Disconnect destinations: Perfect for escaping this summer
Looking for somewhere that feels totally different to your everyday? Where you can forget your to-do list for a few days and embrace relaxation? If you want to get away from it all this summer, we’ve got perfect spots to go off grid and spend some time doing what matters most.
Read on and find your next getaway spot...
Chilham, Kent
Get away from it all in the 'Garden of England’. Explore a corner of Kent famous for the Chilham Castle, a stately home rather than fortress, where relaxation comes easily. Unwind as you stroll through the secret garden and take in views of the boating lake and vineyard too. Talking of which, the Balfour Winery is a 44-minute drive away and touted as England’s ‘best vineyard to visit’. What more excuse do you need to fill up a glass and let life’s worries fade away?
When you finish sampling the county’s finest wines you’ll find a warm and welcoming bed waiting at Ashford International Hotel & Spa.
Brigg, Lincolnshire
If browsing antiques in a quaint town square sounds like your idea of winding down, Brigg may be the perfect destination for you. Forget the stresses of everyday life as you get lost in retro riches at the town’s famous weekend fayres. And when you’ve finished bartering for bargains, the River Ancholme is just moments away and makes the ideal backdrop for a lazy afternoon’s stroll. For a change of scenery, make your way to the sleep village of Tealby. Return to a simpler time as you take in the picture postcard cottages, the Grade II-listed old watermill and sip on your favourite tipple under the thatched roof at The Kings Head.
If you need a room for the night, Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is a short 7-minute-drive away.
Much Wenlock, Shropshire
If you’re looking for somewhere secluded to enjoy some precious me-time it doesn’t get much better than Much Wenlock. The medieval village ticks off almost every item from the low-key location wish list. Timeless timber-framed buildings, independent tea rooms and quaint place names to match. Take time out from your responsibilities by ordering your favourite drink in a traditional watering hole or delve into the area’s history at the Much Wenlock Museum. For more gentle exploring, head north east of the village to Wenlock Priory. The ruins of an Anglo-Saxon monastery feel a million miles away from the worries of the modern world.
And when you need somewhere to rest your head, take the 9-miile trip to The Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort. You can enjoy dinner with a stunning view of Ironbridge Gorge, much better than staring at your phone.
Stockbridge, Hampshire
Casting a line can feel like therapy and Stockbridge is world-renowned for the quality of trout and Atlantic Salmon swimming its waters. If you want to spend the day without a care in the world, why not pick up a hamper from The Greyhound on the Test? Collect a cool bag of savoury snacks so you can concentrate on your next catch and getting back to your best self. If you fancy something different but equally as mindful, make your way to nearby Cheriton. Among the thatched roof cottages and close to the village green, is South Downs Sourdough a bakery school offering lessons in mastering loaf-making.
Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House is just 25 minutes away.
Blanchland, Northumberland
Few villages compliment their scenic surroundings quite like Blanchard. A sanctuary in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, most of the cottages and buildings here were built using the stone remains of a 12th century Abbey. The open-air Beamish Museum offers a glimpse into the industrial North East as far back as the 1820s, while nearby Hexham Abbey has a history spanning back 1,300 years - ideal for a day’s peaceful pondering.
Disconnecting by the Derwent doesn't stop there. Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is the perfect place to stay, just 6 miles away and includes a Japanese rock garden to help you find peace in the North Pennines.
3 tips to help you switch off on your staycation
1. Make a ‘don’t do’ list
Take note of the everyday things you do that make you feel stressed. It could be doomscrolling at night or checking work emails outside of office hours. Now make a promise to yourself that you won’t do them while visiting your disconnect destination.
2. Do something new every day
Make the most of the change of scenery by setting yourself one holiday activity per day. The key is to pick something leisurely and that you rarely get the chance to do. It’s one of the best ways to feel like you’ve really got away from it all.
3. Pack a home from home hamper
We all have small treats that help to get us through tough times, why not bring these along on your break? From facemasks to paperbacks, herbal teas to a well-thought-out playlist, bring everything you need that’ll make switching off that little bit easier.
For more inspiration on where to find staycation sanctuaries, explore all the destinations in The QHotels Collection.