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Original poster

Which activities at Centerparcs are good?

32 replies

FootballisComingHome · 30/06/2021 21:09

We are going to Sherwood Forest in late July, but we need to pick our activities now.

I've never been before, and there's lots to choose from! Any tips?

Also, how scary are the high ropes?

OP posts:
Heyha · 30/06/2021 21:12

I did carriage driving there and loved it despite being terrified (I ride but had never driven). I seem to remember the falconry being good and tbf I've never found a spa I enjoyed more than the one there, it felt like it was for normal people that didn't make a habit of going to them!
This was years ago but I do have fond memories of that holiday, it was lovely.

Afonavon · 30/06/2021 21:14

I agree that CP spa is brilliant.

Willow weaving, archery, pottery painting were all great too.

tealappeal · 30/06/2021 21:16

Definitely the spa! Bliss.. Archery was good too.

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Serena1977 · 30/06/2021 21:17

We are going to Sherwood next week. We have booked high ropes and the climbing wall for the kids, crazy golf for us all. I could book more but cant afford it.

Activities that have been great
Spa
Tree trekking
Pedalos
Pottery painting
Falconry
Activities not been great
Mini jet skis
Messy play
Teddy bears picnic

Sn0tnose · 30/06/2021 21:18

Falconry is good.

If you’re on Facebook, they have a page for centre parcs in general and then individual ones for each of the parks. You’ll be limited on your swimming sessions (I know it’s currently two sessions for a Mon -Fri break) and the slots go quickly. People have posted that they’ve tried to get extra slots by booking a cabana but they’ve been cracking down and turning people away. And remember everywhere is cashless at the moment.

TenThousandSpoons · 30/06/2021 21:19

High ropes (but yes they are pretty scary)
Aqua jets
Indoor climbing
Quad bikes
The Sherwood spa is amazing.

Cheap n cheerful - treasure hunt (but only if you’ve got/hiring bikes

Rip off - pottery painting

AdaThorne · 30/06/2021 21:20

Depends on the ages of who you’re going with.

Last time we went the off road vehicle driving (for a 3 and 5 year old) were the most exciting thing that either of them had ever done - although prepare yourself to stand in a muddy bog.

We all enjoyed cupcake decorating and pottery painting as indoor activities. Ballet and Crazy Science were youngling popular.

My favourite was twilight spa. I didn’t have any treatments but we used steam rooms, had dinner and bubbles and then sat in the heated outdoor infinity pool.it was glorious. Worth every penny!

ginbramble · 30/06/2021 21:23

AQUA SANA SPA!!! I love the Sherwood one! No kids in there though so leave them with hubby and treat yourself!

HerkyBaby · 30/06/2021 21:34

Best activity for me was packing up to go home.

BabyMoonPie · 30/06/2021 21:49

We were at Sherwood a couple of weeks ago. The spa is fab. How old is your party as that will impact on the activities you can do - we're a couple and a 4 year old girl. Happy to tell you what we liked if it would help

KatieKat88 · 30/06/2021 21:53

Archery was great, 19 month old DD loved Mucky Pups messy play, DH loved the scary high ropes/zip line. Adventure golf was fun (albeit handicapped by DD stealing all the balls). Get your swimming slots booked ASAP! Spa was heavenly. We had the best time, enjoy!

SummerHouse · 30/06/2021 21:56

We did badminton, football snooker, boats, quad bikes, soft ball tennis, crazy golf. Loved everything!

BOOK RESTAURANTS!! We failed to do this and wondered around from place to place like Mary and Joseph and wee donkey.

Clymene · 30/06/2021 21:56

Do bear in mind that the women's communal changing rooms in the spas at CP are mixed sex in case you were hoping for a woman only space.

Original poster
FootballisComingHome · 30/06/2021 22:03

We are a man in his 40s, woman in 30s, and a 7-year old girl.

I'm in two minds about the high ropes, as they do look really high! Often without barriers too!

OP posts:
Original poster
FootballisComingHome · 30/06/2021 22:03

@Clymene

Do bear in mind that the women's communal changing rooms in the spas at CP are mixed sex in case you were hoping for a woman only space.
That's disappointing. I'll be giving the spa a miss in that case.
OP posts:
Original poster
FootballisComingHome · 30/06/2021 22:03

@HerkyBaby

Best activity for me was packing up to go home.
May I ask why? Smile
OP posts:
BabyMoonPie · 30/06/2021 22:24

A lot of what DD did would be too young for your DD but crazy science was good fun. Covid restrictions mean at some of the restaurants you order and pay through an app and we found this made the service quite slow (Hucks and Sports Cafe) so if you eat there you might need to allow more time

Mickarooni · 30/06/2021 22:27

Loved the pottery painting, we found it very therapeutic and relaxing.

ginbramble · 30/06/2021 22:34

Not an activity as such but I love the pancakes at the pancake house on the lake.. make it an activity by hiring a pedalo on the lake?!!

Mickarooni · 01/07/2021 09:22

@ginbramble

Not an activity as such but I love the pancakes at the pancake house on the lake.. make it an activity by hiring a pedalo on the lake?!!
I disagree. Pancake eating is definitely an activity. Grin Grin
bookh · 01/07/2021 09:26

Get your swimming sessions booked NOW. They go really fast for the peak times.

Then you know what days you have swimming, work other stuff around it.

Don't book to much. We can fill a day just wandering about. Walk, lunch out at country club, play parks.

BabyMoonPie · 01/07/2021 09:50

It's worth having a look at where your accommodation is as if you're a long way from the centre and walking it takes a while to get there / activity venues

ginbramble · 01/07/2021 11:06

@Mickarooni GrinGrinGrin I definitely agree! Grin

EmmaStone · 01/07/2021 11:21

We tend to go to Longleat, but presuming most is the same;

Get swimming sessions booked first and then you can plan everything else around those

Get restaurants booked (I prefer to have a restaurant after a long swimming session as then can't be bothered to get back and prepare food and clean up)

We usually do bowling after dinner first night

Usually book a badminton court (we take our own rackets and shuttlecocks, but you can hire)

High ropes - kids love it

The water jet things, kids loved those too

Falconry was quite nice

Quad bikes - 1 liked, 1 didn't

Spa is excellent (I don't remember there being an issue with changing rooms)

Don't book too much, it is also a holiday, and it's nice to just pootle.

HerkyBaby · 02/07/2021 18:04

Basically the only thing that didn’t incur an extra charge was the pool. I felt thoroughly ripped off by the end of my stay .