Is Centerparcs worth the money?

[TheSuezCanalTugBoat]

I've never been, but given that we can't go abroad this year, it looks like a good option.

However, it looks pretty pricey, is it worth it?

If not, is there anywhere similar that's cheaper?

No not really. The pool is good but that's about it. Everything else is nice but not worth the high price.

We've been a few times but only if we've found a last min cheap offer off peak. £400 for a few days in a 2bed lodge is my maximum spend for Centreparcs. Anything higher and I'd feel ripped off, personally.

Grilled cheese that's brilliant news, thank you.

Definitely won't be cancelling then, as getting 3 lodges close together is difficult at the best of times and they are so heavily booked this year already.

I cant judge because I havent been but it seems very expensive in school holidays. DH had been but wasnt all that enamoured, although he went, pre kids, with his family and their kids so probably not their target audience!
However lots of friends (who generally have more disposable income than we do) seem to love it and go back time again, so obviously lots do think its good value.

however the expense does mean that its much less likely to attract the type of people you don't want to encounter on your family holiday.

Wow! You mean poor people?!!

I've been in the past and enjoyed it but that was a long time ago and I don't know how bad the pricing is now.

Agree the Dutch and Belgian ones were amazing - but again this was a long time ago so don't know about if they still are.

Haven are ok in my experience, loved butlins as a kid in the 70's but wouldn't touch with a barge pole now!

We went once (off peak) and thought it was expensive then. No way would we go in peak times - there are much nicer holidays you can go on for the same money. I can see there is an advantage to having everything together, so if you're prepared to pay a premium for convenience, perhaps it's worth it.

I did think at the moment the pool time is very limited due to Covid. Definitely wouldn't go if that was restricted.

Not helpful at the moment, but I hear it's well worth travelling to Dutch or Belgian sites as they're so much cheaper it even offsets the travel costs. Ridiculous!

It's wildly expensive but that ensures the "right" people go there. The same kind of activities can be found at many other holiday parks but the clientele will be less well heeled often. There's chains and independents, they vary in facilities, style and price dramatically. If you are willing to camp there's even more options. I like Celtic Camping myself. They arrange all kinds of outdoor activities on request

Wow I’ve just looked. I’ve been going for years. The prices in 2021, once they anticipate the pools being open, are astronomical. Certainly not worth the money now. I use to think it was ok, £500 for 3 bed cheapest lodge. Looking for November 2021 over £700 for nights just for a pool !

We have been to CP and Haven holiday parks. We have never gone back to CP, but been to Haven a few times. CP is just Haven for posh people IMHO. The children have a lot more fun at Haven and the activities are cheaper.

Wow! You mean poor people?!!

I'm going to guess they're referring to people who like to sleep all day and party all night. I'm guessing those people would rather go somewhere cheaper so they've more money for drinking. Plus there's no getting a taxi home, they'd have to be sober enough to walk or cycle.

We went to Haven once - never again. Worst thing was broken glass all over the outside children's playground at the pub. Huge number of slot machines on the way to the pool and nowhere near the range of activities available at CP.

Wow! You mean poor people?!!

I suppose it's the holiday equivalent of people using their higher budget to buy houses in certain neighbourhoods/near certain schools. They want to control the types of people they have to mix with.

I must be a right chav then because I prefer a haven ( dont really use entertainment as its naff) all at coastal locations, whereas cantreparcs are in forests.
Centre parcs are all about the pools, if you can only go for an hour doesnt sound worth it.

Yes if you go once and go large. Prepare to spend a fortune and go when everything's open. You and your kids will have excellent memories. It's not the kind of place I'd keep returning to though unless I had loads of spare cash.

however the expense does mean that its much less likely to attract the type of people you don't want to encounter on your family holiday

@Furrybutts wow what a comment! Yes all poor people are bad chavs who will ruin your holiday and all well off people are naice. Recently makeup artist Lisa Potter-Dixon posted on her blog about how she was viciously assaulted by a man at CP. Her injuries were horrific. But carry on with your blinkered view of the world.

@marmitecake

It's such a pity that overseas is unlikely this year as I'd recommend the Dutch or Belgian Centerparcs, op. About two thirds of the UK price even with travel factored in. We had a fantastic time the four times we went. Perhaps consider for future years if you want the same thing on a budget.

I agree completely with this. I won't go to a UK center parcs again because it feels like they're digging in my pocket for every penny.

We've been to the Netherlands and Germany CPs and they're so much better value for money and exactly the same set up as the UK.

We used to be huge fans and go every year.

Then a few years ago we went to Haven for about a third of the cost and have never looked back.

We’ve only ever been to the Devon Cliffs one which I know is their flagship so I can’t comment on the quality of the others but the platinum caravans are beautiful, the park is clean and well maintained, the pool is fab, there are loads of activities and you have the bonus of the evening entertainment.

Center Parcs now seems pricey and dull in comparison.

It’s a bit crap IMO. Like a giant motorway service station with trees. And there is no actual forest that isn’t full of lodges - that was the bit that shocked me the most the first time I went. I thought we’d be having lovely strolls through sunlit woodlands .

Yes with the Dutch CP. Going for a full fortnight in the summer holidays was an absolute bargain.

Also if you're going in the UK expecting a certain demographic you'll be VERY disappointed IME🤣

Ribby Hall

@ItMustBeBedtimeSurely

It’s a bit crap IMO. Like a giant motorway service station with trees. And there is no actual forest that isn’t full of lodges - that was the bit that shocked me the most the first time I went. I thought we’d be having lovely strolls through sunlit woodlands .

I had a sneaky wander around the Sherwood one when I went for a Spa Day.

I put on hiking boots because I too was expecting to be walking through woodland, although it was rainy so muddy rather than sunlit. I was surprised to learn that just about all the woodland paths were surfaced with tarmac or pressed hardcore at the very least .

@Oversize

Also if you're going in the UK expecting a certain demographic you'll be VERY disappointed IME🤣

Agree it was quite lively when we went! We were near Essex though

We've mostly gone to Longleat over the past 20 years. The increase in loud and public effing and blinding, screeching at kids and calling them 'lil shits' etc has been really noticeable but then it has in day to day life as well sadly.

We have been a few times and not left the site for the week, despite plans to before arriving. Just found plenty to do there and no need to leave. Swim at least once daily, plenty of walks in the forest, relaxed cooking and a few activities. We generally had 1 meal in a restaurant daily (and that might be breakfast, lunch or dinner) and the other 2 in the house. It was where dd learned the independence of going to the shop alone for breakfast items (aged 9 or so, 2nd trip, and built up over the week). We did a few activities but mostly booked them after we got there (some were booked up before we arrived). But as a very busy family, we enjoyed the quiet time, walking in all weathers, cycling, drawing in the board and playing cards/board games (that we brought with us) etc, and relaxed meals.

This year, the pool is very severely limited - only 4 passes for a week long stay at the moment and for limited periods too. So something to be aware of. And I suspect a number of activities will not be available.

But lots of things that WE enjoyed about it would still be there. Whether that would be enough for your family is for you to think about. Because we had already looked and ruled it out for this year, due to the pool, as we spent hours there some days and other days would run down for a quick proper swim in early morning or late evening, but at least 1 and often more swims per day - both frequency and length of visits not being an option this year. And it is after getting far more expensive in recent years so it needs to have everything available for it to be worth it for us.