Category Archives: Rural Retreats

The Natural Appeal of Remote and Isolated UK Cottage Breaks

Remote and isolated cottage holidays have always been popular with those who like to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, recharge their batteries and get away from it all for a while. With the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, these sorts of holiday cottages are currently even more sought after by Britons looking to escape for a while.

Escape, Relax and Unwind

Escape to the country

Holiday homes in remote locations represent the chance to get closer to the natural world, and appreciate the beauty of the simple things in life; like waking up to the chirp of birdsong, watching the sunset over the horizon and seeing wildlife like squirrels or rabbits as they merrily hop around. There’s a kind of mindfulness in a remote cottage break; where you can be at one with nature and really appreciate a series of small pleasures and feeling at one with the natural world.

Connect with the Natural World

In these troubled times, getting closer to nature and away from the town and city could be a great choice. Although some scientists believe coronavirus is mostly spread via respiratory droplets, current UK government advice to avoid catching the virus includes maintaining good hygiene and frequent hand washing.

Most holiday homes are upping their cleaning practices during this time; but take your own bleach wipes and take your own precautions too to be doubly safe (let the owner or agency know when booking that you plan to do additional sanitising particularly of any high use areas like door-handles, TV controls etc, as they may even be able to supply you with sanitising products to reassure you). Ask if they will be supplying soap at the property. By taking sensible precautions you can enjoy a remote holiday, where you can to some extent escape the current crisis.

Choose destinations where you really can hide away with your loved ones, take walks along deserted beaches or quiet countryside and escape from city and town life and ease your mind.

Best Remote Cottage Holiday Destinations in Wales

When it comes to remote breaks, Wales with its miles and miles of unspoilt countryside, mountains and valleys could be the ideal choice. Options in terms of remote holiday homes in Wales include farmhouses, barn conversions and rural retreats.


Some of the most remote places to escape to in Wales include the Isle of Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire. Choose holiday homes in isolated or secluded settings where you can be on your own with your family or partner.

Remote and Isolated Holiday Homes in Wales


Ideal Places for Remote Cottage Breaks in Scotland

By virtue of its geographical location, Scotland is a more remote holiday destination than either Wales or England. Whether you’re looking to stay by the coast or hide away in the countryside, there are a great number of choices of remote holiday destinations in Scotland.


Places where you can truly get away from it all include the Scottish Highlands, the outer Hebrides, the Isle of Skye, Argyll and Bute, and Morayshire.

For true getaways choose isolated farm cottages, barn conversions, rural retreats and lodges. Always check before booking whether the property is in an isolated setting, far from other properties.

Find Remote and Isolated Holiday Lets in Scotland


Best Remote Cottage Holiday Destinations in England

England’s more remote destinations include places like Herefordshire, Shropshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland.


Although counties like Herefordshire and Shropshire are landlocked, choose to stay in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Durham or Northumberland and you have the choice of staying either by the coast or in the countryside. At each of these places if you choose the right locations you can escape from the throng and find quieter tranquil places far from lots of other people.

Choices of places to stay include rural retreats, farm cottages, barn conversions and hideaways. Choose isolated properties in England set on their own where you can get away from others and discover a remote unspoilt landscape on days out.

Remote cottage holidays in England

Wherever you choose to escape to on a remote break in the UK, we recommend speaking to the agency or owner before booking to ensure that the property and location fully meet your requirements. Above all have a happy and safe holiday.

Britain’s Most Rural Holiday Locations

Bodmin Moor in Poldark Country

Bodmin Moor, rural Cornwall

Do you love the countryside and want to discover one of Britain’s most rural areas on a cottage break?  If so, let Country Cottages Online inspire you with our hints, tips and list of possibilities!  The UK is indeed a green and beautiful place and for when you want to escape the hustle and bustle and get away to a more tranquil pace of life and soothing rural scenery, there are plenty of options to help soothe your soul.

Whether you’re dreaming of waking up to bird song or love the idea of sitting out and watching the sunset over fields and farmlands, Britain is home to some wonderfully unspoilt areas where you can experience a taste of the good life.

 

Experience the Good Life on a Farm-Stay Holiday

The UK has retained a strong farming tradition and we are a nation rich in farmers.  Luckily for holidaymakers a good number of UK farmers have converted old farm buildings in to modern, well equipped cottages.  At one time stables or piggeries, many British farm buildings have now been lovingly converted in to rural retreats and country cottages where holidaymakers can come and stay in stylish well equipped surroundings and enjoy a taste of the good life on a farm.  Some of these farm holiday developments are even complete with indoor or outdoor swimming pools where holidaymakers really can discover some of the very best of the British countryside.

Farmstay accommodation

Farmstay accommodation

For a real rural feel at some properties the owners will even let you gather eggs, help feed the chickens and may be even feed goats or pigs.  This is fun not only for children but also for big kids out there (let your inner child rejoice in connecting with nature)!

Waking up to views of fields, farmlands, meadows and hills can also be good for the soul, as can watching the sunset across a country landscape.  Rural Britain is just wonderful for reconnecting with nature and can help you de-stress and unwind too!

 

Remote Hideaways

When it comes to finding some of Britain’s most idyllic countryside, go remote!  It is in some of Britain’s most remote places that you can discover a real slow pace of life where you can may see more sheep than people and really escape and unwind.  Whether it’s Sutherland in the northern Highlands, Aberdeenshire or the Outer Hebrides, Scotland is home to some of the UK’s most remote and soulful destinations where you really can enjoy a truly rural and remote holiday.  Ireland too is one of the UK’s very best places for experiencing some of the best of rural life on a break away, as well as plenty sense of ‘Craic’ and magic.

Britain’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

If it’s quality of rural scenery you’re after, along with small pretty welcoming villages and attractive market towns, then a holiday in one of Britain’s National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty could be perfect for you.  These areas are special because of the quality of scenery that they offer and are protected in many ways.  Many of these parks and areas feature stunning rural scenery but if it’s the road less travelled you’re after be aware these places are no well kept secret and attract plenty of other tourists too.

Wherever you opt to explore on your rural holiday, we hope that Country Cottages Online can help you find your dream country cottage or rural retreat break.

Save

Save

Go Rural with a Farm Holiday in the UK

If you’re dreaming of getting away to a tranquil location for your next self-catering break where you can relax far from the hustle and bustle of town or city life, then a stay on a farm could be perfect for you.  The UK is rich in farms, unspoilt farmlands and countryside.  For those who want to enjoy a taste of country life, a farm holiday could be a great option.

Things to Do on a UK Farm Holiday

Relax, Relax and Relax!

Odle Farm Cottages in Devon

Odle Farm Cottages in Devon

Staying in the countryside without the distractions of a village or a town makes it easier to relax.  Listen to bird song, spend quality time with friends or family, meet the animals on the farm and just take it easy.  Many farms have good footpaths as well where you can get out and explore the local countryside at your leisure.

Get Active in the Countryside

Cylists on holiday in the countryside

Cyclists enjoying cycling in the countryside on holiday

Whether you enjoy walking, cycling or wildlife watching, the countryside can be a great place to enjoy one or more of these activities.  When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, some of the best things in life truly are for free.  Horse riding is another great activity, also available in many rural parts of the UK.

Enjoy Day Trips

After all that relaxation, you may want to get out and see some of the local attractions.  Each area in Britain has its own attractions and whether you love visiting historical sites, quaint villages or towns, choose a farm with an appealing choice of places to visit for days out within easy reach.

Types of Accommodation on Britain’s Farms

There are plenty of types of rural accommodation available on British farms.  Depending on the size of the farm, some smallholdings may have just one country cottage or holiday lodge whereas larger farms may have complexes of cottages or barn conversions, sometimes arranged around a courtyard setting.  Some even have fantastic leisure complexes with facilities such as swimming pools or hot tubs.

In short, Britain has an inspiring choice of farm-stay accommodation to choose from, when will you enjoy a taste of the good life?  For inspiration and ideas see our collection of farm cottages.

Save