Best Places To Visit in the UK For Anxiety Sufferers

If you suffer from anxiety, stress, and worry, it can feel difficult to find a suitable place to travel. It’s hard to find the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers. Sometimes big cities can feel really overwhelming, and we can feel the need to find the most peaceful places in the UK.

Sometimes we need to go somewhere quiet, peaceful, and with lots of space in order for us to breathe. Luckily, the UK has many wonderful places that fit the bill.

Taking active care of our anxiety can really have an impact on our happiness levels. So when we visit relaxing cities or quiet villages, these tranquil locations can really help us to manage our anxiety levels.

Here is my ultimate list of the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers.

REMINDER: If you’re struggling with anxiety, please go and consult your GP so you can recieve the support you need and deserve.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Table of Contents

• Cotswolds, England
• Lake District, England
• Highlands, Scotland
• Cardigan Bay, Wales
• New Forest, England
• Isle of Skye, Scotland
• The Eden Project, Cornwall
• Dartmoor National Park, England
• Eryri, Wales
• Bath, England
• Top Spa Hotels in the UK
• Top Yoga Retreats UK
• Top Mindfulness Retreats UK
• Top Spiritual Healing Retreats UK
• Top Wellness Retreats UK
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Reduce your anxiety in the most peaceful places in the UK

Cotswolds, England

The Cotswolds are one of the most beautiful locations in the UK and one of the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers. It encompasses a rural area including a number of small and picturesque villages.

The scenic views here are quiet and pretty, and a great place to explore and find a bit of serenity. Whether these are in the quaint villages or in the local surrounding fields.

Getting into nature is a great way to combat anxiety, and going for a walk through the Cotswolds is a great way to do this. None of the walks in this area are too strenuous and a great way to relax.

Otherwise, the villages themselves are peaceful and small, filled with cozy cafes, independent shops, and small galleries.

This is a wholesome and fulfilling place to visit, and one of the most peaceful places, and one of the most quiet places to visit UK.

Some of the top Cotswold villages to visit include:

• Bourton-on-the-Water
• Chipping Campden
• Stow-on-the-Wold
• Broadway
• Lacock

If you want to read more about this place, check out my post on the Top 10 Cotswold Villages To Visit.

Lake District, England

The Lake District is another location that is one of the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers. It is another location that has wonderful views and opportunities to immerse ourselves in nature.

This national park feels a world away from big cities. With wide-open rural spaces, you can go for walks without seeing a single other person. While there are nearby villages to pop to, this is a wonderful place to go and get some space.

Being so far away from civilization means that the air is fresh and crisp. Breathing in this lovely clean air can do wonders for how we feel in both our minds and bodies.

Combine this fresh air with the outdoor activities offered in the Lake District, such as hiking or kayaking, and you will feel the benefits of taking care of your body in no time. Staying active can be a great tool for stress relief.

One of the most significant things about the Lake District is the number of lakes that give the area its name. It is said that being around water can give our minds a sense of peace and tranquility.

So, make sure to go and sit by one of the lakes when you visit the Lake District. It may surprise you how calm it makes you feel. This is certainly one of the most peaceful places in the UK.

Check out my post on the Lake District to find out more.

Highlands, Scotland

The Highlands in Scotland are another location known for being one of the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers as on of the calming places in the UK. This is due to its scenic atmosphere, its views, its wide open spaces, and its communities.

The Highlands is known for being a space with lush, green open space with views that go on for miles and miles. This is a place to really get back into the wilderness and remove yourself from the stress of modern-day life.

Alongside it’s daytime views, it can also be a great place to go for stargazing. It is shown that stargazing can promote a sense of calm and put our daily stresses in perspective.

It is also known for being home to some absolutely lovely locals. The local communities in the Highlands are known for being warm, welcoming, and full of traditional Scottish charm.

This wild location is one of the most peaceful places in the UK and a wonderful place to reset your mindset and find some peace.

Immerse Yourself In The Peaceful Highlands

Poetry Of Slow Life has made a beautiful video combining slow living with travel in the Highlands. Check out their video to see the beauty of this peaceful location.

Cardigan Bay, Wales

It’s likely you’ve heard of people getting sent away to the seaside for their health in times gone by. Well, there may be something to that – particularly when it comes to mental health.

Cardigan Bay, along the west coast of Wales, is known for being full of charming towns, peaceful coastal walks, and amazing sea views. All of these can go a way to helping our anxiety.

Firstly, sea air is actually proven to be good for out mental health. It is full of negative ions which, when we breathe them in, can improve our mood and our stress levels.

Secondly, the experience of simply being around water is known to have a calming effect on our mindsets. The sea, with its rhythmic waves and noises, is especially good at this. So, Cardigan Bay’s sea views are perfect for calming us down.

Moving our bodies in a gentle manner is also a great way to help cope with anxiety. Cardigan Bay’s coastal walks are a great way to engage in gentle exercise whilst enjoying the views. And you can lie on a peaceful beach for a rest in between, with loads of great places to chill.

Finally, Cardigan Bay is known for it’s peaceful and charming towns and villages that lie along its coast. Stay at one of these and find peace in a cozy Welsh tearoom.

You can also check out my post on Wildlife Watching in Cardigan Bay, another great activity for decreasing anxiety, and something that makes this one of the most peaceful places in the UK.

New Forest, England

The New Forest is a peaceful spot in England, home to a number of wildlife species and another one of the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers.

The New Forest is home to various wildlife species, including New Forest ponies, horses, butterflies, and deer. It is well known that wildlife watching in these rural areas can have a positive effect on our mental health, and the New Forest is the perfect place to do it.

The New Forest is also home to some wonderful walks and historic monuments. This will allow you to keep your mind active, whilst enjoying some beautiful views and getting away from stressful environments.

It also has Dark Sky Status, which means it’s one of the best places in the country for stargazing. This can be a peaceful and profound experience and is a great idea for anxiety sufferers to engage in.

Amongst all this, the background noise of the New Forest, including rustling leaves and babbling brooks, means that the atmosphere of the area is a peaceful one and overall one of the most peaceful places in the UK.

Check out my post on visiting the New Forest here.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

This is a spot for those who really want to get away from it all and off the beaten track to find one of the most peaceful places in the UK and one of the best places to relax.

The Isle of Skye is an island off the west coast of Scotland. It is a remote community on the island and a great place to get some peace.

The Isle of Skye is known for its stunning views and historical monuments, all with an ancient and almost magical feel to them. If you want to get away from the stress of modern life then this is the perfect place to go.

Wherever you are on the island, you are never far from the sea. If you want to soak up the proven mental health benefits of sea air, sea views, and the rhythmic sounds of the waves, there’s almost nowhere better.

This wonderful location is also known for having welcoming locals and a traditional community. This can help you to feel at home on the island, and reconnect with the kindness of others.

Plus, the population of the island is very sparse, meaning that feeling overwhelmed by business will never be an issue, no matter where you go on the island. It is certainly one of the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers.

The Eden Project, Cornwall

If you want to visit somewhere a little closer to civilization and a more controlled environment, whilst still finding somewhere peaceful to visit, then the Eden Project in Cornwall is one of the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers.

Nature is a great healer of anxiety, and this is a great place to experience it. The botanical gardens of the Eden Project are full of lush greenery and beautiful views, making it one of the most peaceful places in the UK.

Being around the soothing green colors and the fresh oxygenated air will make your brain feel calm in no time.

The Eden Project is a great option for those who need more predictability to feel calm. If you struggle with the weather being unpredictable or you have accessibility needs, this gives you a chance to connect with nature and green spaces in an easier and more predictable way that can be great for stress reduction.

As an educational facility, this is also an opportunity to focus your mind on something positive and creative other than your worries and anxieties. Particularly, their gardening classes can connect you to the popular concept of therapeutic gardening.

Beyond the Eden Project itself, the area is surrounded by beautiful beaches and sea views, meaning you can also soak up the calming powers of the ocean during your visit.

Dartmoor National Park, England

Dartmoor National Park is known for its wide open spaces of moorland. Getting back into nature and seeing the environment stretch out in front of us in this way can be very healing for anxiety and makes this location one of the most peaceful places in the UK.

One of the wonderful things about Dartmoor’s open spaces is that it is far more accessible. The land is very flat with clearly marked pathways in many places, making it a much more accessible place to visit for many.

It is also a Dark Sky Status zone, meaning that it is a wonderful place to go for stargazing, a relaxing and peaceful hobby to while away the time and reconnect with nature.

Alongside all this, one of the unique things about Dartmoor is that it’s the only place you can wild camp in all of England. Make sure to check out the map to find out the designated areas first.

Camping in the wide open space of Dartmoor can be a really wonderful way to get away from all civilization for a while – and for no cost at all! This definitely puts this relaxing place on the list of the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers.

Eryri, Wales

Eryri (previously known as Snowdonia) is one of the largest national parks in the UK and a wonderful place to go to get away from it all. It is without a doubt one of the most peaceful places in the UK.

First of all, the views in Eryri are second to none. Getting to sit on the beach, breathe in the crisp sea air, and look around at the mountains that surround the area can really inspire a sense of peace for those who visit.

Getting active is also known to help anxiety. There are lots of hikes, cycling, and wild swimming opportunities in Eryri, which can all go someway to relieving anxiety and help to build up a feeling of self-confidence.

There are many wonderfully tranquil lakes to visit in Eryri. Being around the peace of a deep, still lake is known to inspire a feeling of peace in many and can add to the overall feeling of tranquility in an area, making it one of the most relaxing places to visit UK.

Additionally, the North Wales area of Eryri has a strong sense of community and Welsh identity. Being surrounded by this can help visitors feel a sense of connection and appreciation for the world they reside in, making it one of the best places to visit in the UK for anxiety sufferers.

Bath, England

Due to being a city, Bath is a little different from the other locations on this list. However, this one is a great option for anxiety sufferers due to its wide number of spas.

Bath is known as being an old spa town, and currently has a number of therapeutic spa retreats open to visitors. A stay at one of these really can do wonders for your stress levels.

Many of these have massage centers, yoga classes, hot tubs, saunas, swimming pools, and wellness treatments – all in the name of relieving your stress and anxiety with these therapeutic activities. Regular wellbeing practice can really help in your anxiety management.

Outside of its spas, Bath is known for being a picturesque and beautiful historic town. It has a number of beautiful parks for you to go and walk in and soak in nature and a peaceful atmosphere.

Finally, Bath remains a cozy and picturesque town whilst also having all the modern and local amenities in easy reach. This makes it the perfect place for any anxiety sufferers who struggle with uncertainty and want to be confident that whatever they need will be in easy reach.

Top Spa Hotels in the UK

A stay in a spa hotel can be a great way to reduce our anxiety. Here are some of my favourite spa hotels in the UK to help reduce anxiety.

Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel

This spa hotel is set in a historic grand old property in Bath and features a large swimming pool, outdoor hot tubs, candlelit spa treatments, and a fitness center. It make for an impressive escape from modern life.

Royal Cresent Hotel and Spa

Located on the iconic Royal Cresent in Bath, this spa hotel overlooks beautiful landscaped gardens. It offers two relaxation pools, a sauna, salt therapy treatments, and a steam room. With 18th-century decor, it might be the classiest on the list.

Leonardo Royal Hotel London City

This hotel spa has all the luxuries of central London on its doorstep, as well as the luxury of an expansive spa. With an enormous swimming pool, sauna, and a number of wellness treatments, this makes for a glamorous hotel.

Some rooms receive a 10% discount on spa treatments, so look out for this when booking.

Cotswold House Hotel and Spa

In the serenity of the Cotswolds, this spa manages to feel like a rural cottage whilst still offering an extensive spa experience. It offers a hydrotherapy pool, hammam room as well as six treatment rooms. Many rooms also have private hot tubs and gardens to enjoy.

Ambleside Salutation Hotel and Spa

Located in a stunning 17th-century building, in the heart of the serenity of the Lake District, this is a great place to go for a bit of peace. This hotel hosts a swimming pool, sauna, spa bath, steam room as well as a beauty and fitness spa.

Top Yoga Retreats UK

Taking a trip to a Yoga Retreat can be an absolutely wonderful way to get away from it all and relieve some stress. Here are some of the top Yoga Retreats in the UK for you to relax.

5 Day Sacred Yoga and Meditation Midweek Retreat in Lake District, UK

Located on Sunny Brow Farm in the Lake District, this retreat offers a long weekend to realign yourself. It offers transformative yoga, ritual massage, sound bath and meditation in order to help you find peace in this beautiful location. It has a focus on restorative spiritual practice, so it’s perfect for anyone wanting to get in touch with their inner serenity and divinity.

3 Day Discover Yourself within the Tranquility of the Peak District Yoga and Wellness Retreat

Escape to this stunning retreat in the Peak District for three days, hosted in a former silk spinning mill. There is so much on offer at this retreat, including mindful Yin yoga, mindful Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow, Restorative or gentle Yin, sound healing therapy, Yoga Nidra meditation, and pranayama as well as mindful walks to Lud’s Church and further exploring of the local area.

3 Day Seasonal Yoga Retreat Close to Nature in Whitby, North Yorkshire

This escape to a beautiful town in Yorkshire, for a restorative experience. There are multiple yoga sessions of Vinyasa yoga and Restorative yoga, as well as sound baths and evening walks from the site. There is also a focus on food at this experience, with vegetarian Asian cooking lessons and horticulture classes.

4 Day Sacred Sound and Yoga Retreat in Ambleside, Cumbria

Hosted on a beautiful farm in Cumbria, this retreat combines yoga therapy with sacred sound therapy. Allow yoga and sound to take you into the Nada and connect with your inner sacred sound. A retreat to take you deeper into your yogic journey with yoga, Yoga Nidra, Nada yoga, kirtan, and yoga with live music.

3 Day Immersive Breathwork ‘Fire & Ice’ Retreat in Hampshire, South East England

On Gambledown Farm in Hampshire, this retreat includes 5 yoga sessions – however, it goes far beyond this. It also involves breathwork, cold water immersion, and sauna sessions in order to deliver its therapeutic and anxiety-decreasing practices. This retreat is perfect for those looking for something a little more expansive and unique from a yoga retreat.

Check out my post on Top Yoga Retreats in the UK to discover more of the wonderful getaway.s

Top Mindfulness Retreats UK

Mindfulness meditation has been proven to be very helpful in improving anxiety levels. It is even now recommended by doctors for the management of feelings of stress and anxiety. So, what better way to bring down anxiety than going on a mindfulness retreat? Here are some of the top mindfulness retreats in the UK.

6-Day Meditation Retreat with English Heritage Visits in Tintagel

Tintagel is seen as one of the most spiritual places in the UK, and this meditation retreat is a great way to connect with the healing energies found here. You will receive meditation sessions, including visits to Merlin’s Cave and Tintagel Castle, as well as a mindful beach walk.

5 Day A Space for Grace New Year Silent Retreat in Glastonbury, Somerset

Glastonbury is also known as being one of the most spiritual and healing places in the UK, if not the world. This silent retreat will over you moments of meditation, as well as time in nature, journalling, and nutritious food in order to facilitate inner healing and lower anxiety levels.

3 Day Well-Being Meditation Retreat at Funky Treehouse in Norfolk

If you want to really reconnect with nature in a unique way, then this is the retreat for you. At this retreat you get to stay in a treehouse and experience guided meditation experiences. You can enjoy the surroundings through wild swimming, boating, or swimming in the heated swimming pool. This retreat also includes an aromatherapy kit.

7 Day Silent Retreat with Yoga, Meditation, Walks, and Swims in Tranquil and Secluded Lake District

If you want an extended retreat in a beautiful and secluded area then this is the perfect one for you. The retreat will offer a range of activities, including yoga, meditation, and guided walks to help guests relax and unwind, reconnect with nature, and find peace and balance before dropping into silence.

4 Day A Space for Grace Silent Retreat in Glastonbury

Another retreat in the sacred heart of Glastonbury, this retreat allows you a little more time to retreat within yourself. While offering morning yoga sessions, it also offers much free time and silent sittings in order for you to connect with yourself and live slowly and mindfully.

If you want to discover more mindfulness retreats in the UK, check out my post on the top 10 here.

Top Spiritual Healing Retreats UK

If you’re a believer in spiritual practices, then perhaps a spiritual healing retreat is more your kind of thing. This way you can get in touch with your inner peace through the divine and work towards decreasing your anxiety.

3 Day Holistic Wellness Retreat with Yoga, Meditation, and Healing Therapies in Login, Wales

Hosted at Old Lan Farmhouse in Wales, this retreat uses spiritual methods to achieve holistic wellness or wellness of the whole body. The activities include color meditation, aromatherapy, gentle movement, mindfulness meditation, and sound bath meditation.

4 Day Winter Reiki Level 1 Course with Yoga in Gilwern

This course located in Wales is wonderful as it not only inspires healing in its attendees but helps them to heal others. During the course, you will have morning and evening yoga classes, sound baths and mindful meditation. You will also recieve Reiki Level 1 training, complete with certification in order to give energy healing to yourself and others.

3 Day (48-Hour) Individual, Bespoke, Shamanic Residential Intensive in Rottindean, Brighton

If you’re interesting in healing via shamanic experience then this is the perfect retreat for you. This retreat, hosted in Brighton and complete with sea views, offers attendees the opportunity to retreat inwards to discover the self. Here you can practice breathwork, sound healing and past life regression to remove personal blocks.

24 Hour Individual, Bespoke Shamanic Healing Residential Intensive in Rottingdean, Brighton

This slightly shorter shamanic healing reatreat is more affordable, however no less powerful than the previous one. Here you will explore ancestral wounds and heal personal blocks and traumas. You will do this using breathwork, sound healing and past life regression to clear negative energy.

6 Day Health Diagnostic Healing Retreat in Tarland, Scotland

This comprehensive healing experience in the Scottish Highlands makes for a full 6 days of spiritual healing. Here you will engage in bio-well energy diagnostics, vibrational HZ healing, sound healing, forest bathing and spiritual guidance in order to find inner peace.

If you want to discover more spiritual retreats, then check out my post on the Top 10 Spiritual Healing Retreats in the UK here.

Top Wellness Retreats UK

If you want to attend a retreat that covers general wellness rather than having one specific wellness, there are options for you too. Check out these great wellness retreats across the UK.

8 Day Bespoke Individual Wellness Retreat with Detox and Yoga in Glastonbury, Somerset

Here is a more general wellness retreat located in the spiritual hub of Glastonbury. It goes on for a full eight days and includes yoga sessions, inner journeys, mentoring and sessions to increase your vibration. Alongside all this, it includes a detoxing diet. For physical, mental and spritual alignment and healing, this is one of the best retreats you can attend.

8 Day Health and Wellness Retreat Just Outside of London, in Essex

Another full eight day wellness retreat, this one is great for Londoners looking to get away from it all. With expert support, progressive fitness facilities and classes, cryotherapy, spa treatments, and plant-based diets and juicing, you can make a positive change quickly. You also get motivational speakers and a spa voucher, making this a very comprehensive retreat.

15 Day Visionary Health & Wellness Retreat Just Outside of London

If you want a longer wellness reatreat, then this one is perfect. A full 15 days – half a month – dedicated to your wellbeing is sure to make a difference. Here you can enjoy fitness fascilities, spa fascinilite, cryotherapy, motivational talks and personal support. If you want to go to a retreat and come back a changed person, then this is the one for you.

5 Day Grounding and Growth Wellness Retreat in Bodmin, Cornwall

If you want to reconnect with the healing power of nature and the Earth, then this is the perfect retreat for you. At this location in Cornwall you can take healing rainforest walks, holistic health coaching, sound baths and massages. You also get a visit to a beaver sanctuary – a unique an exciting element of the programme that taps into the healing power of animals.

5 Day Nature Breath Winter Wellness Retreat in Cairngorms, Scotland

For those who really want to challenge their fear and gain power over it, this retreat in the Cairngorms will help you surprise yourself and build strength. You will experience deep breathing exercises, meditation, barefoot forest walking, and wild cold water dips. An intense experience that will help you connect with nature and with yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reduce your anxiety in the most peaceful places in the UK

There we have it! From villages, remote islands, rural national parks, seaside getaways, and yoga and wellness retreats, there are so many places for anxiety sufferers to get away from it all.

Sometimes, when we suffer from anxiety, it can feel as though travel is next to impossible. I hope this list has given you some ideas that make travel feel even a little more possible for you.

If you want to learn some general travel tips on How To Travel When You Have Anxiety, go and check out my post here.

As always, please go to your GP if you are struggling with anxiety so that you can recieve the support you need and deserve.

Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you back here again soon.

Ta-ta for now! x