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?

Pool closed at Longleet for when I was booked in 12th April so we are not going now .

We go every so often to CP but I honestly have had better experiences at Haven for half the price. The top caravans are lovely, they tend to be in places with lots of tourist sights to explore and the activities are similar but cheaper. We've been going to Haven sites once a year for ten years and never had any issues. We don't really use the entertainment complex much though.

Usually consider this to be wildly expensive under non COVID no restrictions on the pool, but only allowed a few booked sessions in the pool per week at the moment- absolutely no way.

Outside of school holidays and when everything is open- yes. Inflated prices during school holidays along with current restrictions, no.

@BiddyPop
We often go to campsites, and found, when they were younger that our DC could be a bit more independent with riding bikes, staying out to play, going to the shops alone etc. However while we had ideas of sending the kids to buy croissants/bread for breakfast, now no one can wait until teen DD has surfaced before we have breakfast so usually end up going ourselves.

Our nearest one is only 45 mins away, so we tend to go during very off peak (January) for a weekend. I've considered it for this summer if we really won't be able to leave the country, but it's very booked up and the prices are extraordinary. We do all enjoy it though, the kids love the rapids at the pool and the slides, us parents are pretty active, so DH will often go out on long bike rides (he'll go off site), or we'll go for a run. And I think the spa is quite good value and high quality. We always sleep like the dead after so much activity and fresh air!

I wonder if we just had a bad Haven experience then as I would have said it's a very different holiday from CP. Our Haven experience was at Haggerston and the caravans were tightly packed together, you had to queue for a long time in the arcade to use the pool, mind you it was a lovely heated outdoor pool.

The CP we go to usually is Whinfell and there's loads of forest area.

I have been once and can't wait to go again when Covid restrictions are gone. It was by far and away the most relaxing holiday we have had with small DC. Love the lack of cars, going to the pool everyday, popping to the park etc. Was just really really laid back.

@fizbosshoes 🤣🤣🤣 yes same DD is now also a teen who no longer think 6am is wake up time, but sometime around noon. Last time, we brought some to bake while she snoozed! Or left her slumbering a few mornings while we enjoyed the peace and no arguments time....

No, expensive to book.. then when your there absolutely everything you want to do costs extra money. It’s an absolute rip off. Much better off going to somewhere like Devon, booking a lodge and going to the beach.. for free!

Our family loves it, I’m my opinion it’s worth the money. We have two children 6 and 3 and go twice a year, a week in the summer and 4 days in December for the winter wonderland. We love the swimming, the restaurants are very child friendly so we don’t feel obligated to keep them say at the table and quiet (they go in the soft play areas, not running around the restaurant).

The accommodation really works for us separate bedrooms and a lounge means me and my husband can sit up rather than lights out at 8pm in a hotel room.

Activities are great we particularly like family ball wall and the boats the kids drive themselves. It adds up when adding the price of activities but still costs less than going abroad or a U.K. cottage.

You are paying for the pool basically. Remember every other bloody activity has to be paid for on top.
I though the whole place was grubby, I hope in lockdown it’s had a good clean. I would love to go to a European one though.

We have been visiting since our children were small. Each time has been different as they have grown up. We always go for 3/4 days depending on school and commitments and are very busy while we are there swimming, walking, cycling, tree trekking etc. We always feel we have been away a week rather than a few days as there was so much going on.

I think I like it although it is at full capacity it never feels busy.

We have also visited bluestone when they were younger and for under 12s its an amazing break.

I know it's expensive, but the fact you don't have to drive is a huge advantage especially when there for a few days.

Took the dc every couple of years out of season. Not exactly cheap but usually shared a lodge with friends/family. Could go AI abroad for the same price as cp in peak season. We loved the water park and didn't do much else. Had planned to go with grown up dc but covid wrecked that.

We also loved Alton towers they have hotels and lodges, waterpark, adventure golf, treetops climbing and of course the theme park.

Outside of peak season, it's value for money. School holidays it's overcrowded and extortionate.

I don’t think £329 for a three bed villa for 4 nights is bad at all.
Going in a couple of weeks time.
I wouldn’t pay more.

I've done all three.

• Butlins; the best value break, especially with younger kids as there's a lot included in the price and the pool/restaurants were very clean when we went (admittedly, not in the summer holidays). The price trebles in July and August, so pick your dates carefully. I personally prefer them for the October/Feb half-term as they are geared up for wet weather.

• Haven; depends on the park and the time of year. We've been impressed with Devon Cliffs, Wild Duck (one of the few with woodlands) and Hafan y Môr. Again, a lot of activities and also work well as a base for exploring the area. They are probably your best bet for a traditional summer holiday, this year as there are a lot of sites across the country.

• Centre Parcs. I've been to Longleat and Sherwood. I was not impressed with Sherwood; it felt grubby, small and rundown at the time. Longleat was brilliant but required some ingenuity to avoid paying out ££££s every day. We made use of the forest, the free parks and the beach area, plus a dip in the pool every day. We also self-catered, which kept the costs down. Everyone booked one or two activities ahead of time, which gave structure to the day. The site is massive (and built around a valley), so if you are unlucky enough to be on the far side, you would spend a lot of time climbing hills. Bikes are recommended.

If you want a load of activities, Butlins is a good bet. There is literally something going on from 8am until midnight. If you want a tranquil forest escape, with the chance to be pestered by ducks, that's Centre Parcs. If you want the beach and day trips, pick Haven.

Other options include Kellings Heath, Forest Holidays (not necessarily cheaper) and SandyBalls. I have not been to BlueHaven, but my friends have and rave about the place.

It's £2798 for the cheapest 3 bed lodge in the school holidays this year

£2798 !!!!

Thanks everyone

It's great to hear lots of different opinions/ experiences

But @LaurieFairyCake that's what's left. It's dynamic pricing so would have been cheaper to begin with, plus most people stay for Mon-Fri or Fri-Mon rather than a full week.
Everywhere is expensive this summer Forest holiday lodges are a ludicrous price, but always were say in Cornwall in English school holidays.

@Dowser

I don’t think £329 for a three bed villa for 4 nights is bad at all. Going in a couple of weeks time. I wouldn’t pay more.

No pool at the moment. Once the pool is open late May then prices shoot up and you cannot get that price.

I love centre parcs! We never book the activities. We just do lots of walks, the parks, eat out and spend hours in the pool every day. We might do bowling. If the pool was shut there would be zero point going!

I think that CP is expensive but you pay for the convenience of all these activities in one place, lots for the kids to do etc etc. We booked a few months ago for a mid week in the summer and we're all excited. We probably will only be allowed limited access to the pool, but DD is excited about hopefully being able to do some of the indoor activities and DS is looking forward to the canoiing/ kayaking etc. We have taken the view that we'll have a fairly significant budget for extras when we get there which I think is key - the first time we did CP we were quite shocked at the extra expenses and hadn't factored them in.

We did Butlins a few years ago and enjoyed it more than we expected. We paid for one of the higher end apartments which was definitely worth it and the kids had an absolute blast. But we chose CP this time because frankly DH and I wanted the higher quality accommodation of the CP lodges and I wanted the more outdoor options on the basis that with remaining covid restrictions those would probably be more likely to be available.

rookiemere

We're going to Cornwall that exact week - have a pool/hot tub/ 4 super king bedrooms and it's overlooking the sea

For £79 LESS

We went to Center parcs a couple of years ago, off-peak (March) and it was ok, but I don't think it's worth the extortionate peak prices.

I've looked into alternatives and there's Landal, Forest Holidays, Bluestone, Kelling Heath... not necessarily cheaper than Center Parcs but something different and maybe better. They're all very expensive and booked up this year, though, for obvious reasons!

If going in the summer holidays I think it's nice to be near the coast so I'd consider Butlins or Haven even though they wouldn't usually be my first choice. I'm looking at Searles after seeing it mentioned on a couple of threads.