Book a break in a luxury lodge.

AS VALUE for money becomes more important than ever during the recession, more and more Brits are choosing to holiday in their own country.

Bookings for UK breaks in 2009 are up, and the economic downturn is the "biggest ever opportunity to sell Britain", according to UK tour operator Hoseasons.

Now that people are choosing to take short breaks closer to home, holiday parks are set to experience a boom.

These range from traditional sites for touring caravans to centres with static homes, timber clad lodges and contemporary log cabins that are the last word in luxury and sophistication.

The common theme is that they provide home-from-home facilities for a clientele that now demands the highest standards of location, accommodation and service.

Touring caravans are now equipped with all the mod-cons, including central heating, air conditioning, hot and cold showers, flushing toilets, satellite entertainment and the sort of kitchens that would impress Gordon Ramsay.

Caravan sites are invariably located in areas of outstanding beauty, either in the most sought-after countryside or with spectacular seaside views and beach-side access. To a growing number of people static caravans are a more attractive alternative to a second home.

They cost a fraction of the price of a traditional bricks-and mortar building and offer huge financial benefits in terms of ongoing running costs.

Add up the bills for heating, lighting, water, gas, electricity, council tax, insurance and maintenance for a conventional house and you begin to appreciate the huge savings of owning a static caravan or one of the increasingly-popular log cabins.

Surrounded by like-minded people with a mission to enjoy a stress-free existence away from the daily grind, holiday parks are a 21st-Century Utopia.

For younger people, they provide instant access to activities alien to urban areas, whilst to those in search of a more leisurely existence they provide the perfect opportunity to relax on a well-placed veranda for some serious people-watching.

Holiday homes come in many shapes and sizes, but are invariably on sophisticated sites with swimming pools, spas, gyms, shops, restaurants, games areas, football pitches and all essential services.

Prices start at around pounds 18,000 and rise to pounds 30,000 or more, whilst for those who aspire to the most sophisticated static homes or log cabins in prime locations, the sky is the limit as far as prices are concerned - although they all cost significantly less than a conventional house without the views or facilities.

The wisest move is to rent initially to ensure that the lifestyle is suitable, which is achievable on a five-star site for about pounds 175 per week.

It is also advisable to experience different locations, especially as the diversity of this region offers some of the most spectacular countryside and beaches in Europe.

No other part of the UK can compete with our east and west coasts, the unspoilt countryside of Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire plus the dramatic scenery and lakes of Scotland and the Lake District, which are all within a days drive.

The process of buying holiday homes is now a one-stop-shop experience whereby the park operators arrange viewings, finance and all legalities.

There is even the facility to try-before-you-buy with holidays that are refundable against the cost of any subsequent purchase.

In our 16-page supplement we'll be showcasing the very best holiday parks in the North to help you plan your Best of British break.