| SUMMER 2009 will forever be known as the year of | | | | The quality of static caravan and lodge |
| the 'stay-cation.' Holiday parks up and down the | | | | accommodation can be superb, with even the most |
| country were brimming with cash-strapped families | | | | discerning of customers catered for nowadays. For |
| without the budgets to jet off to sunnier climes. And | | | | the most part, both provide you with all of life's little |
| this summer is shaping up to be the same now that | | | | luxuries - from microwaves and kitchen equipment to |
| holidaying abroad has become even less appealing | | | | TVs and DVD players. Some even offer the kind of |
| due to the Icelandic volcano crisis and the ongoing | | | | breathtaking sea views one would only find in the |
| risk of airline strikes. | | | | priciest of hotel establishments. |
| But it isn't just prudence, volcanic ash fears and risk | | | | As for location, Brits are spoilt for choice. Many |
| of industrial action that prompts thousands of couples | | | | people just aren't aware - or don't appreciate - the |
| and families to choose this type of holiday every | | | | myriad of spectacularly beautiful sites that lay right |
| year - we explore why here. | | | | on our doorsteps. From stunning coastal scenery, |
| It's the day before you and your family are due to | | | | magnificent inland lakes and mountains, to enchanting |
| fly away for a week in the sun, supposedly leaving | | | | woodland, dramatic gorges and rolling countryside - |
| the stresses and strains of everyday life behind. But | | | | the UK is truly diverse and exploring it is a joy. |
| just preparing to get on that plane can be so frantic | | | | It really is no exaggeration to say that on a sunny |
| that the week is up before you've even drifted into | | | | day in Cornwall the azure-blue seas and craggy cliffs |
| relaxation mode. From the hassle of packing, | | | | wouldn't look out of place in Thailand. And then |
| stringent luggage allowances, getting to the airport on | | | | there's the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site which |
| time, delays and restless children - jetting off abroad | | | | spans for 95 miles between Dorset and East Devon |
| certainly has its downsides. | | | | and combines intimate little coves with great swathes |
| Many will think it's worth the ordeal, but others - | | | | of golden sandy beaches. It's considered some of the |
| especially those with small children - enjoy the | | | | best and most important coastline on the planet with |
| freedom of holidaying in the UK at one of the wide | | | | rocks recording 185 million years of the Earth's |
| choice of holiday parks on offer. And - in the year | | | | history. There's also Somerset, with its timeless |
| the buzzword 'stay-cation' was coined - it was a | | | | seaside resorts and spectacular inland scenery such |
| mindset ingrained in the hearts and minds of many | | | | as the Cheddar Caves and Gorge - thought to be |
| more families after they sacrificed their vacation | | | | the inspiration behind the Lord of the Rings trilogy. |
| abroad only to discover a new found appreciation for | | | | And that's just the South West covered. From |
| holidaying at home. | | | | Surrey to Suffolk, Hampshire to The Highlands - and |
| Firstly, it allows you to pack what you want - as long | | | | everything in between - our green and pleasant land |
| as it fits in the car - and drive it door-to-door within a | | | | has something for everyone. |
| time frame you choose. There's no strict check-in | | | | But what about the weather, I hear you grumble. |
| times to fret about, no soul-destroying airport queues | | | | Well, a sizzling summer is definitely overdue in Britain |
| to face, no luggage restrictions, no abysmal exchange | | | | and the experts are promising that 2010 will be our |
| rates and no passports to forget. | | | | year. It's started off well but even if it does take a |
| And the choice of holiday is bigger and better than | | | | nose dive, the beauty of the great British holiday is |
| ever, with parks catering for campers and | | | | that there's always something to do come rain or |
| caravanning as well as those who want the ease of | | | | shine. So much in fact, the last thing on your mind will |
| arriving at a fully equipped holiday home without the | | | | be lying on a beach all day. |
| need to take a heap of camping paraphernalia. | | | | |