For first-timers....Center Parcs - Longleat

[bookends]

Just returned after spending a brilliant 1st visit to Center Parcs in Longleat. We're usually go alone type of people, off the beaten track, but wanted to try something different.

We probably paid the same for accom. in a cottage, with the extra activities for dds and food add another £300.00. We overdid the Pancake House! The cycling up and down hills took some of the weight off.

My dds are 12 and 14 and there was so much to do, it rained and there was still loads to do. The people who work there were also really professional.

Will definitely be going there again. We couldn't fault the accommodation, everything seemed to be catered for. I'm beginning to sound like an Advert for CP!

I would recommend it to anyone who is hasn't tried CP...

[nannynick]

Did you leave there on Monday (27th July)? If so, I departed CP Longleat that day as well.

I think someone people on here may think I work for Center Parcs given how often I go and how often I post on message threads about it. I don't work for them... but I do like it at CP Longleat - I find it relaxing, even in busy Summer season.

Nice to hear that someone else on here likes the place

[AvengingGerbil]

We like it too, but can't afford it more than once in a blue moon...

[dinny]

how come, Lockets?

[nannynick]

lockets - you went with a 3 under 5's and you were pregnant... yet I can't find anywhere that you say how many adults went. I would not be surprised at all if you didn't find it relaxing if the only adults were you and DH. Families I know who go, tend to take extended family with them... so each child gets 1:1 so they can all go off and do their own thing.

I do feel it's bad of CP not to reply to your complaint regarding the changing rooms. I think the changing rooms are a constant battle there, the design of them has certainly changed over the years that I've been going... it's still not right somehow.

I think it's a bit like Marmite - you either love it or hate it.

Personally I hate laying on a beach all day, or laying on a lounger at a poolside (tried that once in Las Vegas, hated it)... yet some people think holidays like that are great.

Other people may think a holiday is great when they can party all night at the nightclubs. Center Parcs really doesn't have that... come 9:45pm things really do get fairly quiet. It's more the place to sit at your villa in front of a log fire.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

We're going for te first time in March......

... I think I'm looking forward to it!

[nannynick]

Iwish - you will either love it of hate it.

If you are expecting lots of nightlife you will be disappointed - unless you are into bat watching (there is a bat roost at Longleat).

This message thread has some information about CP Longleat that you may find handy.
Center Parcs in December

If you are planning to Self Cater quite a bit - I suggest taking a good sharp knife (far better to use a knife you know well) a wooden spoon or two (I found on this past weekend that my villa only had metal spoons, I prefer wooden spoons for stirring things in pans), your favourite coffee/tea mug - they do supply mugs of course, but the size can vary a bit between villa's - my villa this past weekend had large cups (with saucers) whereas I prefer a mug. Also I would suggest trying to avoid using the oven/grill too much... tends to be a lot slower than you will be used to at home. Hob cook or Microwave are best.

[Tommy]

we went for the first time a few weeks ago. it was the best holiday we've had as a family (and only 2 adults to 3 children)

[nannynick]

Mumsnet advance search button is great
Enjoy your camping - I always liked camping as a child, haven't really done it as an adult... think I would miss having my own en-suite bathroom.

[hf128219]

Roughly what is the cost for a week at CP for say 2 adults and 1 child?

[KingCanuteIAm]

At longleat in June 2010 it costs between £309 and £469 for a weekend break - with the executive lodges at £1249.

You then have to add the cost of any activities you do which vary enormously.

The website is www.centreparcs.co.uk

HTH

[georgimama]

I love Center Parcs, we went last year when DS was not quite 1. Although we couldn't do a lot of the activities because DS was so little, we had a fab weekend break. As it was just the three of us we had an executive apartment and put up DS's travel cot.

I would advise take basics - washing up liquid etc as the on site supermarket is surprisingly large and well stocked but expensive.

For a family with older kids who like activities it would be wonderful. My mum always wanted to take us but she simply couldn't afford it. It is expensive but I think worth it.

Hoping to go again later this year with my cousin and her husband, then we can share childcare and get to do a few activities.

[nannynick]

First time Center Parc visitors I would suggest the Mid-Week option - that is Monday through Friday (so 4 nights). That way you have the weekend before to do your packing at a leisurely pace and the weekend after to unpack, wash clothing etc.
Weekends I find a bit of a rush but that may be due to going straight from work on the Friday, so not arriving till 8/9pm.

KingCanuteIAm - Cost varys depending on the time of year and what Center Parcs has already pre-sold. They are using Dynamic Pricing so the price will change very quickly, so if you look at a price one day, then come back the next day the price may have gone up, or down.

Mid-Weeks (Mon-Fri) during Winter season are often the cheapest I find.

I had a full week in June for £100 per night. The villa I had was top of the range 1 bed, which had a cot - so if your child is a baby they could sleep in the same room as you. Accommodation pricing is per accommodation unit, not per-person. Different villa's will accommodate different numbers of people. Sometimes it can be cheaper having more bedrooms than you need - the website will show you what is available for the particular dates you want and the villa types.

I don't bother with insurance... as I tend to book late and am not going to cancel.

Center Parcs in December message thread has some details of activity costs, if you are into doing sporty things. Also on that message thread is some pricing from Parc Marc the on-site supermarket, so you can compare costs of some food items.

[nannynick]

Opps, when I put KingCanuteIAm I was of course meaning hf128219

[BabyBaby123]

i am going to centerparcs longleat - can anyone tell me how well stocked the parcmarket is for baby stuff? elveden wasn't great so wondered if longleat is the same - which formulas do they stock and do they have nappies in each size?
Thanks.

[nannynick]

Alas I don't shop for baby stuff, so didn't make notes about that. From memory I do not recall there being that much. However there is a Morrisons (Link: Map) 3 miles away, so you could visit there for supplies of your particular brand of nappies/formula.

[nannynick]

BabyBaby123 - When are you going? I'm there on Friday, so can have a look for you if you are visiting later in the year.

[BabyBaby123]

nannynick - i'm going Monday - but thanks for the offer - might see you there
Will take a much as possible then I think and go to Morrisons if we have to.

[nannynick]

Aptamil 1, 2, 3. Sma 1 gold, 2 white, 3 progress. Cow & Gate 1, 2, 3.
Ready made: Cow & Gate 1, 2, 3. 1yr +
Pampers 5, 4, 3, 2 and 5/6 Feel n Learn.
Huggies newborn 2, 3, 4, 5 and pull-ups large. Also little swimmers S, M, L.

[Pinkjenny]

We went with dd when she was 4mo and came home after a day, way too stressful just with dh and I.

However, we go every February with my extended family and we absolutely love it. It's a bit lonely if you're on your own I think.