The best UK eco-retreats: off-grid mini breaks in the heart of nature

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

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: £90 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: £265 per night.

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Re Cabins | Off-grid staycation designed for wellness, intimacy, and creativity in Lancashire

Address: Newton-in-Bowland, Lancashire

Accommodation on offer: Nestled on a 360-acre farm in the heart of the Forest of Bowland, you’ll find two options of cabins, both spoilt with views and a hot tub from which to take in the night sky where you’ll see an abundance of shooting stars on a clear night.

Each cabin was hand built by the farmer and is equipped with a small kitchenette, lounge, en-suite bathroom and outdoor BBQ. Peace and tranquility are provided by nature.

Food: Guests can cook using a fully equipped kitchen or over the outdoor fire pit.

Dog friendly:

Activities: Re Cabins provides curated intimacy and discovery kits designed to support self-reflection, meaningful connection, and creativity. Enjoy countryside walks, cook over the fire, and stay tuned for their upcoming wellness retreats launching later this year.

Local attractions: The cabin is set on a 360-acre working farm in rural Lancashire, offering guests a peaceful and immersive experience in nature. There’s also access to walking, running, and cycling routes, plus local area guides with places to eat, drink, and explore.

Best time to visit: Late spring through early autumn, when the surrounding countryside is lush and full of life.

Best shoulder-season: Late autumn – think crisp walks, golden fields, and cosy nights by the fire.

How to get there by train: Lancashire is accessible by train from Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool in 1.5 hours. You can reach nearby stations, then take a taxi or cycle to the cabin.

Closest electric car charging port:

Prices from: One night stays from £190; Two-night stays from £380; Three-night stays from £500

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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: £95 per night for The Look Out; £130 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 £180 a night; Club Cabins from £990 for two nights and Farm Cottages from £610 for two nights.

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