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

[Rilkansec]

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 🙏

Northumberland maybe?

York,Edinburgh,or quiet coastal towns.

Mountains? Coast? Am ruling out city breaks because of the dog. How far do you want to travel (e.g. I'm in Hampshire so south coast is easier than Northumberland or Scotland if I wasn't up for hours of driving.)

Cotswolds are lovely. Or New Forest?

The Peak District is lovely. It’s very dog friendly with endless places to walk. There are several Market towns like Bakewell, Buxton, Ashbourne and Matlock offer independent shops, cafes and restaurants. There’s also Chatsworth house and gardens to visit.

https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/advice/discover/peak-district-derbyshire-walks/

Which part of the country are you in and how far do you want to travel? Will you be driving or depending on public transport?

The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire? https://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwigqYyE_JOVAxVqk1AGHczFDuUYACICCAEQARoCZGc&co=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw0dPRBhAPEiwAE5vTTle-9fPONX4ssF_wrnGsDOwo728xZM4wUNOtZXmbCXTKRpENdR16GxoCpSkQAvD_BwE&sph&cce=1&sig=AOD64_0psQMnhdgr0kYQ-67fGko30FtVBA&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwie-4WE_JOVAxUOUEEAHRsOFXoQ0Qx6BAgSEAE

Sorry wasn’t sure how to link Forest Holidays

Sorry missed the doggie detail.

There are so many beautiful places in this country to choose from! What sort of thing are you looking for? What interests you? If recommend Cornwall, North Devon, Jurassic coast on Dorset, the Lakes, the Peak District and the coast just north of Newcastle.

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

Personally I would rather go on holiday with my dog, to somewhere in the UK. I suspect that also applies to the OP.

Channel Islands (Herm, Alderney) or Isles of Scilly. Food for the soul.

I always recommend East Devon on these threads. Stunning coastline, plenty of beautiful walks, endless pretty villages and the (dog friendly) donkey sanctuary.
I also always recommend Sweetcombe Cottages. I’ve used them many times and never been disappointed. Enjoy your trip, wherever you and the dog go!

I would go to Scotland. Avoid the West Coast and Skye (tourists and midges), but the East Coast or Islands should be fine.

They are perfect for dogs. You will think you are in The Caribbean or Thailand, although it's a lot cooler. You won't be faced with beach restrictions like most of the UK, and it's just such a wonderful place to be and very safe for solo female travellers. I fell in love with Scotland when I first visited 13 years ago and have been every year since.

My favourite place is Harris. Check out Seilebost beach.

Sorry, that would have been useful to know, wouldnt it.

Im in the South East. I do drive. I don't mind using (dog friendly) public transport during the trip, but I will need to drive to wherever I'm based.

I think a 4hr drive anywhere from SE London would be my preferred limit really (although willing to make an exception for somewhere with really spectacular scenery, but not as far as Scotland! I absolutely love the Scottish Highlands but thats far too long a drive for me on my own).

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!

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/

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 🤦‍♀️🤣

Pembrokeshire- somewhere close to the coast path

This hotel in Snowdonia

https://www.pyg.co.uk/

Would have to check the dog situation though

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.

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

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.

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.