Weekend to myself- solo trip?

[naturallyfab]

This weekend I have a rare weekend to myself. DCs are with their Dad Fri-Sun.

Ive had a difficult time recently… work, life, illness etc. not to mention no real time for myself and a toxic ex who has emerged from the past. Friends are all busy in their own relationships. Recently had a birthday and didn’t do anything to celebrate.

I just feel I need a change of scenery. I know if I stay home I’ll end up doing housework and sitting alone.

I am thinking to go away alone this weekend.
Two choices really:

A spa type hotel… obviously this is the easiest option but I’m finding the single supplements on these packages a killer! Plus I don’t fancy the idea of sitting eating breakfast and dinner surrounded by loads of other people. And I find that spas on weekends tend to be busy and crowded so not very peaceful.

Stay in a shepherds hut/cabin type accommodation with a hot tub (hot tub under the stars is a must!). I do struggle with the cold but figure I can take a couple of hot water bottles for the bed, a bottle of wine and a good book and just switch off and enjoy peace.

So two questions here… what would you do? And do you have any personal recommendations?

thanks in advance 🩵

Can’t you get a cheap flight somewhere and explore a city ?

I’d go for the spa. At least you know you’ll be well fed and comfortable! I am also at a point now where I’ve had a few dinners and breakfasts on my own and I just take a book to read. I quite like it to be honest. Or just get room service?

I think if it’s only a couple of days and you need to recharge, the most simple option is probably the one I’d take.

I have done this before. I think it's good to think what do you actually want to do during the day? Are you looking for a complete switch off e.g read your book with a nice glass of wine, or people watching, or a walk in beautiful countryside. Personally I love a city with art galleries/ history/ museums. But if you decide how you want to spend the days where to stay becomes more obvious

I do quite a few solo trips and I’d do neither of these!

I’d book a hotel in a city I haven’t been to and explore, as well as relaxing in a comfy hotel bed. Stopping off for food and drinks as I wander

Or the same but by the sea

I’d definitely consider a flight somewhere too. I look at local airports for suitable short flights. Belfast, Gothenburg, Malaga, Copenhagen have all been good. Or Paris, of course

The shepherd’s hut idea sounds blissful! I hope you have a lovely, restful time away.

This.

See if there's any cheap overnight trips from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon:

https://extremedaytrips.com/overnight-search

Or use Skyscanner to 'everywhere' if you want Friday to Sunday.

City break. Uk or Europe.

Shepherds hut - it’s not that cold at the moment (or not in the south west where I am), take blankets and hot water bottles and I reckon you’ll be fine

I would book somewhere to stay with fantastic walks, a few NT type places , a little town with cafes for breakfast etc.

And walk, wander round historic site, get an early night.

The S Downs / Sussex is good for this but there must be others around the country.

Or I would go somewhere like York and explore the history etc.

I wouldn’t personally take a flight, so many extra hours etc and I just came home on a delayed flight, arriving home at 3am rather than 11, and the hours waiting and the tiredness have zapped me.

Train to Bruges? I haven’t been but it looks fantastic.

Thanks all,

Have looked at some spa hotels but to be honest the prices are extortionate as I’m basically paying the room rate for two people even though I’m alone (I understand hotels have to recoup their costs).

Did toy with grabbing a flight somewhere but the faff of airports etc puts me off, and ex DH is not flexible so if I were delayed coming home it wouldn’t be good!

I kind of want somewhere that I can switch off, leave my phone in the car and sleep and read. I’m not fussed about meals and will eat basic food as I fancy it (crisps and wine haha!) which pushes me more toward accommodation of my own. Hot tub is still a non negotiable 😉

Shepherd's hut sounds lovely.

I'd personally go to London and spend the time in museums my DC would find boring, and see four shows!

I had one earlier this year where DH was at Scout camp with both DCs. I went to London and had back to back socialising with all my besties that live there. I stayed in an Airbnb that's just someone's spare room, about 15 mins walk from one friend. It was bliss!

Shepherds hut with hot tub or similar sounds bliss to me. Weather's good in the Midlands, East n south this weekend so that you could throw in a nice walk/feed some ducks . . .

It would be the shepherds hut, or similar, for me. Have a look at Canopy and Stars.

Where are you based, OP? You don’t want to travel for ages if it’s to relax.

Thanks all!
The Airbnb Gods must have been looking over me as I happened to check again this morning and found a lovely little private shepherds hut within 30 mins drive of my house, with a private hot tub. Just for one night which is all I really wanted. Snapped it up straight away!

Glad you are sorted. Came back to say that f you are anywhere near Watford, there's a lovely farm there with a treehouse, with its own hot tub. Tried to go ourselves once but I was ill 😓

Oh good for you OP, you’ll have a lovely time. Maybe plan a nice girly film as well. I like to do this, u have a child free night coming up and am planning to watch the dressmaker and a Chinese for one.

I’m not far from Watford at all! So please share. Sorry you didn’t get to go 😔

Been dying to watch The Dressmaker, rarely find time to watch films, Thankyou for reminding me I’ll try to download it in readiness!

Why go for a chilly shepherd's hut? Why not a small airbnb rural cottage type place with a higher level of warmth and comfort but still a rural outlook and privacy? Those hut places can be very expensive so probably this won't cost much more, if anything.

Personally I'd go for a city break as when I'm on my own I like to have lots to look at, but that doesn't sound like what you want.

Don't forget to pack a pot of hot chocolate and some marshmallows, along with the wine! Tree house glamping near Watford https://northhillfarm.co.uk/en/glamping-units

Enjoy your vino in the hot tub under the stars OP sounds bliss!

This looks amazing! Thankyou I will definitely look to book in the future.
Hope you manage to go some other time!

Most cottages apply a minimum 2-3 night stay at weekends, I just wanted one night away.

Ah yes that's true. Hope you have a lovely time.