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 modern single storey lodge stands in front of trees overlooking a hedge-lined field.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This delightful lodge on Wakes Hall Farm is a haven of peace on 500 acres of private land. Having recently been awarded a five-star AA award, it features an open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting area, a verandah and a hot tub. The historic town of Colchester is 40 minutes away.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a heritage railway station building in North Yorkshire.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

The Ticket Office is a unique, quirky romantic cottage in the heart of Ruswarp in the North York Moors. The Grade II listed former ticket office features a cast iron fireplace and mullion windows encased in stone walls. The pet-friendly property is ideal for couples seeking something different.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
Double-fronted cottage exterior overlooks a quiet village street.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Syms Cottage is a characterful rural holiday cottage in Cutcombe which boasts wide-reaching views of the Somerset countryside and an inglenook fireplace with wood burning stove and bread oven. The pet-friendly Exmoor holiday cottage blends contemporary style with country charm and offers walks direct from its front door.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

8 Tawney House apartment occupies the first floor of the stone-built traditional house in Matlock. The rural apartment offers access to the village of Matlock and the wonders of the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales, plus furnished grounds and light and airy modern rooms with mullioned windows.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Front exterior of a modern house with stone steps to the 1st floor overlooking a lawn
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Wootton Gray enjoys enviable ocean views from many vantage points and sits just moments from the beaches and attractions in West Cornwall. The sophisticated Mousehole holiday home offers light and airy spaces, a furnished lawned garden, contemporary design features and a wood-burning stove.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a thatched holiday cottage in Thurlestone.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Enjoy self-catering holidays in Thurlestone at Just A Cottage’, an iconic thatched cottage in South Devon. This Grade II listed seaside retreat, dating back to the 17th century, offers stylish comfort for up to four people. Pet-friendly, with a beamed lounge, well-equipped kitchen, luxurious bathroom, and a small patio, it’s an ideal base near local beaches. Perfect for those seeking character, convenience, and a genuine South Hams experience. Discover more about this unique property’s allure in the full description.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Close up of a farm cottage exterior in The Quantock Hills showing the front door and surrounding shrubbery.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Discover The Old Bakery, a charming 17th-century dwelling nestled within the picturesque village of Crowcombe at the heart of the Quantock Hills. This characterful retreat, at Town End Farm, is not just for families but caters to couples of all ages seeking seclusion and luxury in Somerset's stunning countryside, regardless of the season.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior and patio of a single-storey, wooden eco-lodge surrounded by trees.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
1

Once a barn in a beautiful rural location, The Kingfisher’s Nest has been lovingly converted to create an idyllic one-bedroom waterside holiday cottage on the banks of Cowesby Beck in North Yorkshire. It is nicely located for exploring the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales. This luxury cottage sleeps 4 in one double bedroom plus a sofa bed.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Explore the North York Moors National Park and the North Yorkshire coastline from Barn Cottage.  This romantic holiday cottage above Robin Hood’s Bay has been charmingly restored as a rural retreat for couples to take in the majestic scenery of the coast and North York Moors.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays