The joys of solo adventure

A holiday by yourself, or even just a day out exploring the great outdoors in solitude, offers a chance for you to reconnect with yourself and the natural world, boost your confidence, and find freedom, joy and peace. It can provide you with an opportunity to truly slow down and switch off – and we know that can do wonders for our wellbeing! 

Whether the thought of adventuring alone is intriguing, daunting, or exciting to you, we’ve put together this guide all about the benefits and joys of solo adventure with the hope that it’ll inspire you to go ahead and plan your own dose of much-needed ‘me-time’. 

Setting your own itinerary

One of the obvious, and arguably one of the best, benefits of a solo break is that you get to choose exactly how you spend your time. When you’re not having to appease anyone else, you have complete freedom to decide where you want to go, what you want to do, and the pace at which you want to do it. If you’re longing for an afternoon spent lying on a blanket looking at the clouds, you can go ahead and do just that. If you’re full of energy and ready for a full day’s hike, you can lace up your boots and go. If you’re craving your favourite flavour of ice cream, you can take yourself on a mini adventure to find it. Setting your own itinerary means you get to indulge in the things you truly love, or take the opportunity to try something new, just for you. Either way, you get to choose.

Savouring a good book (or three)

Reading is an activity that’s usually best enjoyed alone, so a solo escape provides a wonderful opportunity to make the most of this simple pleasure. Take the time to savour slow mornings sinking into a good book with a pot of coffee on the go and golden sunlight streaming in through the window. Or, tuck yourself up in bed early at night and lose yourself in the pages for a while before flicking off the bedside lamp and settling into a peaceful sleep. If you’re looking for something interesting to read, take a look at our books to inspire adventures in nature guide.

Embracing mindfulness in nature

Practicing mindfulness in nature is about consciously bringing your full attention to your surroundings and senses whilst you’re outdoors – and it can be hugely beneficial for your wellbeing by reducing feelings of stress and anxiety and increasing feelings of peace and belonging. Without the distraction of other people, you might find it easier to more fully embrace the moment you’re in and tune into the natural world. You could try a mindful walk, noticing how your feet feel on the ground and what you can see, hear, and smell as you go. You could try a mindful creative activity, like tracing leaves or skimming stones. Or you could simply sit quietly and observe the beauty of nature that’s around you. However you choose to practice mindfulness, doing it alone can be a soothing experience. 

Opportunities to meet new people

When we travel with a partner, a friend or a group, many of us are far less likely to make an effort to interact with new people than when we are adventuring alone. A day out exploring the UK’s many woodlands, national parks, beaches or hiking paths usually offers ample opportunities to meet like-minded nature-loving folk – and, if you wish, strike up a conversation. Even if it's as simple as saying hello and asking how their day has been, you might find these sociable experiences with strangers to be enriching and fun. Making new connections is certainly one of the joys of travelling alone and, who knows, if you remain open you might even make a new lifelong friend. 

Eating out – wherever you like!

One of the exciting things about exploring a new town, city, village or harbour is discovering the local culinary delights. Whether you’re craving a good coffee and a freshly baked pastry from an independent café, a hearty lunch in a cosy traditional pub, or a three-course evening meal in a Michelin star restaurant, being a sole diner means you get to decide exactly where you want to eat and what you’d like to order, without having to compromise for anyone else’s tastes. There’s something rather empowering about sitting down to enjoy a meal at a table for one, too. 

Trying something new

Just like being able to choose where to eat, being on holiday on your own also allows you to choose which activities you’d like to take part in. Maybe there’s something that you’ve always wanted to try but never had the chance – and perhaps that chance could be now! Whether you’re taking a surf lesson, going to a yoga class, joining a foraging workshop or seeing stand-up comedy, you can treat yourself to an experience that you’re genuinely interested in, or just choose something spontaneously based on your mood. Your chosen activity might help you learn a new skill or turn out to be the beginning of a great new hobby. At the very least you’ll make some special new memories. 

Boosted confidence

Whether you’re pushing your boundaries in an adventurous outdoor activity, or you’re simply nervous about travelling somewhere by yourself, solo trips may very well take you outside of your comfort zone…but this is a good thing. When you feel a little anxious but go ahead and do something anyway, you’re bound to be rewarded with a feel-good confidence boost and a satisfying sense of accomplishment. This is especially true if you’re taking on something challenging like a long-distance cycle or summiting a mountain. This personal growth can translate into other areas of your life too, so you’ll reap the benefits long after your adventure has finished.

Simpler planning

When you’re arranging a trip away with family or friends, there are multiple opinions, tastes, and diaries to consider. The logistics of finding a place that everyone wants to visit, as well as dates that are suitable for each individual’s holiday allowances, school term dates, birthdays, weddings and so on isn’t always easy! When you’ve only got yourself to think about, you can go anywhere you like and only have your own calendar to contend with. What a breath of fresh air! 

Time for self-discovery

A solitary escape to nature, especially when you’re somewhere remote and off-grid without WiFi and Netflix, can provide the ideal setting, time, and headspace for you to quietly sit with yourself and truly listen to your body, thoughts and feelings. It’s the perfect chance to partake in some soul-searching, introspection or reflection and really get to know yourself more meaningfully – so be sure to take a journal and pen with you. 

Hideaways for one 

We have a beautiful collection of magical hideaways in idyllic nature spots around the UK that are perfect for all sorts of solo adventures. Here’s a selection to get you inspired:

The Eagle, Cornwall

This luxury cabin sits in a breathtaking position on the cliffs at Whitsand Bay, with dazzling ocean views that are hard to beat. It’s the perfect spot for a coastal escape, with days spent sea swimming, walking the coast path, and making the most of all the incredible outdoor adventures that Cornwall has to offer.

Ffion, Ceredigion, Wales

Situated in the majestic valleys of the Cambrian Mountains, this stunning shepherd’s hut  is a pocket-sized paradise in a glorious location for some much-needed quiet time with Mother Nature. The awe-inspiring landscape and surroundings are home to a wonderful array of wildlife and birds, so make sure you pack your binoculars.

Little Oak Treehouse, West Sussex

This enchanting treehouse is nestled in a peaceful woodland near Pulborough in West Sussex, overlooking gorgeous green pastures. If you’re seeking a fairytale haven amongst nature, this could be the hideaway for you. There’s even a wood-fired pizza oven to cook yourself a delicious feast to enjoy amongst the trees. 

Sunrise and Stars, Isle of Wight

For a taste of island life in the south of the UK, venture to this heavenly shepherd’s hut on the Isle of Wight. This place gets its charming name from its idyllic position for watching the sun come up in the morning, and gazing at the stars when the sun goes down (which is especially magical from the hot tub on the deck).

Take a look at our full collection of heavenly hideaways for more inspiration.