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Original poster

Centre Parcs - which one (dc1 and 3)

44 replies

Kingtiger101 · 09/08/2019 16:00

I’m trying to sort out a holiday that is actually enjoyable for me, DH and our two kids who will be one and three. So far we’ve done self catering air b&b breaks and come back exhausted and desperate to be home!

Centre parcs seems like it might be a good option. I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the choice! Are they basically all the same? I want good places to eat out, activities that my kids might like, I’d like to go horse riding and use a spa!

We’re in London but happy to drive further if it is a better

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Kingtiger101 · 09/08/2019 16:00

...if it is a better parc that should say!

OP posts:
Isadora2007 · 09/08/2019 16:00

Not Whinfell 😬

DaisyF1986 · 09/08/2019 16:02

We've been to both Elveden and Sherwood Forest and both nice. I've never paid to choose a lodge as they're all within a ten min walk of the centre so my advice would be not to bother (but up to you if you don't fancy the walk!) x

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Days out
AuditAngel · 09/08/2019 16:03

We have been to one in Belgium and one in Holland. However, as you aren’t tied to school holidays you can get good deals on last minute breaks.

toadabode · 09/08/2019 16:05

Hi, we absolutely love Center Parcs and go every year. You really can't go wrong going to Longleat as a first timer, it's just great and is probably relatively near you in terms of geography. I'd definitely avoid Woburn if you want a true Center Parcs experience. I should be able to answer any questions you have so please feel free to ask anything if you'd like to :)

JC12345 · 09/08/2019 16:07

We went to Sherwood when our eldest was 18 months and had a great time. Have been to Woburn but is very hilly and we quite like to cycle so don't think we'd go back there.

paw1977 · 09/08/2019 16:09

Iv just got back from centre parcs , my favourite is Sherwood . Whinfell is very hilly.

youarenotkiddingme · 09/08/2019 16:12

Done longleat elvedon and Woburn.

Elvedon our favourite in terms of its flattest, small enough to get round but not too small.

Longleat is huge and if you are far away from centre you rely on train to travel (which prob for little ones is great!) but we have to go school holidays and you don't so prob less of an issue.

Woburn is smaller but also very hilly which if you have 2 buggy's, double or a tired 3yo will not be fun!

Elvedon seemed just to be perfect. Lots of flat walks in between chalets with fab wildlife. Central Park and a nice lake area. Very flat.

PaddyF0dder · 09/08/2019 16:14

I’d go to whatever one is closest.

We’re up north so we’ve been to Whinfell. I love it.

DerelictWreck · 09/08/2019 16:28

Longleat and Woburn hilly which might be hard on the toddlers. But long leaf has the safari park next door which is great for the last day.

Sherwood is our favourite though, village in the centre so doesn't feel as massive - at longleat you can end up a good 30 minute walk from the pool. At Sherwood you're never more than about 10/15

idril · 09/08/2019 16:40

Definitely Elvedon with little ones. There is no point going further than you need to for Centerparc in my opinion.

I've been to Longleat, Elvedon, Woburn and Sherwood. We go to Woburn now but if mine were still little, I'd go to Elvedon.

BendingSpoons · 09/08/2019 16:44

I've been to Elvedon and Woburn. I like how flat Elvedon is and the forest is more mature. We go to Woburn now though as it is easier to get to. The park is a bit smaller too I think. We have paid extra for a nearer lodge though, so the hills aren't an issue.

Original poster
Kingtiger101 · 09/08/2019 16:53

Thanks @toadabode Grin see below Grin

Sounds like long leat or elveden then. Cheers guys! Very helpful.

We’d probably do a click and collect food order from a supermarket - do both of those have a supermarket nearby?

What restaurants do each of them have? Or do they all have the same?

If we go term time do you think things won’t be booked up? Like restaurants / activities

A lot of the activities say 3 plus - but could I take my 18 month old? I’d like to do stuff as a family

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Kingtiger101 · 09/08/2019 16:54

Can you hire adult bikes that toddlers can sit in?

OP posts:
youarenotkiddingme · 09/08/2019 17:05

I'm sure you can hire bike trailers x

TheABC · 09/08/2019 17:06

We went to Longleat earlier this year. It is hilly (the site is basically built around a valley with a lake in the middle), so I would advise a buggy or a bike with a double trailer for when the kids get tired. Mine were a bit older, so we took foldable scooters and used the train.

There are tons of free things to do. I have a 2 and 5 year old and they loved:

  • the swimming pool with the two separate children's play areas
  • walking around the indoor tropical stream
  • the little softplay area in the Mexican restaurant (allows you to have a drink too)
  • playing on the beach next to the lake.
  • the three, free children's parks dotted around the place
  • feeding the ducks on the patio
  • the woodland trail at the village
  • a picnic at the meadow and a BBQ at the chalet

There's a crèche with toddler-friendly crafts and the sports centre offers a lot of indoor options, from learning to ride a bike to playing football. You won't need more than one paid activity a day at most, plus the swimming pool when they are young.

Longleat does have a supermarket on-site (standard prices, but few offers) and you can order a takeaway to be delivered to the chalet too, if you are utterly exhausted. I really recommend an afternoon at their spa: it's one of the best I have been to.

Original poster
Kingtiger101 · 09/08/2019 17:11

Longleat sounds great! Although bit worried about the hills.
Are the restaurants priced reasonably or hiked up? Thanks

OP posts:
georgialondon · 09/08/2019 17:14

I was wondering the same a couple of months ago. We have toddlers and are in London. We went to Woburn it was great. And so lovely to have such a short journey.

georgialondon · 09/08/2019 17:14

It's just the right size for walking around with toddlers

PrayingandHoping · 09/08/2019 17:20

I'd always suggest longleat as it has the most choice

There is a supermarket on site and they will deliver to your villa

There is plenty choice of restaurants and they are high street prices

Pay extra for a villa on the top side near the swimming pool of village centre (not the west area) and then the hills aren't a problem as it's all same level, unless you decide to do down to the lake area which you'll have to do regardless of where u are. The landtrain though is regular and a good option for going down to the lake area

Original poster
Kingtiger101 · 09/08/2019 17:22

Are people saying elvedon with little ones primarily because it is flat?

OP posts:
PrayingandHoping · 09/08/2019 17:23

I've been to longleat with children from 6 months-13 years old

Longqueue · 09/08/2019 17:25

I wouldn’t bother with booking activities for that age. The swimming pool and play parks are enough. If you do longleat try and stay on the upper side, the far side (I think fir) is just a bit too far. It’s great fun for little kids, relaxing, plenty to see and do. Though I hate that the chalets don’t have washing machines, that’s a pain with small kids

FraggleRocking · 09/08/2019 17:28

Elveden when children are young. Longleat when older (6+). Woburn is nice as it’s new and very close together but not established enough to get the ‘experience’.
Would recommend Elveden for your ages and location.

namechange5575 · 09/08/2019 17:53

We're in London - go to Woburn. It's a bit more boring than the others but best for very small children. It's more compact. The hills are not very hilly. You can pay a bit more to be centrally located. It's 2 hours door to door on the train. Get off at flitwick, a free shuttle bus takes you direct to reception, you drop your bags off and they deliver them to your lodge. Same on leaving, just leave them in your lodge and they take them to reception. It makes gets ins and outs much easier. Because you've got preschoolers and can go outside holidays it will be much cheaper - I'd consider paying more for the 'executive' lodges (around 50-100 more) as that gets you maid service. Someone comes in and cleans and tidies it all up everyday. You need those few special touches as god knows there are so rare on a holiday with small kids. The spa there is great. Go in January for super super cheap hols.