Why Holiday in the UK

We are fortunate that my inlaws, whilst residing in the UK, have kept on a house by the seaside in East Anglia. We have just spent a lovely week with them, and Joseph has greatly enjoyed himself, with donkey rides, paddling and eating copious amounts of ice cream.

When I first moved to England I was struck by its beauty and diversity. I loved exploring the place, and I loved how easy it was for me, a non driver, to get places by train. I love trains, a complete novelty for me as the last passenger trains in Tasmania stopped when I was about 5.

After a couple of years I was lured by cheap travel to the Europe, and found it amazing that in just over an hour I could be in another country, so different to the one I had just left. In Australia overseas travel is very much a luxury, although somewhat more accessible now than it was say 20 years ago.

I have done both with Joseph, in his 2 short years since discharge we have travelled in the UK, and abroad. I find now, that holidaying in the UK very much appeals to me.

1. Travel logistics - car transport agrees with Joseph. He loves looking out the window, he sucks his blankie, he dances to the radio, so much easier than rawling with airports and their dazzling lights and hidey holes and long corridors.

2. Being able to meander and stop - I love to stop at roadside stalls or to have a brew and a cake. You can break up your journey if you want, and its much easier to have "joy in the journey" when you are travelling on the ground rather than air.

3. Exploring your own country - I am astounded how much of the UK I have seen compared to some of my English friends, and I am not nearly as widely travelled as I'd like to be. I love the beauty of Britain, it really is amazing, and the diversity never ceases to astound me. I love hearing the different accents, and trying the different food. If you look for it there is a culinary diversity that is quite amazing.

4. Keeping the economy moving - Europe is no longer the bargain it used to be, and its good to keep our money in the UK and to help small businesses and small villages.

5. The weather - I know its unpredictable, and being a Tasmanian I am used to waking up with a "dry weather plan" and a "wet weather plan". I think the changeable weather is part of Britain's charm. And I have to say that although we were in East Anglia and the weather wasn't stunning, we didn't once have to execute our wet weather plan, and I've come home with virgin colouring books and Crayola markers.

Now having said all this, we are having a week away in Rhodes in September, but we think that next year we will not have a holiday abroad at all, and stay in the UK. I really want to try Glamping? Have any of you done it? Any recommendations? Would love to hear from you!