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.

Two shepperds huts at dusk, converted and linked to form a singl unit unit
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Anne’s Hut blends into the surrounding woodland. The unique former shepherd’s hut has been fashioned into a romantic holiday cottage in Penterry, Monmouthshire, which boasts extensive gardens with wonderful countryside views, luxurious décor, a wood burner, an outdoor firepit and contemporary comforts.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
The tower of a windmill (no sails) surrounded by a shrub-filled garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Once a working flour mill for over 100 years, Aylsham Windmill now offers luxurious, family-friendly self-catering holidays (with Wi-Fi) for 2-6 guests in Aylsham, a picturesque rural market town in North Norfolk midway between Norwich and the coast at Cromer.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Pembrokeshire stone barn conversion surrounded by fields.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3
Y Bwthyn is a beautiful, family-friendly Pembrokeshire countryside cottage with a hot tub outside Llandissilio on a working farm . It is a great place to explore the rural scenery on foot, by bike or car, or to relax on the superb Gower Peninsula beaches.
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large brick house backed by tall pine trees overlooks a vast lawn.
Sleeps
24
Bedrooms
10

The Croft offers large country house self-catering accommodation amidst 6 acres of gardens with a private indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and hot tub in a rural Herefordshire hamlet near Peterchurch. Sleeps 24 in 11 bedrooms (7 en-suite).

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
Exterior of a 2 storey detached house overlooking a garden and driveway.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

This spacious holiday home in Torbay offers stunning views of Brixham Marina and the bay towards Torquay. The open-plan living space is bright and inviting, and the enclosed garden with seating makes it an excellent choice for families or friends looking to spend a memorable break in Brixham.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
Exterior of a thatched Exmoor cottage overlooking a large lawn.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
5

Discover Thorn Cottage, a Winsford holiday home, nestled in the Exmoor National Park. This Grade II listed period cottage offers modern comforts for up to 8 guests, including pets. Enjoy a well-equipped kitchen, cosy living spaces, and a charming cottage garden. Ideal for exploring Exmoor on foot or by car, with picturesque walks and wildlife sightings such as deer and ponies. Don't miss out – explore the full description today!

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
4

Beesoni Lodge is a delightfully-converted barn which exudes charm and treats groups to a four-bedroom property with contemporary fittings. The large rural holiday cottage lies at the foot of the Malvern Hills in Hill End and is ideal for pets, wildlife enthusiasts and those wishing to explore Worcestershire.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large, contemporary 3-storey apartment building with a central gable of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Make your stay along the Welsh Riviera memorable with a stay at The Mushroom House, a fabulous ground-floor, seaside holiday apartment in  Tenby. This one-bedroom romantic cottage for couples is just steps from award-winning Pembrokeshire beaches. It features open plan living space and a front decked area.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Annexe is one of 12 Exmoor Holiday Cottages at Duddings Country Cottages in the beautiful Avill Valley near Dunster and Minehead. It sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms. Facilities include an indoor pool, spa bath, games room, tennis court, trampoline, and play centre. Families and dogs are welcome. The Annexe is 4-star rated by Visit England.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays