Hands-on nature escapes in the UK: Stays that give back to the land

For off-grid simplicity and hands-on farming life 

A bell tent with West Country charm, Ispecso sits on a fifth generation working farm where sustainability is woven into daily life. The off-grid glamping site runs on simple living – think compost loos, fire cooking and nights under the stars. 

What makes it special is that guests can get hands on with the land. Try sheep herding, join in lambing tours, or throw yourself into the ‘Farm Olympics.’ Your host Tim is passionate about connecting people to farming traditions that work in harmony with the landscape, and the site doubles as a hub for rewilding inspired workshops and outdoor crafts. It’s less luxury spa, more muddy boots and rosy cheeks, and it’s all the better for it.

For wild Scottish coastline and woodland restoration 

Hidden on the west coast of Scotland, Secret Container is a one-of-a-kind cabin set in 30 acres of rewilded woodland. Host Steve has planted over 2,000 native trees, created a wildlife-rich lochan, and continues to restore this fragment of Scotland’s lost temperate rainforest. 

Guests are invited to contribute to the land’s care, whether it’s tree planting, bracken pulling, or helping with woodland management. In return, you’ll be rewarded with private access to a beach on Loch Fyne, an outdoor shower for rinsing off salty swims, and sunsets from a hammock strung between the trees.

For community spirit and woodland low-impact stays

Tucked inside a woodland eco-village, this turf-roofed roundhouse is the definition of back to nature. Powered by the community ethos of Campwell Woods, the focus here is on low impact living and reconnecting with natural rhythms. 

Sustainability at Cob Round means shared resources and skills, from communal cooking on open fires to courses in foraging, woodworking and yoga that bring guests closer to the land and to each other. If you’ve ever wanted to swap Netflix for nettle tea or trade office small talk for fire circle storytelling, this is your chance.

For luxury with a conservation twist 

Set on a 450-acre family farm, this shepherd’s hut is surrounded by thriving wildlife thanks to the Darbishire family’s conservation efforts. With 1,500 new trees planted, wildflower margins, and regenerative farming practices, this is a place where biodiversity comes first. 

Guests can book a farm tour with Hugh to learn about their stewardship schemes or simply enjoy the results: wild swimming ponds alive with dragonflies, skylarks swooping overhead, and hedgerows buzzing with pollinators. Add in twin outdoor bathtubs and a sauna by the pond, and you’ve got the perfect balance of luxury and environmental care.

For rewilding in action and wildlife immersion

This regenerative farm stay is as restorative for the planet as it is for guests. Over the past 15 years, hosts Johanna and her family have rewilded large areas of farmland, restoring hedgerows, creating wetlands, and nurturing habitats for native species. The farm is now home to one of the UK’s most comprehensive marsh tit monitoring and recording programmes. 

Guests can join ornithology walks, insect surveys and dawn chorus tours run by expert ecologists, for real, hands-on experiences that directly support ongoing conservation research. Forget a flimsy hotel leaflet about ‘local wildlife’. Here, you’ll be out at dawn with a thermos, binoculars, and a soundtrack of skylarks.