Please recommend an apple tree

I know it's all subjective, but what's your favourite apple variety?

I'm looking for a single tree for a small allotment plot and I'm after a dessert or dual purpose variety.

So...if you could only have one variety, which would it be?

Also, there are lots of other trees on site but not on my plot. Do I need a self-fertile type or would trees on the next plot be OK for the job?

James Grieve always does well in my garden.  Trees nearby are usually sufficient to pollinate.  Whilst I know Bramleys are cooking apples I wouldn't be without one and can eat them like eaters!

I bought the Family Apple tree last year (so no fruit yet) It has Discovery, James Grieve and Sunset all grafted on the one tree on dwarf rootstock.  The three parts should flower at the same time for pollination.

I have 7 apple trees in my garden, and the most reliable is Discovery (it is also self fertile) with few problems and good cropping.  At the allotment, there is a tree right on the boundary so half of it overhangs on my side  - I think it is called Empire (only going off when the fruit are ready and very close similarity to size, shape and colour of fruit sold in the shops) and considering the tree was neglected for many years, it is a heavy cropper of lovely smallish, sweet & crunchy apples.

We have a James Grieve , a very heavy cropper (picked 3 gallon yesterday just to get some weight off the tree)  but the apples do not store well so you have to cook and freeze them.
They make a good apple pie but as an eating apple are fairly bland.
1st crop off the new Cox`s Orange will be ready soon , my favourite eater.

Seriously now, Spartan is self fertile, a very heavy cropper and one of the best flavoured eating apples you will find. One problem is that the apples don't store well so you will have plenty of juice or cider.