A new global travel guide put together by Lonely Planet has been welcomed by holiday venues Stonham Barns Park and Pisces Country Park which both regularly welcome visitors to Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

The Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 guide describes East Anglia as ‘traditional England’ with ‘a coastline adorned with beaches and bird reserves.’

Also in the top ten regions were the Tamar Valley in Australia, Slovakia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bavaria in Germany.

In Suffolk, ‘Listening to the wind among the reeds creates a soul-soothing soundtrack at birding spots such as Minsmere’ is an experience not to be missed, according to those who compiled the most recent guide.  Cambridge was mentioned for ‘university-hopping’ and a night out in Norwich was listed as memorable for its ‘live music, art shows and creative dining.’

Said Keith Forward of Stonham Barns Park, ‘Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire are counties unlike any other.  They all have stunning scenery, amazing wildlife and huge skies. They are away from the crowds and people do just love to visit to chill and relax.’

‘It is a surprise to see the listing alongside the likes of Trinidad and Tobago but it is truly deserved.  It’s a place of peace and quiet for those who want to escape to the country and the coast and many people do make the most of every opportunity they can to visit.’

‘This will give East Anglia a further boost – we’re thrilled to know the region has been recognised globally in this way!’

At Stonham Barns Park you can visit Stonham Aspal in Suffolk or stay in over 140 acres of countryside with links to all the neighbouring tourist attractions.  At Pisces Country Park on the Norfolk/Cambridgeshire border, visitors can visit or stay at the venue which is located at Welney near the hugely popular Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands reserve.

The Aspal Campsite at Stonham Barns Park which hosts touring caravans, motorhomes and tents. Campsite pitches are available with or without electrical hook ups, all set in a parkland location with a children’s play area and easy access to all the facilities at Stonham Barns Park.  Dogs are welcome too.

Another option for holidaying at Stonham Barn Park, is a luxury static holiday home or lodge, with beautiful views over the Suffolk countryside and stunning fishing lakes. Visitors can simply stay and play or try and buy. Next to the Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex coast, Stonham Barns Park is a go-to destination venue for families from the East of England and from all over the UK.

New leisure facilities have been added to Stonham Barns Park to enhance the visitor experience including a new sports bar and clubhouse, new children’s play facilities and new adventure footgolf.  The venue also includes fishing lakes, an owl sanctuary and birds of play centre, a nine-hole golf course, adventure golf, footgolf, golf simulators, theatre, and around 45 village shops, a café and restaurant and a garden centre.

For more information about holiday homes at Stonham Barns Park please contact Nick Church or Lee John on 01449 711755 or email: [email protected]

Visit www.stonhambarns.co.uk or www.piscescountrypark.co.uk for further information. 

Summer is finally here and Pisces Country Park, located in Welney on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border, has seen more people choosing to buy a holiday lodge following a stay at the country park and its adjoining venue Acorn Holiday Park. 

The holiday parks have four abundantly stocked fishing lakes and on 31 August and 1 September both parks are opening their doors to visitors interested in a look at the holiday homes on sale there for short breaks and holidays.

The holiday parks – situated on a 20-acre site featuring beautifully landscaped lawns, shrubs and wooded areas – are the ideal location for those who enjoy peace and tranquillity and above all getting away from busy everyday life.  It has become the destination of choice for people from all over the UK since holidays at home have enjoyed a surge in popularity.

Says Nick Church at Pisces Country Park, ‘Summer is the ideal time for people to look into a holiday home purchase but the glorious countryside is there to enjoy all year. It’s the ideal base for touring the beauty spots of East Anglia and for anglers the fishing here can be enjoyed during each and every season.’

‘Lodges cost less than you would expect to purchase but the benefit they bring families is priceless.  A place to escape to whenever you need some family time.  We are expecting visitors will be impressed with what’s on offer as these holiday homes offer outstanding value for money – and that’s key to any purchase.’

‘People do still want to enjoy life so many are joining the growing number of holiday home owners in the UK.  While the cost of home ownership is high on the coast just a short drive away prices are all the more affordable.’

Established in the 1940s as a tench fishery, Pisces Country Park has three lakes heavily stocked with carp, pike, tench, roach and bream.  It has won the David Bellamy Conservation Gold Awards for countryside achievement and been endorsed by some of the country’s most famous anglers – including Bob Nudd MBE who is now angling ambassador for the park.

The parks were acquired by its current owners in 2019 and 2020 since then significant investment has been made in the facilities there.  The holiday home accommodation on offer is being updated with many new units being added to replace older stock; at the same time as improvements are being made to the parks’ infrastructures and specialist conservation work is being continued to enhance the grounds and lakes.

Speaking about the recent success with increased demand for short breaks and the purchase of holiday lodges at the two sites, Paul Stanton said: ‘People are enjoying countryside breaks again – more than ever before – and rentals can be the route to purchasing a holiday home.  Some buyers are looking to invest some money maybe from the sale of an asset, lottery win or inheritance.  Some people have even purchased a holiday home to be near family members who might not have the space to accommodate family members for visits.  It’s all about time with family and friends.’

‘Fishing is one of the UK’s largest participation sports and it is great for mindfulness and health.  Getting out into nature is clearly what people want, to live a more fulfilled life, so we are seeing more visitors than usual and more people wanting to invest in a holiday home so that they have somewhere to go at the weekends.’

Luxury furnished holiday lodges are available to rent at Acorn Holiday Park and to buy at Pisces Country Park.  Prices at Acorn Holiday Park start from £75 per night including fishing and from £34,995 for a fully furnished luxury holiday home.  All accommodation is situated beside a lake.

For more information please call 0800 048 5326 or visit www.holidayparkhomes.co.uk

A glamping camp site at Brome in Suffolk – on the Suffolk/Norfolk border – is replacing bell tents with luxury holiday homes in a new initiative – Oak Lodge Park – to bring holiday home ownership to those who love to explore the beauty and host of activities offered by the two much-loved counties.

The family run Oak Lodge Retreat is set in the middle of an idyllic rural landscape away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life which made it the ideal spot to develop into a new development of luxury holiday homes for buyers from all over the UK.  An Open Day event at the venue will bring the holiday lodge concept to prospective buyers on Saturday 10 August.  

Explains owner Paul Razey, ‘This will be one of the most beautiful holiday parks in Suffolk when it is completed because of its tree-lined, delightful location.  It is a holiday sanctuary which will eventually be a gated community, an oasis of calm and tranquillity. As a glamping base this location at Nick’s Lane, Brome has been highly praised by our regular visitors.  It is a very special place to relax and unwind – and to explore all the amenities offered by Norfolk and Suffolk.  It has been our intention to keep this plot for quality holidays and now that we have permission to develop the site into a holiday park for use for all 12 months of the year we are looking forward to realising our vision for the ultimate holiday location in the months ahead.’

Phase one of the development will see the development of 12 new lodges – in a choice of single and twin plots.  The holiday homes will be offered from leading manufacturers including Atlas and Pemberton.  Those purchasing lodges will be able to choose the layout and design that is best for their family.  As a family site, dogs are welcome at the site as there are many walks in the area for them to enjoy.

Continues Paul, ‘It seems that the appetite for holiday home ownership is as strong as ever as people are looking to spend precious time with family and friends and the UK still offers the best opportunity for this to happen.  It’s all about making memories and this is something that only the UK can offer.  It’s stress free ‘homely’ set up means people can have fun without the limitations of being overseas. Owning your own UK holiday home gives you more opportunities to spend time with loved ones – and this is what we are offering here in this glorious setting.’

The new holiday homes start from £85,000 for high specification, contemporary accommodation.  Pitch fees include VAT, local rates and water.  There are no facilities onsite but for top quality food and drink, or extra accommodation for visiting family and friends, The Oaksmere, a delightfully restored country house boutique hotel and restaurant is only a two-minute drive away.

Oak Lodge Park is surrounded by stunning countryside with the nearest main town of Eye, which is also just a two-minute drive away.  The picturesque town of Diss is also close by.  Other places of interest include the seaside town of Southwold, Aldeburgh, Framlingham Castle and one of Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday venues, Stonham Barns Park at Stonham Aspal, near Stowmarket.  A day out for the whole family with onsite attractions including an owl sanctuary, golf park, retail village, fishing lakes, café, seasonal fairground and weekly family shows.

For further information visit www.oaklodgepark.co.uk or call 01579 430053 or email [email protected]

Stonham Barns Park Retail Village is expanding to create the most affordable retail experience in Suffolk with a variety of different sized pods and outlets available and, as it does, it is becoming an antiques, furniture, garden, creativity and crafts hub for Suffolk.

There are 45 outlets at the venue offering start-ups no maintenance, free parking and retail marketing support.  The out-of-town shopping experience is attracting an increasing number of antiques, furniture and garden centre buyers.  Explains Keith Forward, Director of Stonham Barns Park, ‘It’s true that rural retail is still doing well as creative business owners are excelling with products that you just can’t buy on the high street.  Demand for antiques has always been strong in mid-Suffolk and as a result our flagship antiques brand Aspal Antiques has thrived in this countryside setting expanding in recent years to add Aspal Reclaim and Aspal Emporium to its retail activities.’

Other antiques shops support the main antiques business including Mrs A Antiques & Collectables, The Book Cellar, The Vintage Cellar and The Attic.  An Autumn Antiques Fair will be held at the venue on 19 October hosted by Aspal Antiques following on from the success of the Spring Antiques Fair earlier in the year. New business start-ups are also expanding at the Stonham Aspal venue including framing and interiors shop Hemingstone Frames, glass etching specialist Dawn’s Designs, trading cards and accessories specialist GGS Trading Cards and Collectables, dog accessories retailer The Dog Business and wood carving studio Wildlife Creations in Wood.

More independents are starting up in Suffolk.  Green-shoots businesses with creativity and ingenuity at their heart.  Many individuals giving up jobs since the pandemic to find a business opportunity to focus on that makes them happy. Investing personal savings in business ideas that work both on a retail and online level.  Many of these entrepreneurs are women – probably 70% of the total of 44 outlets – with businesses ranging from fashion and jewellery to a grooming business and a sweet shop. 

These new business owners often want to fit work around family life – and do something they enjoy – and so have developed start-up businesses to give them a permanent income stream that they can develop over time to suit their lifestyle.

This latest phase of retailers are joining some established retailers at Stonham Barns Park who include the highly successful jacuzzi hot tub and swim spa distributor Hot Tub Village, sheds, summer house and garden office supplier Tiger, wedding specialist Suffolk Bridal Outlet, the all-new Stonham Discount Garden and Home Centre.

Other retailers that have recently joined the village include award winning art and jewellery specialist Sakura Art Studio and outdoor and indoor hobby shop Hobbs Hobbies.  Added to these, The Beauty Barn, Elegant Hair & Beauty, Celebrations & Toys, Post Office, The Village Stores, The Serpent & Rose Tattoo Studio, Anything & Everything, Molly Blog’s Sweet Shop, Stone Rose Crystals, Ideal Interiors, Cambridge Windows, Stonham Barns Golf Centre, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, The Little Dance Barn, TJ Jacks, Carters of Suffolk and Go Cruise and Travel.

Says Stonham Barns Park owner Alan Forward, ‘Stonham Barns Park is one of Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday destinations.  As a venue, we attract thousands of visitors each month for a variety of reasons – whether it’s coming here for holiday breaks, golf, to eat and drink or to attend one of our many shows – and so there is always a ready supply of potential retail customers here for start-up businesses.’

‘The unique range of products on offer means that people can find items that are ‘not-on-the-high-street’ and this makes the place attractive for shoppers who are looking for something a little different. The choice is there and the environment is relaxed with no worries about costly parking – as it’s free.  Visitors can stay for as long as they want to knowing that there is no cost to leaving or a battle through the traffic of a town or city on the way home.’

‘It makes sense that more people are choosing out of town shopping to make the experience more memorable particularly when we have other attractions on hand too.  It’s all there within the same location and the atmosphere does change depending on the season.  We have a free to enter Easter and Christmas Craft Market which also makes it very popular.  It attracts many stall holders many of whom sign up for a retail outlet if they find they do well with the introduction of their home-launched business ideas.’

‘More people seem to be taking to rural shopping locations.  We hope it continues to bring us more visitors into the future.’

A new study – undertaken by Thermos (published in March) and welcomed by Stonham Barns Park – has looked at the thoughts of people considering holiday options for this year. 

The study reported that – out of a group of 1000 holiday makers polled – 52% would choose to stay close to home while 48% would choose to go abroad during 2024, and one in three said they had a staycation at some point last year.  When asked about preferred destinations for a UK getaway, 11% said they kept theirs secret from wider acquaintances as they feared them becoming too touristy. 

The East of England – including Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire – was the top staycation destination in a line-up of 10 regions.  The best things about a staycation in the UK included saving travelling time, supporting local businesses, exploring, being kinder to the environment, saving money, language advantage, less stressful, no restrictions on luggage, familiar food and being able to take pets along.

Another survey from Sheffield Hallam University and Liverpool John Moores University revealed how camping in the great outdoors is good for your mental health and wellbeing. The study from last year – commissioned by The Camping and Caravanning Club – was also welcomed by the directors of Stonham Barns Park who are gearing up for the main summer season. 

At Stonham Barns Park you can stay in the The Aspal Campsite which hosts touring caravans, motorhomes, tents and even tipis – and offers the ultimate luxury camping experience in the form of glamping which is becoming increasingly popular. Campsite pitches are available with or without electrical hook ups, all set in a parkland location with a children’s play area and easy access to all the facilities at Stonham Barns Park.  Dogs are welcome too.

Another option for holidaying at Stonham Barn Park, is a luxury static holiday home or lodge, with beautiful views over the Suffolk countryside and stunning fishing lakes. Visitors can simply stay and play or try and buy. Next to the Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex coast, Stonham Barns Park is a go-to destination venue for families from the East of England and from all over the UK.

Keith Forward, Director at family owned Stonham Barns Park, says: ‘We have many people who come to Stonham Barns Park for a short break and then become regulars or lodge owners because of the benefits of being outdoors and surrounded by nature.’

‘UK breaks have become particularly important in recent years as a method of destressing for the whole family.  It is important to have somewhere to go to where you can relax on arrival and we think that Suffolk always offers something unique to those who want to camp, glamp or relax in a luxury lodge.’

‘Camping in all its forms puts us outside more – and gives us a temporary break from technology – and so it can only be good for us.  We live with so many challenges in life that anything that helps people to feel better about themselves and each other is vitally important.  Short and long breaks in the UK are maintaining their position in terms of volume of bookings as people enjoy the sense of adventure and relaxation that comes with holidaying at home.’

Static and lodge sales can follow domestic holidays because some of the people who book short breaks sometimes then explore holiday home ownership options.

Over the past two years, more people have purchased a holiday home in the UK to save the uncertainty of travelling abroad and the increased cost of foreign travel – and some have even purchased a holiday bolthole near to family to combine a break away with a chance to see family members, who might not have space to accommodate family members for visits.

Nick Church, Lodge Sales Manager based at Stonham Barns Park, talks about the variety of state-of-the-art static caravans and lodges that you can invest in to make the most of a ‘family and friends’ holiday. ‘You can use the holiday homes for up to 11 months of the year you simply need a main residential address to buy – the season runs from February to December every year. The lodges and static caravans are now beautifully modern holiday homes.  They have evolved to residential level luxury and so are attracting a new set of buyers who want to optimise their mini breaks during the year.’

A holiday home in the static section of Stonham Barns Park holiday park can be purchased for anything from £15,000 to £70,000.  These are typically 2-bedroomed caravans that sleep up to 6 people.  Those who buy and rent out to family and friends can often expect to pay for their investment in around 3-4 years. Lodge sales can range from £70,000 to £250,000 and come with lake or golf locations, a 6-metre strip of land, and are usually enhanced with decking, a BBQ and a hot tub.

Master bedrooms with showers and open plan kitchen and living areas make the accommodation feel like a home from home.  An outdoor lifestyle including Al Fresco dining are major drivers for a UK holiday home purchase.

New leisure facilities have been added to Stonham Barns Park to enhance the visitor experience including a new sports bar and clubhouse, new children’s play facilities and new adventure footgolf.  The venue also includes fishing lakes, an owl sanctuary and birds of play centre, a nine-hole golf course, adventure golf, footgolf, golf simulators, theatre, and around 45 village shops, a café and restaurant and a garden centre.

For more information about holiday homes at Stonham Barns Park please contact Nick Church on 0800 048 5326 or email: [email protected]

Stonham Barns Park is a bustling family complex offering holiday accommodation, attractions and activities based in the heart of Suffolk, UK.

Visit www.stonhambarns.co.uk for further information. 

Stonham Barns Park – one of Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday venues – is staging an Open Weekend on Saturday 30 March and Sunday 31 March to showcase its range of luxury static holiday homes and lodges.  With breath-taking views over the Suffolk countryside and stunning fishing lakes, Stonham Barns Park is a peaceful and tranquil location which is being enhanced during 2024 with the introduction of a new phase of 7-luxury golfing and leisure lodges.

Visitors to the leisure and holiday venue can simply stay and play or try and buy. Next to the Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex coast, Stonham Barns Park is a go-to destination venue for families from the East of England and from all over the UK.

Rentals via portals – like The Suffolk Coast – can be the route to people purchasing a holiday home as many people who visit a favourite holiday short break location then want to explore holiday home ownership options.  As do people looking to invest some money maybe from the sale of an asset, lottery win or inheritance.  Over the past two years, more people have purchased a holiday home in the UK to save the uncertainty of travelling abroad and the increased cost of foreign travel. Some have even purchased a holiday bolthole near to family to combine a break away with a chance to see family members, who might not have space to accommodate family members for visits.

The Open Weekend will showcase new and resale lodges and statics at the park.  Visitors can view the lodges, tour the facilities and enjoy complimentary hospitality over the duration of the weekend.

Nick Church, Lodge Sales Manager based at Stonham Barns Park, says: ‘Today’s holiday lodges and static caravans are now beautifully appointed, modern holiday homes which are virtually maintenance-free unlike second-home holiday homes. They have evolved to residential level luxury and so are attracting a new set of buyers who want to optimise their mini breaks during the year.  Some just want to get away from their home locations at the weekends and some want to visit family and friends in the area without relying directly on their hospitality!’

‘People are still making decisions that will directly improve their lifestyle and – even though we are going through tough times – holiday home investments are still a talking point, particularly here in Suffolk.’

Holiday home buyers can use the accommodation for up to 11 months of the year.  Those interested simply need a main residential address to buy – the season runs from February to December every year.

A holiday home in the static section of Stonham Barns Park holiday park can be purchased for anything from £15,000 to £70,000.  These are typically 2-bedroomed caravans that sleep up to 6 people.  Those who buy and rent out to family and friends can often expect to pay for their investment in around 3-4 years.

Lodge sales can range from £70,000 to £350,000 and come with lake or golf locations, a 6-metre strip of land, and are usually enhanced with decking, a BBQ and a hot tub.  Again, most include a minimum of two bedrooms with extra sleeping space in the lounge area. 

Master bedrooms with showers and open plan kitchen and living areas make the accommodation feel like a home from home.  An outdoor lifestyle including Al Fresco dining are major drivers for a UK holiday home purchase.

Adds Nick, ‘Short breaks are now more popular than ever as people look to take regular breaks away from home.’

‘The weather clearly makes a difference and based on last year’s hot summer we are expecting interest in lodges to be buoyant again this year. Suffolk as a county is certainly a destination of choice with visitors coming from all over the UK.’

‘Some are choosing to buy into lodge accommodation as a base for short breaks and fishing and wildlife watching are often cited as reasons to buy. The Suffolk coastline is a magnet for people from the East of England who want to head for the coast when the better weather is here.’

New leisure facilities are being added to Stonham Barns Park to enhance the visitor experience including a new sports bar and clubhouse, new children’s play facilities and new adventure footgolf.  The venue also includes an owl sanctuary and birds of play centre, a nine-hole golf course, adventure golf, footgolf, golf simulators, theatre, bistro and around 40 village shops, café and restaurant and a garden centre.

For more information about holiday homes at Stonham Barns Park please contact Nick Church on 0800 048 5326 or email [email protected]

Master dog trainer Graeme Hall has taken on the challenge of helping a couple who have a holiday lodge in Welney, Norfolk and a dog who is not keen on them fishing!

Lodge owners Linda and Sue enjoy spending time fishing at Pisces Country Park – located Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border – but their Scottie cross dog Hugo gets hugely excited at the sight of fishing rods in action, and so is prone to barking as soon as he sees the fishing rods being picked up.

‘While Hugo enjoys being out by the lake, he has a habit of barking the moment we pick up the rods,’ explains Linda. Fishing is a relaxing sport and the surroundings are beautiful where we are and so this is a problem that we needed help with.  We have to take the other lodge owners into consideration and so we thought we would call in the master dog trainer to help.’

‘It was lovely to meet Graeme and he certainly made a difference with his ideas and tips but it’s not an overnight fix and so we are still working on Hugo!’

Following a successful 4-part series going behind the scenes at the UK’s top veterinary hospital in The Dog Hospital with Graeme Hall last year, Graeme Hall is back to carry on solving pooch problems, with a new sixth series of Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 5.  He travels the length and breadth of the country meeting exhausted owners with their out of control and unruly four-legged friends, desperate for his no nonsense advice, easy to follow training techniques and long lasting fixes.

The Pisces Country Park is situated on a 20-acre site featuring beautifully landscaped lawns, shrubs and wooded areas – it is the ideal location for those who enjoy peace and tranquillity and above all getting away from busy everyday life.

Established in the 1940s as a tench fishery, Pisces Country Park has three lakes heavily stocked with carp, pike, tench, roach and bream.  It has won the David Bellamy Conservation Gold Awards for countryside achievement and been recommended by some of the country’s most famous anglers – including Bob Nudd MBE who is now angling ambassador for the park.

For more information on the holiday parks please call 0800 048 5326 or visit www.holidayparkhomes.co.uk

For more info on Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly please contact Lucy Plosker at Avalon on [email protected]