Yorkshire Named One of England’s Top Three Off-Grid Escapes: A Full Analysis of the Analogue Escape Index

Ever get that feeling of being totally fed up with notifications, endless scrolling, and the glare of a screen? It seems more people are looking for proper old-school holidays, the kind where the only thing lighting up at night is a campfire. Well, there's actually a list for that now. The first-ever Analogue Escape Index, released on 23 February 2026 by Camplify UK, has ranked the best places in England to go for a digital detox. And the big news? Yorkshire has officially been named one of the top three best counties for a truly off-grid, screen-free adventure. It's time to swap Wi-Fi for wild, open spaces.

What is an analogue escape?

It sounds a bit technical, but the idea is simple. An 'analogue escape' is just a holiday where people can properly switch off from the digital world. Think of it as going back to basics, like the holidays people had before everyone had a mini-computer in their pocket. Instead of checking emails, the plan is to check out amazing views. Instead of scrolling through social media, it's about spending quality time with family and friends, connecting with nature. This new index helps people find the perfect destinations for just that.

The team at Camplify UK, who are experts in campervan travel, created the index by looking at all the things that make a place perfect for getting away from it all. They didn't just pick pretty places; they looked at the data. The criteria included:

• Phone 'not-spots': Those brilliant places where there's little to no mobile signal. No pings, no calls, no problem.

• Campsites without electricity: Proper camping, with just the essentials. Perfect for stargazing.

• No Wi-Fi access: A guaranteed way to make sure nobody is tempted to just check one more thing online.

• Dark skies: The less light pollution from cities, the more stars people can see. It’s a huge bonus for any trip into the countryside.

• Fewer cities: Big urban areas mean more hustle and bustle, which is exactly what an off-grid escape avoids.

• Low population density: Fewer people means more peace and quiet. Simple as that.

But it's not all about having nothing to do. The index also considered the good stuff, like the number of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), and National Trust properties nearby. These are all amazing places for screen-free fun, from long walks to exploring historic houses.

Why Yorkshire is one of the best off-grid destinations

It’s really no shock that Yorkshire scored a podium finish, taking third place in the whole of England. Often called ‘God’s Own County’, its off-grid charm is legendary. A key reason for its high ranking on the Analogue Escape Index is its sheer volume of campsites that have no electricity, internet, or Wi-Fi. It has more of these back-to-basics campsites than anywhere else, making it a brilliant choice for a genuine digital detox. This is what makes it one of the most sought-after travel destinations for those wanting a break from the norm.

The county is home to two massive National Parks, he Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, as well as three AONBs. These vast areas of protected land are perfect for a laid-back campervan trip. Imagine driving along winding country lanes, with nothing but rolling hills and ancient dry-stone walls for company. People can stop off in tiny, remote villages for a pub lunch before finding a quiet spot to camp for the night. Travellers can spend their days hiking to incredible natural landmarks like Malham Cove, cycling the Swale Trail, or wandering across the wild, heather-covered Ilkley Moor. A campervan becomes the perfect base for slowing down and enjoying the simple things, like a cup of tea with an amazing view. The focus is on the holidays themselves, not the notifications.

How the rest of England stacks up

While Yorkshire put in a strong performance, it was part of a powerful showing from the north of England. Taking the silver medal was Cumbria, which scored incredibly well for having lots of campsites with no internet and plenty of dark sky spots, making it a top location for stargazing. In fact, three northern counties made the top 10, with Northumberland joining Yorkshire and Cumbria on the list of elite off-grid destinations.

However, it was the South West that really dominated the overall rankings, with a massive seven counties making the top ten. Devon was crowned the number one spot for an analogue escape, largely thanks to its huge number of National Trust properties, AONBs, and National Parks. It proves that the south coast has plenty of quiet corners perfect for a screen-free break. Meanwhile, places in the Midlands and the South East didn't manage to get into the top tier. This was mainly because they tend to have more big cities and a higher population density, which makes a true off-grid experience a bit trickier to find.

The official top 10 off-grid destinations

The full index provides a brilliant guide for anyone planning their next adventure. The results show a clear pattern, with the wilder, more rural counties coming out on top. Here is the official list of the top ten counties for an analogue escape:

• 1) Devon — South West — 128

• 2) Cumbria — North West — 124

• 3) Yorkshire — North — 108

• 4) Cornwall — South West — 107

• 5) Somerset — South West — 87

• 6) Wiltshire — South West — 82

• 7) Dorset — South West — 76

• 8) Northumberland — North East — 69

• 9) Gloucestershire — South West — 64

• 10) East Sussex — South East — 62

This list is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to embrace the growing trend for nostalgic travel and simpler holidays.

What the experts have to say

It's clear that the desire to unplug is becoming a big deal. People are actively choosing to step back from their busy, always-on lives and rediscover the joy of simple travel. Daniela Freidrich at Camplify UK commented on the findings.

“We’re seeing more people actively choosing to step back from busy, always-on lifestyles. There’s something really refreshing about heading off in a campervan with no rigid plan, finding a quiet campsite and swapping screen time for sea views or hilltop sunsets. It gives you the freedom to slow down, change route if you fancy it, and enjoy a simpler kind of travel. It’s no surprise that Yorkshire is in third place on the Analogue Escape Index, it’s got everything travellers need for the ultimate off-grid road trip.”