Which Center Parcs?

[EcoCustard]

I haven’t been to center Parcs since I was a child and considering booking for this summer for me, DH, and the kids who are 7, 6, 4, & 3. Which resort is best if any? Looked at all so far just wondering if there was any difference. Hedging our beds on travel restrictions as I can’t take any more foreign holiday cancellations and can’t be bothered to pitch our tent either 🙈.

I always prefer Whinfell in winter,Sherwood in the Summer.Whinfel much better if it’s raining, the whole village square is under cover, the pool is better for younger children too, sherwood is my second favourite, the pool is better for adults and older children the slides and rapids are great but not for the faint hearted, the playgrounds and beach area are excellent.

The others I find alright but not as good as Whinfel and Sherwood, I haven’t been to the new Longford forest in Ireland though.

None 😄

Ah, we’ve been to Longleat and Woburn. They’re the same as far as I can tell. I think people say that Longleat is hillier. Overpriced and nothing special though if you ask me. Just remember talking about how we could have stayed in our own comfy beds and done day trips and nice food for less £ and more comfort.

Our favourite is Sherwood but have only been to that one and Whinfel so can't comment on the others.

Oh and someone let their kid poo in the pool 😵‍💫

Elveden is our favourite, LL is too hilly and spread out, Elveden has a central hub which we like.

None. Get a David Lloyd membership and rent a holiday house near a nice one with a lovely indoor and outdoor pool. We stayed at one a couple of years ago and I was incredulous that people spent so much money on such a horrible set up.

@WakeUpLockie I agree about being overpriced but it’s the pool and swimming.

Went to Sherwood as a kid and loved the rapids . Thanks.

Wait until travel to the Netherlands is allowed and hook de Kempervennen. Real snow ski slope, cheap activities, great pool and about 1/3 of the price of the English parcs.

Have been to Sherwood, Woburn and Longleat

Sherwood by far our favourite

They’re all different from each other, but not different enough to justify extra travel time. Just go to the one nearest your house, particularly with small children.

Yes, go to nearest! We've been to Sherwood (4 hours drive but close to SIL) and Longleat (40 mins from home). My children are now 3 and 5 (and the little one gets car sick) so I'm not sure we'll ever venture back to Sherwood. The main difference we've noticed is that there is a lot more wildlife at Sherwood - you get geese, swans, squirrels and ducks coming up to your patio doors looking for crumbs but we haven't had any visitors at longleat - although actually we did have a deer outside actually when we went in May!

I like Elveden for smaller children because it's flat which is great for kids on bikes or pushchairs.

I've never come across a better pool area for kids than centerparcs pools. They win over everything. Better slides, better kids area, better everything and you can go back every day.

The activities are all extra and expensive but well worth including a couple of things you might not do at home.

The restaurants are mediocre at best so bring lots of easy dinners and loads of snacks instead. Take kids bikes and or scooters and you're set.

It does cost a fortune but for the ages your children are I think they will get a lot out of it.

We have only been to Elveden (our nearest) and it was ok. The pool was basically human soup but I suppose it's like that no matter which one you go to. We brought MIL who has a physical disability so the flatness of the park was great for her. I would happily never go again, but I must say the kids still talk about it four years later - they bloody loved it there!!!

Yes definitely bring bikes or pre-hire before you go. Do a click and collect food shop at a nearby supermarket, the onsite shop is extortionate.

Sherwood it is then as it’s closest. The only reason for booking is we need a decent pool, bike trails and a couple of activities. Been on our fair share of U.K. holiday cottages and they are expensive if nice, and always tiring and disappointing and with a pool it is unaffordable. As long as there is a pool kids will be happy. I expect the supermarket prices are like some of the campsites, overpriced. Thanks.

The supermarket sells co op food so maximum prices are set by them

They are but don't forget you will only be a few minutes from a normal big supermarket in the nearest town. As easy to drive to as at home if necessary.

Plus the looong walk to and from the car park 😂😂

Sherwood has a new addition to the kids pool area.

@Summerofcontent

Plus the looong walk to and from the car park 😂😂

Good for the soul

@DaisyDozyDee

They’re all different from each other, but not different enough to justify extra travel time. Just go to the one nearest your house, particularly with small children.

Yes Get your money s worth by going to neatest Arriving early straight to pool Check in after lunch. Leave late on last day.. No point travelling four hours if you can reach one in two

Onside shop ok for bread milk eggs meat for bbq. Hot chicken etc
Expensive if you need shampoo or household goods

If you rent one of the bigger villas, you can drive to the villa to unload and load.

Worth it, especially with small kids

You can drive to any on arrival and leaving day.

We also prefer Elveden over Longleat due to the hills at LL.

Yes, CP is usually and expensive option in comparison to other UK holidays. That said, we went this past summer and found it OK price wise. We had booked early so got a better price. Then combined with the big price hike for everywhere else, our CP break was quite evenly priced.