An Off-Grid Solo Retreat: Your Guide to a Wood Cabin Getaway
Going on a solo cabin getaway in the UK can be a such an amazing experience. It offers solitude, self-reflection, and a chance to reconnect with nature and yourself.
If you're anything like me, though, the idea of packing up and heading off to the middle of nowhere on your own is daunting. Your mind immediately goes to all the things that could potentially go wrong. Will I know how to start a fire? What if I get lost? What if there's no phone signal? What if I get bored? Will I feel safe there at night on my own?
In this guide, I'll go into my top tips for planning a solo trip to a wood cabin, so you can you make the most of your time 'off-grid' and create lasting memories.
1. Plan a Pamper Night
One of the greatest joys of solo travel is the opportunity to focus on self-care without distractions. When you're staying in an off-grid cabin, there's no schedule to follow and nowhere you need to be, leaving you with the perfect excuse to truly unwind.
Before I set off on my solo adventure, I treated myself to a selection of products from the Bundle & Beau gift shop, ensuring I had everything needed for both a morning and evening pamper session.
For anyone planning a similar escape, I highly recommend our Hygge Gift Bundle if you're going in the Winter and our Energising Mini Care Packages if you're going in the Summer. In fact, my off-grid trip was the inspiration behind creating our mini care packages as I was so glad I'd bought my pamper products with me as they weren't included in the cabin.
Take your time, and design your day around relaxation and self-care. Being away on my own allowed me to prioritise myself and these simple, mindful activities like never before.
2. Stock Up
Before heading to the local supermarket, check what amenities the cabin provides. They usually offer essentials like coffee, tea, oil, and sometimes milk. Stock up on groceries for the entire trip, taking advantage of the freedom to cook and enjoy precisely what you love. Keep the recipes simple but delicious.
During my stay at the cabin, they had a special offer that included a breakfast basket with the booking. I was completely in love with the selection, featuring local produce from the area. Being a big fan of marmalade toast, sitting in bed, reading my book with a pot of coffee, sourdough toast and watching the sun come up was my idea of heaven.
3. Make a Thing Out of Everything
Solo trips encourage mindfulness, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the present moment. Take pleasure in the simple tasks, such as boiling water on a gas cooker for your morning coffee, whilst the countryside wakes up. Listen to the calming sounds and the ritualistic nature of everyday activities.
Enjoying the pace without the need to rush from one activity to the next is like a breath of fresh air. It’s liberating not to have limits on how much time you can spend on something – to just do everything until you feel like doing something else. Where possible, resist the urge to meticulously plan your next move.
During my trip, there was an initial fear of being bored, but that fear gradually transformed into a settled feeling of just going with the flow. It's a delightful surrender to the moment, a discovery that happens when you allow yourself the freedom to be spontaneous and enjoy each experience without the pressure of constant planning.
4. Sun Salutation
Wake up early one morning and listen to the stillness before sunrise. Open the cabin windows, sip on a warm drink, and listen to the birds as they begin their day. Lying in bed with a good book, surrounded by the sounds of nature, is truly magical. Though you're there alone, it feels as if you're not, and there's something deeply comforting in that.
I went on my off-grid cabin retreat in Winter, which made it easy to enjoy these peaceful mornings. If you're considering going on your solo trip in Winter, I'd highly recommend it. It gets dark by 4/5pm which encourages you even more to slow down and pushes you to give in to your bodies natural urge to sleep more in the Winter. I also packed my absolute favourite, handmade silk sleep mask for afternoon siestas.
5. Explore
Explore the surrounding area with a leisurely walk, accompanied by your favourite podcasts (download a couple before you go incase of poor connection). Solo walks offer an opportunity for introspection and appreciation of the natural beauty. Before you go on your trip, it’s worth downloading a walking app or taking a map with you. The cabin usually has information on any suggested local walks you could do during your stay. I also find the guestbook very helpful for this as past guests often like to write down their favourite walks or places they visited on their trip.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending a day in the local village. I started with a relaxing coffee, wandered around the cobbled streets, and explored the artisan gift shops (my favourite thing to do when I'm away). I treated my getaway as a wellness treat, avoiding alcohol in the evenings so also stocked up on some delicious non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy with a film.
6. Good Reads
Pack a selection of your favourite books to enjoy by the fire. Losing yourself in a well-loved author's words takes on a new depth when you're alone in the woods or countryside. I took with me, Good Material by Dolly Alderton, which I read cover to cover in a couple of nights. A couple of other recommendations that I think would be perfect for a solo cabin trip, would be Little Wing by Freya North and Wintering by Katherine May.
I've always loved the notion of writers seeking solitude in inspiring locations to craft their next masterpiece. Being on the trip really reminded me of that, so if you’re into reading, see this solo getaway as a ‘reading holiday’ where your focus is working your way through a pile of great books.
7. Yoga Retreat
Bring a yoga mat and enjoy a morning and evening yoga flow. If you’re visiting in the summer, it’s perfect for practicing outside to fully connect with nature. During my trip, I loved rolling out my mat once the sun was up and doing 15 minutes of sun salutations—Rituals Yoga has a mini class I adore. Afterward, I’d have breakfast and hop into the outdoor bath. Pure heaven!
In the evening, I’d switch to Yin Yoga, using the cushions around the cabin as makeshift bolsters. Rituals Yoga is also my go-to for simple evening practices that are easy to follow. Set the mood with candles—I love our Midnight Breeze aromatherapy candle—and finish with a weighted lavender eye mask. Don't forget cosy socks and a jumper! You have all the time in the world to make your yoga practice special, so take a moment to create the perfect, cosy atmosphere in the cabin.
8. Phone Detox
Take advantage of potentially limited signal in the remote location to detox from your phone. Disconnecting allows for a deeper sense of relaxation and creativity, providing space for genuine introspection amidst the wilderness.
If this is something you feel you'd really benefit from, consider fully committing to this experience by opting for a solo cabin retreat that encourages digital detoxing during your trip - like Unplugged. In such retreats, you are encouraged to lock away your phone in a designated box for the entirety of the trip. This intentional break from digital distractions allows you to immerse yourself completely in the present moment.
9. Journaling and Reflection
Bring along a journal and deck of Tarot or Oracle cards, I love the Moonology Oracle Cards by Yasmin Boland. Spend quiet evenings reflecting on your experiences, noting down thoughts, and working your way through some journal prompts. I working my way through our collection of Autumn reflection journal prompts. Witness the transformation from initial restlessness to a more calm state of mind.
Journaling is my go-to on solo trips. I find myself eagerly reaching for my journal, often at random moments throughout the day. At home, surrounded by the demands of daily life, sticking to a journaling practice can feel like a challenge. But in the quiet of a retreat, it feels natural and restorative.
See what comes up—you might surprise yourself!
10. Cosy Films
Download a couple of films from Netflix for cosy evenings in the cabin. In the quiet of the wood cabin, enjoy the cinematic experience with a spiced hot chocolate, creating a perfect ending to each day.
During my visit around Christmas time, one of the highlights of the trip was sitting by the fire in bed watching The Holiday. I felt like Cameron Diaz when she’s sat in the cottage with her wooly hat and scarf on.
Final Thoughts
I hope this has inspired you and given you the confidence you’ve been looking for to book a solo off-grid retreat. You definitely won’t regret it! As I left the cabin, I was already searching for my next one. I stayed in one of the beautiful Rest + Wild cabins, which offer 2-3 night stays—the perfect amount of time for me. I've also stayed at Kip & Nook, which I’d highly recommend. Have a wonderful trip!