Why do so many people dislike Centre Parcs so much?

I agree with this. This summer, we did a proper outdoorsy break with mountain climbing, sea swimming, visiting places of interest etc - stayed in your hostels for some of the time and generally did it properly.

In Oct we have an early extra week of half term so we’re going for a quick CP trip, just to relax, swim, do a few bits of activities etc - it’s a different type of holiday but we will also enjoy it!

I don’t expect it to be a real outdoorsy holiday with any sort of sense of achievement, just as I don’t expect it to be a beach holiday or city break!

We haven’t been as I thought the prices are really high every time I checked. Also, the reviews have always confused me - some people say the lodges and the pool are clean and others say they’re filthy and end up with sickness bugs etc (cleanliness is always my number one priority). I think it will help if people posting their experiences specify which location they’ve been to.

Those complaining that there are no "actual mountains" are somewhat missing the point.
Precisely. People wanting outdoor adventure are not the target audience. I live in Cumbria and nobody who wants to do serious hiking/sailing/cycling etc would go to Whinfell. There are loads of facilities and opportunities for that kind of thing in tbe actual Lake District. Center Parcs is aimed at people wanting a different experience. It's not for me, but it's a perfectly reasonable kind of holiday if you like that kind of thing. Some of the complaints on here are a bit like moaning you went to New York and it was really busy or that the outdoor pool was too cold in a resort in the Med in January. You do have to do a bit of research and pick a holiday that meets your needs. Nowhere is going to suit everyone.

Those complaining that there are no "actual mountains" are somewhat missing the point.

Center Parcs is great for families because it just takes away everything that makes holidays (and indeed, just day to day life) with young kids a pain in the arse.

You don't have to fly. You don't have to bundle everyone into the car with a fucktonne of stuff just to go to get a coffee. You don't have to deal with public transport or wondering what time things shut.

Everywhere is pushchair friendly, and within 5 minutes of the lodge is a massive swimming pool, shops, food places, a beach and nice walks/cycles without having to dodge traffic. You just turn up, forget about driving for the week and go into a little bubble where if WW3 were to start you'd probably not find out until you drove back out again.

It doesn’t feel like a holiday to me. Still have to do breakfast, accommodation is cramped, whole place feels sanitised and prescriptive, have to plan activities in advance, expensive, no guarantee of good weather, overly busy during school holiday and the eating out options are poor.

Weird locations, I would sooner go to somewhere with actual mountains to climb and proper hikes.

Too many people and too many children!

We went once when we had one 4yo DC and enjoyed it, but wouldn't go now and I really wouldn't be keen, because:

• the cost. We've done two weeks in a Eurocamp with perfect weather and stunning beaches and loads nearby to visit for less than the cost of a week at CP in the summer holidays
• as a PP said it's for people who are outsidey rather than outdoorsy. We are outdoorsy. I would much rather book an AirB&B and do hiking, beach, National Trust places, museums etc.
• Feeling 'contained' and there being loads of other people everywhere
• the cost of all the activities plus I just wouldn't want to spend a holiday standing around doing minigolf, archery, pottery painting etc. I'd go mad.
• I do see why it's popular with parents of little ones who can go outside school holidays though
• Can't comment on the clientele as we only went once and people seemed fine but this was a decade ago. We have done a Haven once as well and again although it was fine for us with little ones I wouldn't go now

We went to the canaries last year on the whit holidays for a week for £2300, 4* AI, plus about £100 for the taxi to the airport and home and some drinks at the airport. We chose it because 5 nights at CP was £1400, plus activitirs, fuel and food. Abroad was definitely better value.

I don't want to cook on holiday so the fact the restaurants are all crap makes it somewhere I don't want to go!

Used to really enjoy CP as an easy break with young kids. Now they’re older, the activities are far too expensive.
Also prices have gone up while the standard of accommodation has deteriorated. Last couple of times we’ve had stained carpets that smell of vomit and very chipped furniture. I think it’s because they now have tiered accommodation where you can pay eye watering prices for the top end treehouses with hot tubs etc,
Also, and I hate myself for saying this as I know it’s snobby, but there always seem to be a lot of toxic louty dads there now. Extremely hench with turkey teeth, bad tats and dressed head to toe in Hugo boss, allowing their kids to act like shits.
Although the one in the lakes is slightly better in this respect.

I don't dislike it at all, I just think it's massively overpriced for what it is.

Airbnb in a warm European country and less time than getting to Cornwall

Also cheaper than Cornwall

It's amazing 🤣

All the people saying they have bread, cheese and ham for lunch then absolutely losing their shit when someone likens this to a cheese or ham sandwich. It's really tickled me.

Omg that is a funny thread!

Possibly has to be read to be believed. There was lots of discussion about the distinction between a cheese and ham sandwich, and cheese, ham and bread on a plate in a non-sandwich manner. Many different types of cheese, ham and bread were name dropped. We also get onto sirens towards the end.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5094077-all-inclusive-holidays-vs-self-catering?page=4

Its mainly the price. Its quite nice, if you look at it as a fairly basic base camp to explore from, in pleasant grounds, with the bonus of a nice pool. Nowhere near enough to do to justify it as a complete holiday, unless you want to spend a lot extra. So anyone expecting something a bit special to justify the cost will be disappointed and negative about the experience.
I'm also not sure what it's trying to achieve. It's neither good value entertainment, or an authentic nature/outdoorsy experience but borrows a bit from each in a way that feels a bit poor on both counts.

Why does it matter? People like different things? And clearly many many people do like it as their multiple sites are always busy and they can charge a premium. I personally love it but care not one jot if anyone else (and I have close friends and family in this camp) don’t.

i remember that too ... !

Sounds hilarious! What that the cheese and ham tasted different or something?

Yeah if you look at an AI holiday with flights at decent times and its not a 2star hotel, its way more than centre parcs!

I looked at Greece for August and it was coming up about £5k. We did canaries and balearics before and managed to get it at about £3.5k by going for 5/6 nights instead of 7 and going at the end of summer or easter. Its really not cheap to go AI at all!

We've also been on the Bluestone website a few times to compare, but the prices aren't really much different and pool doesn't look as good.

Exactly! I haven't been for a few years as the children are older but we used to do it as a long weekend, do loads of activities that are certainly not available at my local leisure centre and then also go abroad/ city break/ camping/ rent a cottage at other times.

I am aware I sound like a dick but no I cannot go for a weeks AI abroad for the same cost because I would rather not go anywhere at all than go to a cheap AI with stupidly timed flights.

I think that way. For example my DC had the chance to go on a school trip to NYC for 3 nights and they were charging 3k, not including food or spending money. I took him myself for a week for the same amount.

Why wouldn’t you think this way sometimes? It makes total sense.

We go on a variety of different holidays actually. AI’s are useful for many reasons but we also go on city breaks, camping and trips to the countryside where we’ll stay in an air BnB. We do all sorts, not just AI’s.

CP definitely appeals to me because we are outdoorsy people and love being active but for me the price is just ridiculous. If you paid that and it included the activities then sure but you are literally just paying thousands to stay in a cabin in the woods.

Yes! The number of people who tell me “my haven holiday was dodgy: the caravan was gross and the swimming pool had a plaster and we all caught legionnaires disease and I have to have my nose amputated” I love my yearly haven holiday and I’ll stick to what I know and trust, but an alive people, calm down!!