Is Centre Parcs worth it

Me and the kids go every year and love it. You don’t have to book all the activities to make it worth while. Most of the restaurants have decent soft play areas and DC often make friends, and we love the nature aspect. It’s a very calming place. I feel refreshed whilst being there. There are plenty of parks and nature trails. I book one activity per day and that’s all. Some people book loads and are just rushing around being harassed - not much of a holiday if you do that.

with haven etc having the arcades I don’t feel it’s much cheaper but it feels very basic compared to CP. my youngest also is scared of dogs and dogs aren’t allowed indoors at CP (and there aren’t that many around at all) whereas when we went to haven a while back dogs were everywhere indoors and outside, and in the play areas! There was also dog mess everywhere.

Not in the UK - no . horribly packed , shabby and outrageously expensive. Europe is great however . We particularly like the CPs in the Netherlands .

Sounds like a right pain

Forest Holidays are sooo much better than CP

So if you are thinking that Haven and Center Parcs are similar you need to decide if you are looking for an area you stay in and avail yourself of any facilities therein and stay the whole break without leaving OR a place to stay that has some facilities but is more a base with things to do but that you will use as a base.

Have a look at Bluestone instead. It’s very similar but a bit smaller and much cheaper.

Havnt been on a few years but hired a caravan at flamingoland. Dc spent so much time wandering around the zoo early morning
Riding their bikes and playing football.

Its great for younger kids/pre teens who love the pool, happy to run around the woods, ride bikes
All activities cost money even using football pitch so you can spend even more.
We took our own food so didnt eat out while there

I find CP a bit mystifying tbh. I thought it was unpleasantly crowded, rough accommodation with a settee like a board and nasty bunk beds, and I’ve been on suburban housing estates in France that felt like they had more ‘nature’. We had infinitely more fun for a tiny chunk of the price staying at the right youth hostel, or camping, though that is definitely more effort and only really worked for us in a group.

We’ve had pleasant holidays at Center Parcs, but I do always feel like I’m being ripped off there. The activities always seem incredibly cheapened for the amount of money you pay.

Been this year with my 3 year old to Whinfell, then a couple of months later did Skegness Butlins. Should have maybe done them the other way around I think as the atmospheres are very different 🤣. It’s a bit like comparing cats to dogs.

If you’ve got kids who like wildlife or outdoor/physical activities then CP is definitely worth it imo (although school holiday prices are sadly ridiculous). We were only there for 4 nights so just booked one activity on each full day we were there for my son - I remember thinking the activities weren’t as expensive as I thought they would be and my son enjoyed all 3 that we booked. We spent the rest of each day at the pool or exploring the site. I can see how it would get pricey with multiple kids/or if you booked several things each day though. We also ate out at the Lakeside Inn a couple of times - nothing special, but pleasant enough and a nice soft play for the kids.

The swimming pool at CP is fab - my son loved that it was warm and enjoyed the lazy river. He happily went daily even though normally he’s not bothered for swimming pools. He was disappointed with the colder, more run down feeling Butlins pool in comparison and we only went there the once (the changing rooms were also revolting 🤢,if people think Center Parcs changing rooms are bad they should see the state of Butlins…).

At Butlins we spent most of our time on the free fairground rides, which DS did enjoy. He’s not that fussed for the shows/entertainment - but if your DC enjoys that sort of thing then that is where I think Butlins really comes into its own. And of course Butlins has the beach too. Don’t risk the Fish and Chips on site at Rock and Sole though - we made that mistake and it was greasy, rubbery and tasteless (we didn’t try the other food outlets after that, but I’ve heard bad things about most of them tbh).

Generally I personally preferred the more restful atmosphere of Center Parcs so we will likely go there again. We might go to Butlins again if there’s a show on that DS might particularly enjoy - but tbh I think he enjoyed being off- site exploring Skegness on the open-top character buses (and collecting the different badges on them), than he really did Butlins itself.

No.

We rate Butlins for value. The price includes the pool (nice and warm, range of slides suitable for tots up to adults, splash area, rapids) plus soft play, fair rides, playparks, pavilion shows. Then there's the extras, such as bowling, indoor golf, arcades, circus. We stay in the hotel, as its a higher standard of accommodation. However, it's noisy and busy and non stop fun for kids, so might not be what you want.

Landal might be another option? They have lovely sites, mostly in the Netherlands, which are comparable to centre parcs. They have some sites in the UK, usually set in nature, but less 'going on'. Much better value than CP.

As PP have mentioned, Centre Parcs in Europe is often better value, even after channel crossing, but is a bit more travelling, depending on where you are in the UK.

Or just find an AirBnB or cottage or glamping site in a preferred location?

Or look at Eurocamp, Yelloh or other holiday park places? I went to north France in May half term to Domaine du Drancourt, only 1.5hours from Calais. Lovely rural setting, near to pretty towns, coast, etc. But I live in the South, so not too far for me.

No

It's definitely worth an extra £200 to go there instead of Haven, if it's your thing that is. The water park is amazing, the forest walks are lovely and relaxing, lots of sporty activities, although these are an extra cost and quite expensive. Centre Parcs doesn't really have evening entertainment, it's not got the rowdy, energetic feel like Haven. Centre Parcs has a small man made beach but nothing like a sea side holiday which most Haven's are.

I camped at the one in Belgium, it was brilliant so much cheaper and you can use all the facilities. They have pods if tents aren't your thing . I think it's the only one you can camp at, only a few hours drive from Calais.

I have raynauds and often wear a wetsuit to help combat the cold . I may look a bit strange but it’s worth it to keep me swimming !

Just to add, we've done the woburn one both times. Water always pretty warm in the indoor pools. There's a nice lazy river you can float down. Would echo that the food at the restaurants isn't great, but there is a supermarket on site and I would advise bringing some food with you.

I love it. Went as my one and only holiday this year for a 3 night stay (4 days) after a successful 4 night stay last year. My 8 Yr old LO has ADHD and its the only place I've had a good holiday in years. I love the forest setting and the subtropical dome thing. I come back feeling healthier as we walk such a lot. I've had numerous comments whenever I've mentioned it to friends about the price, but I'd rather have 3 nights there than 7 at Haven (nothing against haven, just doesn't feel like as much of a holiday to me).

The pool is very warm. However for us the pool was always the main focus of the holiday. For small children it would be comparable with Butlins / haven but none of those have anything like the rapids which older kids and adults love.
Much as I used to love CP it's probably not the best choice for you if you wouldn't bother much with the pool.

Lovely & warm every time we've been plus there's hot tubs!!

Have done both. Prefer Haven. The Forest setting is lovely at CP but the cost of the break plus the rip off cost of everything else puts a downer on it.

however not all haven sites are equal and some are s bit tired. For a good pool, activities and location I’d go for Hafan Y Mor in wales. Youll spend a lot less of just staying there and then can do more once you’re there.

its too late for this holiday, but I highly recommend the CPs in The Netherlands. Travel and accommodation work out cheaper than just accommodation here. We go to De Kemprevennan as it has a snow dome on site. It’s cheaper than the Snow Domes in the UK and was perfect for my DCs to have skiing lessons for the first time.
the accommodation is clean comfortable and well equipped. We don’t eat in the restaurants as they’re pricey and mediocre. We take all our food (some from home, some from local supermarkets) and cook in the cabin. The pool complex is great.
There are lots of activities that you need to pay for, but we’ve only done a couple. My kids are happy with the pool, skiing and the outdoor / indoor play areas.

I hated it - grotty accommodation, mediocre eating options, a busy pool, loads of other people and a curated experience of everything. But then I’d much rather spend £700 on three nights in the Cotswolds, Lakes or Dales and make my own fun, at my own pace somewhere truly beautiful. Most of my friends love it - mostly for the happy kids and craic if they go in a group.

We love it, have been three times (so far!) with DS when he was 3, 6 and 7. Don’t bother with too many activities, and bring a food shop with you & cook to avoid eating in the mediocre restaurants (or shop onsite). Enjoy!