Have you ever just taken off, to recharge your batteries? If so where did you go?

[Yankydoodledandy]

Very run down, stressed due to various things that have happened and it's all caught up. I feel I just want to escape, just a couple of days even. Never felt like this before but just want peace and quiet, fiid, sleep and to chill.

Havent a clue where to go, any suggestions welcome

So sorry, no help but wanting to follow this thread as I need the same.

Bless you, hopefully can get some ideas. I feel as if Im chasing my tail and everyday brings something else, I need to escape

What helps you relax? Is it being in a forest, or on a beach, a city break, hot weather, beautiful views? Do you want to go abroad or stay in the UK?

Go onto Skyscanner, type in your nearest airport and your dates and search "everywhere". That will bring up a whole list of countries you could fly to at various price points (from cheap cheap Ryanair returns to some further afield places). Then pick somewhere to go, but make sure you check their covid restrictions as each country varies. That's what I do used to do, before covid ruined travel whenever I need tpopi get away

Just before covid I stayed in a cottage by the sea for 3 days. Went for walks, cooked good food, drove for hours listening to music and nosing at the locals. I wore comfy clothes and no makeup. No emails or chores or small talk. It was so refreshing, go for it. Somewhere quiet to be with your own thoughts or loud to keep distracted and busy

Somewhere cold and bracing. The North Yorkshire Moors or Dales. Rent a cottage. Long windy walks over the hills. Back to a roaring fire and comfort food. Hot water bottle for bed. Perfect.

I would love to do this. For me it would need to be by the sea. Somewhere bracing!
I’ve loved parts of the Essex / Suffolk / Norfolk coast that I’ve been to.
I quite like bleak coastlines.

Yes. A variety of places. I find it helps if it's somewhere I'm familiar with the language and customs and there are no must-do sights or activities . Given COVID and winter weather,at present it's tricky. I would be very stressed leaving UK . A friend retreated to a cottage In Scotland and found it actually made her worse after a few days! Didn't really like being on her own after all . What about one of the quieter historic UK towns or coastal resorts? Somewhere you could potter about without any hassle?

Dont want to go abroad orcwant to be in an isolated cottage anywhere. Thought of a spa but dont think I want to be pampered...just want some peace to clear my head for abit and rest.

It would be a cottage by the coast for me. Peace, quiet and sea air. Have a look at Sykes cottages. I know exactly how you're feeling and I hope you're able to get the break you need.

Maybe take a look at Gladstone's Library? Quiet, you get fed, and surrounded by books.

www.gladstoneslibrary.org

I rented a little gate lodge across the road from the sea, and with an estate of woodlands for walking in. Another time I did a silent retreat at a Buddhist centre, also by the sea -- beautiful vegetarian food and the most astonishing views. Another time I rented a little house in Edale and walked a lot.

I haven't been but I hear there are some beautiful deserted beaches in the North East.

If you just want a rest in peace have you thought of just picking something like a premier inn or hotel with a pool (if you like swimming) or something near where you live? Good for just a break from home.

@Yankydoodledandy

Dont want to go abroad orcwant to be in an isolated cottage anywhere. Thought of a spa but dont think I want to be pampered...just want some peace to clear my head for abit and rest.

If i was going on my own id go somewhere with a pool.

City for me. Get lost in the crowds. Shopping, go to nice restaurants/cafes, museums. Then relax in a hotel room.

Yes but I head for the sun as that's what helps me to feel better.

What do you enjoy doing? In what kind of places do you feel good?

I have done this before OP -

Once I booked a cheap hotel in Cardiff (I looked for the best price with a swimming pool as I love Swimming and also free parking as this always stresses me out)

I ended up with a fab luxury hotel for really reasonable price - I booked 3 nights but in retrospect, I wished I booked 4 as the thing I wanted was the feeling of a whole day and night to myself twice- just that long day feeling.
I loved it as I could walk up into the city in about 5 mins- I spent my day reading in coffee shops, or people watching , or browsing shops. Then I had an early evening swim before a hotel room dinner that I bought from M and S whilst watching telly.

I also have done a similar thing to a Cornish seaside place - again a hotel- I didn't find this as good, as I like the feeling of 'disappearing' into a big crowd rather than the smaller place - and I found the beach difficult to navigate by myself.

I do this regularly, I go to a Christian retreat place as I want some distraction free time in beautiful surroundings to recharge and refocus. The place I go to is Christian, but there isn't anything forced on you - you could just go for a quiet time. It's a beautiful old house, basic bed, breakfast and evening meal. Wydale Hall

I do it regularly.
My parents so long as they realise I will hardly get out of bed.
Or a cheap hotel/b&B type place. and maybe near the sea.

Normall I go for 3 days[been doing it since the kids were little]. or 5 days[and put in some me time shopping or whatever], maybe basing myself at home for the last 2 days to cut down on expense.

I would be in a right mess if I didnt escape every about 9 months, by myself, for a little while.

I’d go to the Lake District, to the northern area. I visited recently and was surprised at how peaceful and regenerating it felt.

I've done this several times before, some of the favourite places are:

Solway Firth
Dungeness
Kielder Forest Park
Forest of Bowland
Suffolk Coast and Heaths

I love stillness, and long walks, and water I can swim in though so I would only advise the above if that's your kind of thing too.

I actually had a really good couple of days staying in an air bnb on Bournemouth's West Cliff. Lovely walks along sea front/cliffs up to Sandbanks. Bournemouth pleasure gardens are pretty nice. You've got a big cinema, usual restaurants etc. Normally I'd go up to Northumberland/Lakes but I wanted a bit of bustle.