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 thatched Hampshire holiday cottage sits behind a flowering hedgerow in the countryside.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

3-Bedroom, Pet-Friendly New Forest Holiday Home Near Lymington

Forest Cottage, ideal for self-catering holidays in the New Forest, invites you to a charming retreat. Nestled in a fabulous location, this detached thatched cottage exudes character with exposed beams and a peaceful garden. Sleeps five in three bedrooms, providing a quaint escape for families and couples. Direct forest access is perfect for New Forest walking holidays. Explore nearby attractions like Beaulieu Village, Lymington, and Bucklers Hard. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the New Forest—book your stay for a delightful holiday experience.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A brick-built barrn conversion overlooks a garden with a pond.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Cae-Caled Cottage is an award-winning romantic cottage lying on a farm at the foot of the Clwydian Hill Range. The pet-friendly cottage in Bodfari, North Wales, promises contemporary chic and country charm, a swimming pool, private fishing, a delightful garden and an open fire.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Chairs around an outdoor dining table offer beautiful sea views.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Crag is a unique, secluded seaside cottage near Housel Bay near Helston, with spectacular ocean views from its cliff-top position. It offers an open fire, luxury fittings, an expansive patio, space for children, artistic design features and access to sandy beaches on the Cornish coastline.

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

The Coach House is a Gold Award Winning detached Georgian house dating back to 1817. The pet-friendly cottage lies beside the river near Bellingham. It boasts an open fire, exposed beams, a stargazing platform, loads of character, a tennis court and beautiful gardens with views of Northumberland.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
House lights in this wooden Somerset holiday cottage glow brightly in the dusk.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Nestling below two mature lime trees is The Apple Tree House, a 5-star gold-rated rural cottage near Halse in Somerset. The pet-friendly cottage resembles a mystical tree house and combines country charm with a swimming pool, log burner and the promise of seclusion and a holiday amidst idyllic Somerset countryside

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
13
Bedrooms
5

A fun-filled self-catering holiday in the Yorkshire Dales awaits at Laurel Bank, a large, five-bedroom, pet-friendly holiday home near the rural village of Embsay. Laurel Bank Cottage sits among mature gardens. This charming and modern cottage is finished with dashes of bold colour and country style.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Granary Stone House is a large holiday cottage on the Northumberland Coast with views over Embleton Bay north of Alnwick. The pet-friendly, beautifully furnished property sleeps 12 in 6 bedrooms and welcomes large families and groups throughout the year.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

The Cider House is a charming thatched cottage set on North End Farm in Chideock, Dorset. The large, pet-friendly cottage sleeps eight. It features exposed beams, stone walls, wooden floors, endless rural charm, an open-plan design, and multiple outdoor spaces for enjoying fresh air and views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Stone built Whitby holiday home with terracotta tiles and Velux windows on the roof overlook a lawn and parking space
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Rural character dominates this large coastal holiday cottage in Whitby: exposed beams, a feature brick fireplace and a whalebone in the wall transport guests back to yesteryear. Four bedrooms and two bathrooms sit within the stone walls of the pet-friendly holiday home, offering easy access to the North York Moors National Park.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays