With the hustle and bustle of modern life, sometimes we just want to switch off, go off the grid and live a basic, healthy lifestyle. Can you do that in the UK?

It is entirely possible to live off the grid in the UK and the perfect way to experience the true natural beauty our small island has to offer. That's not to say it won't present some challenges!

Think: Is this really what you want?

Living off the grid, in any country, is difficult. There is still a lot of investment, hard work and red tape to go through before the dream of going truly off-grid can be achieved.

You'll be truly at one with the peaks and troughs of nature, which means you're likely to spend a lot of time outdoors no matter what the weather.

You've seen pretty pictures of cabins in the forest on social media - once you're off the grid, are you okay with not Posting pictures of yourself?

Do you think your 9-to-5 is tough? When you're repairing a broken fence at 11pm in the pouring rain, you probably want your office chair and central heating to be comfortable.

When it comes to repairs, you have to be prepared for things to go wrong. At the most inconvenient time. The system will fail, and you may have to accept this when purchasing parts.

While you can see the appeal of living off the land, your friends and family may not be as far-sighted. You may have to put up with pressure from people who don't quite understand your passion for sustainable living.

Find a suitable location.

There are several factors you'll want to consider when looking for a place to start your new life.

Woodlands: Having the opportunity to use woodlands for fuel and possibly some shelter is a pretty good idea! Don't find land through wood lands.co.uk as they require you to sign a clause stating that you will never live on the land.

Arable land: Having fertile land to grow your own food or graze livestock is an important factor in a sustainable life.

Water source: Access to water in the form of Wells or streams can make life easier and give you access to fresh water sources.

The perfect piece of land is hard to come by, and if it is obtained, it will be very expensive. Why not consider partnering with another family to create an off-grid community? Check out Off-Grid.net to find others looking to band together to create an off-grid haven.

View planning permissions.

If you plan to live in a ger or static caravan, you don't need to worry about planning permission. However, if you are considering something more permanent, you will have to navigate the red tape of the UK planning permission system. Want more advice from someone who knows the system? Talk to the group whose land belongs to us.

We offer a wide variety of cottages perfect for supporting an off-grid lifestyle. From compact, basic cabins to spacious two-bedroom cabins, there's a cabin for every situation!