If you’ve ever looked at a castle turret or a lighthouse tower and wondered what it might be like to spend the night inside, this collection is for you. From windmills with storybook silhouettes to railway carriages given a second life, these stays turn the familiar into something extraordinary.

Consider this your guide to the world’s most character-rich places to rest your head, where the building itself becomes part of the adventure.

Click through this gallery to discover landmark stays around the world... 

Directly next to the iconic red-and-white tower of Happisburgh Lighthouse on England’s North Norfolk coast, this Grade II-listed keeper’s cottage is packed with original character and seaside charm.

Built in 1791 and set beside dramatic clifftops, the two-bedroom retreat offers sweeping sea views, a cosy fireplace, a garden patio and plenty of space for up to five guests. Whether you’re watching swells from your window or strolling cliff-top paths into the village, this is a destination stay that you won't forget. 

A treat for lovers of quirky design, this fully converted 1938 London Underground tube carriage sits on a peaceful, adults-only glamping site near Lavenham in Suffolk. The one-bedroom carriage keeps its original character while offering modern comforts including under-floor heating, a well-equipped kitchenette and large countryside-facing windows.

Outside, guests have exclusive use of a private deck and hot tub, perfect for an evening soak beneath wide Suffolk skies. The novelty of sleeping in a slice of transport history, paired with a touch of luxury, makes this an inspired choice for couples – just don't forget to Mind The Gap.

Tucked into 145 acres of wheat fields and forest in rural Idaho, this restored 1909 railcar offers a stay with real frontier character. The carriage still carries its early-20th-century bones – warm timber panelling, narrow proportions, little quirks of layout – but it’s been reimagined as a comfortable hideaway with a full kitchen, bathroom and relaxed living space.

Outside, a deck looks over open fields where sunsets seem to stretch for miles. It sleeps up to four and is perfect for travellers who want a quiet, scenic and genuinely historic train stay.

Perched above the medieval town of Chinon in France's Loire Valley, this restored walnut-oil mill combines thick stone walls, timber beams and compact rustic charm with a well-equipped modern interior. 

The space sleeps two on a cosy mezzanine double bed, and outside a private terrace with a barbecue makes the most of the hillside setting. A short drive or a pleasant walk to the town’s cafés, vineyards and château, it’s a stay with more charm than you can shake a walnut at.

Step into a piece of early 20th-century travel glamour with this beautifully restored 1910 Prussian passenger rail car, nestled in a tranquil garden in Normandy.

Inside, two cosy bedrooms and vintage touches evoke the era of rail journeys gone by, while modern amenities ensure a comfortable stay. Perfect for up to four guests who want a distinctive stay, wrapped in the calm and charm of rural France. 

Set on the edge of Killua Castle’s grounds in County Meath, this restored 18th-century Gothic lodge is a miniature castle of its own, with pointed arches, thick walls and bags of storybook charm.

Inside, the cosy nooks and period features create an inviting base for up to five guests, and the countryside setting is peaceful and green, with local towns an easy drive away for pubs, shops and supplies. It’s part fairytale hideaway, part rural retreat – and a memorable alternative to a standard country cottage.

Surrounded by the rolling vineyards of the Garonne Valley, this 17th-century presbytery pairs historic character with the charm of rural France. Just 12 miles (20km) from Bordeaux, it sits in one of France’s most celebrated landscapes.

Soaring ceilings, stone walls and stately furnishings give the house a gentle grandeur, with working fireplaces adding warmth and character throughout. The five bedrooms sleep up to 10 guests, and outside, the private pool sits amid lush lawn and neat landscaping, creating a cinematic base for a group escape.

Rising above the flat, windswept landscapes of the Eiderstedt peninsula, Windmill Catharina offers the chance to stay inside a fully restored historic mill a short drive from the North Sea. The circular rooms span multiple floors, with exposed timber, curved walls and sweeping 360-degree views over pastureland and big northern skies.

Sleeping up to six guests, the rustic character makes it as inviting in stormy weather as it is on long summer evenings. With the dunes and beaches of St. Peter-Ording nearby, it’s a distinctive and quietly dramatic base for a coastal escape in northern Germany.

Set just outside Eureka Springs, this converted caboose offers a quiet woodland setting with easy access to the town’s restaurants, shops and Victorian-era streets. Inside, it includes a queen bed, compact kitchenette, heating and air-conditioning, plus a small dining space and TV.

The wraparound deck provides privacy, and the standout feature is the outdoor hot tub overlooking nothing but peaceful forest. Guests also have parking on-site and direct access to nearby hiking routes, making it ideal for those who want to escape into nature. 

Set in Clackmannanshire, Scotland’s smallest county, Dollarbeg Castle offers a striking stay inside a 19th-century baronial mansion, completed in 1889. With turreted corners, stone walls and panoramic views of the Ochil Hills, the space is a mix of heritage and high-end comfort.

Inside you’ll find two luxurious bedrooms, three bathrooms, a grand open-plan hall and a fully modern kitchen and cinema room. Outside, three acres of gardens and woodland wrap the property, offering calm country walks and a serene break from real life. 

In the heart of the Pays de la Loire region, this former 1833 windmill, renovated in 2018, stands tall with granite-stone stairs, original beams and panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.

It sleeps six to eight guests across three bedrooms spread over three floors, with a lounge-kitchen that leads onto a terrace where you can soak up the peace and quiet.

On the southern slopes of Merano in Italy’s South Tyrol, this ground-floor apartment is tucked inside the ancient walls of Planta Castle, giving you the chance to stay within a historic estate while still being only a gentle stroll from Merano’s cafés and thermal baths.

The elegant space includes three bedrooms, cool stone touches and doors that open onto a private walled garden featuring an apple orchard. With mountain air, castle ambience and town life close by, it’s a royally balanced base for exploring the wonders of South Tyrol.

On the edge of the village of St Martins, where the forested cliffs meet the world-famous Bay of Fundy tides, this lighthouse cottage offers a front-row seat to one of Canada’s most dramatic coastlines. The hilltop setting gives far-reaching views over sea caves, red-sandstone cliffs and the shifting tide.

The space is compact but inviting, with one bedroom and a bright top-floor living area that leads onto a deck made for long, salty-air mornings. You’re close enough to walk to the shoreline, yet far enough up the hillside to feel tucked away.

Spread across six floors and linked by a winding stone staircase, the late-15th-century tower house is packed with original features: bare-stone walls, arrow-slit windows, stained glass, timber beams and even an old cannon standing guard. The furniture and décor lean into the medieval mood, creating the sort of atmosphere where you’ll be calling one another "Your Majesty" by the end of the first evening.

Yet despite all its character, the castle sleeps up to seven guests comfortably, with modern touches woven discreetly through its historic fabric. Set amid quiet Tipperary farmland, it’s an immersive and theatrical base for a group escape.

Occupying a beautifully restored 17th-century listed windmill just outside Bicester in Oxfordshire, this two-bedroom retreat marries historic architecture with high-spec interiors. Guests climb through a solid oak door into the circular space, where thick stone walls, timber beams and panoramic 360-degree views reign.

From the sky-lounge you’ll spot deer grazing and birds of prey sailing overhead, while the rooftop lawn offers parasol-shaded seating for sunsets with a glass in hand. Inside, both double bedrooms are ensuite, and the sleek kitchen is ideal for cooking before a night in. A luxe, character-rich base for up to four.

At the top of a building that began life as a 12th-century watchtower, this penthouse occupies the crowning 'hat' of the building, with far-reaching views over Tuscan hills and straight towards Florence. Lofted sleeping spaces, arch-domed ceilings and centuries-old stonework give the interior a dramatic, old-world feel, softened by modern comforts including a fully equipped kitchen and smart TV.

Sleeping up to 10 across interconnected levels, it’s well suited to families or groups. Outside, gardens and olive trees surround the property, while the village and its cafés sit just minutes away. A characterful, scenic base within easy reach of Florence.

Set on a dramatic headland where the sea meets the coast on three sides, this former lighthouse-keeper’s cottage near Noss Head offers a remote and inspiring stay. Sleeping up to six in three bedrooms, the unique rental boasts free WiFi, private parking and a fully-equipped kitchen.

The location – just a few miles from the town of Wick in the far north of Scotland – is highly rated, with guests praising the peaceful setting and unique views. From cliff-top walks to sea-air breakfasts, it’s ideal for families or friends wanting something memorable yet comfortable.

Converted from a former 1970s guard’s van that traversed Australia’s rails, this quirky stay sits in the heart of the township of Avenel and sleeps up to four guests. Inside you’ll find bespoke railway-inspired furnishings, a galley kitchen, polished timber bathroom and cosy lounge – with a workspace built on reclaimed parcel-shelf wood.

Outdoors, a generous deck overlooks passing trains, while a private fire-pit invites evening marshmallow toasting. The village centre, meanwhile, with cafés, pizza and regional wineries, is located just a short walk away.

On the edge of the quiet Eifel countryside, this restored 1960s railway carriage has been reimagined as a cosy, adults-only hideaway with a dash of railway nostalgia. The original carriage form is still clear in the narrow proportions, sliding doors and vintage detailing, but inside you’ll find a warm, wood-lined space designed for two.

There’s a compact kitchenette, a snug seating area and a comfortable sleeping nook, while outside, a private terrace with a hot tub overlooks the old tracks and surrounding greenery. 

The most extraordinary Airbnbs in America