Glamping places for a solo retreat

Southcombe Piggery is pared back glamping at its finest — a rustic Devon bothy with a side order of spa. The hillside sauna with a view is included in your stay so get ready to sweat out a few city toxins, before leaping into the natural swimming pond, then starting the whole invigorating cycle all over again. Afterwards, book yourself in for a dip in the wood-fired outdoor bath or loll in the al-fresco four poster bed, listening to the birdsong and buzzing bees. With forest bathing, foraging, flower workshops and yoga classes, there’s plenty of nourishing activities to keep you busy or you can just wander the moors and admire the wildflowers.

It might be time for a break when you open your book at bedtime only to realise you’ve read the same paragraph three nights in a row. Fittingly fairytale in atmosphere, Hansel at Hinterlandes is found deep in the Lake District surrounded by ancient woodlands and majestic mountains. Bookworms will love to curl up on the daybed next to the huge panoramic window and get lost in another world while the rain gently patters outside. If you need to stretch your legs, there are miles of glorious Cumbrain walks from the doorstep and you can feed the friendly farm animals that live onsite. Feast on treats from a food hamper pre-ordered from the owners, unwind in the hot tub then settle down in front of the wood burner to start the next chapter.

Take to the high seas, or rather moor up in Salcombe Estuary, where you’ll find splendid isolation in Oyster, a cosy little boat with a permanent new home in an idyllic creek. Pretend you’re an adventurer washed up on the sand but with all the comforts of home, including a fully-equipped kitchen. Sip lazy sundowners on the deck as the water laps against the hull and those sparkling views might tempt you out onto the water the next day in a rented SUP or kayak. If you start to crave a bit of human company, the shops and restaurants of Salcombe are a 20-minute walk and ferry ride away and there are beautiful beaches and coves all around to explore on land, or afloat.

Wild self-sufficiency beckons at Puckshipton Treehouse, an off-grid, rope-hung marvel in the Wiltshire woods. This is a place to embrace slow, simple living — you’ll need to make your bed, bring your own supplies, tidy up after yourself and wash under the shower bucket hidden in the trees. All that being said, it’s surprisingly cosy with a snug sleeping pod, the most bijou lounge we’ve ever seen, and a deck to relax on while gazing over the hills. There’s no car access so it’s a walk or cycle from Pewsey station, but that’s all part of the adventure. You’ll experience a profound sense of peace in your treetop perch along with a swell of pride that you can manage just fine without the techy distractions of modern life.

Cabin Bach in St Bride’s Bay achieves the perfect balance of luxury and simplicity. There’s no WiFi so bring a pen, paper and a head full of ideas that require tranquil, beautiful surroundings to be coaxed out onto the page. In this idyllic spot, you’re one mile from Nolton Haven beach in the heart of the gorgeous Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, where there’s coasteering, kayaking, paddle boarding and surfing to get the creative juices flowing. After a productive writing session at the desk in front of the big window, reward yourself with a slap-up meal and live music at the The Druidstone Hotel. Or just toast marshmallows over the firepit and unwind in the roll top bath instead.

Occupying a prime spot in the gold tier Northumberland Dark Sky Reserve, the stargazing at Bracken Hut is out of this world. You might see shooting stars, planets and even the Northern Lights in the right conditions. Owners Anna and William provide guests with telescopes and stargazing guides to help you pick out the Milky Way. Found on the family estate in Capability Brown parkland, the stylish hut is insulated with sheep’s wool and has a raised king-size bed, wood burner, shower room and kitchen area. After a day striding through ancient forests or exploring Hadrian’s wall, take a well-deserved soak in the wood-fired bath on the deck while you wait for the starry show to begin again.

Light, airy Caban Eric in Wales boasts a king size bed, en-suite bathroom and modern kitchen but outside is where the real magic happens. A few steps across a grassy clearing and you’re on the banks of the wild swimming pools, dug to 4.5ft deep and stream-fed for bracing, chilly dips. Warm up by the campfire afterwards, then loll in the hammock in the afternoon sun listening to the partridges chattering and spotting foxes and badgers meandering past. If you can drag yourself away from your wooded wonderland, Offa’s Dyke trail is within easy reach, as is Moel Famau Country Park and atmospheric country pubs like the Cross Foxes in Nannerch.

OK, amazing walks from the front door could apply to almost all Canopy & Stars places, but the spectacular Highlands setting of Red Squirrel Cabin takes solo strolls to the next level. Set on a hillside overlooking Loch Broom, the cabin is surrounded by woods within the Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where you might spot diverse wildlife including red squirrels. It’s also great for hill walking with many prominent local Munros to tick off like An Teallach, a fabled mountain with a stunning ridge of rocky peaks. Back at the cabin, you can sample the local organic fare produced on site as part of the owners’ rewilding and diversification project or, if you fancy a jaunt to civilisation, head to the eclectic range of shops and eateries at nearby Ullapool.