The opinion that UK self-catering holidays are the best thing you could possibly do with your time off certainly isn’t an unusual one – and the events of the past few years have certainly turned more people around to this way of thinking about their holidays, as they have experienced the joys of a British break rather than jetting off to foreign parts.

But now that the travel ban has been lifted, is there a reason to holiday more at home? We’d say the answer to that question is a resounding ‘yes!’. In fact, we think there are quite a few reasons…

You’re spoilt for choice in Britain
From soft sandy beaches to rugged mountains, bucolic villages nestled in rolling countryside to vibrant city centres, there really is something for everyone when it comes to self-catering holidays in the UK. We’re a bit biased, of course, but we think our corner of Suffolk takes some beating – it really is the best in our eyes. We’re located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with peace and quiet aplenty, but also plenty of pubs, restaurants and day-out destinations within easy reach, not to mention walking, running, cycling and other sporting opportunities (the Stoke by Nayland Resort , next to Apple Tree Lodges, also boasts two Championship golf courses and a spa).

You don’t have to spend whole days travelling
Admittedly, if you chose to holiday with us and you live on the northern coast of Scotland, then you might find yourself making quite a trip, and yes it could take the whole day. However, for the most part our guests don’t travel quite that far to get to us – we’re around 90 minutes’ drive from London, and holidaymakers who live in parts of Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Hertfordshire (plus of course our own glorious county of Suffolk) can reach us in a similar time.

You don’t need a passport
Our beautiful location in the Dedham Value AONB may help you feel as if you’ve been transported to a relaxing place where life runs at a very different pace, but you’re still in good old Blighty! You won’t need any paperwork, all you’ll need for our check-in process is to introduce yourself at reception, and we’ll show you to your self-catering accommodation.

No boarding or immigration queues, overpriced refreshments, or extortionate airport parking
Travelling costs can be kept to a minimum when you holiday in the UK, as not only will your jaunt be rather more local than when travelling abroad, but you’re not compelled to purchase anything on your way – mind you, there’s something to be said for making your journey part of the holiday, and identifying a lovely place for lunch en-route! And the only queuing you’ll have to do is if you come across heavy traffic on your way to us (though of course this can often be avoided, or at least minimised, using a tool like Google Maps).

Your holiday spend supports the British economy
It’s been a tough time for a lot of people these past few years, so supporting our local economies by holidaying in Britain can really make a difference to a lot of lives. You’ll not only be helping to pay the wages of staff working in the UK hospitality industry (and maybe adding a few tips, too!), but you’ll also be contributing to the incomes of food suppliers, cleaning and maintenance contractors, retailers and specialist activity staff, too – to name but a few.

You won’t need a phrase book
Even the strongest of Suffolk accents doesn’t need any translation! By booking your holiday in the UK you’ll be assured that there won’t be any communication difficulties or misunderstandings to take the edge off your time away.

You can eat what, where, and when you want
No need to make sure you’re in the right place at the right time for a meal – or worry about whether the menu will be to your taste or meet dietary or allergy requirements. Self-catering holidays give you the flexibility to choose what, where and when you eat. Feel like ordering in a pizza on your first evening? No problem, a quick phonecall to our friends at Stoke by Nayland Resort will sort that. Planning to cook up a storm after a visit to a local farm shop? You’ll have all the facilities you need in your Lodge. Want to blow the budget on a gastronomic adventure by eating out every night? You’ll be delighted at the wealth of restaurant and pub options in the local area.

Of course, we must address the elephant in the room here – the British weather. When it comes to whether a foreign trip or a self-catering holiday in the UK is best, we could never argue for Britain and win every time, it’s just a fact that our weather can be gloriously changeable. But given that the right clothing can go a long way to mitigating any ‘British summer’ challenges, and that – being Britain, where rain is expected as a matter of course – there are plenty of holiday activities that can be done no matter whether the sun is smiling down on us or not, we still think UK holidays are the best!

Even with our sometimes unpredictable British weather in the mix, we’d still rather enjoy a self-catering holiday in the UK than jet off to foreign climes – and after reading our thoughts on the matter, we’re sure you’ll see our point, too!