Solitary Predators: The Individual Monarchs of the Wildlife Realm
In the heart of Britain, solitude is no longer a sign of loneliness but a sought-after state of tranquility. This shift in perspective can be traced back to the words of Alexander Pope in his "Ode on Solitude", where he extolled the peace and quiet that comes with being alone.
This newfound appreciation for solitude is evident in various aspects of British life. For instance, Hector Hughes, a 31-year-old entrepreneur, saw the potential in offering off-grid breaks to those seeking a respite from modern life. His business, Unplugged, provides isolated rural cabins where individuals can lock away their smartphones and immerse themselves in nature.
Unplugged has found a niche market among those who crave solitude. Almost one-fifth of its customers come on their own, finding refreshment, rejuvenation, and a sense of pride in spending three days disconnected from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The trend towards solitude is not limited to humans. Many British wildlife species, such as sheep, red deer, muntjac, and roe deer, live their lives almost entirely alone. Even the weasel, Britain's smallest carnivore, keeps its own company throughout its life.
In the world of bees, the majority are solitary, including the ashy mining bee (Andrena cineraria), the wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum), and the hairy-footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes). These bees nest in the ground or in ready-made spaces, such as beetle holes, and their species are the ones most likely to use manmade bee hotels.
The otter, a larger mustelid, generally wants to be alone, except for the necessity of mating and bringing up cubs. Despite the common belief, red deer, often thought to live in large herds, are inclined to solitariness when in woodland habitat.
This shift towards solitude is not a new phenomenon. Laura Parker, a countryside writer and archaeologist, has been studying and promoting the benefits of solitude for years. In 2025, she specialized outside of British Scotland in archaeology and historical landscape studies. Her work often appears in publications such as the Scottish Field, the Dundee Courier, and Little Toller's nature journal The Clearing.
Laura Parker, who lives in the Cotswolds and keeps a small flock of Shetland sheep, values solo journeys for providing 'valuable time to think and feel uninterrupted, to reconnect with the shape of me beneath the noise'. Her perspective on solitude echoes that of geologist and therapist Ruth Allen, who describes the difference between loneliness and solitude as being like that of erosion and weathering: loneliness is severe and undermining, while solitude is more akin to the weathering of rock by natural forces such as wind and water (progressively shaping).
As more young people incline towards solitude, with the fastest-growing age group of solo travellers being those aged 44 and under (based on travel organisation ABTA's data), it seems that the trend towards solitude is here to stay. Whether it's in the peaceful countryside or the bustling city, Britons are finding solace in solitude.
You can follow Laura Parker's journey on X and Instagram: @laura_parkle.
