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 2-storey, stone-built East Devon holiday cottage overlooks a shingle covered courtyard.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
2

Relax and unwind in this cosy East Devon rural holiday cottage in the Blackdown Hills near Honiton and, slightly further, the Jurassic coast. Apple Tree Cottage is perfect for couples seeking a romantic rural retreat in any season or a family with an infant for holidays during school term times.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
2-storey exterior of. stone-built barn conversion overlooking a paved terrace and a lawn
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Harvest Cottage welcomes couples to a pretty stone and pantiled farm cottage near Pickering in the heart of picturesque Levisham. The pet-friendly, one-bedroom barn conversion offers ample gardens and peace and quiet. It is an ideal base for exploring the North York Moors and coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
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
  • 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
Modern, 3-storey Dorset eco-lodge overlooking a patio and large lawn.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

Harbour Lights is a spacious seaside cottage located in Dorset, situated between Bridport and West Bay. The cottage provides modern amenities and offers breathtaking views of both the countryside and the sea. It is pet-friendly and comes with a large furnished terrace, perfect for hosting gatherings. Inside, the cottage features elegant Corian work surfaces, as well as marble and wooden floors.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a large, twin-gabled brick farmhouse with a gazebo.
Sleeps
24
Bedrooms
10

Orchard House is a large and luxuriously furnished holiday cottage in Monmouthshire nestled deep in the Llangovan Valley on a cider apple farm. It lies in a peaceful rural area of outstanding natural beauty. This family and dog-friendly countryside cottage sleep 24 in 10 bedrooms (8 bathrooms). Pets Welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-story house with summer houses is surrounded by open countryside.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Welcome to Long Ing Farm, a charming large holiday home in Holmfirth, on the owner's working farm close to the breathtaking Peak District National Park. This stone-built detached Holmfirth holiday cottage is a treasure trove of character, featuring exposed beams, open eaves, and traditional furnishings that lend a warm and welcoming ambience.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Pembrokeshire stone barn conversion surrounded by fields.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3
Y Bwthyn is a beautiful, family-friendly Pembrokeshire countryside cottage with a hot tub outside Llandissilio on a working farm . It is a great place to explore the rural scenery on foot, by bike or car, or to relax on the superb Gower Peninsula beaches.
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey Exmoor holiday cottage stands in front of a bank of mature trees.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Discover the quiet luxury of The Mount, a large holiday home in Dulverton accommodating up to 10 guests. This comfortably furnished property with a games room invites you to experience memorable holidays on Exmoor with family or friends. Enjoy spacious interiors, stunning views, and a tranquil atmosphere in this beautiful National Park, ensuring a perfect rural retreat for those seeking an escape to the countryside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
15
Bedrooms
7

Pensarn Hall is a large, impressive Victorian country house in the Snowdonia National Park with lovely gardens. This pet-friendly, rural holiday home in Llanbedr sleeps 15 in 7 bedrooms and lies within easy reach of fabulous sandy beaches.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays