Am I looking for a UK destination that doesn't exist?

[notesfromasmallisland]

I work remotely 100% of the time so I'm lucky enough to be able to work anywhere within the UK with a WiFi connection.

Normally I work from home in London, but I need a change of scene. I've realised I should take better advantage of being able to work wherever, so I'd like to go on a few short trips.

I'd like to be self-catered, so I'm looking for a holiday cottage or similar. It would be just me, for a few days, and I'd like to stay somewhere quite remote. Ideally in the mountains, but on the coast would be OK. Somewhere with fresh air and a bit of peace and quiet. It would be just me.

Here's the catch though. I can drive, but wherever I go, I don't really want to have to hire a car, because it would just sit on the drive for the whole time I was there. Instead I'd like to get there by train or bus. I don't mind a half an hour walk to and from a train station once I arrive. And I'd need to be also within walking distance of somewhere with a small shop or supermarket.

I've spent lots of time on AirBnb and holiday cottage sites but none of them seem to have the option of being able to search for places that are accessible by train.

Am I looking for something that doesn't exist? If anyone's stayed anywhere that sounds like this, I'd love to hear about it.

Betws y coed
Conwy

I know cottages.com allow you to filter by properties that are less than a mile from a station - assume there are other holiday cottage companies that do as well.

I think you need to choose a specific town and then look.
unfortunately mountains usually equals shit public transport
seaside better

but as pp said, Betws y coed in wales could fit. Has some trains and it’s a lovely place. It’s in a valley so not in the mountains as such, but gorgeous scenery

You could do Windermere easily by public transport

Conwy?

Somewhere a short walk from Cromer or Sheringham? Both accessibly by train via Norwich. There is also a coast hopper bus from Kings Lynn which heads to Hunstanton and beyond via various villages.

How far are you willing to travel from London?

Dalwhinnie. Between Perth and Inverness. Not sure if it still has a shop. It did when I was 4 ( not yesterday🤣🤣)

I think anywhere truly remote you'd need a car. Public transport outside of London is awful especially in the countryside.

If you want to be able to nip to shops you really need to be somewhere that is populated. Shops don't open in the middle of nowhere.

Maybe think of an area and Google to see what nice market towns it has - that way you can be in a charming setting and still be able to feed yourself.

How about Alnwick on NE coast? London- Edinburgh train stops there - village, shops, pub with food. Beautiful beach and excellent walking- lots to see on your downtime

I’m currently staying here https://www.vrbo.com/en-gb/p11391363?dateless=true&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1707862899011&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudnJiby5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=true&adults=2&destination=55+Rotherslade+Rd%2C+Langland%2C+Newton%2C+Rotherslade+Bay+SA3+4QW%2C+UK&destType=ADDRESS&latLong=51.5676008%2C-4.0060747&privacyTrackingState=CAN_NOT_TRACK&searchId=79a4a100-8145-4f78-97e1-7b07786fe7fb&sort=RECOMMENDED&userIntent=&expediaPropertyId=99247767 I got the train from Paddington and then a bus from Swansea which dropped me a 3 min walk away. It’s a 15 min walk to the shops and the coastal path is 1 min away so I’ve been on some lovely walks too.
I’ve been needing to do some work and the wifi has been excellent but it’s really felt like a holiday.

Does it have to be coast and mountains? If you wanted water and countryside and a nice market town with a direct train from London walking distance of a town how about Totnes?

Why not start with the rail map, think about how long you’re willing to travel, then see what smaller places you end up with and research them?

and what does ‘remote’ mean to you?
because 30 minutes walk from a station is not really remote, although it might be quiet.

Nowhere in the South East of England is remote, it’s all busy.

Alnwick is lovely, but the train doesn’t stop there. It stops in Alnmouth, which is about 5 miles away.

If you can get away for longer than just a few days, the isle of Arran, or St Andrew's/Montrose for miles of beach.

I think you need to first check out that any wifi area signal is reliable.

How long a train journey are you open to? Plenty nice places in the highlands I could suggest but it’s a fair hike on the train. You could fly up though, then bus/train to the final destination?

Thanks everyone for the really helpful replies. I'll check the suggestions out.

I don't mind being in a market town, but I'd like somewhere where I could walk out in the evening and pretty quickly get some nice views and fresh air.

Maybe being in the mountains is unrealistic without a car so I'd be happy on the coast too.

I'm fine with a train journey up to the Highlands. Love a long train journey! I was even thinking about the Caledonian Sleeper from Euston.

You can get to Oban by train, you have amazing coast and mountains there

What about Scarborough? I went there by train years ago and stayed by myself a couple of days.

Tenby? Can get there by train and had everything once you’re there. Can get very busy in school holidays though.

Good buses from train station to Fife Coast path villages
The train stations on Settle-Carlisle line might work.
Or on the West Highland line in Scotland

Hope Valley in Derbyshire. So many lovely places along the train route there.

Somewhere in the Peak District?

https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/planning-your-visit/publictransport

@ZebraPensAreLife thank you- I knew I had not explained it very well then couldn't find it to edit in time! There is a local taxi firm who will pick you up/take you to the station so it's not a bad journey - probably 3 hrs on the train but very few stops and a nice scenic run