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Original poster

Centre parcs

63 replies

mamaneedsanap23 · 07/06/2022 20:23

Just booked centre parcs for the first time! I could probably find a lot of this out on the website but I know MN loves centre parcs so I'm asking here first 😂

We are going to the Sherwood Forest one if that's relevant.

Firstly I didn't realise how expensive activities are. We will still do some but probably not as much as I thought. Is there plenty of fun free stuff to do too? Parks, walks etc? I know the swimming is free which is good.

Secondly what sort of activities would you recommend for an 11 year old boy? He's outdoorsy but quite shy so not sure if the sessions are drop and leave as he might not like that.

How far in advance do you need to book activities? And do you need to book evening meals too? That's what it says on the website but ideally I would have liked to see how we felt when we got there!

Is cooking from your lodge/bbq possible? Are there good facilities to do it - pots and pans etc.

Anything else you'd recommend taking or doing? Thanks!!

OP posts:

FirstAidKitNowPlease · 08/06/2022 09:56

Kezzie200 · 08/06/2022 08:27

You know you are an old mumsnetter when a CP thread is on page 2 and no comment yet on taking lube!

I was only reading this thread to find the first anal sex/ lube comment

SecondarySnob · 08/06/2022 10:07

Swimming/bikes is half of our activities sorted.

We've not been to Sherwood but certainly Elveden and Woburn after 6pm swimming doesn't need booked so why not do a morning activity, then a late lunch then evening swim and snacks after.

My eldest is 10 so not quite the same age but the Go Ape style thing is great fun, and we're all quite arty so we always do pottery painting as a chilled hour.

But we book ourselves in too. No fun doing stuff alone on holiday.

The climbing wall is the exception but then we're stood right there.

Surely one of you would like a go at the archery? Especially at Sherwood like Robin Hood.

The mini golf is good too and we've had fun doing the GeoLocating thing as a team.

millymae · 08/06/2022 10:40

If you go on Facebook there is a Center Parcs Sherwood Forest group - I joined the Whinfell Forest one before we went and there was so much useful information from those that had stayed there.

Original poster

mamaneedsanap23 · 08/06/2022 11:07

Sorry for all the endless questions! Has anyone done target archery? I'm signing my son up for it but is it something he could do alone or would it be better for him if dh or I did it with him? At £28 a pop for adults it's very pricey and I have no interest in archery whatsoever. But if it'll be more fun for him with one of us competing or playing alongside him then I'll book us on too, so hard to know how it all works when you've not done it before!

OP posts:

KatieKat88 · 08/06/2022 11:37

mamaneedsanap23 · 08/06/2022 11:07

So I booked target archery last minute and was on my own (DH was with DD in the lodge while she had a nap) and I ended up with a lovely family from Leeds who thankfully took me in as one of their own (which I was very grateful for as it could have been really awkward )

It's all about the competition so ideally you'd do with it others you know. But I still really enjoyed it!

TheWayoftheLeaf · 08/06/2022 13:29

If he's tall enough I'd recommend archery (field is best but target is cool too) and laser clay.

They also have paintballs and Segway rides which can be fun.

Adventure gold is cheap enough and a good laugh and they have a climbing wall too.

I also like the fencing classes.

Kfjsjdbd · 08/06/2022 14:44

Just letting you know that we got a deposit back on a restaurant booking that we cancelled when we went to CP a few weeks ago. They had no issue with it at all. We also changed one of our restaurant bookings as we didn’t fancy it that evening and again didn’t lose the deposit/it was no issue.

Buttons0522 · 08/06/2022 14:49

The ovens at Sherwood are awful - don’t expect to cook anything much in there!!

HMG107 · 08/06/2022 15:22

We went to Sherwood at Christmas but with a two year old so can’t comment on activities.

As others have said you only get a small fridge with an ice box for the freezer. The oven was awful, it didn’t have a fan and only heated from the bottom. It took ages and a lot of turning to cook anything. We enjoyed Hucks but it’s very expensive for what it is. There are a number of nice pubs a short drive from CP but it is difficult to find a parking space again if you do go off site.

LeafHunter · 08/06/2022 15:24

I’d definitely focus on becoming more confident at cycling beforehand (lots of councils do free courses) and hiring or taking bikes. It’s a fairly easy place to cycle round it definitely made the friends we went with more confident as they did it every day.

Plastichanger · 08/06/2022 15:45

i know you said you are not confident cyclists but do you still plan to hire bikes? If so, it’s a great place to practice and build up you confidence due to the lack of cars.

The logs for the log fires in the chalets are cheaper if you buy them locally rather than at a the On-site supermarket. I think Waitrose sell them - keep the receipt so you can return any unused ones. There is food and drinks to buy at the pool but we often bought food from the supermarket to eat by the pool. The last time we went to a CP was in 2019 so not sure if it is still the case but the supermarket did stock meals by ‘cook’ if you like them - I find them a bit bland and overrated.

even if you don’t do the high ropes, it is a fun activity to watch. I would recommend that you take your own snacks as I expect they are a lot more expensive in the on-site shops.

When we used to go years and years ago, they also had things like a five a side football tournament in case that appeals to anyone in your family.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 08/06/2022 22:47

LeafHunter · 08/06/2022 15:24

Agree with this. CP is ideal for beoming more confident on bikes and a quick and easy way of getting about.

Beetr00t · 09/06/2022 16:53

Hi OP, we're off to CP (Elveden!) in a few weeks and I'm really looking forward to it, we've been 3 times before and always had a great trip. My DS is 11 too... but I've put his DOB as making him 12 so he can do more activities this time! We also take his friend with us too, both are only childs, so it's nice for them both.

Hope you have a great time- my only advice is that every restaurant we've been to has been really expensive, and shit. (in Woburn anyway) so we don't bother anymore. Spaghetti bolognese made at home and reheated one night, pizzas another, bbq another!

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