Holidays alone

I used to enjoy holidays in UK with coach company that specialised in such holidays for olde rpeople. So, we were collected very locally, and then transferred to main coach later on. Our suitcases were taken from us at first pick-up and then we saw them next in our hotel room.
The ones I liked meant actually staying at a hotel for a few days, and having daily outings, which I could choose whether or not to join.
Yes, there was always a single room supplement, but found these holidays really pleasant, and gave me the choice of whether or not I wanted company as and when.

Grand UK, I think was the company, although there are several of them now. These often do specialised holidays also, to cover or extend your own interests.

As I have got older I have preferred going on day coach outings, so that Ic ould freturn home and sleep in my own bed at night,. For obvious reasons not been on one of these for a couple of years, but hoping they will resume again soon.

We have used Travel Editions in the past. They are a small London based company, and only book direct. They are running cultural type trips in the UK just now, but often go on European tours, many by rail, and they have brilliant and knowledgeable guides. There are often single people on the trips, of both sexes, who are readily integrated.

I have been away on my own. I usually try to book accommodation with just one bedroom. I have found a few very small cottages and some B & Bs.

I am a single 55 year old, with three grown children. I do airbnb myself (renting out a guest room) and I have stayed at airbnbs. I always choose ones that are similar to mine. A single older woman renting out her guest room. I absolutely love it! It’s so cozy being in somebody’s home and learning about their lives, seeing how they live. You can usually use their kitchen and coffee/tea is usually provided as well. I always feel well looked after and it is such a unique experience!

Do you have any particular interests that you could pursue on holiday? If so, do an internet search for "special interest holidays" and you'll find a whole variety of things out there for all ages and sorts of people.

My particular interests are vintage transport and industrial archaeology so I took my first steps into holidaying alone last October with a short break booked with Inside Track Railway Holidays. It was fine; there were about 2 dozen people in the group, around 8 or 9 of us travelling solo and, because we had common interests, there was plenty for everyone to talk about. I loved it and have booked another trip with the same company in late August.

Additionally, I have a four day coach trip to Northumbria booked with a local coach operator in early July and a 2-week waterways cruise through Belgium and the Netherlands in late July (assuming the various governments can get their acts together about who is allowed to go where and when). Really looking forward to these as they are trips OH would not have been especially enthusiastic about if he was still alive so there won't be too many bittersweet "if only" moments; they will be my new experiences on my travels into my new life without him.

Yes, there is an aggravatingly expensive single occupancy supplement in every case but, as I couldn't bear the thought of sharing a room with anyone other than late OH, I'd grit my teeth and pay it even if I was travelling with a friend.

Luckgirl do you have a friend you could go with? Although happily married, I’ve been away both on my own and with a friend, all abroad, not UK.

Luckygirl if you don’t find anything this year which might not be easy because so many are looking fir breaks in this country, there is always next year which hopefully will be back to a sort of normal. You said you didn’t want to trouble your family but Why not mention it to them.
Hope you find something which suits.

In my experience s coach trip is worth considering. Going alone is not s problem because I did find that before too long I was made welcome by other travellers & made a lot of new friends. My new companions were very considerate of mobility issues & the tour leader took me under his wing to ensure I had support and someone to chat too.
My holidays were steam train holidays and absolutely worth every penny.
Go for it! Feel the fear & do it anyway! Good luck.

Luckygirl
Going alone and staying alone could be a bit too much to handle at the moment,having no one to talk to or share things with can make you feel very lonely and possibly sad.

I think a suitable hotel possibly a warmers would be a better option for the first time ,you don't have to bother with the same entertainment

We have used Alfa Travel for coach holidays within the UK and they have always been good. I went on one break on my own, just to test the water and it was fine. I don’t think the single supplements are too bad. They do have evening entertainment at each hotel but we don’t go to that, usually see what is on at a local theatre instead. You can also do self drive holidays with them if you don’t fancy the coach bit. Most of their hotels have lifts. They use feeder coaches to pick up all the travellers at their local area then take them to an interchange where everyone gets onto their tour coach.
Might be worth having a look at their website, you could try a weekend with them first to see if it is your kind of thing. If there are local UK coach trip operators where you live it would mean you wouldn’t have to do the feeder bit.
Good luck, hope you get sorted. (Other coach companies are available!)

You might like to try Airbnb. Often you can get small properties. This would be self catering and you could choose using your requirements. I'm afraid single person breaks, in my experience, are always more expensive, hotel stays, coach trips even those that advertise no single supplement. In reality these are few and far between and only available off season. If you do decide on a coach break and struggle with mobility please be considerate of others and allow them off and on first. People can get irritated, especially if the coach stopping breaks are short of time.

Have you thought about Airb+b also having a nice lunch out helps to fill the day, and then you can buy a sandwich for your evening meal

The thing with a cottage (even a small one) is that it probably will be big enough for a family so that’s the price that will be charged.

I’ve had some nice breaks in one room apartments and converted garages. They usually come under the heading B &B but nowadays that usually means your own private room to come and go to throughout the day. Not the old being thrown out and not allowed to come back till the evening?

You could try Shearings Coast and Country Hotels. They are a bit more upmarket and don’t have entertainment. Breakfast included, other meals an optional package. But they won’t be self catering. The Hunstanton one is very nice for few days break.

Leger Holidays do singles holidays they are supposed to be award winning.