Our best European places for digital nomads wanting to escape the UK

If you work in the creative industries, the spectacular views of Swedish Lapland from ten metres high in the pines are guaranteed to spark fresh inspiration. This isn’t just a change of scene, it’s a whole new perspective in a totally different world. A magical, snowy wonderland where instead of binge-watching TV after work, you can marvel at the Northern Lights from a suspended outdoor stargazing net, before snuggling down to sleep. 

Part of the world-famous Treehotel, 7th Room is a luxurious, otherworldly space, clad in charred timber with huge panoramic windows and skylights in the ceiling of both bedrooms. Meals and saunas are at Britta’s guesthouse, a ten-minute walk away, and the site offers memorable activities for every season from husky-drawn sled rides, snowmobile and ski tours, to hikes in the lush boreal forests and kayaking excursions.

Even if you usually frequent the swankiest of coworking spaces, it’s unlikely that it offers the same level of grandeur as a floating chateau on your own private lake. That’s what you’ll discover at Chateau Jumilhac in the Dordogne in France where your commute takes you over a long footbridge to a regal, turreted cabin. There’s wifi, a table for your laptop and after work it’s just a few strides out onto the jetty to recline with a glass of Bergerac overlooking the water and undulating countryside. 

There are six glamping spaces spread out over the peaceful grounds of the historic estate which has a shared pool, bike hire, table tennis and pétanque. You can set off on nature walks in every direction and for apéritifs and dinner, the beautiful medieval towns of Sarlat, Monpazier and Beaumont are within easy reach.

Gorgeous little Gite de Charme in the midi-Pyrenees sleeps four so you could even bring the kids in the school holidays for a tag team approach to work and childcare. There’s free wifi, a small desk space in the living room and the best of French rural life right outside the front door. Take a stroll through the woods to the pretty village of Parisot on your lunch break and load up on mouth watering supplies in the boulangerie, before wandering back to Coutillard for a quick dip in the pool to energise you for a productive afternoon. 

Owners Nick and Pippa are oracles of knowledge on local day trips, including the best village markets, what to do in the nearby towns of Najac and Albi and great places to swim, canoe and climb. Whether you’ve come to relax or to embark on outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone at this slice of French paradise.

Stay cool in the unforgiving heat of Andalucia in a genuine Spanish cave house in the hills. This one has wifi, a desk to work at and endless possibilities for Insta captions of the ‘not your average Tuesday at work’ variety. Casa Isadora’s light, whitewashed interior is the opposite of claustrophobic and it only recedes a few metres into the earth unlike some of the other huge local caves you can explore, including one that has been transformed into an atmospheric restaurant. 

Coffee breaks are taken on one of two tranquil terraces overlooking beautiful bougainvillaea and hibiscus-filled gardens and the mountains beyond.   The rural tranquillity will soothe your mind instantly after a day staring at a screen, but if you want a culture fix the cities of Cartagena and Grenada are within reach. There are hiking and biking routes all around and you can kayak on the spectacular River Aveyron that cuts through the landscape.

Bring peace, tranquillity and some serious luxury to your working day at Saint-Amand Treehouse, hidden among almond and pine trees in a scenic spot in the south of France. There’s wifi, a desk, fresh coffee, a bird’s eye view from the spacious terrace and relaxing nature sounds supplied by the local cicadas. Once you’ve downed tools for the day, the gorgeous beaches of the Mediterranean are a short drive – or slightly longer mountain bike ride – away, along with the soaring peaks of the Pyrenees in the other direction. 

As well as your own private hot tub, there’s plenty to do on site with a tennis court, bikes to hire and massages available to book in the treehouse. An overflowing breakfast hamper is hoisted up to you each morning via a pulley and catered evening meals are available to order.