The 10th of December 2024 is World Digital Detox Day. It is the world’s largest digital well-being movement, encouraging people to reduce their use of technology to restore a balanced life and increase personal connections to boost well-being.
Advancements in technology have been very beneficial, but there has also been a flipside, which has proven less beneficial. Technology has become far too prevalent in people’s lives, which has been shown to impact health and wellness negatively.
A digital detox can remove you from the tentacle-like clutches of technology, improving sleep, boosting productivity, and strengthening relationships. In addition, time away from screens gives you the time to reconnect with yourself and others on a much deeper level.
Finding places to do this is simpler than you think; you just need to know where to look. If you’re looking in the UK, look no further than The Landmark Trust.
First founded in 1965, the building conservation charity boasts some fantastic properties. What makes them ideal for a digital detox is that they currently do not have Wi-Fi, and in addition, some are so remote that they don’t even have a mobile phone signal.
Below are some fantastic properties with The Landmark Trust, perfect for disconnecting from the outside world. And if you need any more encouragement, guests will enjoy 25% off all remaining stays throughout December and New Year’s. Just enter code Dec2024offer25 at checkout to have the discount applied.
Most remote mainland property managed by The Landmark Trust
Cowside – Langstrothdale, North Yorkshire
Cowside (lead image) is a well-preserved example of a late 17th to early 18th-century farmhouse typical of the North Yorkshire Dales. It holds the distinction of being the most remote mainland property managed by The Landmark Trust.
With a lengthy access track, no mobile phone signal, and the nearest telephone box located two miles away, Cowside offers the perfect retreat for a digital detox.
The property includes the farmhouse itself, two adjoining structures, and a combined former henhouse and piggery. Situated in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Cowside serves as an excellent base for exploring one of Britain’s most stunning landscapes. For those willing to venture further, the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is about a 45-minute drive away.
The Landmark’s secluded setting requires visitors to arrive on foot, leaving their cars at the bottom of a steep hill. This approach feels fitting, echoing the experience of the farmers who once lived and worked in this rugged yet beautiful location.
Sleeps 5
Check-in on the 9th of December for £29.80 PPPN (4 nights)
Photographs of Purton Green by Jill Tate.
A timeless retreat – the Landmark Trust’s most secluded medieval gem
Purton Green – Stansfield, Suffolk
Approaching the thatched and timbered building of Purton Green on foot feels like stepping back through the centuries. Within its late medieval walls lies a hall dating to 1250, a testament to its enduring history. Surrounded by fields, the house is found within the timeless Suffolk countryside, unchanged for generations.
To reach the house, guests cross a ford and park their car 400 yards away, highlighting this Landmark’s complete seclusion. From there, a wheelbarrow is provided to carry your belongings. Nearby lies the village of Stansfield, which is perfect for a short, circular walk to deepen exploration of the area.
Sleeps 4
Check-in on the 9th of December for £26 PPPN (4 nights)
Photograph of Dolbelydr by Jill Tate.
A sunlit haven steeped in 16th-century solitude
Dolbelydr – Trefnant, Denbighshire
Found in a serene and timeless valley, the 16th-century gentry house of Dolbelydr retains many of its original features, including a stunning first-floor solar with exposed roof beams.
Lovingly restored to its original form by The Landmark Trust, the house appears much as it would have in the 1580s when Henry Salesbury owned it. Dolbelydr translates to “Meadow of the Rays of the Sun,” a fitting description as sunlight streams through the mullioned windows, casting a golden glow across the tranquil landscape.
The interior boasts an open-plan kitchen and dining area centred around a massive inglenook fireplace, blending historic charm with modern comfort.
Dolbelydr is conveniently located near the market town of Denbigh, renowned for its castle and distinctive triple-towered gatehouse. This is just one of several historic castles waiting to be explored in the surrounding area.
Sleeps 6
Check-in on the 2nd of December for £24.33 PPPN (4 nights)
Photographs of the Ferryman’s Cottage by Jill Tate.
A coastal sanctuary with uninterrupted sea views
Ferryman’s Cottage – Saddell, Kintyre, Argyll and Bute
Ferryman’s Cottage is a charming retreat that once belonged to the ferryman. The cottage stands against a wooded coastline, separated from the beach by just a low stone wall, offering uninterrupted views of the sky and sea.
Set within the expansive Saddell Bay, the property is part of a collection owned by Landmark, including the castle, a later mansion, and four cottages.
Each building stands independently, allowing visitors to explore the bay’s pristine, untamed beauty.
Wildlife abounds here, with seals, seabirds of all kinds, and even otters as frequent visitors. Nearby, the atmospheric ruins of an ancient abbey await exploration.
The cottage enjoys a private garden, with the remnants of a jetty in the rocky bay just steps away. Its rooms are suffused with sea light, and Saddell Bay’s sheltered, east-facing position ensures breathtaking views of the water without exposing the house to the full force of the weather.
Sleeps 5
Check-in on the 31st of January for £38.60 PPPN (3 nights)
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