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Top 11 quirky houses in the UK

You never know what’s behind closed doors… We take a look at 11 of the UK’s most unusual and quirky buildings from Hobbit holes to spaceships and everything in between

11. Victorian Turkish Bathhouse with a twist, East Sussex
Set in St. Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex, this four-bedroom property has a stunning history, formerly operating as a Victorian Turkish bathhouse, school swimming house and a glass factory. Now a family home with some rooms connecting via small crawl-through spaces, this property combines Turkish-inspired decor and Victorian character with modern features including a cinema room and even it's own bowling alley!
10. The 'Thin House' just 6ft wide in Central London
This 19th Century property in London's Kensington is known as the 'Skinny' or 'Thin House' with the narrowest end spanning a mere 6ft! The block of flats - which was operating as an artist's studio until 2016 - is actually a wedge shape, meaning it widens to a maximum of 34ft in a triangular point. It was built by William Douglas who wanted to commemorate the traditional houses that once stood in the space designed by London architect George Basevi before their demolition in 1867 to make way for the South Kensington tube line.
9. A hobbit hole nestled in the southwest of Wales
An Unexpected Journey to the seaside town of Pembrokeshire, Wales, may not result in finding riches or dragons but instead a Hobbiton-esque home built under a grassy hill. Named 'That Roundhouse' the house is not only green on the outside but the inside too. Built by Tony Wrench using wood and recycled materials, this home relies on solar power and a wind turbine. It also has a compost toilet.
8. The Old Nick in Derbyshire
Being locked up at the station doesn't hold the same gusto when a bar and drinks are on offer, does it? Formerly Derbyshire's first police headquarters, this property has been converted into a family home with five double bedrooms, whilst retaining original charm in the way of a 14ft kitchen and breakfast room; an entertainment room with bar in a former cell with the original prison door; and a stone walled courtyard garden - previously the inmates' exercise yard.
7. The Elephant Houses, Surrey
Nicknamed the Elephant Houses due to the shape and colour of the buildings, this cul-de-sac of 32 homes in Frimley, Surrey were built in the 1960s by architect Lawrence Abbott - previously senior director at the partnership that designed the Millennium Dome - as a bid to create more affordable housing. The unusual properties feature curved staircases, giving the appearance of a trunk and U-shaped windows. Spanning three floors, the modern interior
6. A real-life doll's house, Porthleven
A tiny cottage which measures just 2ft at its thinnest point and 9ft at its widest is known as Cornwall's Doll House. With only one bedroom, the property enjoys beach and harbor views. Adding to the charm, it has quaint features such as beamed ceilings, a stable door in the dining area and sash windows.
5. All aboard the Victorian train carriages in West Sussex
In a town famous for creating holiday lets from former train carriages after the First World War, it's not unusual to find a pair of Midland Railway carriages dating from 1885 converted into a fully-functional home. The carriages contain an 18ft dining room with an arched ceiling and three sleeper compartments, while the living room has been built around the restored carriages in the way of a detached bungalow so looking from the outside, few clues are given as to what awaits inside.
4. The Reservoir, Devon
Once an underground water tank, The Reservoir has been converted into a beautiful, circular living space with five bedrooms. Although below the ground level, the property feels open and benefits from a central atrium which all of the maoin rooms overlook. From above, the home blends into surrounding greenery while the interior boasts natural light from the double height ceilings, walls of glass looking out into the atrium and open plan layout. During the conversion, welders were lowered into the drum of the tank for short bursts to erect the steel girders to act as a skeleton of the house.
3. The Island, Cornwall
Thought to be the only house with its own island and suspension bridge in Britain, this three-bedroom property stands proudly off the coast of Newquay, Cornwall upon a 80ft summit surrounded by water. The island was first sold in 1838 and was used as a potato patch, before the 70ft high and 100ft long suspension bridge was erected in 1902. Construction on the house finished in 1902 and has since been owned and visited by the likes of Sir Oliver Joseph Lodge, inventor of the spark plug and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, alongside being previously used as a tea room and art gallery.
2. The Voyager operating out of a studio flat in Hinckley
Live Long and Prosper in this replica of Star Trek's Voyager! The 34m2 studio flat is located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and even includes the main commands control computerised flight deck and voice activated lighting. The previous owner spent 10 years and thousands of pounds on recreating the spaceship There's no cooker in sight and all of the windows have been covered to help your imagination take you anywhere in the galaxy from the moment you step through the door.
1. The Headington Shark
It's not every day you drive past a building and have to ask yourself "was that a shark?" but for this building in Waterstock, Oxford, you'd be right. Bought by Bill Heine in 1986, the terraced house does indeed have a 25ft great white shark tearing through the roof, as if taking a nose-dive from the sky. It was created by sculptor John Buckley as a protest against the American bombing of Libya and has since become a beloved local landmark. Before his passing in April 2019, Mr Heine fought for the now tourist attraction to be preserved after his death. In January 2018, Heine was awarded a Special Certificate of Merit by Oxford City Council in recognition of his contribution to the city.
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