The most remote destinations in the UK
With current Government advice encouraging people with no symptoms to social distance wherever possible, those living in urban areas and cities may consider heading out to find more secluded locations hidden around Britain.
Our travel experts have rounded up the most remote locations around the UK for those seeking as much social distancing as possible, from the vast open spaces of Aberdeenshire and dramatic coastlines of Kent and East Sussex to spaces surrounded by National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Located in the north east of Scotland, Aberdeenshire is a vast county with the majority of its population based in the city of Aberdeen, leaving the rest of the land blissfully untouched.
Recommended stay
A 17th Century mansion based in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. The castle is set within eighteen acres of grounds for guaranteed privacy and tranquillity.
Top features: 12 bedrooms,12 bathrooms, billiards room, whiskey library
The nearest Co-op food store is 9.5 miles away!
Find out more about this property here >
Invergarry, Scotland
The Highlands of Scotland are a no-brainer when it comes to finding seclusion in the UK, head to one of the quaint villages that are scattered throughout it such as Invergarry to explore Glens and Lochs at your leisure, the only company you’ll have is the wildlife!
Recommended stay
Boat House is a wonderfully newly converted boat house, complete with balcony, located in Invergarry, Scotland.
Top features: 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, Sky TV
The amenities of Invergarry are over a mile away, but even then, you’ll only find a small cafe and pub.
Find out more about this property here >
Sibton, Suffolk
Just minutes from England’s east coast and located on the edge of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sibton is the perfect base for coastal walks and birdwatching in solitude.
Recommended stay
Set within 4,500 acres of parkland in Suffolk, Hex Cottage is a perfect, fairytale getaway.
Top features: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, log fireplace and wood-fired range cooker, 1 well-behaved dog is welcome.
The nearest farmers’ market is 8.5 miles away so be sure to stock up if you want to make the most of your time away from humanity.
Find out more about this property here >
Tavistock, West Devon
With a coastline running along the north and south of the county and the Dartmoor National Park at its heart, Devon is peppered with secluded spots. Head to the outskirts of towns such as Tavistock to enjoy seclusion with miles of walking trails on your doorstep.
Recommended stay
A single-storey studio in woodland hidden away enough to keep you secret from the crowd, but is close enough to town if you really have to face people.
Top features: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, woodburning stove, pond and firepit.
The nearest shop and pub are 3.5 miles away.
Find out more about this property here >
East Meon, East Hampshire
The majority of this county in the south of England is taken up by the South Downs National Park with hidden gems of natural beauty dotted throughout. You’ll struggle to find a housing estate or shopping mall nearby!
Recommended stay
This cottage retreat is surrounded by countryside with an abundance of wildlife so if you love animals more than people, Drovers Cottage is a good choice.
Top features: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and pet friendly
If the wildlife on the grounds isn’t enough, Staunton Country Park is 8 miles away.
Find out more about this property here >
Tyringham, Buckinghamshire
Despite its proximity to London, it is still possible to enjoy a remote getaway surrounded by swathes of picture perfect traditional English countryside near villages such as Tyringham. The area has very little infrastructure, in the way of main roads or urban development, but isn’t too far away from big settlements like Milton Keynes.
Recommended stay
Apple House is a classic Edwardian house offering total seclusion, yet it is within easy reach of London by both rail and road.
Top features: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, hot tub, cinema screen and project, basketball court
For those who are a fan of the arts the Milton Keynes theatre is 5 miles away, so not too far to pay for the price of solitude.
Find out more about this property here >
North Ayrshire, West Kilbride
Easily reached from Glasgow, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas across the sea and explore the far reaching sandy beaches in North Ayrshire. The area only has a population of 135,280 across 342 square miles of rugged land.
Recommended stay
This 15th Century castle was originally constructed as a wedding gift for Princess Mary, the eldest daughter of James II of Scotland upon her marriage to Thomas Boyd the Earl of Arran.
Top features: 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, log fireplace, 2 candelabras.
The Bean and Leaf café is 6.5 miles away if you can handle people for long enough to order and eat a fry up.
Find out more about this property here >
Rother District, East Sussex
With a dramatic coastline of sheer white cliffs and miles and miles of rolling countryside to explore, East Sussex is an ideal retreat for those seeking solitude from the hectic city lifestyle of London, and has no motorways and very few A roads.
Recommended stay
Udiam Farm Cottage is one of two delightful, detached cottages have been thoughtfully restored and lie within the owner’s grounds. The farm overlooks the River Rother and part of the Kent and East Sussex Steam Railway (used around six times a year for special events).
Top features: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, tennis court, croquet lawn.
The nearest shop is 2.5 miles away.
Find out more about this property here >
Doddington, Kent
With beautiful acres of rolling countryside, escape to Kent to enjoy an isolated break in one of England’s most iconic counties. The village of Doddington is quintessentially British, and is located in the Kent Downs Area of outstanding natural beauty, so don’t expect to see much development there!
Recommended stay
This charming barn is enormously spacious should you feel the need to get away from humanity with a group of other people who hate people.
Top features: 13 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, pet-friendly, Woodburner barbeque, snug/games room
The nearest shop and pub are 1.5 miles away.
Find out more about this property here >
Gosport, Hampshire
Hampshire may be the home to major cities like Portsmouth and Southampton, but it’s also the home to a truly secluded property that we couldn’t miss from the list, because nothing provides utter seclusion than being in a self contained fortress in the ocean.
Recommended stay
Originally designed to protect Portsmouth harbour from a French invasion, work started on Napoleonic Fortress in the 1860s, taking 17 years to complete.
Top features: 9 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, hot tub
The nearest takeaway is only a mile away, but there is a big body of water stopping any unwanted visitors ruining your holiday.
Find out more about this property here >
Matt Fox, CEO and co-founder of Snaptrip.com, said,
“With the Government now allowing Brits to go on domestic holidays from the 4th of July, many are rushing to book their Summer holiday. Modern life dictates a certain level of interaction, but there are places in the UK you can escape to if you choose.
“It’s no secret that it’s been a tough few months for the travel sector worldwide, so we welcomed the news from the Government yesterday that staycations will be allowed to go ahead in the next few weeks. And it seems the public did too! It’s important to remember that if anyone in your household is experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus that you follow advice to all self-isolate for 14 days and don’t travel.”
Wherever you are, be kind, stay safe and be sure to keep up-to-date with the latest Government and medical advice around Coronavirus here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
