Travelling alone can be a genuine gift… one that allows your inner voice to speak, completely (and gloriously!) uninterrupted.
Finally, there’s time and space to do the things YOU have always wanted, without anyone else’s pressing demands or obligatory “must dos” to take account of. Is it any wonder that travel companies have seen a recent surge of people – mostly women – opting to take well-deserved breaks on their own?
Adding creative-time into the mix can make that solo break feel all the more special. According to Sam at That Crafty Stitch, rhythmic crafts like knitting, crochet, or weaving all send serotonin (the “feel good” hormone) flooding into our brains.
Oh, and you’ll also have a beautiful and tangible keepsake, to remind you of the amazing time you’ve had.
Sam herself isn’t just a keen solo traveller, she’s also keen for other women to take solo trips themselves. “As a busy entrepreneur, solo vacations really give me the time I need to decompress, rest my mind and properly recharge my batteries,” she says. “The feeling of waking up in the morning and being able to choose exactly how you spend your day is unmatched.
Yes, travelling and exploring solo can sometimes feel intimidating, but the liberation and confidence it builds is absolutely worth it, so if you haven’t taken a solo trip before then I highly encourage you to go for it! It’ll be one of the best things you ever do.”
We’ve taken Sam’s wise words to heart, with a list of unusual UK retreats that not only welcome solo female travellers, but also offer creative activities and/or inspiration, for the kind of break that makes you feel glad to be alone!
Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Bee’s Bower | Herefordshire
Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales
A charmingly hand-built cabin that's dog-friendly, off-grid, and set in an idyllic Welsh meadow corner, achingly close to historic Cardigan and with the added option of an immersive therapy retreat to help you face life’s challenges
We already welcome many guests who are lone female travellers (usually with their dogs!) who say they feel very safe here. Our stream-view decking is particularly beautiful, and with a qualified counsellor as your host, you could even combine your creative break with an immersive therapy retreat or mental health check.
St Ives, Cornwall, England
A trio of breath-taking family-and-dog-friendly retreats infused with history, luxury and artistic inspiration, each with a hot tub and beautifully secluded directly on Cornwall’s award-winning Porthkidney Sands.
Bedrooms: 2 or 4 per house
Sleeps: 20
Many of our single female travellers (of which my daughter and I are two!) are inspired not only by our beautiful natural location, but the artist provenance of the iconic John Miller. John Le Carré and Rosamunde Pilcher both claimed it as their “special place” with countless other artists choosing to work here.
Bungay, Norfolk, England
A duo of hand-crafted, off-grid retreats (one an Amazing Space!) each with a sumptuous outdoor bath, peacefully secluded in a Norfolk wildflower meadow for a beautiful back-to-nature escape.
I already encourage solo female travellers, host craft and making workshops, and am a hugely creative soul myself… so you can’t fail to feel inspired here! Our Wild Meadow Shepherd’s Hut is particularly perfect for solo travellers.
Little Bentley, Essex, England
A small and idyllic escape, secluded on a 300-acre family-run farm in North Essex, you will find three oak-framed cabin retreats with private hot tubs, that offer a little something for everyone.
For solo crafts there’s a great wool shop near us, run by a husband-and-wife team who hand-dye all their own wool (on a personal note, my 10-year-old daughter is beyond obsessed with crochet and is currently making her own jumper!).
Lydney, Gloucestershire, England
Whimsical fairytale retreats with wood-fired hot tubs and equine-focused wellness sessions, peacefully secluded on an adults-only site nestled between the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean.
Bedrooms: 1 per retreat
Sleeps: 2
We love welcoming solo travellers, particularly women, to our woodland retreat. Alongside our signature pony wellness sessions, we have willow for weaving and slate for etching, plus activities that include horse-shoe and wax candle decorating.
Dittisham, Devon, England
An exquisite collection of luxury treehouses, a gleaming original 1956 American Airstream, and spacious artisan shepherd's lodges, all with private wood-fired hot tubs and beautifully nestled in the scenic heart of Devonshire countryside.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 1-5
Our artisan-crafted shepherd's lodges are ideal for a creative solo break, with beautiful furnishings and a wood-fired spa bath for soothing evening soaks.
Launceston, Cornwall, England
Luxury glamping pods set under the starry skies of Bodmin Moor, with a wild spa on site and the scenic backdrop of Cornwall's ‘Peaceful Valley' to keep you company.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2/4/8 per unit
Our wild spa and dreamlike setting in Cornwall’s ‘Peaceful Valley’ means your solo break will be memorable for all the loveliest reasons!
St Germans, Cornwall, England
View the best of Cornwall's unspoilt countryside from the window of your very own eco-friendly, lovingly restored railway carriage at Railholiday.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2-6
We are privileged to host a lot of single women (and men!), many of whom are looking for that special place to retreat to, surrounded by natural beauty.
Calstock, Cornwall, England
Beauty, peace and calm combine in two romantic Cornish riverside retreats: the former Smithy and Captain's Office of a Victorian tin mine.
Bedrooms: 1 per cottage
Sleeps:
Our cottages each boast a king-sized bed with 800 thread-count linen, a wood burner and tasteful furnishing, making them the perfect snug retreats for solo travellers. For inspiration, the artistic village of Calstock is just a short walk away.
Walterstone, Herefordshire, England
A lovingly handcrafted, luxuriously off-grid treehouse with a dreamy copper bathtub for scenic bubble soaks, privately nestled among whispering trees on the edge of Herefordshire’s Golden Valley.
Bee’s Bower is the perfect fit for solo female travellers, of whom we already welcome many and are keen for more. Our retreat is filled with creative elements, including hand-made bath taps on the copper bathtub… perfect for a hill-view soak after a day of creativity!
St Osyth, Essex, England
Eco-friendly glamping on a working potato farm... complete with spectacular sea views.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2 or 2(+2) per Suite
We’re proud to have welcomed a number of solo female glampers over the years, who always leave good feedback for the isolation and tranquillity we have here.
Henley, Somerset, England
Two romantic, adults-only retreats each with private wood-fired hot tubs and views of grazing Miniature Shetland ponies, secluded next to the family farm that overlooks the soothing Somerset Levels.
Bedrooms: 1 per hut
Sleeps: 2
We welcome many solo travellers to our peaceful rural location. Our cosy retreat has a wood-fired hot tub and a log-burning stove… ideal for switching off and getting creative in nature.
Tixall, Staffordshire, England
A lovingly-restored stone retreat for two, infused with history and exquisitely secluded at the entrance to the former Tixall Estate among soothing Staffordshire countryside.
Ours is a cosy and peaceful retreat for solo travellers looking to switch off, relax and recharge, as well as feeling inspired by the idyllic Staffordshire countryside.
