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.

Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
4

The Old Farmhouse is a luxury, family-friendly cottage set on a working farm in Lowick south of Berwick-upon-Tweed for a family of up to seven to enjoy a lovely and relaxing holiday in the Northumberland countryside within easy reach of the coast and Hadrian’s Wall. Sleeps 7.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Devon Beach Court is a light, airy modern seaside holiday apartment in Woolacombe. This two-bedroom, family-friendly holiday let Offers comfort and style throughout; it sleeps four people in two bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Managed by My Favourite Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A stylishly furnished lounge with wide-screen TV and splendid ocean views.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Sea You There is a chic seafront cottage with incredible ocean views in Redcar, Yorkshire. The pet-friendly cottage boasts bay windows that capture the view, open-plan spaces with a distinct coastal vibe, and sleek modern furnishings. Relax to the sound of the waves and the sea breeze.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

Three miles from the coast at Perranporth, Trelydarth is a large holiday cottage in North Cornwall set in a secluded rural location, sleeping 12 guests in the village of Penhallow. Pets welcome.

  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A spacious lounge with wide-screen tv and large leather sofa.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Linnet’s Wing is a two-bedroom Cotswold holiday let in Lechlade-on-Thames. The elegant rural cottage enjoys abundant natural light, pastel-coloured wooden panelling, clean lines, wooden floors and modern decor. The cottage also places guests amid the endless attractions of the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A lighthouse complex with a squat tower perches on a clifftop.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Rowena Cottage is uniquely positioned inside a converted lighthouse near Swanage and enjoys superb ocean views from Anvil Point. The pet-friendly cottage features ample grounds to soak up the views of the Dorset coastline and boasts luxury and a rare chance to get away in a spectacular location.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a 1930s Dorset house and garden in Dorset with a large lawn
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This comfortable family cottage on a working farm near Beaminster sleeps six in two bedrooms. It has a sunny conservatory, cosy spaces, farm-fresh eggs, and an open fire. The farm lies on the borders of Dorset and Somerset, within easy reach of Beaminster and the Jurassic Coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built country cottage overlooks a large courtyard
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Bluebird Cottage is a charming Derbyshire farm cottage near Ashbourne where you might make some animal friends on the farm before venturing into the beautiful Peak District countryside. With two bedrooms, this remote country cottage is perfect for a small family self-catering holiday.

  • Active Holidays
  • Agency Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built house overlooking a lawn surrounded by a stone wall and small trees.
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
4

A Grade II listed semi-detached farmhouse in Parwich, Orchard View, is full of charm and character and situated in peaceful rural surroundings. This large and spacious dog-friendly holiday home in the Peak District sleeps up to nine people.

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