Escaping the bustle of London can provide much-needed respite – and what better way to make the most of your break from the city than with your own holiday home you can return to again and again?

Photo: Best of Suffolk

“Owning a holiday home means you can enjoy a relaxing weekend away any time you fancy, while also reaping the benefits of year-round income from letting it out,” says Abi Charter, marketing manager of award-winning holiday cottage lettings agency, Best of Suffolk.

“With a tourism spend whose value is worth £28.4 billion, Suffolk is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, with the vast majority of visitors coming from London to enjoy the country air and east coast scenery.”

The Resident chats to Abi about the benefits of buying a holiday home in Suffolk.

A refreshing mix of coastline and countryside

Whether you’re looking to soak up the sea views or relax in a rural retreat, Suffolk offers an abundance of enticing holiday options.

The charming seaside towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold are among the most popular spots for visitors and have a history of attracting Londoners since the Victoria era.

Since Victorian times, Suffolk has been a popular holiday destination for Londoners, royalty and a host of celebs. Photo: Best of Suffolk

“Members of the royal family and London’s high society made Suffolk’s coastline famous when they would come to ‘take to the waters’ in Victorian times,” Abi explains. “There’s a collection of five beach huts named after the royal family, including Victoria and Albert, in a nod to the area’s history.”

Further inland, the quintessential English market towns of Framlingham and Lavenham are filled with historic charm and surrounded by stunning Suffolk countryside.

“The county is a natural playground for cycling, walking and water activities – not forgetting the exciting cultural events throughout the year, including Latitude Festival, Aldeburgh Carnival and Southwold Arts Festival,” says Abi.

“The best bit is that you can reach most of these destinations in under two hours by train or car from London, which means you can easily be in your holiday home on Friday evening in time for the weekend,” she adds.

Best of Suffolk’s expert team can manage your holiday home, helping to maximise your income. Photo: Best of Suffolk

Beautiful properties and celebrity endorsements

From colourful villas with panoramic sea views to quaint village cottages and rustic farm stays, Suffolk is home to a diverse range of properties.

Best of Suffolk specialise in 4 and 5-star self-catering holiday homes with luxury facilities including hot tubs, swimming pools and open fires.

“Whether it’s a dog-friendly, family getaway you’re searching for or a romantic couple’s retreat, you shouldn’t struggle to find the perfect home away from home,” says Abi.

Best of Suffolk only list luxury four or five star properties and achieve full value bookings – Credit: Best of Suffolk

With a choice of deluxe properties and spectacular scenery, it’s easy to understand why a host of celebrities have chosen to call this pretty pocket of England home.

“We’ve got a bit of a celebrity fan base here in Suffolk,” says Abi, “including the likes of Ed Sheeran – whose hit song Castle on the Hill is about Framlingham Castle – Claudia Schieffer, Kit Harrington, Bill Nighy and David Morrisey, to name a few.”

Short-term holiday lets vs buy to lets

Aside from the obvious appeal of year-round use for you and your loved ones, owning a holiday home can also be a lucrative investment.

Best of Suffolk’s luxury holiday home portfolio commands high prices throughout the year, with an expert team on-hand to generate maximum income from your property.

Specialist marketing services, like professional photography, help ensure maximum bookings. Photo: Best of Suffolk

“In peak season, you can get the same amount of income for a week with a Suffolk holiday home as you could for a month with a buy to let,” says Abi.

“We also only charge commission on the holiday dates we sell and don’t require agency costs for an empty property, as you might do with a long-term rental.”

Best of Suffolk have established relationships with local estate agents and can help advise on the most profitable locations, what type of property to buy and predicted income.

They also offer a complete marketing service to generate interest in your property and have a dedicated guest experience team for peace of mind that your property is in good hands.

To find out more, visit bestofsuffolk.co.uk and click on ‘Let Your Property.’