Tired of cookie-cutter hotel rooms and bland B&Bs with their depressingly disappointing breakfast buffets? Looking for somewhere weird and wonderful to stay with a solid dollop of the 'WOW' factor?
If the prospect of sleeping in a lighthouse, spending the night in a windmill, staying in a treehouse, or hiding away in a remote off-grid cabin gets your heart rate racing, then you're in luck as there's no shortage of quirky and unusual places to stay in the UK.
From the wild cliffs of Scotland to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, we’ve rounded up ten of the best quirky hotels in the UK — unusual places to stay that you'll remember forever.
Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a solitary escape, or a family adventure with a twist, these unique hotels offer something well off the beaten track.
- Coastguard’s Lookout, Dungeness, Kent, England
- The Windmill, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England
- The Wild Rabbit, Kingham, Cotswolds, England
- Belle Tout Lighthouse, Beachy Head, Sussex, England
- The Boathouse, Bath, England
- Bamburgh Castle Inn, Seahouses, Northumberland, England
- Fingal, Edinburgh, Scotland
- AirShip 002, Drimnin, Scotland
- Clare Island Lighthouse, County Mayo, Ireland
- West Usk Lighthouse, Newport, Wales
Coastguard’s Lookout, Dungeness, Kent, England
Type of stay: A former coastguard tower transformed into a stylish and modern bolthole, offering panoramic sea views.
Why it’s quirky: Perched on the shingle shore at Dungeness, this striking coastguard tower was once used to keep watch over the sea — now it’s a minimalist hideaway perfect for design lovers and solitude seekers.
Best for: Romantic retreats, artists, and off-grid escapes.
Highlights: Panoramic floor-to-ceiling views, open-plan living, wild beach surroundings, and a stunning seaside setting.
Book it: Bloomstays - Coastguard's Lookout
The Windmill, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England
Type of stay: A beautifully restored 18th-century windmill offering unique rooms with a blend of historic charm and modern comfort.
Why it’s quirky: Just minutes from Scarborough’s seafront, this beautifully converted windmill blends old world charm with modern living.
Best for: Coastal breaks with a twist, couples, and nostalgic escapes.
Highlights: Rent the Balcony Suite (one of two apartments located within the windmill) and you'll have exclusive use of the balcony with its panoramic views. Enjoy the sunrise with a hot cup of coffee or watch the sunset with a refreshing glass of wine
Book it: The Windmill Scarborough
The Wild Rabbit, Kingham, Cotswolds, England
Type of stay: An upscale rustic inn set in a 17th-century farmhouse, offering luxurious rooms and cottages in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Why it’s quirky: Don’t be fooled by the chocolate-box exterior — this is no ordinary Cotswolds pub. Owned by the Daylesford estate, it’s a modern take on a traditional inn, with reclaimed wood, open fires, and an eco-conscious, farm-to-fork ethos.
Best for: Stylish countryside escapes, food lovers, and eco travellers.
Highlights: Michelin-starred dining, cosy-but-sleek interiors, and access to Daylesford’s organic farm, cookery school, and spa.
Book it: The Wild Rabbit
Belle Tout Lighthouse, Beachy Head, Sussex, England
Type of stay: A decommissioned lighthouse converted into a charming B&B with stunning views of the English Channel.
Why it’s quirky: This clifftop icon has been lovingly restored into a six-room B&B with sweeping sea views and heaps of character. Moved back from the crumbling cliff edge in 1999 in a dramatic (and seriously impressive!) engineering feat, it’s now peacefully perched above the English Channel.
Best for: Coastal walkers, lighthouse fans, and romantic weekends.
Highlights: Circular lighthouse rooms, cosy lounge with a log fire, and stunning sunrises over the cliffs.
Book it: Belle Tout Lighthouse
The Boathouse, Bath, England
Type of stay: A romantic waterside retreat with floor-to-ceiling windows and private decking, nestled in the serene surroundings of Bath.
Why it’s quirky: Perched on the banks of the River Avon just outside Bath, this modern cabin offers the perfect blend of seclusion and city access. Think Scandi-style interiors, birdsong at breakfast, and your own private deck for wine by the water. Perfection!
Best for: Peaceful getaways, couples, and nature lovers.
Highlights: Riverside location, stylish interiors, and just a 15-minute drive to Bath’s historic centre, buzzing with shops, cafes and restaurants, and a super unique spa scene.
Book it: Canopy & Stars – The Boathouse
Bamburgh Castle Inn, Seahouses, Northumberland, England
Type of stay: Overlooking the harbour, this inn offers stunning views of the Northumberland coast and is close to the historic Bamburgh Castle.
Why it’s quirky: Not your usual chain pub-with-rooms — this one overlooks the Farne Islands and is steeped in nautical history. You’ll spot puffins, hear seals calling at night, and maybe even glimpse dolphins from your window.
Best for: Seaside breaks, island-hopping, and castle-lovers.
Highlights: Sea-facing rooms, cosy pub grub, amazing beaches, and a short hop to Bamburgh Castle and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Book it: Bamburgh Castle Inn
Fingal, Edinburgh, Scotland
Type of stay: A former lighthouse ship transformed into a luxury floating hotel, offering nautical-themed cabins and elegant dining.
Why it’s quirky: Once a working ship for the Northern Lighthouse Board and the sister ship of The Royal Yacht Britannia, Fingal has been reimagined as a five-star floating hotel in Leith’s historic docks. Expect art deco elegance, brass details, and a sense of maritime glamour.
Best for: Boutique luxury, special occasions, and design lovers.
Highlights: Waterfront location, sweeping staircases, fine dining on board, and a shipshape suite with a private deck. All within easy walk of Edinburgh city centre....
Book it: Fingal Edinburgh
AirShip 002, Drimnin, Scotland
Type of stay: A unique, insulated aluminium pod offering panoramic views of the Sound of Mull, perfect for an off-grid retreat.
Why it’s quirky: This futuristic aluminium-clad eco cabin looks like it dropped in from another planet. Perched on a remote hillside overlooking the Sound of Mull, it’s all about solitude, sustainability and stargazing.
Best for: Off-grid retreats, writers, and adventurous couples.
Highlights: Wood-burning stove, dramatic windows, complete silence, and jaw-dropping views.
Book it: AirShip 002 on Canopy & Stars
Clare Island Lighthouse, County Mayo, Ireland
Type of stay: A converted lighthouse offering secluded and chic accommodation with stunning ocean views on Clare Island
Why it’s quirky: Once a working lighthouse guiding ships through Clew Bay, this secluded sanctuary is now an adults-only guesthouse with comfort, calm and coastal drama in equal measure.
Best for: Remote escapes, coastal hikes, and true solitude
Highlights: Island views, wild Atlantic beauty, personal welcome from the lighthouse hosts, and lighthouse rooms full of character
Book it: Clare Island Lighthouse
West Usk Lighthouse, Newport, Wales
Type of stay: A charming lighthouse B&B featuring a rooftop hot tub and panoramic views of the Bristol Channel.
Why it’s quirky: This squat, circular lighthouse has been reimagined with real personality — think waterbeds, secret doors, and a Dalek guarding the stairs. It’s cheeky, cheerful and full of charm.
Best for: Fun-loving couples, lighthouse geeks, and offbeat mini breaks.
Highlights: Rooftop hot tub with estuary views, quirky themed rooms, and a very warm welcome from the hosts.
Book it: West Usk Lighthouse
