Center parcs without kids

[overthinkersanonnymus]

Is center parcs ok to go to without kids?

I've never been before, my partner and I are looking for a staycation and I was wondering if center parcs is more tailored to families/kids?

Has anyone been before with out children and what did your days look like!

Thank you!

I’d steer clear tbh though I def know people who have gone without kids.

i mean you could have a nice time but all the activities are geared towards families and it’s very expensive for what it is. It is significantly less expensive in term time but what you get then is the pre-school masses.

Without children but with lots of activities , I would prefer the Manor House at Okehampton, Devon.

We went years ago with friends. No kids.
I think it depends on what you like doing on a staycation ultimately. No good if you like exploring and days out for example.

Also it is pricey for what you get.

We went pre DC and loved it. We went in-between Christmas and new year . Just DH and I.

We had an apartment so not as many families compared to lodges.

Evening swims when it's quiet, woodland walks, the spa. Was lovely!

Hmmm maybe I'll have a rethink 😂

I’d think you were fucking weird going without kids.

😂😂 well that did cross my mind too. I thought it may be like a forest holiday/spa type thing but I think I'm wrong

A staycation is staying in your own home and going out for the day.

Both my dc 26 and 28 have had a few days in Centerparcs recently as adult only parties and had a great time.

I quite fancy going on my own to be honest and just sit on the sofa eating nice food, reading books and watching the squirrels.

I go with my adult DC, I love the spa and we get a lodge with a sauna. We eat out each evening and do a different activity each day such as field archery. We normally have a BBQ and I take eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, peppers and we make various brunches. We enjoy buying the nice coffees, pancakes and sweets.
It makes a good mini break for us, I prefer Monday to Friday as it feels a lot longer than the three night stay.

Oh and one of my adult DC is going this autumn with a bunch of friends.

Same. And evening swims and spa visits.

If you enjoy waterslides it might be worth it. The swimming pool is great and that's what you're paying for.

If you're not that fussed then a country house hotel with extensive grounds would be better. Lots of them put on activities in the grounds

That is a holiday, not a staycation.

I know people who have been as couples or groups of friends and had a nice time. We've been twice as an extended family group with kids and had a great time, I can definitely imagine DH and I would have a fab time going alone for example. We would cycle, walk, observe nature, do the spa, go to the gym, do some sporty activities together like badminton and he'd probably do kayaking. Eat out and drink wine in the lodge and play card games. Lush.

You couldn't pay me to go there without kids!

Weird institutionalized vibe, crap restaurants, manic pool. Uncomfortable sofas and beds. Bad kitchen equipment

Great with kids under 8

Utterly pointless for anyone else.

I love centre Parcs because it’s so child friendly, it wouldn’t be my first choice if it was just for me and my DH but it has got lots of restaurants and a nice spa so wouldn’t be awful by any means.

We are going with our adult children this summer. However we have been going for 20 years with them. As adults we will cycle, swim, pickleball, badminton, tennis etc. Yes there are activities for children but also adults. We book restaurants later in the evening so most young children will already be in bed. The Spa doesn't admit children under the age of 14 I believe, we have done several spa mornings just Dh and I.

Of course you can go as just adults. There are hotel rooms there at some of them to accommodate you too if you don't want a 2 bed villa. Lots of videos on youtube of people including couples sharing what they have done and touring round both the villa and parc itself.

Not the point of the tread but I always thought

Staycation = staying in your actual home

Holiday = going somewhere in the country you call home or going abroad.

I maybe wrong though, but it seems weird to call a holiday in the U.K. staycation makes it sound like the standard vacation is abroad and it's odd to stay in U.K.

We did go as a couple & with my DM. We did a midweek in term time.
There were babies & toddlers everywhere. You couldn't move for the rows & rows of buggies parked outside the pool or outside Starbucks.
Its a bit much even if you don't mind small children.
On the plus side late evenings in restaurants & pool were quiet & we did some adult only activities (a craft thing & archery) and were the only ones booked on it so had it to ourselves.
I wouldn't do it again tbh. There's prob a different vibe at weekends with younger groups/couples but avoid the midweek.

You are right, but the holiday companies are trying to change the meaning !
Not sure why they think staying in your own country is not a holiday!

As i said above both my DC had a great time in adult only groups. DD and her mates went to the spa, played minigolf , racket games , went to the pool etc Think DS and his mates went bowling , minigolf etc

I've been without children (and without DH ) quite a few times.

Love it.

I book an apartment and spend most of my day time in the spa (which is child free) and the evenings enjoying peace and quiet reading in the apartment or watching a movie on my iPad.

During peak family meal times I go for a walk/bike ride in the woods/around the more remote parts of the site and it's soooo quiet and peaceful as everyone is in the domes/their apartments.

I cook food I like to eat (cook is too strong, I take lots of salad/antipasti/pate etc) so I don't use the restaurants (apart from in the spa). I occasionally get order in a takeaway.

I could go elsewhere but it's convenient for me re: travel and I know what I'm getting in terms of having a short break just for me.

I just avoid the family hotspots.

I mean there are adult only hotels with spas and pools in the countryside with woodland walks I’m sure. I bet the food choices are a damn sight better as well.

I know a couple in their 50s who go and stay in lots of lovely places with spas and nice walks. I think you could get something nicer for your money which would feel much more luxuriant for the money.

Also I went once and I loathed it so I’m probably biased.

Wait, I thought a staycation was a holiday in your own country? As in "staying" in your own country?

No it means having time off work, staying at home and going out for days locally.
Staying in your own country is going on holiday, no different than having a holiday abroad.