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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

..to ask for your suggestions for a solo break away

41 replies

Rilkansec · 19/06/2026 19:38

Sorry for the shameless AIBU post, but I want to make this count as it likely won't happen again and I'd like as many suggestions as possible!

DH and DCs are taking a week away together to participate in a shared hobby. Im not interested in that hobby and won't be going with them.

I have some annual leave I can book off at the same time that they go away. I don't want to be at home because I can't switch off from home stuff. I'll just be cleaning and reorganising and then feel pissed off with myself.

So I need to plan a trip of my own!

I don't want to go with any other person. No family, no friends...Just me and the dog. And somewhere in the UK.

I've had a couple of bereavements in close succession of each other recently and it's knocked me sideways. I think a trip on my own could be the tonic I need.

I want nature. Beautiful landscapes and scenery. Fresh air. Relaxation and a chance to just breathe without chaos and noise. Nice walks. Maybe even a hot tub I can sit alone in with a glass of wine and a book.

Im not well-off and have a very basic run-of-the-mill 'working class' type of job. But I do have a small inheritance from one of the relatives who passed away that could fund this short trip. Another reason I really want to make it count.

So I expect you lovely lot are all well travelled and can hopefully give me some great suggestions of places to go, travel companies, accommodation or sites etc? Anywhere that would suit a solo traveller looking to decompress and get away from the race with a pooch in tow.

Any links to accompany your suggestions would also be gratefully received.

Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
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TheFlyingPenguin · 20/06/2026 22:38

Isle of Wight.

muddlingthrou · 20/06/2026 22:37

I’ve had a couple of glorious breaks with my dog in Alfriston. Lovely walks and nice pubs.

MasterBeth · 20/06/2026 22:34

Onionsalad · 19/06/2026 22:46

Yorkshire. Very dog friendly in most places. And stunning.

This isn't very helpful. Where in Yorkshire? It's a big place!!

Rilkansec · 20/06/2026 21:13

suburberphobe · 20/06/2026 18:29

Just make sure you can stay WITH your dog somewhere.

Well, yeah 🙄

Captain Obvious Thank You GIF
OP posts:
EBearhug · 20/06/2026 20:26

Lozrun · 20/06/2026 13:44

Bournemouth is lovely.

Bournemouth is lovely - but a lot of Dorset beaches don't allow dogs twixt March and September, so you might want to check that sort of thing as well as dog-frienfly hotels.

Whataflippincircus · 20/06/2026 19:15

Rilkansec · 20/06/2026 18:23

Ooh, I'll do a bit of research on Norfolk and the areas you recommend, thanks

I found this for you. Burnham Market is a really lovely place, with shops, cafes and pubs. My favourite beach Brancaster is within easy reach, and there are lots of lovely places to explore.

https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/oc-24516-annexe-at-no10

suburberphobe · 20/06/2026 18:29

Just make sure you can stay WITH your dog somewhere.

Rilkansec · 20/06/2026 18:23

Whataflippincircus · 19/06/2026 21:32

As you are in the South East, I would suggest Norfolk. North Norfolk is especially dog friendly with most beaches having a dog friendly section. There are so many lovely places to see. I recommend Brancaster beach, where you can walk your dog on miles of beautiful coastline. Wells next the sea also has miles of dog friendly beach, plus a harbour and local shops. I’ve taken my dog on a boat trip from Morston Quay to see the seals. Cromer is also lovely with a dog friendly beach. Most of the pubs and cafes allow dogs in Norfolk.

Ooh, I'll do a bit of research on Norfolk and the areas you recommend, thanks

OP posts:
Rilkansec · 20/06/2026 18:22

Onionsalad · 19/06/2026 22:46

Yorkshire. Very dog friendly in most places. And stunning.

Thanks for your suggestion. As Yorkshire is a rather large county, a?that is divided into 4 separate counties, is there somewhere more specific in Yorkshire you can recommend please? Thanks

OP posts:
Bufftailed · 20/06/2026 13:48

OP I went down to Kent coast with dog and waa lovely. My dog was v restless whole trip though. Bit like a holiday with a toddler. Yours sounds calmer. Report back!

Lozrun · 20/06/2026 13:44

Bournemouth is lovely.

Rilkansec · 20/06/2026 13:43

Strawberriesandcaviar · 19/06/2026 22:35

When are you going?

what is important to you? For example for me it’s free parking, wifi, a walk in shower, a good restaurant, room service…

what is your budget, roughly?

Some time in Aug.
Probably arriving 14th/15th Aug

I do want WiFi and a tv. Or WiFi at the very least so I can watch on demand tv on my laptop.

Self catering. I don't want a hotel room, b&b room or an airbnb in someone else's house or at the end of their garden. I want to be left alone, to come and go as I please and no expectations to socialise with other guests or owners.

So I must have my own kitchen/kitchenette and bathroom. I don't want to share WCs and showers. Happy to cook for myself.

Hot water NOT heated by log burners. Whether that be hot water from taps, a shower or a hot tub. Having to create and maintain a fire is too time consuming.

Electricity.

I don't mind paying for parking, but it has to be very close to the property. Parking at the property is preferred though.

Budget would ideally be under £1k

OP posts:
Hito · 19/06/2026 22:55

Whataflippincircus · 19/06/2026 21:32

As you are in the South East, I would suggest Norfolk. North Norfolk is especially dog friendly with most beaches having a dog friendly section. There are so many lovely places to see. I recommend Brancaster beach, where you can walk your dog on miles of beautiful coastline. Wells next the sea also has miles of dog friendly beach, plus a harbour and local shops. I’ve taken my dog on a boat trip from Morston Quay to see the seals. Cromer is also lovely with a dog friendly beach. Most of the pubs and cafes allow dogs in Norfolk.

I agree OP. Not a difficult journey either.

Onionsalad · 19/06/2026 22:46

Yorkshire. Very dog friendly in most places. And stunning.

Strawberriesandcaviar · 19/06/2026 22:35

When are you going?

what is important to you? For example for me it’s free parking, wifi, a walk in shower, a good restaurant, room service…

what is your budget, roughly?

Whataflippincircus · 19/06/2026 21:32

As you are in the South East, I would suggest Norfolk. North Norfolk is especially dog friendly with most beaches having a dog friendly section. There are so many lovely places to see. I recommend Brancaster beach, where you can walk your dog on miles of beautiful coastline. Wells next the sea also has miles of dog friendly beach, plus a harbour and local shops. I’ve taken my dog on a boat trip from Morston Quay to see the seals. Cromer is also lovely with a dog friendly beach. Most of the pubs and cafes allow dogs in Norfolk.

PurpleCoo · 19/06/2026 20:43

DidntLikeTheEnding · 19/06/2026 20:05

Put the dog in kennels and get a cheap flight from your local airport to somewhere warm and sunny!

For many of us, the appeal is getting away in nature and going on walks with our dogs. Such a lovely way to spend quality time together, bond and share a joint adventure.

WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · 19/06/2026 20:43

PP have already recommended Forest Holidays so I won't. They do trend towards expensive but sometimes you get a bargain off season but I expect it's peak prices now.

I also like these - good range of places, some cheap and cheerful and can be quite basic, others more expensive but they are all tucked away somewhere quiet:

Canopy and Stars

Canopy & Stars is a unique collection of treehouses, cabins, shepherd's huts, yurts and other luxury glamping places in the UK and Europe.

https://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/

Rilkansec · 19/06/2026 20:42

DidntLikeTheEnding · 19/06/2026 20:05

Put the dog in kennels and get a cheap flight from your local airport to somewhere warm and sunny!

I don't do well with foreign languages. Despite many years trying to learn a couple of second languages, I never grasped them.The anxiety of having to try to communicate, and being in another country as a woman alone would mean I wouldn't enjoy it.

I'd rather just stay in the UK and take my lovely dog. The dog is my loyal little shadow and I'd like to take him where he can run and enjoy the outdoors. The wilderness is his happy place and him being happy makes my soul happy.

OP posts:
PlateSpinningQueen · 19/06/2026 20:40

Pembrokeshire- somewhere close to the coast path

PurpleCoo · 19/06/2026 20:38

Ah, so not Scotland or the North. Shame, it's lovely, but a long way for a week. I usually go for 2.5 weeks and tour around, so you can have stops on the way to break the journey up.

Ok. So how about the New Forest. Great for dogs, lots of lovely walks. You don't say when this would be, but if it's soon with the risk of the heat, there will be lots of shade under the trees, plus easy access to some nice beaches.

The Cotswolds are also nice and super dog friendly. Lots of walks around there to.

Probably just outside of your 4hr range would be the Peak District. Also lots of walks and very dog friendly. You can even take them into caves to visit.

I travel a lot, solo with my dog(s). I have probably been to pretty much every county and do about 50-60 nights a year away in the UK. All outdoors/nature/walking holidays. Love it! Aww... It's making me crave for my next trip, and I only got back from Scotland less than two weeks ago 🤦‍♀️🤣

TilerSwift · 19/06/2026 20:36

Just opened near to Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, The Folly, a quirky tiny home. Dog friendly, set in its own secure garden with loads of local good walks!
https://follydays.co.uk/

horse and pet-friendly tiny home near St Neots 11

Tiny Holiday Let near St Neots - Horse & Pet-Friendly | The Folly

A quirky tiny home holiday let near St Neots, set on a working smallholding with horse-friendly grazing, dog-friendly stays and countryside walks nearby.

https://follydays.co.uk

Cazziebo · 19/06/2026 20:28

A PP has recommended Forest Holidays which I love. Well appointed cabins , dog friendly, order yourself a nice range of meals from Mindful Chef, take lots of books. We’ve done Cropton and Strathyre and both are wonderful with fabulous walks on the door step and interesting villages to mooch around.

However, I came on to recommend the west highlands- particularly Ardnamurchan. You get a ferry from the mainland which I think adds to the “get away from it all”. We found almost everywhere welcomed dogs and there are some fantastic walks. The food - particularly seafood - is amazing- whether you buy it fresh or eat out. We go to a cottage with fabulous views, enclosed garden, underfloor heating, real fire with logs provided. Best beaches in the whole world and more often than not, you and the dog are the only ones there. Just lovely!

If you fancy further north and something more sociable - Plockton is wonderful. Live music on a Thursday, great walks, superb food, hop over the bridge to Skye or just chill in the beer gardens with the pooch.

Whatever you choose, have a great time!

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