friendly, one-bedroom barn conversion offers ample gardens and peace and quiet. It is an ideal base for exploring the North York Moors and coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
A stone-built country cottage overlooks a large courtyard
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Bluebird Cottage is a charming Derbyshire farm cottage near Ashbourne where you might make some animal friends on the farm before venturing into the beautiful Peak District countryside. With two bedrooms, this remote country cottage is perfect for a small family self-catering holiday.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
An Anglesey bungalow surrounded by lawns and a woodland backdrop.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Spectacular views of Blue Flag Llanddona Beach are available from almost every window of this pet-friendly cottage for four in Anglesey. With everything arranged on a single floor, Hen Felin Isaf is convenient, welcoming, and relaxing, truly a seaside holiday destination of your dreams.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages