Centre Parcs - is it worth the money?

[LauraNorder]

It look fantastic online but we've never been and it is quite a lot of money especially when our other holiday option is camping!!!!

Have you been? Is it worth it? I have 3 DCs aged 7, 5 and 1

[LacksDaisies]

I have been a few times, but only ever out of high season. Even then it seemed a bit overpriced for what you get, considering that everything over and above the swimming costs you money anyway.

We did go in the October hols a few years ago, but went to a parc in Belgium, as the accommodation, our ferry travel and an additional night in the on site hotel was (so 10 nights altogether) still, at £1100, less than the cost of a seven night stay in a UK parc (£1400 at the time)...and we had a sauna in our appt as well and breakfast rolls/croissants delivered every day as well

the best thing about it is the no cars rule, which means it's a pretty safe environment for the kids to run/cycle around in.

[piies]

Very reasonable out of season. My dc love it.

[LauraNorder]

We've left it a bit late this year so our only option is to go during the summer holidays. I can get a 3 bedroomed villa for £829 for 4 nights.

Maybe we'll have to dig the tent out and go camping instead

[Pootles2010]

I love center parcs, but wouldn't pay the prices during the holidays.

[fruitful]

We like it. I've just booked 5 days in next year's Easter holidays. It would have been 890 in Elveden. Same accomodation was £275 at one of the Belgian ones. I'm going to pay for the tunnel crossing with clubcard vouchers. And I've persuaded dh that we need a stopover in Bruges

[LauraNorder]

wow that's loads less!

[LauraNorder]

I might need to look in the European sites and start shopping at tescos

[LauraNorder]

Which European ones would you recommend?

[makeupmummy]

I hated it and it was the mostexpensive holiday we have ever been on!! That was because of the prices of food, and activities: even when we asked if there was somewhre dss and friend could play football, were told yes, could hire football pitch for some exorbitant price per hour . The food places were pretty rubbish and soooo expensive, it was scarey and I could not be described as parsimonious... I do have friends who go and lke it, but not for me. I think they take lots of food and stuff and do own cooking.

[iheartdusty]

We stayed here at Easter,

and liked it. the swimming pool was great fun (2 long slides, many small slides, outdoor area, jacuzzis etc). Attractive parc with a lake, big soft play area, reasonably priced supermarket/shop, and very near a huuuuge sandy beach and an Aldi. The extras were oddly priced though - 25 euros for a round of crazy golf? Bike hire was reasonable price.

and fruitful, we stopped over in Bruges and stayed here. Fantastic location, friendly helpful staff, OK family room (decor was a little tired, and it was pretty cramped, shower & WC were in a little en suite with a sliding door that didn't fit well.. but we would stay there again if we returned to Bruges)

[LacksDaisies]

I'm sure you could get a nice country house hotel for that price, with an on site gym and sauna that cost nowt extra!!

We went to De Vossemeren, near the dutch border. It was good; the food was better than the UK sites, including a buffet restaurant with an enormous choice of foods, and the on site supermarket was really well stocked and no more expensive than the local shops, unlike the rip off you get in the UK shops.

I have only been to the Lake District before which is all wooden cabins as it was previously Oasis, not CP, so couldn't comment on the state of the accommodation vs the UK CP sites, but it was clean and functional, if a bit basic (ie no oven just a hob and microwave)

Oh and we had our bike hire in with our price as well, for the full week.

I'm not sure the difference in price is quite so spectacular in high season, but still huge savings on UK prices.
We will definately go again, but have on overnight stay in Bruges or somewhere as well.

[cathers]

We have been to Longleat CP and to be honest, probably wouldn't choose to go back.
Found it poor value for money and quite restrictive. Saying that though, have friends who go and love it. Europe ones sound good.

[addictedishavingagirl]

i love it there, dh and i recently got back from a weekend in sherwood. we didnt spend that much and did lots of the free activities