What do you picture when you think of going on holiday? Lying on a beach, swimming in the sea, evenings round the firepit toasting marshmallows as the stars come out? Whatever it is, it probably doesn’t involve sitting about and looking on your phone.
Research shows that time away from screens leaves us feeling happier, more relaxed and better able to concentrate. Even leaving your phone in the next room has an effect.
So what if you decided to have a proper, old-school holiday - no phones allowed?
Ditching the tech might be harder than you think. If you’re a parent you no doubt already know that separating kids from their screens can involve near surgical levels of intervention. However adults have almost as much trouble leaving their phones alone - you just need to check an email, reply to a message, post a comment on the group chat.
It’s manageable day-to-day, but taking your phone on holiday could be genuinely robbing you of real, deep-down relaxation. You’ve paid for a beautiful holiday property in a lovely location. You’re looking forward to spending time with your loved ones. But how can you properly chill when all your problems are still there in your pocket?
So you decide to leave your phone at home. Surely it's not difficult to go without checking social media and emails for a few days - in fact it will be a relief. But hang on. What about all those other more practical things for which you use your phone without even thinking - the camera, maps, seeing what time it is, checking when shops and restaurants open etc etc?
A proper digital detox involves a little bit of forward planning - especially if you’re going as a group or a family. You may need to purchase a few small analogue bits and pieces. But it will be fun! And you’ll potentially have a super relaxing, what-memories-are-made-of holiday, far away from bossy, stressful screens.
Here we’ll give you some ideas for how to plan a digital detox holiday. We’ll look at what sort of digital detox works best for you - will you go the full cold turkey, or implement a part-time screen ban?
We’ll give you some ideas for what you should bring along to replace the functions on your phone; this is your chance to buy some cool old stuff.
We’ll suggest the sort of holiday property you should book for your digital detox - a fun family-sized house or an off-grid retreat.
It’s manageable day-to-day, but taking your phone on holiday could be genuinely robbing you of real, deep-down relaxation. You’ve paid for a beautiful holiday property in a lovely location. You’re looking forward to spending time with your loved ones. But how can you properly chill when all your problems are still there in your pocket?
So you decide to leave your phone at home. Surely it's not difficult to go without checking social media and emails for a few days - in fact it will be a relief. But hang on. What about all those other more practical things for which you use your phone without even thinking - the camera, maps, seeing what time it is, checking when shops and restaurants open etc etc?
A proper digital detox involves a little bit of forward planning - especially if you’re going as a group or a family. You may need to purchase a few small analogue bits and pieces. But it will be fun! And you’ll potentially have a super relaxing, what-memories-are-made-of holiday, far away from bossy, stressful screens.
Here we’ll give you some ideas for how to plan a digital detox holiday. We’ll look at what sort of digital detox works best for you - will you go the full cold turkey, or implement a part-time screen ban?
We’ll give you some ideas for what you should bring along to replace the functions on your phone; this is your chance to buy some cool old stuff.
We’ll suggest the sort of holiday property you should book for your digital detox - a fun family-sized house or an off-grid retreat.
What sort of digital detox works best for you?
You can either go the full total digital detox, part detox, or emergencies only. Decide what works best for your group.
Total detox
A total 100% cold turkey screen ban - no TVs, laptops and definitely no phones! The detox could start in the car - leave your phone at home, switch off the satnav and navigate using a good old-fashioned spiral bound road atlas - and finish when you get back home again.
Part detox
A great option if you’re a first-timer, or struggling to get buy-in on the whole detox idea from certain members of the party. Perhaps you’re all allowed to look on your screens for an hour in the morning. Maybe screens are banned in some areas of the house. Or maybe you decide the TV doesn't count. Whatever the rules are, make sure you stick to them and don’t let screen use gradually creep back in.
Emergencies only detox
Have your phone with you, switched off, but available to use in an emergency. This is sensible if you go out on a hike, just in case you get lost on a mountainside, or otherwise need help. Once back at the house, just replace in a drawer and ignore. This is the method we’d recommend.
How to plan for your digital detox retreat
As you will be offline for a while, some advance planning and research will be required. Remember to make your notes on paper and not on your phone.
Research local activities
Locate all the fun stuff to do nearby - castles, theme parks, galleries, nice shops - and write them all down. Don’t forget to make a note of opening hours. With no internet once you’re there and hours of screen-free time to fill, this list will be vital.
Research where to eat
You won’t be able to check Google reviews while you’re away, so make a note of the best cafes for brunch, pubs for a Sunday roast, or where to stop for a half on a country walk. This list will quickly become your bible.
Let people know you’re having a digital detox
Your mum will probably think you’ve been kidnapped if you disappear without a word, so be sure to let friends and family know you’re going offline for a bit. Enjoy setting that out-of-office email alert.
Print out any travel documents you need
If you’re staying here in the UK you probably won’t require many documents. However if there are directions, or instructions from the host on how to get into the property you’ve booked, make sure you’ve got them printed and ready.
Things you will need for a digital detox
This part is quite fun (or we think so anyway): finding some analogue extras to replace the things you do on your phone. If you remember those halcyon, pre-digital days this will be a happy blast from the past. Here are a few ideas for things to take along:
• A watch
• A polaroid camera
• An FM radio
• A notebook and a pen
• A cassette player and some classic tapes
• An Ordnance Survey map and a compass
• A torch
And it goes without saying you should also bring lots of things to do - a stack of good books, board games, craft and art stuff etc.
• A watch
• A polaroid camera
• An FM radio
• A notebook and a pen
• A cassette player and some classic tapes
• An Ordnance Survey map and a compass
• A torch
And it goes without saying you should also bring lots of things to do - a stack of good books, board games, craft and art stuff etc.
Where should you stay on a digital detox retreat?
When planning to unplug for a group or family holiday, choosing the right place to stay is key.
Find a big house with plenty to do so that everyone’s occupied during the day and tired out in the evenings. Or somewhere that’s either off-grid, or so remote there’s no wifi. Or how about a dedicated digital retreat, designed to help stressed-out tech addicts escape from their devices?
Find a big house with plenty to do so that everyone’s occupied during the day and tired out in the evenings. Or somewhere that’s either off-grid, or so remote there’s no wifi. Or how about a dedicated digital retreat, designed to help stressed-out tech addicts escape from their devices?
Properties to keep you busy
OK. You’ve arrived, explored, unpacked (or at least dumped your stuff in the bedroom), made a cup of tea. Now what?
Now the fun starts, because you’ve booked an awesome property with loads of exciting, non-digital things to do!
Games rooms
A games room is a must-have. You can set up pool tournaments, a house table tennis championship, darts matches. Properties with outdoor games are great for the summer months: look for places with a tennis court and a lawn big enough for a game of football or cricket. In well-equipped family-sized houses you can often find a shed or summer house stuffed with various racquets, balls, mallets, skittles and nets of all different sizes.
Board games
You are going to require indoor games too. Book a place with a cupboard stacked with weird board games and you’ll never be short of an occupation. Brew up some coffee and have a caffeine-fuelled Monopoly game, or open a bottle of wine and watch your spelling gradually deteriorate over an evening Scrabble match. Can you remember who won gold in the men’s 100 metres at the 1984 Olympics? Then you’re probably going to win at that out of date game of Trivial Pursuit. (Carl Lewis).
Luxury spa extras
If the budget can stretch to it, find a place with a hot tub, a sauna or even a pool. While the kids are arguing over the finer points of lawn croquet, you can sweat, soak or swim your stresses away in your own in-house spa. You’ll feel totally relaxed and remade - and since you can’t take your phone into the water anyway, you won’t even miss it.
Now the fun starts, because you’ve booked an awesome property with loads of exciting, non-digital things to do!
Games rooms
A games room is a must-have. You can set up pool tournaments, a house table tennis championship, darts matches. Properties with outdoor games are great for the summer months: look for places with a tennis court and a lawn big enough for a game of football or cricket. In well-equipped family-sized houses you can often find a shed or summer house stuffed with various racquets, balls, mallets, skittles and nets of all different sizes.
Board games
You are going to require indoor games too. Book a place with a cupboard stacked with weird board games and you’ll never be short of an occupation. Brew up some coffee and have a caffeine-fuelled Monopoly game, or open a bottle of wine and watch your spelling gradually deteriorate over an evening Scrabble match. Can you remember who won gold in the men’s 100 metres at the 1984 Olympics? Then you’re probably going to win at that out of date game of Trivial Pursuit. (Carl Lewis).
Luxury spa extras
If the budget can stretch to it, find a place with a hot tub, a sauna or even a pool. While the kids are arguing over the finer points of lawn croquet, you can sweat, soak or swim your stresses away in your own in-house spa. You’ll feel totally relaxed and remade - and since you can’t take your phone into the water anyway, you won’t even miss it.
Stay somewhere off-grid
The easiest way to digitally detox? Remove the wi-fi. Choose a place with no wi-fi, no 4G and no TV and the battle is already almost won. You’ll be playing Jenga by the fire and hiking up mountains singing songs from the Sound of Music before you know it.
You could book a remote country house, or for a real off-grid experience choose a wild glamping retreat. Here are some wholesome things to try when going off-grid:
Learn a new skill
Learn a new skill, or rediscover an old one. Bring along some art supplies and paint everyone’s portrait. Start the day with a yoga season. Finish knitting that jumper you started in 2006. Sit out in the garden and whittle a few wooden spoons. Who knows - you may discover a hidden talent or a life-changing creative passion.
See stars
If you’re somewhere off-grid, chances are it’s a rural location and light pollution levels are low - perfect conditions for star gazing. Choose a cloudless night, make some hot chocolate, wrap up warm, sit outside and look at the bright, beautiful stars together.
Go on a hike
Plan a day of outdoor adventures. Pack a picnic, a map (just make sure you know how to read it) and put on your boots. If you’re not a seasoned hiker we’d recommend choosing a well-trodden path, which we’re lucky enough to have many of in the UK. If you’re near the sea head for the coastal path - just stay next to the water and it’s hard to get lost. Inland you’ll find many lovely walks, from the South Downs Way to the West Highland Way, all with stunning scenery and a few useful signposts to help keep you on track.
You could book a remote country house, or for a real off-grid experience choose a wild glamping retreat. Here are some wholesome things to try when going off-grid:
Learn a new skill
Learn a new skill, or rediscover an old one. Bring along some art supplies and paint everyone’s portrait. Start the day with a yoga season. Finish knitting that jumper you started in 2006. Sit out in the garden and whittle a few wooden spoons. Who knows - you may discover a hidden talent or a life-changing creative passion.
See stars
If you’re somewhere off-grid, chances are it’s a rural location and light pollution levels are low - perfect conditions for star gazing. Choose a cloudless night, make some hot chocolate, wrap up warm, sit outside and look at the bright, beautiful stars together.
Go on a hike
Plan a day of outdoor adventures. Pack a picnic, a map (just make sure you know how to read it) and put on your boots. If you’re not a seasoned hiker we’d recommend choosing a well-trodden path, which we’re lucky enough to have many of in the UK. If you’re near the sea head for the coastal path - just stay next to the water and it’s hard to get lost. Inland you’ll find many lovely walks, from the South Downs Way to the West Highland Way, all with stunning scenery and a few useful signposts to help keep you on track.
Digital detox retreat properties
Designed to help stressed-out urbanites, special retreats exist specially for the purpose of helping you digitally detox.
You can book a few nights in a country cabin for two, where you lock your phone away in a box for the duration of your stay. In its place you get a very old Nokia in case of emergency, a camera and a radio.
If you want to go more holistic there are plenty of group retreats to be found, where instead of scrolling, sharing and replying, your days will be filled with yoga, meditation and wild swimming.
You can book a few nights in a country cabin for two, where you lock your phone away in a box for the duration of your stay. In its place you get a very old Nokia in case of emergency, a camera and a radio.
If you want to go more holistic there are plenty of group retreats to be found, where instead of scrolling, sharing and replying, your days will be filled with yoga, meditation and wild swimming.
A final note: Don’t be the phone police!
If some people in your family or group are genuinely determined to use their phones you won’t be able to stop them. Don’t ruin your holiday by turning into a phone policeman or woman. The whole point of a digital detox is to relax, destress and forget your troubles. Don’t let screens - especially someone else’s - spoil your peace of mind.
While it would be nice if everyone else was equally enthusiastic about hiking or spoon whittling, if not it doesn’t matter. As long as you get what you need from your digital detox then your goal has been achieved.
While it would be nice if everyone else was equally enthusiastic about hiking or spoon whittling, if not it doesn’t matter. As long as you get what you need from your digital detox then your goal has been achieved.
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