An octagonal, stone-built toll house shaded by trees.

Book Self-Catering Holidays in Quirky and Unusual Holiday Homes

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.

Entry arch and adjoining granite-built cottage overlook a castle courtyard.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The National Trust for Scotland offers Courtyard Cottage, a romantic apartment inside Drum Castle in Drumoak. The pet-friendly holiday cottage in Aberdeenshire dates back 700 years and boasts antique furnishings in keeping with its history, as well as an open fire, contemporary comforts and beautiful grounds.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Stable Cottage, the front of a stone-built barn conversion.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Stable Cottage on the North Norfolk coast in Cromer is a luxury 5-star Award-winning Norfolk holiday cottage. This beautifully furnished, pet-friendly holiday cottage in East Runton features a private hot tub, table tennis, pool table, Sky Q HD and a private walled garden + BBQ. It's a 5-minute walk from the Blue Flag beach.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
holiday lodge deck with a hot-tub, table and chairs
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Escape to the Somerset countryside near Cheddar at the beautiful Combe Hay eco-lodge, complete with luxury furnishings and a private Jacuzzi hot tub, perfect for a romantic getaway for two.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Aerial view of a Cornish Lighthouse complex overlooking the sea.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Brook Cottage is a sophisticated coastal cottage set above the cliffs within Trevose Head Lighthouse near Padstow. The pet-friendly cottage enjoys spectacular ocean views and a sea breeze. It offers enclosed lawned gardens with furnished spaces, coastal chic and proximity to the many delights and attractions on the North Cornwall coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A split-level bungalow overlooks a wooden deck at dusk.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Situated just moments from Lee Bay, The Old Apple Store is a luxurious coastal cottage boasting a spacious deck and hot tub with beautiful views. The thoroughly modern holiday home near Ilfracombe offers an open-plan design with authentic urban chic, an open fire and the chance to explore the stunning North Devon coastline.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Circular exterior of cottage created within the base of a Suffolk windmill.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Harvey's Mill is a centuries-old Suffolk windmill near Saxmundham lovingly converted into a picture-perfect holiday cottage for two. It's a perfect rural bolthole for self-catering holidays and weekend romantic escapes, walking or cycling in the beautiful Suffolk Heritage Coast, and pets are welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A lighthouse and cottages stands on a cliff edge.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Ariel is a stylish coastal cottage offering a unique getaway in Nash Point Lighthouse near Marcross on the South Wales Coast. The pet-friendly cottage sleeps 5. It provides uninterrupted ocean views and a sea breeze, lovely grounds with furnished spaces and an interior boasting contemporary chic, natural light and comfort.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Pendeen lighthouse holiday cottages in a clifftop location
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Argus Cottage is a unique coastal cottage set inside Pendeen Lighthouse atop the cliffs of Pendeen. The pet-friendly cottage boasts stunning ocean views and an abundance of wildlife, as well as a generously sized, furnished garden, contemporary design features, a sea breeze and access to the Cornwall coast and South West Coast Path.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A double bed with pillows, scatter cushions, bedside tables an lamps.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Studio is a one-bedroom North Norfolk holiday cottage in East Ruston. It offers a delightful and stylish opportunity for couples to relax and enjoy a peaceful (and cosy) holiday in all seasons, exploring the Norfolk Broads and nearby beaches along the coast. From an EV charger to underfloor heating, you'll find that The Studio is comfortably equipped for all you'll need during your stay, including some eco-friendly features.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays