To think holidays for singles are unaffordable

[Lemonfizzy]

I'm single, 35, and finding it impossible to find any kind of affordable solo holiday, and it's really getting me down. I haven't been away from my studio flat for 3 years. I work from home mostly too and I'm crawling the walls.

I only have a few friends and they all have partners they travel with, and a few have kids, and so none have the time or cash to go on holiday with me.

Currently looking at camping options but campsites are all very family/kid orientated - I'm looking for a quiet, relaxing break and think a loner middle aged woman like me staying amongst them will seem a bit odd. I don't want to share a dorm room in a youth hostel, and at some hostels the cheap private rooms are already booked up until autumn 2024!

Any tips or recommendations? My max budget would be £300-400ish for a week including transport (I have a car and a bicycle), food and accommodation. I live in Hertfordshire.

Didn't read your post properly! Youth hostels are great though.

I would go for a week in Turkey. Sun and good food. Half board maybe. But depends how close you are to an airport.

My DSis stayed in a nice little camping pod in a site on the Norfolk Broads last year. It might've been this place https://www.millviewmeadow.co.uk/book-now/. Definitely affordable for £300-400 anyway.

Although rarer than they used to be you can still find B&Bs in the UK where a single room is around £50/night.
https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?GOTO=HOTSEARCH&SearchArea=City&SearchType=Place&adults=1&children=&destination=Claverdon%2C%20Warwick%2C%20England%2C%20United%20Kingdom&endDate=2023-05-31&lang=2057&latLong=&lodging=BED_AND_BREAKFAST&needUTF8Decode=true&regionId=6050343&rfrr=hotel.search&selected=&semdtl=&sort=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&startDate=2023-05-30&theme=&useRewards=false&userIntent= has some examples; play around with that.

I go away on my own a lot and loathe camping: would certainly never do that! It can be done...

Have you considered volunteering? I regularly do volunteering at language immersion courses in Spain. You pay for your flight to Madrid, a couple of nights before and after the program and that's it! All food and board is covered for the week in return for 12 hours a day just talking! It's so much fun, can be hard work too but definitely worth it.
I've met so many amazing people and made lifelong friends.

Vaughantown

Pueblo Ingles

estacion Inglesa

And in Italy there's SpeakItaly - not done this one yet.

I think £400 including transport, accommodation and food is a bit ambitious to be honest.
Premier Inns are everywhere, if you pick your time ie not school holidays or bank holidays, and avoid Saturday, you can still get rooms for £40 - 50 a night. Have the full breakfast for a £10 and take some fruit, yoghurt and muffin and you have lunch
So you could potentially get B&B with lunch covered for 5/6 nights for around £350 which is quite reasonable

Have you tried overseas? My aunty did this and if you don't mind sharing a room, it can work out quite affordable

5 nights in Sandown, Isle of Wight, currently £216 in September.
I saw several options in North Wales around £350 for 5 nights in September

I think your expectations are too high as well, I have a partner but we wouldn't expect to get away for a week for £600-800 so in this case I'm not sure your problem is just being a solo traveler. I looked on TUI and there are all inclusive breaks available, 7 nights for £450. That's what I'd do if I just wanted to get away for a bit, not worry about spending money, and sit on a lounger reading a book or go nice walks on a beach. It might not be the exact area you'd choose but with that budget you need to compromise unfortunately. Alternatively what about 3-4 nights on a city break? I'm sure you could get something within budget.

This is one reason I've started doing pet sitting. It's a cheap break away from home, and I was going stir crazy living alone and working from home. It's nice to have a change of scene for a few days (and I don't even have to take time off work). I'm currently on the south coast for a few days and really enjoying myself. An idea to think about?

We found that phone call to the Tourist Office of a town/city in France usually helpful, English speaking usually.

Also a yrick to save and get real bargains when going abroad is to go a week or two before main season starts. So usually april and then late September. For next year

a last minute cruise type holiday?

You could afford rural Wales for sure, though you'd want to watch petrol costs.

I've been on lots of cheap holidays on my own.
Yha (private room) or airbnb (place to self) in the UK I'd recommend peak district, Yorkshire dales, Snowdonia or Lake District.

Just takes a bit of time to do the online searching.

What time of year - any restrictions?

A few here - all under £250 for a week from Luton

https://www.loveholidays.com/holidays/?departureAirports=LTN&nights=7&rooms=1&date=2023-06-01&flexibility=-2&sort=PRICELOWWTOHIGH&f.maxPerPersonPrice=25000

I did this too with Vaughntown, the hotel was fantastic. I tagged on a trip to the coast and stayed in Tarifa. I went to a Spanish school there in the morning and did Scuba diving in the afternoon. There was lots of different stuff though everything from cooking to kite surfing. I stayed in a very traditional apartment with a couple of others in my own room.

It’s nice as you have lots of time to yourself (3 hour siesta at vaughntown) but you have company and can make friends easily.

HF holidays for a few days ideal for solo holidays great food and guided walks.

thats definitely doable. I went to Chania in Crete recently for a solo trip for about £450 all in. I’ve also done Majorca solo before and Tallinn. Flights to Lisbon were also under £100 when I recently booked to go with my partner. Going to Europe is probably cheaper than staying in the UK!

Where if you don't mind me asking, that sounds great

Plenty of private rooms on air bnb at the coast, as long as you stay out of school holidays. Is there anywhere you fancy in particular?

Last year I found a 2 bedroom comfort apartment with balcony from Mon-Fri in September on a Haven site in Wales for £69. I drove and used it as a base for various day trips around the locality, plus hiking the coast path, swimming and paddle-boarding, as the site was right on the beach.
If I wanted to mingle I could have done as there's bars and restaurants on site, but tbh I just stocked up on goodies, beauty treatments and wine in the local town and had lovely chilled pamper evenings etc. It's not something I'd done before as I usually go abroad but I'd definitely do again if I could find another bargain.

What about something like this in the lovely Peak District, OP? Loads of people go on walking holidays along there so you won't feel awkward and it's not far for you to drive. Reduced to £290 for a week at the beginning of June.
https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/peak-district-peak-district-derbyshire-dales-bradwell-hills/the-studio-30742.html#duration=7&start=2023-06-09&calendar=2023-06&changeover=5

Go on walking holidays alone there, I meant to say.