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Looking for a staycation that offers the best of the UK countryside? You’ve come to the right place.
Each retreat in this list is nestled in wildflower meadows or alongside a lake or deep in forest – offering a genuine opportunity to disconnect and unwind and contemplate life with a starry-sky backdrop.
They range from off-grid cosy cabins or hotel-style rooms for two to the opportunity for the whole family to get away – including the dog! They are built with renewable materials, offer underfloor heating from renewable sources, are off-grid and zero-waste. Whether you’re looking for hot tubs or fire-pits or good local pub dinners, this list has an option for you. Plus, there’s organic, seasonal and local food. There’s space for yoga, meditation and bikes to ride, easy to access by train and with electric car charging port.
The best thing about these retreats? They don’t just happen to positively contribute to the local environment and communities, while minimising negative ecological impacts or positively contributing to nature, they were intentionally designed this way.
The result is a holiday booked with owners who genuinely care about your experience. That means they practically come with a cast-iron guarantee of a quiet, clean and comfortable stay with the backdrop of some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery, with good local recommendations away from the tourist traps.
Six of the best UK eco-retreats
TĹ· Cwch | A boathouse with a spirit of adventure
Address: TĹ· Cwch, Cwmtydu, Llwyndafydd, Llandysul SA44 6LQ
Phone number: 07753 700 712
Accommodation on offer: TĹ· Cwch offers accommodation for up to 12 people, set among one of the most biodiverse stretches of the Welsh coast. Book exclusive use of the boathouse or one of three cabins available that sleep up to four people.
Food: Your stay can be catered or self-catered, depending on your requirements. There’s a full kitchen and large dining area, plus barbecues to use in the garden, an electric barbecue for use on the boatdeck. Grocery deliveries are available and there’s a pizza/micro-brewery option about a 15-minute drive away. In fact, multiple breweries, and a gin, whisky and brandy distillery are all within driving distance.
Dog friendly: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome if you’ve booked all the cabins, but they are not allowed in the sleeping cabins. Note: the Seal Watch crowd will try to prevent dogs on the beach when they’re pupping in the Autumn.
Activities: Pretty much enjoy all water sports including SUP, surfing, sailing. There’s also cycling, foraging, climbing…
Local attractions: Multiple beaches and historic buildings. You can explore the ‘hot spots’ of Welsh writer and poet Dylan Thomas, including his favourite pub, the Black Horse in New Quay. Or follow some of the Henry VII invasion March route that passed through the valley.
Best time to visit: Prime time is June-August, classic British summer months. But the shoulder seasons also offer the magic of Spring and Autumn.
Best shoulder-season: April-May, September-October. Owner Nigel Humphrey says Autumn is his favourite time “because of the slight chill in the air, autumnal walks in the woods, foraging, and then the storms when Ty Cwch is almost like being at sea, but we’re warm and safe in the cabins”.
How to get there by train: Travel to Cardigan station, where you can pick up the local bus to New Quay or book Pete’s taxis, which is about a half-hour drive.
Closest electric car charging port: There is no EV charging port on site.
Prices from: From ÂŁ136 per cabin per night, or ÂŁ250 per night for exclusive use of the boathouse for four guests plus ÂŁ20 per extra person.
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Swallowtail Hill | eco-glamping in East Sussex
Address: Swallowtail Hill Farm, Hobbs Lane, Beckley, East Sussex, TN31 6TT
Phone number: 01797 260 890
Accommodation on offer: Swallowtail Hill offers six unique eco-glamping accommodations, set across 50 acres of biodiverse meadows and woodlands in East Sussex. Each stay is designed to help guests slow down, unplug, and reconnect with nature. Options include The Long View (sunrise-facing cabin with meadow views and optional hot tub), The Roundhouse (romantic woodland retreat with private hot tub), Woodcutter’s Cottage (cosy, handcrafted space in a woodland dell), Meadow Keeper’s Cottage (off-grid escape with no electricity), and the twin Wood and Penfold Cabins for group getaways.
Food: All accommodations are self-catering and equipped with compact kitchens or kitchenettes. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food or shop locally. Sustainable kitchen basics are provided.
Dog friendly: To protect local wildlife and maintain a peaceful environment, dogs are not allowed.
Activities: Woodland craft sessions for children, nature walks, conservation talks, stargazing, and plenty of opportunity for digital detox and relaxation. Swallowtail Hill also runs an educational Green Guardian scheme for kids.
Local attractions: Explore 1066 Country with nearby Rye, Camber Sands, historic castles, charming towns with cobbled streets, and sandy beaches. The area is rich in history, nature, and local artisan culture.
Best time to visit: May to September is ideal for full bloom wildflowers, warm weather, and outdoor activities.
Best shoulder-season: April and October are quieter, still beautiful, and perfect for a cosy stay with wood burners and optional hot tubs.
How to get there by train: Travel to Rye station, which is about 15 minutes away by taxi. Rye is just over an hour from London via Ashford International.
Closest electric car charging port: There is no EV charging port on site.
Prices from: From £400 for Woodcutter’s Cottage and from £470 for The Long View or The Roundhouse, for two nights (minimum stay).
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Under Starry Skies | Nature-friendly stay in the heart of Wales’ first Dark Sky Reserve
Address: LLWYNBWCH, Llanwrda, SA19 8LP
Phone number: 07968355509
Accommodation on offer: Two off-grid, self-built cabins in wildflower meadows with private stargazing decks. Each cabin is equipped with a mezzanine double bed, sofa bed, wood-burner, composting loo, BBQ, fire pit, and solar lighting.
There’s also a converted hay barn that sleeps up to four, with a vaulted ceiling, wood stove, skylights, fully equipped kitchen, private wildlife garden, and accessible ground-floor layout.
NEW: Onnen, a shepherd’s hut – a charming new addition with beautiful views and off-grid comforts. It has already received glowing feedback from its first guests.
Food: Self-catering. The converted hay barn has its own private kitchen. Guests of the cabins have a sink and hob and and can use the shared kitchen in the communal building. There’s also an honesty shop on site with local seasonal food products. BBQs available for outdoor cooking.
Dog friendly?: No pets allowed
Activities: Stargazing, birdwatching, campfire cooking, sunset viewing from fire pits, wildlife spotting, and enjoying the wildflower meadows.
Local attractions: Carmarthenshire and West Wales coastlines, castles, Bannau Brecheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, and scenic mountains.
Best time to visit: Late spring through early autumn for optimal stargazing and biodiversity. Summer is ideal for butterflies, wildflowers, and warm evenings by the fire.
Best shoulder-season: May and September – quieter, but still full of wildlife and good weather.
How to get there by train: Travel to Llanwrda or Llangadog stations. Under Starry Skies offers a collection service from these stations if arranged at the time of booking. Local taxis are limited and often booked in advance, so coordinating directly with the hosts is recommended.
Closest electric car charging port: On-site EV charger powered by Octopus Energy.
Tip: You can receive 5% off all stays if you arrive by bike, train or electric vehicle.
Prices from: ÂŁ90 per night.
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Bethnal&Bec Luxury Stays and adult-only cabins in Herts
Address: Bethnal&Bec, Nottinghams, Cottered, Herts, SG9 9PU
Phone number: 07790 901051
Accommodation on offer: Three boutique, adult-only cabins – Bethnal Retreat, Bec Retreat, and The Foaling Box – each designed for indulgent countryside escapes less than an hour from London. You’ll find king-sized beds, wood-burning stoves, roll-top baths, rainforest showers, and private outdoor jacuzzi tubs.
Food: Self-catering with an honesty pantry stocked with snacks, frozen meals, and locally-made gin and vodka. Optional “Pimp My Stay” upgrades include grazing boards, cocktail kits, and pre-arrival grocery stocking.
Dog friendly: Yes – all retreats are dog-friendly.
Activities: Massages, cooking classes, and electric bike hire with a 40-mile range for countryside exploring.
Local attractions: Charming villages and towns of Hertfordshire, wildflower meadows, and countryside walks right from your doorstep.
Best time to visit: Spring through early autumn for jacuzzi soaks under the stars and wildflower meadow views.
Best shoulder-season: Late autumn – perfect for curling up beside the fire with luxury comforts and minimal crowds.
How to get there by train: Take the train to Stevenage, then a short taxi ride to the property.
Closest electric car charging port: There is an EV charging port in the carport on site.
Prices from: ÂŁ265 per night.
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The Sanctuary Cornwall | Off-grid eco-lodge to experience the full comfort of zero-carbon living
Address: Downs Hill, Fowey, PL23 1LJ
Phone number: 07961 805505 or 07976 466123
Accommodation on offer: Four ensuite eco-lodge bedrooms (Oak, Birch, Maple, and Ash), each with private outdoor seating and estuary views. Plus, The Look Out – a hand-built off-grid camping pod – and Barn Owl, a spacious function room for small events. The Sanctuary sits on 12 acres of woodland, orchard, and gardens, offering comfort and sustainability in equal measure. They also hold a Green Tourism Gold Award.
Food: Breakfast is on offer using locally-sourced, homegrown, or homemade food. Ingredients are organic, fair trade, and traceable wherever possible and produce from the permaculture garden is often used.
There aren’t facilities to fully self-cater, but they do have an outdoor kitchen with a gas barbecue, a wood fired pizza oven, and a charcoal firepit (with their own produced charcoal), and Nick’s team at the Fisherman’s Arms, a short walk away, are just one of the local options for a delicious evening meal.
Dog friendly?: Yes, for a small additional fee. Post-walk dog shower and towels provided. Dogs are required to be kept on a lead near the pond, garden, and forest areas.
Activities: Relax in hammocks, explore permaculture gardens, forest bathe, read in peace, connect with other guests, and walk local footpaths linking Fowey, Lostwithiel, and the Saints Way.
Local attractions: Fowey estuary, National Landscape walks, the South West Coast Path, Eden Project, and historic Cornish towns.
Best time to visit: Spring through autumn for orchard walks, estuary views, and garden produce. Summer offers long, peaceful days and communal garden moments.
Best shoulder-season: April–May and September–October for quieter stays and vivid seasonal colours.
How to get there by train: Take the train to Par station. Taxis or local transport can be arranged from there to the Sanctuary.
Closest electric car charging port: On-site EV charger available.
Prices from: ÂŁ95 per night for The Look Out; ÂŁ130 per night for rooms like Birch or Barn Owl.
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Fritton Lake | Lakeside retreats as part of 1,000-acre rewilding project
Address: Fritton Lake, Beccles Rd, Fritton, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 9HA
Phone number: 01493 484008
Accommodation on offer: Fritton lake is set along a stunning two-mile-long lake on the Norfolk and Suffolk border, and within an 1,000 acre rewilding project. Choose from hotel-style Clubhouse Rooms, cosy farm cottages, boutique cabins in the woods, and hand-picked hideaways. All are thoughtfully designed to immerse you in nature with modern comforts.
Food: Meals are served at the Clubhouse using seasonal ingredients grown on the estate or sourced from local suppliers. Guests can also opt for food boxes delivered to their accommodation, featuring local wine, fresh vegetables, preserves, and more.
Dog friendly?: You are welcome to bring your dog in to the Clubhouse and terrace. However there are certain restricted areas close to the main facilities.
Activities: Wild swimming in the lake, a floating sauna, nature safaris (by jeep, paddleboard or boat), walking trails, an outdoor heated pool, lakeside gym, yoga and Pilates classes, tennis courts, and watersports.
Local attractions: Fritton Lake itself is a destination, but it’s also located near the Norfolk and Suffolk coastline, with charming villages, beaches, and nature reserves within reach.
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn, when the days are longer for wild swimming, wildlife is most active, and the estate is in full bloom.
Best shoulder-season: September – enjoy golden light, fewer crowds, and full access to all facilities while still catching the last of summer warmth.
How to get there by train: The nearest train station is Somerleyton, just a few miles away. From there, take a taxi or arrange a pickup.
Closest electric car charging port: On-site charging is available at Fritton Lake for electric vehicles.
Prices from: Clubhouse Rooms from ÂŁ180 a night; Club Cabins from ÂŁ990 for two nights and Farm Cottages from ÂŁ610 for two nights.
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