8 Off-Grid Stays around the UK to Retreat to This Spring
Lose yourself with an unapologetically analogue existence – at least for a weekend.
It’s been a long winter in the northern hemisphere. If yours has involved hunkering down with box-sets on repeat, then perhaps it’s time to re-awaken the senses and connect with nature via a unique retreat.
Leaving the handmade cocktails and superfast broadband to the luxury hotel cohort, an off-grid escape offers a moment to live purely in the moment. Kindling wood fires and life-affirming dips in the sea - rounded off with toasted marshmallows - is the definition wholesome (and tougher than it sounds). These hidden gems offer a moment to dip your toe into a slower pace, with the added bonus of perfectly made beds and great coffee to boot. So, what are you waiting for?
This former corn mill set by a riverside in Wales has been sensitively renovated with reclaimed and antique finds. Run by a young family, its piano and a log-burning stove hint at relishing a simpler way of life, with nothing more demanding than reading (a physical book, obviously) and veg-picking on the agenda. But foodies will be delighted to learn that a short, picturesque walk into Abergavenny will reward you with Michelin-starred restaurants and irresistible delis.
Live out those childhood fantasies of being alone in the woods in this luxurious treehouse. The only one of its kind set in 800 acres of private land, The Quist sleeps four people (though couples will be fighting to stay in the tented room up at the top of the cabin). The epitome of peace and quiet, you can enjoy long soaks in the freestanding bath, or cool off under the outside shower. And the decor is as covetable as the views outside: counter curtains and salvaged sinks are inspired touches you’ll want to replicate back home.
There’s no contest when it comes to withdrawing to this spectacular nature reserve just 40 miles from London; the conundrum is choosing where to stay: a shepherd’s hut? A secluded cabin? Piling into the cottage with friends, or bagging a room in the farmhouse? Once you’ve made up your mind, reach for wellies and book in for a wildlife tour - Elmley is one of the most important UK sites for breeding wading birds, and renowned for raptors, owls and hares, as well as rare bees, dragonflies and flora.
Striking is the only word for this cabin: appearing to barely touch the ground, it’s as if it floated into position on high tide from the white-sand beach it looks out on. Nestled in Ardnamurchan, this remote peninsula is known for being unspoilt and undisturbed. With no neighbours in sight, the only company you’re likely to be keeping is a flock of sheep. Small but perfectly formed inside, this wood-clad retreat is all about embracing the surrounding landscape.
Save yourself the airfare to the US and book a weekend in one of these unforgettable A-frame structures instead. One of the first of its kind in the UK, this pair of cabins is inspired by the lakeside retreats found in America, and boasts a sunken bath out on the front deck. A mezzanine bed accessed by a ladder adds to the sense of escapism, where guests are treated to sweeping panoramas of the rewilded farmland outside.
After an adventure? Log Jam is a hand-built cabin accessed by an unmade track and no Wi-Fi. There’s a fire-pit to cook your dinner, a ‘wild jacuzzi’ (read: waterfall) and a separate shower room, which makes packing flip-flops a must. When it all gets too much, the call of the swing seat is irresistible for afternoon naps. But don’t forget your detective kit: the bed is hidden behind a ‘secret door’.
The white noise sending you off to the land of nod at Larch is the sound of the water Devon River nearby. This cute, cork-clad cabin is situated on a working Scottish homestead nestled within a tranquil wooded valley. Run by a sporty husband-and-wife team, arriving by bike will earn you a complimentary bottle of bubbles, whilst bespoke fitness sessions are bookable in advance and naturally - taken outdoors.
When you want to feel off-grid but not entirely cut off from home comforts, check out Cabu. Its timber studios are nestled on grassland on the seafront between Romney Marsh and the English Channel, with luxury amenities such as a heated outdoor pool, hot tubs, sauna and for the brave: the sea. From the central house you can pick up groceries, organise picnics and rent bikes, meaning you can arrive with just your essentials in tow - so it’s perfect for a weekend escape at the end of a working week that has left you feeling frazzled.
