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 semi-detached stone farm cottage with a lawn and picnic table.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Appletree is an impressive stone-built cottage on a working farm near Alnwick in Northumberland. The rural cottage sleeps 6 and boasts tranquillity and fresh country air, beautiful countryside views, furnished outdoor spaces and a play area, contemporary styling, and a log fire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
1

Filtered Light is a chic romantic cottage enjoying an enviable position in the city of Taunton in Somerset. The boutique-inspired cottage offers sleek detailing, natural light and open-plan spaces, views over the town’s rooftops and easy access to Somerset's many attractions.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Agency Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
A brick-built holiday home with single storey extensions and a large, tree-lined and well-mown lawn
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

Pebworth Cottage is a superb, sumptuously furnished detached Cotswold holiday cottage once owned by the actor Ben Kingsley. It is ideally located in the centre of the pretty village of Pebworth, just a short distance from the historic towns of Chipping Campden and Stratford-upon-Avon.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sea view from a patio with a breakfast table
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Perched high above the vibrant town of Brixham, this property has fantastic views of the harbour and out to sea. With three beautiful bedrooms sleeping six guests, it makes an ideal holiday home in Torbay for families or friends looking for a fabulous self-catering coastal holiday in Torbay.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
An outdoor swimming pool and terrace with a sun-lounger swing are overlooked by a garden and cottage.
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
5

Llys Offa is a spacious, family-friendly rural holiday cottage near Ruabon in North Wale. It offers tranquillity, multiple spaces for relaxation, a games room, a sauna, and an outdoor heated swimming pool, all of which sit beside a running stream and are within easy reach of the attractions of North Wales.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Semi-detaachd, brick holiday home in caersws with off-road parking spaces.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

7evern blends tradition with contemporary style in a converted barn near the village of Caersws in Mid Wales. The rural holiday cottage lies on Porth Farm, and the light and airy converted barn offers families joyful décor, exposed beams, and access to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
An open plan living area with a lounge, kitchen and stairs to the 1st floor.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Number 1 The Pier is a two-bedroom luxury holiday apartment in Falmouth situated in a brand new development on the Prince of Wales Pier. This stunning duplex apartment for 2-4 guests enjoys waterfront views, a large terrace, WiFi, and an allocated parking space.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a stone-built barn conversion with a securely fenced lawn and level access from the parking spaces.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
4

Set on a working farm on the northern slopes of Exmoor National Park is Yenworthy Barn, a wonderfully refurbished rural cottage in the hamlet of Countisbury, Devon. Boasting superb views of the Channel, the pet-friendly holiday cottage offers a wood-burning fire, contemporary comforts & a slice of history.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a single storey holiday cottage overlooking a courtyard.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

 

Explore Diana’s Cottage, a charming holiday home in Braunton. This rural cottage offers high-quality accommodation for up to 5 guests and lies within easy reach of the beach at Saunton Sands. With rustic charm and modern comforts, it features a spacious living room, a well-equipped kitchen, and a secluded garden. Pets are welcome, and key amenities are included. Experience the laid-back tranquillity of North Devon – book now for an unforgettable seaside holiday.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays