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 large Exmoor holiday cottage nestles in a wooded valley.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
5

Whitley Farm is a 5-bedroom Grade II listed farmhouse located on the outskirts of Exmoor National Park in North Devon. Offering self-catering accommodation for up to 9 guests plus a cot, this charming farmhouse near the rural village of Molland is perfect for families and groups seeking a peaceful retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A patio table laid for tea in a Fowey holiday cottage with views to the waterside.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Place View is a beautiful, luxuriously furnished seaside holiday cottage in Fowey. It boasts modern amenities, an open fire, and a stunning terrace offering panoramic views of the estuary. The charming cottage sits atop a hill in the heart of this quaint Cornish village with its narrow, winding streets and abundance of restaurants, cafes and fascinating independent shops.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Weymouth apartment deck with a table laid for breakfast.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Discover the homely comforts of The Seafoal, a Lyme Regis holiday apartment, perfect for a seaside retreat for two. Enjoy breathtaking sea views, a private roof terrace, and a king-size bed. This contemporary haven, nestled behind Lyme’s main high street, offers a prime location with onsite parking. Immerse yourself in comfort with a well-equipped kitchen, smart TV, and Juliet balcony. Explore Lyme Regis’s charm, beaches, and iconic landmarks from this exclusive second-floor escape. Experience the best of the coast at The Seafoal – your ideal seaside apartment.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
Two-storey brick exterior of a holiday home in Beverley
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Old Dairy opens up the North York Moors and Coast for exploration and provides for a comfortable stay in Beverley. The converted barn welcomes pets and sleeps 4 guests and offers an enclosed, lawned garden with a summerhouse, as well as an open-plan design, arched windows and contemporary style.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
16
Bedrooms
8

Belle Isle Castle – Hamilton Wing is a large holiday home near Enniskillen that offers sumptuous accommodation for up to 16 guests on an estate spread over eight picturesque islands on the northern tip of Upper Lough Erne in County Fernaugh, a child-friendly property with modern amenities expertly complementing original features.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a modern detached house with covered balcony.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Discover the charm of Cobblestones, a two-bedroom holiday cottage in Lyme Regis. Centrally located, it offers easy access to the seafront, shops, and attractions. Enjoy comfort in the well-equipped kitchen, lounge with a flat-screen TV, and a conservatory with patio access. The property features a spacious garden with coastal views. Parking is available. It is ideal for self-catering holidays in Lyme Regis, providing a perfect base to explore the UNESCO Jurassic Coast and the town’s vibrant festivals. For further information or booking, use the ‘Visit Website’ or ‘View Availability’ buttons when viewing our main page.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A tall lighthouse stands on a headland overlooking the ocean.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Ariel is a stylish coastal cottage offering a unique getaway in Nash Point Lighthouse near Marcross on the South Wales Coast. The pet-friendly cottage sleeps 5. It provides uninterrupted ocean views and a sea breeze, lovely grounds with furnished spaces and an interior boasting contemporary chic, natural light and comfort.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A white-rendered cottage with a small porch overlooks a village street.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This lovely, pet-friendly holiday home in Cark-in-Cartmel sleeps four people in two bedrooms. It lies within easy reach of the Lake District and beaches on the Cumbrian Coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A 2-storey holiday cottage has generous off-road parking outside the front door and a garden behind.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Nestled in the heart of the Medieval surroundings of Ludlow, Manor Cottage offers modern and convenient accommodation to explore the town and Shropshire countryside. With three bedrooms and space for a pet, it is an ideal retreat for small families in the centre of this historic town.

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