The 7 Best Off-Grid Getaways in the UK

While city breaks have their own charm, there’s something so healing about going back to our roots and human nature and having a complete digital detox. It’s so easy to get caught up in the modern world of spending more time in front of a screen than spending time away from one, so sometimes the best thing to do is to get away from it all for a few days.

So, if you want to swap scrolling for strolling and live streaming for log fires, then take a read of this article below to find some of the best off-the-grid getaways that the UK has to offer.

Find a cosy off-grid UK getaway

1. The Barn at Easington – Easington Colliery, County Durham

Found just outside the former mining village of Easington Colliery in Country Durham in northeast England, The Barn at Easington is perfect for those who want to get off the grid and spend some time in an eco-friendly setting.

Set up on a rewilded 30-acre farm, with camping spots available from March to October and log cabins open year-round, the Barn at Easington is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friends with you.

Found just a few kilometres inland from the unspoiled Durham coastline, and with ample walking routes nearby, this is the perfect getaway for couples, families and even solo travellers. While there are a few small villages nearby, for the nearest major cities, you will have to travel at least half an hour by car to reach Durham, or 40 minutes to reach Newcastle. It's a true hidden gem and one of the best off-the-grid getaways in the UK.

2. Wee Blue Dream – Pitlochry, Perthshire 

Pitlochry, also known as the Heart of Scotland, is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the UK. From the mighty Cairngorms to its numerous lochs, the small town of Pitlochry offers a glimpse into rural Scottish life.

However, if you really want to experience this to the full extent, then a stay at Wee Blue Dream is a must. Found on the outskirts of the town of Pitlochry, Wee Blue Dream is a self-catering cottage, suitable for 1-3 guests, so it is perfect for a romantic getaway with a loved one (it’s also pet-friendly!)

It has several amenities which make the stay even better – its very own outdoor pizza oven, barbecue, and of course – a fire pit. Sit back, snuggle up and enjoy the beautiful sunset with a glass or two of your favourite red wine (or perhaps a wee dram), and enjoy soaking up the natural beauty that Central Scotland is so famed for.

There’s also easy access to local footpaths, where you can traverse the gorgeous landscape, and there are also lots of nearby cycle paths for keen bikers. The cabin even has an electric vehicle hook-up, so you can charge your electric car or van overnight.

3. Cottage in the Clouds – Ulverston, Lake District

Arguably the most remote lodging on this list, Cottage in the Clouds is known as one of the most remote homes in the UK.

A true off-the-grid experience, this cottage is a 20-minute, one-mile walk up a steep hill from the nearest car park, so it’s only recommended for hardy, seasoned off-the-grid holidaymakers.

The cottage itself sleeps four, has room for two extra children, and is also pet-friendly. You’ll have to be prepared to live really off-grid here: we’re talking boiling water from the copper kettle on the stove to fill the tin bath, avoiding the notoriously low beams in the cottage and living without any electricity, WiFi, or plumbing.

While this may seem extreme to some, for a proper off-the-grid getaway it doesn’t get much better than this. You can spend your day exploring the sheer natural beauty of the Lake District, with miles of terrain to explore in all directions. You can try out wild swimming in the nearby rivers and lakes, or visit the quaint towns of Windermere and Brantwood (although you’ll have to drive for at least 20 minutes to reach each one).

This is a perfect place for a peaceful retreat, away from the hustle and bustle of modern-day life, and a place where you can fully relax away from it all.

4. Blackthorn Cottage – Crickhowell, Powys

Found in quiet, tranquil south-eastern Wales, Blackthorn Cottage makes for the perfect off-the-grid getaway for either couples or a small family, sleeping up to four.

Blackthorn Cottage was originally built as one of the first eco-houses in Wales, with its very own garden windmill providing electricity for the cottage, local springs providing water, and log fire stoves and a sauna powered by log fires.

While there is limited WiFi and television (both of which are powered by local off-grid sources), so it’s a great excuse to switch off those phones, tablets and more and enjoy stepping back into nature.

The cottage is surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery, from rolling fields and valleys, perfect for a day’s hiking. Then you can head back to the cottage, stick a few logs on the fire, and enjoy a hearty meal in the comfort of this wonderful cottage.

5. Kudhva – Tintagel, Cornwall 

Kudhva, located in remote Cornwall, offers some of the most unique off-grid accommodations in the southwest. It combines glamping with off-grid getaways.

From glamping pods to treehouse accommodations, this is a real hidden gem, despite being in one of the most popular counties for British staycationers.

You can see the famous rugged north Cornish coastline from the windows in the cabins and treehouse bunks while sitting amongst the canopy of the Cornish woodland.

The site itself is home to a hot tub, a waterfall, and a wild swimming lake – while wonderful walks along the Cornish coast are just a stone’s throw away. The nearest beach can be reached within a 45-minute walk, so you really are in the remote Cornish countryside when staying here.

The campsite has a heavy focus on being eco-friendly and off-the-grid, and while it does have shower facilities, they are only switched on from 09:00–11:00 and then again from 19:00–22:00, minimising water wastage and reducing energy consumption.

6. Craig Cottage – Loch Etive, Argyll

Found on the borders of the stunning Loch Etive in the county of Argyll, Craig Cottage is the perfect place for an off-the-grid getaway in western Scotland.

There is no mains electricity, and the water is supplied from a nearby burn. In addition, the home has a log stove, which not only heats up the lounge but is also connected to various radiators throughout the cottage, so also heats these up, too.

To get to the cottage, you will either need to go via a rugged track in a suitable vehicle, or across the cold waters of Loch Etive – it really is that remote.

As for the garden, it has purposefully been left to rewild – so you can experience some of the best local wildlife, from cheeky pine martens to shy deer. The wildlife surrounding the loch is some of the best in Scotland, and you can see otters playing in the waters, or magnificent golden eagles soaring high in the empty skies above.

The cottage is also stacked with a number of board games and books to keep you entertained on a rainy day, while for days with better weather, there are numerous walking routes nearby for a good excursion to blow the cobwebs away.

7. Buzzard Lodge – Bakewell, Derbyshire

Nestled in the heart of the Peak District, Buzzard Lodge makes for a perfect getaway for couples who wish to switch off from the outside world for a few days.

The Peak District is known as one of England’s last truly remote places, and the nearest town is the quaint little town of Bakewell, famed of course for the Bakewell tart.

There is no WiFi in Buzzard Lodge, allowing couples to reconnect rather than spend another evening doom-scrolling social media. The lodge is named after the incredible bird of prey, the buzzard, many of which can be seen in the skies above the lodge on a clear day.

The lodge is home to large, beautiful windows that let in plenty of natural sunlight, meaning that you can enjoy the stunning scenery of the Peaks while enjoying breakfast in bed.

Get ready to unplug, relax and enjoy a true off-the-grid experience.