Center Parcs - Whinfell. What's the latest?

[bangingmyheadoffabrickwall]

We are a group of six, which includes our DS aged 4 and DD aged 20 months, going to CP Whinfell in just over four weeks. We are super excited as we have never been to a CP resort before.

Just wondering what the latest 'gossip' is on the place (changes, building works, closures etc) and if anyone can answer a few of our questions etc.

1. When is the swimming pool open? Hope to get there as close to 10am as possible though we know we cannot check-in to our accommodation until 3/3:30pm.
   

1. Do they provide swimming vests for small children - my DD HATES being held in the water and wants to explore but armbands swamp her and she hasn't got the flexibility in her arms.
   

1. How many slides are there and will my 'able-swimmer' DS be able to ride them?
   

1. Is food available in the swimming complex without having to get changed etc. i.e. can we eat and sit in our swimming attire?
   

1. Is there a time limit on pool use?
   

1. What are the 'New-Style Executive' Lodges like? Where on the map are they? We have them pinpointed to Bilberry Wood but could be wrong.
   

1. Is it feasible to BBQ? We are not adverse to BBQing in increment weather!
   

1. What free stuff can we do? Activities etc. It is a minefield navigating the activity list.
   

1. How busy does it really get? We are going Halloween weekend!!
   

10. Any other tips to avoid the disasters and rookie mistakes???

Thank You!!!

[NoMudNoLotus]

Many of the answers to these questions are on the CP website.

[NoMudNoLotus]

The website shows you what your accommodation is like , the map will also show you where your number lodge is .

[helensburgh]

Sorry I'm. No help.but I love the excitement from your post. Have a fab time

[NoMudNoLotus]

Free stuff - swimming & walking & nature centre , kids disco & parks.

All else to be paid for.

[Lovefromhull]

Not been recently- but I love Whinfell! Am most jealous! Have a fab time :)

[harrypoooter]

Swimming pool opens at 10am but if you have a wee one you can go to baby swim before. All swim jackets provided. There is a cafe at the side of the pool where you can eat but just outside the changing rooms there are plenty more places to eat.

Bbq in all lodges but we've never used it.

Free stuff: swimming, walking, riding bikes, parks, little exercise things around the paths (we take our DD on all of them).

Xx

[harrypoooter]

Go at 10 am the day you check in. You can swim then eat before checking in.

Free mini disco every night.

[EarSlaps]

Whinfell was lovely when we went in February. It's really easy to get around compared to longleat.

Yes, there are little swimming vests. I think the bigger slides are height restricted to 120cm (our then 6yo was too small) but there are slides for the younger ones and a couple of great splash areas for them.

We stayed in a three bed new style executive lodge- it was lovely and really nice to have the fire going in February too! You do have to buy their logs but we spent £20 in total on two multi packs and had roaring fires each night. The BBQ they provide is pretty much a shelf for you to put a disposable BBQ on. You can bring one or they sell them in the shop.

I suspect Halloween will be busy due to half term, but it is pretty much always fully booked anyway (they adjust their prices to make sure it is) and is never too over crowed. Just make sure you book any activities or restaurants you want.

[EarSlaps]

Never any time limits on pool. Plenty of walks and playground areas. We rarely book anything else in. My DSs did mini crossbows but that was it. There's a nice walk with bird feeders along it that my two enjoyed.

[lozengeoflove]

Riding bikes is free only if you bring your own. We just came back from EF - £60 to hire a bike with trailer.

Have a fab holiday.

[Helpisathand13]

You will have a fantastic time I'm sure. Others have answered your questions but I just wanted to reiterate it is a great holiday. Check the prices of activities and some are cheaper for groups like crown green bowls. Or at certain times like indoor bowling off peak. We pay for tennis,badminton,short tennis,table tennis type stuff and over stay our time if no one else turns up to the next slot or move to the next available court /table no one bothers. Enjoy

[Frazzled2207]

Others have answered most of your questions but your final confirmation from center parcs will confirm which actual lodge it is which is handy as you can them look at the map.

It will be very very busy.

[EarSlaps]

Oh, we always do ten pin bowling too but pick times carefully as the price varies a lot!

[Frazzled2207]

Oh and earlier this year there was free soft play at the sports plaza, in one of the tennis courts iirc. Our kids loved that. It was supposed to be chargeable but they weren't bothering when we were there.

[bangingmyheadoffabrickwall]

Oh, thank you all. Maybe I am a bit technological illiterate but I couldn't fin the answers to some of my questions on the website, hence me asking.

I don't know where my lodge is - only guessing as we didn't book a specific number. We got 'pot luck' as the website wanted extra money for us to choose. Since we hadn't been before, we thought we wouldn't know what we would be getting anyways by booking a specific one.

Bummer about the height restriction. I have a tall 4 year old (114cm tall at last check by HV in the summer). Maybe I should get him some wedge heeled flippers!

Both kids love soft play so that is good. Just taking the kids bikes but hey-ho, DH may be convinced to hire. I have tried to persuade him to get a bike rack for the car so we can take ours, but no such luck.

[Frazzled2207]

They will tell you where your lodge is- if you haven't had it yet look out for the mailing that comes with a map etc. Will have lodge number.

[cestlavielife]

Hire bikes for whole time you tgere works out cheaper than day by day. No more expensive than other bike hire places.

[bangingmyheadoffabrickwall]

Aahaha!

Yes! Seen our address for CP!

[IAmTheWhoreOfBabylon]

You can link your debit card to your wrist band and use it to buy food in the swimming pool. Do it at the machine before you go in