Luxury solo holidays
Eat, stay, love. With a candlelit table set for one, the television all to yourself, and no one to share the eiderdown with but the dog, luxury solo holidays in the UK are all about dancing to the beat of your own drum.
As Freya Stark once said, "to awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations." There's no travel quite like luxury solo travel. We love romantic getaways and big group gatherings as much as the next person, but we also know that inserting a little solitude into the schedule is the tried-and-true way to take well-being off the back burner. From a restorative stay by the sea to a mindful long-let where you can pen the beginning chapters of your novel, these coastal boltholes and remote wilderness retreats wait for you with roaring fires and luxury hampers.
Here are homes with main character energy; where protagonists sip wine on seaward terraces and twirl themselves around the kitchen table. For some, luxury solo holidays in the UK are about finding the mental (and physical) space to begin a creative project. For others, reading glossy magazines in the hot tub, ambling from coffee shop to pizzerias, and poking about in antiques shops is all that's on the itinerary. From surf retreats in Cornwall's quietest bays to adventures with your dog far out in the Hebrides; here's to choosing for you, and you alone.
Over Lemon River
Ashburton, Dartmoor, Devon, UK
Dartmoor is Devon’s wild heart; a place where heather cloaks the ground like an over-sized velvet eiderdown and granite tors scramble to meet big open skies. On fine days, ponies wander amidst the mysticism of faeries but when the swirling mists arrive, Over Lemon River is the perfect hideaway.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,295 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Two dogs are welcome
Features: Al fresco living space with wood-fired hot tub and fire pit
Romany
Romney Marsh, Brookland, Kent, UK
Earthy hues, industrial accents and abundance of natural light; this luxury wooden cabin on the edge of Romney Marsh gives a sense of being holed up on the sprawling prairie lands of the American South.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,350 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: One well-behaved dog is welcome
Features: Hot tub and fire pit
Firefly
Trebudannon, Newquay, Cornwall, UK
Nomadic types will love unique self-catering cabin Firefly, with its earthy, back-to-nature appeal and proximity to Mawgan Porth. Handcrafted using rough cut timber and complete with a hot tub and wildlife pond, this luxury woodcutter's cottage in North Cornwall is perfect for couples.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,295 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Features: Hot tub
Figgy Court
Billingshurst, West Sussex, UK
A 700-year old rustic grain barn reinterpreted - this charming self-catering couples’ retreat affords a slice of country living on modern terms. Honey-hued oak beams and hand-crafted furnishings are a celebration of yesteryear, with little luxuries like the riverside hot tub adding lashings of romance.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,250 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub
Aurora
Freathy, Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, UK
Facing the rise and fall of the sun as it journeys from day to night, Aurora and its al fresco hot tub clings to the tumbling cliffs above Freathy Beach at Whitsand Bay.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,495 per week, £1,150 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub
The Edge
Set in a cliff top location with a bird’s eye view of Whitsand Bay and the surrounding coast, The Edge is the perfect eco-friendly luxury self-catering beach hut for honeymoons with a difference.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,750 per week, £1,295 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, heated outdoor shower
Cabin Tapio
Woodland hideaway meets mid-century modern design at Cabin Tapio on the edge of Cranborne Chase AONB near Salisbury, where the gentle trickle of the River Allen and splash of jumping Blue Trout wash away any remnants of city living.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,295 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub and fire pit
Saffron Tower
Beaumaris, Isle of Anglesey, Wales, UK
Standing watch from the corner of a beautiful walled garden, Saffron Tower is a true wellness retreat where couples can indulge in a spa-like experience on the Anglesey coast.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,850 per week, £1,450 per short break
Pets: Two medium well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, gym with running machine, Echelon Exercise bike, Hydrow rowing machine, weights, yoga mats and portable air conditioning unit
Juneberry
Cubert, Holywell Bay, Cornwall, UK
Tucked away between the trees on Cornwall’s north coast near Holywell Bay, Juneberry is a luxury self-catering cabin settled in the quiet idyll of rural bliss.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,095 per week, £850 per short break
Pets: Two small well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Yoga deck with mats and blocks, outdoor shower
Wishbone
Malvern, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire, UK
Tranquillity and romance unfold in the heart of the Malvern Hills at this rough-luxe self-catering barn conversion set in 16 acres of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Wishbone is perfect for couples wanting to go off the radar into their own little paradisiacal land.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,250 per week, £950 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Fishing lake and fire pit
Ebony Wood
Dark, mysterious and ever-so romantic, Ebony Wood on the edge of Snowdonia National Park is an atmospheric couples’ escape surrounded by sweet scented pines and rustling hedgehogs.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,595 per week, £1,295 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, sauna, outside shower and outdoor food prep area and sink
The Hide
Callestick, Perranporth, Cornwall, UK
An unexpected discovery at the end of a Cornish country lane, this modern luxury cottage hideaway near Perranporth beach combines rusticity with contemporary clean-line appeal.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,450 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Features: Hot tub, fire pit and yoga deck
Orlagh
Perched high above the golden sands of Cornwall's Whitsand Bay, a fusion of designer-led interiors and Miller-esque seascapes combine at Orlagh.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,495 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub and outdoor shower
Little Scarlet
Burford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
This luxury Cotswolds cottage is set in the heart of pretty Burford in Oxfordshire. Little Scarlet offers lovers a romantic retreat for stolen weekends and holidays in the rolling countryside, pottering between tea rooms and boutiques.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,650 per week, £1,195 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Hinterland Cabin
Perched on a hill overlooking the Conwy valley, this luxury log cabin sits on the border of Snowdonia, enveloped by big skies and soaring mountains. Whether hill hiking or gorge trekking, the hot tub and sauna will be the perfect remedy to the day's adventures.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,595 per week, £1,295 per short break
Pets: Two medium well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, sauna and yoga deck
Aphrodite
Trevalga, Boscastle, Cornwall, UK
Nestled between the popular villages of Boscastle and Tintagel, Aphrodite flaunts magnificent sea views and secluded romance. Set over five floors, this luxury coastal holiday home offers an unforgettable escape to Cornwall's north coast.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,495 per week, £1,150 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Filly Island
Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Blending style with a big dose of ingenuity results in something truly quite magical here at Filly Island. This unique cottage near Cirencester is sat upon a tiny island accessed by a humpback bridge. Pre-loved finds are revivified to bring about the unique interiorscape at Filly Island.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,050 per week, £795 per short break
Pets: Two small well-behaved dogs are welcome
Little Inka
St Breward, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, UK
Hidden on the northern edge of Bodmin Moor, Little Inka's hot tub, roll top and king-size bed beneath a window looking up to the stars make this secluded escape the perfect couples' retreat.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,295 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub and fire pit
Sundance
Trebudannon, Newquay, Cornwall, UK
Sundance resides off the beaten track ten minutes inland between Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay. Rustic yet sumptuous, with heavy French linens and indulgent inside-outside living, this handcrafted wagon’s wild heart beats a free-spirited rhythm throughout.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £895 per week, £695 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Atlanta
Freathy, Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, UK
Studded into the cliff face, Atlanta promises an unforgettable escape in Cornwall’s forgotten corner. Panoramic views of Whitsand Bay's golden sand, azure waters and rugged coastline create an enchanting destination for holidays beside the sea.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,650 per week, £1,195 per short break
Pets: Two small well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Italian spa bath, heated outdoor shower, hot tub
Inkwell Cottage
Burford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Handcrafted, atelier in style and ever-so fun, this self-catering home in Burford is a pocketful of luxury throwing all conventionality out of its mullion windows.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,150 per week, £895 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Little Portion
Tresean, Holywell Bay, Cornwall, UK
Crooked and charming, pretty red tin retreat Little Portion is a luxury coastal cottage just one mile away from Cornwall's Holywell Bay, with reclaimed finishes, trailing plants, and an al fresco hot tub.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,450 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Features: Hot tub
Breakers
If it’s a luxury coastal self-catering escape you crave then you can’t get much closer to the elements than Breakers. With panoramic views of Whitsand Bay, this is the perfect sand-between-toes romantic hideaway.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests (+ 1 child aged 12 or above)
From: £1,295 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
The Cotton Tree
Tresean, Holywell Bay, Cornwall, UK
The Cotton Tree is a Queenslander-style luxury self-catering cottage inspired by tropical beach houses and barefoot living. Set on the north Cornwall coast, Holywell Bay and Polly Joke beach are within easy reach.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,450 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Two small well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Features: Hot tub
Libertine
Goonhavern, Perranporth, Cornwall, UK
Libertine; a luxury self-catering bolthole set amidst a milieu of pretty woodland just outside Goonhavern village on the north Cornwall coast. This fashionista’s cottage is positioned within a few miles of Holywell Bay, St Agnes and Perranporth beach.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,050 per week, £795 per short break
Pets: One large or two medium well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub and garden deck
Seaglass
Tregonhawke, Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, UK
Seaglass is a stylish self-catering beach hut in Cornwall boasting awe-inspiring views which will captivate and delight. This eco-friendly cabin overlooking Whitsand Bay is the perfect luxury hideaway for lovebirds looking for some romance by the sea.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,850 per week, £1,395 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub and heated outdoor shower
Pepper Shack
Keyhaven, Lymington, Hampshire, UK
A charcoal briquette that could replace the winter cave of even the most highfalutin hibernator, Pepper Shack is a liquorice-hued hideaway made for couples seeking a romantic hot tub retreat in Jane Austen’s county.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,895 per week, £1,495 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: There is a hot tub, Kadai fire pit, outdoor pizza oven and two cruiser bikes
Dragonwood Boat House
A boutique boat house designed with romance in mind, Dragonwood Boat House is a traditional Victorian bolthole with a modern Italian twist. This lakeside abode near Oakham, Rutland offers luxury self-catering breaks in the most magical of settings.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,250 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Kayaks, well-stocked fishing lakes
The Sanctuary
Keyhaven, Lymington, Hampshire, UK
Bordering the New Forest in the idyllic Lymore Valley, this industrial-inspired retreat comes complete with a huge lawn for morning yoga, hot tub, fire pit and his'n'hers cruiser bikes for peddling down to the beach.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,895 per week, £1,495 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Jacuzzi hot tub, Kadai fire pit, cruiser bikes, powerboat charter can be arranged on prior request
The Meadows
Retyn, St Newlyn East, Cornwall, UK
There's a flavour of Balearic island style to this weathered stone couples' retreat. Tucked into the hills, occupying a secret location seven miles inland between Crantock and Watergate Bay on the north Cornwall coast, The Meadows was designed for simple country living in the twenty first century.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,650 per week, £1,250 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, outside fire
The Limit
As seen on ITV's 'Cornwall' with Caroline Quentin and George Clark's Amazing Spaces, this quirky 1930s luxury beach hut is becoming quite an iconic dwelling within the north coast of Cornwall. Its unique position with Holywell Bay’s sand dunes makes it perfect for romantic self-catering weekends by the sea.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,850 per week, £1,495 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub and fire pit
Supernova
For a far-flung romantic getaway or unique solo break, this luxury self-catering chapel conversion on the Isle of Skye in the Scottish highlands is the perfect sanctuary. Relax in the spa bath and enjoy views over Loch Harport after a day on the mountains.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,750 per week, £1,295 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Sauna
Idlewylde
Machynlleth, Snowdonia, Wales, UK
From the sweet seclusion to mountain vistas, hot tub to glittering skies uninterrupted by city lights, Idlewylde is an impossibly romantic escape for couples in North Wales.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,550 per week, £1,150 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Features: Hot tub
Damselfly
St Neot, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, UK
Sat on the shores of the tree-tunnelled River Warleggan and immersed deep within an England saved only for the wild at heart, Damselfly feels almost stopped in time.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,150 per week, £895 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Fire pit and fishing available in the river on prior request
Sojourn
Drewsteignton, Dartmoor, Devon, UK
Nestled within the wilds of Dartmoor near Chagford sits Sojourn; a luxury chocolate box cottage with spa room. A true English country escape with lavish finishes and beautiful linens.
Sleeps: Up to 2 people
From: £995 per week, £795 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Spa room with massage table.
