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 stone-built farmhouse overlooks a large, secure lawn in the Dorset countryside.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Crepe Farm Cottage is a pet-friendly detached holiday cottage in Bridport, a short walk from Symondsbury Village. It sleeps 7 in 4 bedrooms and has 2 log burners, a hot tub, and a large private garden with outstanding rural views of Colmers Hill!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Double-fronted exterior of a limestone block-built cottage with sash windows.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Explore Rockwell House, a large holiday home in the Pennines and an enticing Wearhead holiday let. It has modern comforts and period charm and boasts spacious bedrooms with en-suites, a cosy living area with wood-burning stoves, and a fully equipped kitchen. Nearby attractions like Killhope Lead Mining Museum and Hamsterley Forest offer outdoor adventures. With room for nine guests, it’s perfect for family getaways. Discover more about this inviting retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Town Farm is a luxury holiday cottage in the Yorkshire Dales near Barnard Castle. This large holiday home with a hot tub spoils guests with high-quality furnishings in every room and spacious gardens that invite relaxation and socialising for families and large groups. Sleeps 10.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
The leafy-clad exterior of a stone-built single-storey exmoor holiday cottage with a flight of stone steps to the front door.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Shippon is a wonderfully converted cow shed on a working farm in the Exmoor National Park, Somerset. Dating back to the 14th century, the pet-friendly holiday cottage near Wheddon Cross sleeps four. It promises beautiful views and tranquillity, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, authentic style and a log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A half-timbered and thatched Tudor Cotswold cottage and garden.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Corner Thatch is a stunning chocolate box holiday cottage in Abbots Morton from the 17th century. The former post office is a Grade II listed property boasting a thatched roof and black and white half-timbered charm, traditional features, delightful gardens and access to Worcestershire.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A paved path leads to the side entrance of a brick built, Isle-of-Wight holiday cottage
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A romantic holiday retreat for two awaits visitors to the Isle of Wight at The Sail Loft Annexe. Just west of the historic harbour town of Yarmouth, guests can easily access a private beach from this delightful ground-floor beach apartment.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
End of terrace holiday cottage with large windows and Juliet balcony.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Harbour View enjoys beautiful views of Porthmadog Harbour. It offers families a modern and spacious seaside holiday let in North Wales and Snowdonia. The pet-friendly apartment is in a quiet residential area close to beaches, which features light-filled spaces, modern comforts, and a refreshing sea breeze.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A modern Ilfracombe holiday cottage surrounded by a split level 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
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  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A semi-detached with a large 1st floor balcony overooks a front garden with off-road parking.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

7 The Retreat is a sophisticated coastal cottage in Torbay, just a short walk from the beach in Paignton. Sleeping six, the pet-friendly Devon cottage is beautifully furnished. It boasts a lovely enclosed garden with a summer house, plus a light-filled interior with wooden floors, pastels & Juliet balconies.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks