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Original poster

A better cheaper alternative to Centre Parcs

54 replies

Myleakycauldron · 07/10/2022 20:42

We went to Centre Parcs off season / out of term time and it was say it was fine (it didn't cost more than an air B and B although obviously we spent quite a bit whilst there).

My DC would love to go back but now they are at school it is (I reluctantly checked) three times more expensive and absolutely not worth it just for the pool - which is the bit my DC loved. And we were not enamoured with the rest of it tbh.

Where else is a good pool with slides / holiday vibes?

OP posts:
lightisnotwhite · 07/10/2022 21:28

Go on a cruise? It was £800 per person for August 13 nights out Southampton . Had lots of pools, water slides/water park. No wood until you got off but you could hire bikes pretty much every port.

MonkeyPuddle · 07/10/2022 21:30

Just priced up potters for the same break but next year as we’re doing in CP this October half term. Potters was £3k more expensive! I must be doing something wrong on the website!

Branleuse · 07/10/2022 21:32

The centerparcs in europe, particularly belgium and holland are much cheaper than the uk ones. Esp if its at a uk half term holiday that doesnt correspond to the school holidays there

Interested in this thread?

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Days out
Searchingforsunshine · 07/10/2022 21:33

Woolacombe, twitchen house

greenbirdsong · 07/10/2022 21:34

Afterfire · 07/10/2022 20:45

Haven?

wild duck Norfolk is about as close to CP as you can get without it being CP!

Haven Wild Duck does not have a good pool if that's what the OP is after.
We went there in the summer and was really disappointed in the pool - small, cold, needing an update and still having to book swim slots is so annoying.
Otherwise it was a nice little park to walk around.

ABlindAssassin · 07/10/2022 21:34

We had a day at Bluestone. The pool felt small, crowded and dirty compared to Centre Parcs.

Afterfire · 07/10/2022 21:36

greenbirdsong · 07/10/2022 21:34

Haven Wild Duck does not have a good pool if that's what the OP is after.
We went there in the summer and was really disappointed in the pool - small, cold, needing an update and still having to book swim slots is so annoying.
Otherwise it was a nice little park to walk around.

Show quote history

That is true… although they have updated the pool from how it used to be years ago. Haven seashore in Yarmouth has the closest thing to a CP pool - lots of big slides etc - but it isn’t foresty.

illbeinthegarden · 07/10/2022 21:36

Potters does not have a pool like centre parcs... They put on a good show though.

PuppyMonkey · 07/10/2022 21:37

Potters probably seems more expensive because all the food and drink is included. And the evening entertainment is fabulous.

WineIsMyCarb · 07/10/2022 21:38

Ribby Hall

MonkeyPuddle · 07/10/2022 21:41

PuppyMonkey · 07/10/2022 21:37

Potters probably seems more expensive because all the food and drink is included. And the evening entertainment is fabulous.

Ah see I didn’t realise this. We go as big family groups to CP, usually between 20-28 of us between a few lodges. We cook a meal and sit with wine, board games and more wine.

WellTidy · 07/10/2022 21:42

If you’re just looking for a similar pool, have you tried Coral Reef water world in Bracknell? It is a local authority owned (I believe) pool with lots of flumes, lazy river and hot tub type thing. Not as sleek as the pool in CP, and smaller, but a very similar premise. We’ve been to CP many many times and the Dc love both CP and Coral Reef. Obviously not part of a holiday complex, but I think it’s a good substitute. Family pass (hour and a half) is about £60.

Soproudoflionesses · 07/10/2022 21:46

Been to Centerparcs in the Netherlands twice - get the ferry from Harwich to the Hook then drive down. Stayed at Zandvoort which is just a short train rude away from Amsterdam and Port Zelande which was lovely. Much cheaper than the UK - used Tesco vouchers to pay for the ferry.
Tend to use CP as a base abroad rather than here where you don't leave once you are in!

Purpl · 07/10/2022 22:53

Hoeseasoms lodges. Went to one on Winchester much smaller scale but lovely hot tub on balcony quad bikes tree tops mini golf nice restaurant and gym on site. Highly recommend

RhubarbFairy · 07/10/2022 22:58

Les Ormes in Brittany reminded me of CentreParcs. Pool is massive, in a huge domed complex, plus an outdoor pool. There's additional paid activities on site too (Treetop Adventure course etc). You're not far from St Malo and Mont St Michael if you want a couple of day trips.

We went with Eurocamp.
www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/brittany/bn013-domaine-des-ormes/ataglance.html

chilimartini · 07/10/2022 23:03

This is a fab thread!

Bbq1 · 08/10/2022 00:04

As pp's have said Potters can seem pricey initial but absolutely everything is included. All meals (4 a day), all drinks 💖(even bottled water) pool, daytime and evening entertainment.and all activities like Segway, crazy golf, rally carts, archery, air rifle etc. When you take this into account, it's really not that expensive. The hotel is really nice.

CheesyBeans1 · 08/10/2022 00:10

Centre park France. Cheaper, even with the ferry, and more of an adventure in the travelling. I can't remember which one we went to but it was about 2 hours from Calais. We had a blast.

BitOutOfPractice · 08/10/2022 00:11

Also came on to center parcs in Holland.

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 08/10/2022 09:49

I was disappointed by CP accommodation in Netherlands. Cabin was VIP supposedly but was actually very basic and not very clean.

comfortablyfrumpy · 08/10/2022 22:04

Not sure if it has been mentioned but Landal Greenparks in Holland are fab.

feeona123 · 08/10/2022 23:04

Sandy Balls

EweCee · 09/10/2022 19:50

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 08/10/2022 09:49

I was disappointed by CP accommodation in Netherlands. Cabin was VIP supposedly but was actually very basic and not very clean.

When did you go? We were there in 2019 (just before Covid) and that was not our experience at all - they are more functional we felt but clean. Just about to go again and apparently all the lodges have been renovated.

pimlicoanna · 09/10/2022 21:32

Does sandy Balls actually have a great pool? I'm sure I looked at booking it but the pool looked rubbish compared to CP?

Greengr · 10/10/2022 11:35

This is a nice site, on the beach as well
Plus they have beach house accommodation so not just mobile homes

https://www.haven.com/parks/norfolk/caister-on-sea?dsrl=1295895&dssrl=1295895&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpryQo7vV-gIVibHtCh1rygDhEAAYASAAEgLtMfDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds