For digital detoxes and off-grid holiday getaways, the Isle of Wight has more enticing options than you can shake a battery-powered head torch at. Plus, from hand-crafted cabins to historic hillside cottages, we’ll show you that a tech-free escape needn’t mean doing without those reassuring home comforts.
Tiny Homes Holidays
First things first, turn those phone notifications to mute and make your way to the woody fringes of Parkhurst Forest, where you’ll find Tiny Homes Holidays. Set in a natural grassy meadow, these six individual architect-designed holiday homes are intended to be as low-impact and off-grid as possible – whilst still offering one or two little luxuries.
If you like the idea of watching the sun rise over the fields through the triangular window of your cosy cabin bedroom, then book yourself into ‘Kindred’. This two-storey wooden home comes with a handy ladder, leading you from the bedroom mezzanine down to the welcome cakes and locally sourced breakfast basket waiting in the living area below. Once you’re ready to venture out into nature, find a route that’ll take you deep into the depths of Parkhurst Forest (where royals once hunted and wild deer roamed free) before heading back for a quick dip in the on-site wood-fired hot tub.
Longstone Cottage
Maybe you prefer your off-grid holiday accommodation to be made from bricks and mortar, in which case, take a look at Longstone Cottage. Managed by the National Trust, this Edwardian gamekeeper’s home is set halfway up Mottistone Down. Named after a rare Neolithic monument which sits nearby, this charming red-brick hideaway offers cosy interiors (lit by solar-powered lighting) and magnificent views across the rolling hills… just don’t expect a dishwasher, TV or Wi-Fi.
Aside from visiting the impressive ancient Longstone (said to be 6,000 years old), guests can also hike over to Brighstone to take in the thatched stone cottages and sip froth-topped beers at The Three Bishops pub. Or, for those feeling a tad more adventurous, make your way down to Brook or Compton for a quick surf on the choppy winter waves of The Channel. Back at Longstone Cottage though, there’s a log burner to warm you up again, as well as plenty of cushy armchairs to read in and throws to wrap around your shoulders as you stargaze from the windows.
Sibbecks Farm
From late March onwards, you could also set satnav coordinates for Sibbecks Farm (or even use a map and compass if you’re starting the digital detox en route). At this family-run glamping site, close to the ancient village of Whitwell, you can spend the night under canvas in one of their superior safari tents – whilst still enjoying the perks of hot water, electric blankets and a fully equipped kitchen.
Whether you plump for Meadow Escape (set in its very own acre of tufty grassland) or Stream Escape (sitting alongside a gently babbling brook) you can be sure of a revitalising back-to-nature escape, complete with visiting red squirrels and a resident barn owl. The site also has its own ducks and chickens too – the latter providing eggs for a fresh, zero-food-miles breakfast. Thrusting those wellies on and setting out to explore the local area, guests can discover the mini waterfall at Bierley, the 14th-century lighthouse on St. Catherine’s Down and the distinctive village of Niton – home to an artisan pottery studio and just a touch of smuggling folklore.
Camp Wight
If you feel like taking your off-grid experience to the max, then Camp Wight should be right up your street. Here, you can spend the night in a two-man hammock tent, strung between trees and raised above the ground. Set amongst historic West Wight woodland, with just composting toilets, solar showers and a fire pit as your facilities, it’s certainly for the braver souls amongst us. That said, those looking for a cosier experience can opt for the nearby Geodesic Domes instead, with a log burner and USB charging points on standby.
Set on a family farm, just two miles from Yarmouth ferry port, Camp Wight also offers well-being sessions in amongst the woodland from skilled local specialists, including eco-therapy, yoga flow and even a spot of sound-bathing (which uses healing Tibetan singing bowls). If, however, your version of healing involves long walks in the countryside, you’ll be pleased to know that local bridle paths lead out onto the Tennyson Trail, which climbs along the Highdown Cliffs towards Alum Bay and the Needles.
Stargazers’ Retreat
Last but not least, for those looking to ease themselves gently into the world of off-grid holiday getaways, try Stargazers’ Retreat from Unique Hideaways. Incredibly cosy and tastefully decorated, this handmade Central-Asian-style yurt comes with everything you need for a restful stay, from toasty central heating and plenty of plug sockets to a well-equipped kitchen and compact circular shower room. Wi-Fi is available (if you feel the need to check your emails just the once) and al fresco bathtubs can be found in the garden – ideal for a nippy dip whilst listening to the birdsong.
Located amongst tranquil countryside on the Island’s most southerly tip, with unbeatable views of Reeth Bay and the shimmering seas beyond, you’d be hard-pushed to find a better location for switching off and engaging in a spot of mindfulness or meditation. That said, once you’ve had your fill of peace and quiet, the vibrant town of Ventnor (with its unique shops and varied eateries) is just a clifftop trek away.
For more ideas on places to stay, visit our accommodation page.
Originally produced for Wightlife Magazine
