Longleat & Centre Parcs

[Gigitree]

Hi all,

We’re booked to go to longleat centre parcs and longleat safari soon and just wanted to ask a couple of questions as I’ve never been to either and I’m a total newb!

1. for the longleat safari, DH isn’t keen on using our own car as we’ve heard tales of cars being damaged. But we’re hoping to book the bus instead. So my question is, will it be obvious when we get there where we need to
   Go? I read we need to book in with guest services, so do we park up and walk over? If we were going to do the safari by car, do you do this first and then park up after?

2. centre parcs, what’s everyone’s experience been with it since all the covid restrictions!? Looking online most restaurants are totally booked up so quickly - will we be able to just walk in and get a table or do you HAVE to pre-book?

3. we have booked a really annoying time slot of 2.45 for the swimming pool because that’s all we could get, do they let you move your slot if other ones become available pin the day? At you able to go on some sort of wait list.

Thanks.

*on the day

I think it's the monkey enclosure where cars can get damaged. You can skip it if you like, although I have driven through it as have many people I know without any damage to the car.
Should also mention that the kids enjoyed the monkey enclosure more than any other.

For centre parcs you will need to book everything in advance. I would keep checking every day to see if there are any cancellations for swimming. We went in July and it was ridiculous how quickly the slots were booked once they were released. We ended up having to go in the evening. I would think there'll be space in one of the restaurants, but again if there isn't any you'll just have to keep looking every day until you go

Thank you @EatYourFive I’ve seen online that you can just avoid the monkeys if you’re worried about car damage, but I think DD would really like them so hoping we can go on the bus.

Thanks @TeamSpike yeah the swimming slots all got booked out so fast I could kick myself for not realising and booking too late! Hoping we can try and get a different slot on the day.
Not too fussed about having an evening meal out but we were hoping to go to the pancake house for brunch but there is f all availability when we want to go

You don't say how old your children are but we loved the pool in the dark, at night. That would be my favourite time although I appreciate small children would need to be asleep by then.

Aww yeah unfortunately my DD is 1 and my nephew is 2 otherwise that would be amazing as you don’t have to book after 6pm @Kezzie200

It’s been a while since I’ve been, but I remember it being quite a distance from the gate at Longleat down to the house and park, so if you’ve got anyone who struggles with long distances, you might want to bear that in mind.

Also, I can’t remember seeing anywhere for pedestrians to pay to enter. It’s all tailored for people to pay where they’re arriving by car, so I’d give them a ring and make sure nobody is going to demand you go back and get your car (unless anyone has been more recently).

I did the safari on the bus and it was fantastic.

You need to drive into Longleat and park in the main car park. This is where you park to do all the on-foot bits around the Main Square (eg big playgrounds, see the koalas, anteaters, meerkats, go on the boat to see gorillas and sea lions (and maybe a glimpse of hippos!). The safari bus leaves from beside the family farmyard, so you won't take your car anywhere near the safari if you go for that option. I heard someone at guest services recently though trying to book tickets for the bus and it had already sold out, so go straight there when you get there. That says, we've driven round loads of times and had no damage. It's only the monkeys that are a risk and there's a bypass lane. The monkeys are the best bit though! If you have an SUV or higher style car you're more likely to get them sitting on the roof. It can take forever to drive around when it's busy though and I'm not sure 1 & 2 year olds would stay interested - my 3 yo still falls asleep!

Center Parcs - we went in May and hasn't realised how quickly all the swimming slots would book up. Ended up going at 8am on my birthday as was only option Were going again just before Christmas and I've got the date in my diary for when bookings open to be online at 7am!

CP Longleat is quite hilly and spread out, they may still have a land train In Operation. Definitely book restaurants and activities as otherwise you will miss out. Personally I prefer CP Elveden as it has more of a central hub. Have a lovely holiday

We’ve done both bus and car. Bear in mind that the safari will take longer in the bus. Like others have said, it’s the monkeys that do the damage but they are great to watch from the bus! No way would I chance it in my car. They can rip off number plates, wipers and windscreen washers in a flash.

Hi OP can’t speak on behalf on center parcs but I’m local to longleat.. you can as a PP said skip monkeys however! The newer the car the better. There is of course still a risk of being damaged but new cars are so tight knit and slim lined with no extra dangly bits to grab, monkeys don’t tend to go for them. They like old cars with rubber door trims etc. And red cars 😄😄😄

You can also get the bus from the family farmyard bit, you never used to have to book but it may have changed since Covid. You’ll be able to do so in the park tho

Thanks everyone for your advice! Oh wow @Ilovemycat13 being local to longleat you must have been there so many times!

There is a choice when you come to the monkey enclosure of driving in or going around.

No where else will damage your car so don't worry.

Thanks everyone for your advice. We skipped the monkey enclosure at longleat so that was fine and our car remained intact! We decided being in our own car would be better for our little one.

Centre parcs longleat, my advice to anyone going soon would be make sure you book restaurants and swimming pool slots wayyyy in advance.
It was amazing though as they had all the Christmas decorations out, and even nice touches like a wreath on all the lodge doors and a letter to Santa template for all the kids to fill out which would could post in the special post box in the plaza and then they all got a reply from Santa - such a nice touch

@Gigitree

Thanks everyone for your advice. We skipped the monkey enclosure at longleat so that was fine and our car remained intact! We decided being in our own car would be better for our little one.

Centre parcs longleat, my advice to anyone going soon would be make sure you book restaurants and swimming pool slots wayyyy in advance.
It was amazing though as they had all the Christmas decorations out, and even nice touches like a wreath on all the lodge doors and a letter to Santa template for all the kids to fill out which would could post in the special post box in the plaza and then they all got a reply from Santa - such a nice touch

Pleased you had a lovely holiday, and your car survived 😂 longleat, we used to love CP at Xmas. But yes, absolutely need to book restaurants and activities long before you go, totally agree, I give the heads up to everyone.