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
6
Bedrooms
2

Sleep among the canopy is The Treehouse, a luxurious rural cottage in Halse, Somerset, which boasts beautiful views, a swimming pool and a hot tub. The wooden-clad cottage includes a fireplace and promises 5-star eco-friendly comfort, access to the countryside, and miles of sandy beaches.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Aerial view of a Lighthouse and crew buildings atop cliffs overlooking the sea at Lizard Point in Cornwall.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Longships boasts spectacular views over the ocean from its position within Lizard Lighthouse near Lizard Village in Cornwall. The two-bedroom seaside cottage offers modern comforts, subtle decorations and ample grounds for children and pets to explore on a truly unique coastal holiday.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a hexagonal toll house in Nether Stowey
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

This listed 18th-century former toll house makes for a memorable romantic retreat in Somerset. This small yet enchanting Quantock Hills cottage lies on the quiet high street in Nether Stowey, a pretty Somerset coastal village, perfect for walking, riding and exploring unspoilt countryside.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Godrevy Lighthouse complex in a clifftop location.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Godrevy enjoys unrivalled views from its location atop the cliffs on the southernmost point of mainland Britain. The pet-friendly, seaside cottage in the Lizard Lighthouse offers modern comforts and spectacular views plus access to coastal walking paths and the beautiful beaches of Cornwall.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
Doves Barn Suffolk
Sleeps
20
Bedrooms
8

This large and spacious Suffolk Barn conversion Bradley is set on 2 acres of ground and provides well-furnished accommodation with delightful views over open countryside and has a hot tub for guests to enjoy.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Cottage Discounts
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A lighthouse and cottages stand on a clifftop against an ocean background.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Penda is a beautifully restored ex-lighthouse keeper's cottage at St Catherine's Lighthouse on the Isle of Wight. Its rural cliff-top location with superb sea views makes it a most appealing Ventnor holiday cottage. Sleeps 2-5. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A Victorian Railway Carriage converted into a small holiday cottage sleeps 2, set in a pretty private garden with ample parking that leads into a three-acre field. Ideal for couples, semi-rural location on the edge of the village of Wisbech St Mary. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a Cotswold honeystone cottage overlooking a lawn with daffodils in bloom.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

1 Lower Mill Cottages is a charming Cotswold Holiday Cottage nestling in a quiet corner of the Worcestershire village of Broadway with private parking. This two-bedroom,dog-friendly countryside cottage has lovely stream-bordered gardens and lies within an easy walk of superb pubs and restaurants.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
The exterior of restored railway carriage converted into self-ctering holiday accommodation with a vine-covered sun deck.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Ivywood is a Victorian Railway Carriage converted into a beautiful holiday cottage that sleeps 4. Set on the edge of the village of Wisbech St Mary in its own private garden with ample parking, which leads into a wood and 3-acre field. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays