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Original poster

Anyone been to Center Parcs in winter?

27 replies

difficulttimes · 23/11/2011 10:18

going soon around xmas, I'm looking at the activities been before more spring time though. Its a very nice place , but the smallest thing is very costly.

I'm wondering with everything being soooo blummin expensive, how did you make sure you got a good time out of it , with a toddler aswell

aibu to think how are we gonna fill a week???

OP posts:
belgo · 23/11/2011 10:20

I love centre parcs in winter. We have been to the ones in Holland and Germany, and it's lovely swimming in a tropical pool every day. We also go on walks as well to see a bit of the area.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow · 23/11/2011 10:21

winter is the best time to go to center parcs, at least you know exactly what to pack - unlike going in the summertime where you have to pack for every eventuality.

You'll easily fill a week, you should soon receive your activities brochure and you can book lots of things from there in advance.

I wish I was going but just got a divorce so my finances are somewhat reduced!!

ENormaSnob · 23/11/2011 10:23

I'm going in December.

Not sure what to expect tbh.

WhataTreat · 23/11/2011 10:26

I went in January a couple of years ago when it had snowed - was so beautiful!! We still hired bikes (think it was actually easier than walking!) and spent a lot of time in the pool. Activities are really expensive but they always have loads of stuff on for kids, especially in winter when the water sports are off!

Have a lovely holiday, I'm really jealous!!

chocolatchaud · 23/11/2011 10:28

We always go in wintertime, and manage to avoid all of the activities!

We hire bikes/trailers for the whole time, so go on at least one bike ride per day. Then there's the swimming which takes up half a day (changing little ones in cramped spaces seems to be a lengthy procedure).

We wrap up warm and go for walks to the parks.

Bowling is quite good for all the family, and I think there is a free children's disco every night.

Then of course, there's lots of eating and drinking to be done - nothing like a hot chocolate outside under one of the heaters.

cmgjh · 23/11/2011 10:29

We just went for a week to the Center Parcs near Thetford and had a great week with our 3 year old DD. We didn't really do any of the activities as they were very expensive - but DD was more than happy going on the play areas and in the swimming pool every day, as well as cycling all over the site. You can get cbeebies on the telly and we took several DVDs and colouring books etc. to the chalet to amuse her. No experience of the clubs that children can go to without their parents, though.

MayMiracle · 23/11/2011 10:30

We went last November, with our then 6 month old and had the best week ever. It was really Christmassy and festive. It is great fun, and the cabin's are really cosy in the winter. Go for it, and have a wonderful time!

daveywarbeck · 23/11/2011 10:32

we go to whinfell in january and have a lakeside lodge - this year the lake was frozen solid and looked beautiful. ds was only 3 so we don't do many activities - did a couple of nature walks/talks and used pool every day. there was a panto - pared down but v good. other than that long walks. really enjoyed it - more than in summer actually.

twolittlemonkeys · 23/11/2011 10:36

We used to go every January (for a few years prior to DS1 starting school) and it was magical. We rarely paid for extra activities. Every day we went swimming, went for frosty woodland walks, put nuts out for the squirrels that came up to the lodge, we also took a few board games and had lots of fun playing those together. The week flew by. Toddlers love going out collecting pinecones etc. You could even take paper and glue and make collages of things you collect on your walk with your DC. Took our own food to avoid shopping at the parc market (which is pretty expensive) and would make our favourite meals over the week, maybe eat out one evening during our stay.

Original poster
difficulttimes · 23/11/2011 10:37

Ah good , im looking at the activities open mouithed at some of the prices I have a 2 yr old and going with dm, dsis and dp for 5 days.

alot of the kids stuff he is too young for and things like ceramics he wouldn't sit still for :/

OP posts:
nomoreheels · 23/11/2011 10:38

Not quite winter but I've just been in late October.

Make good use of the tropical pool that's included & the free playgrounds if the weather is ok - there are some great ones. If you want to splurge, the hired cabanas in the pool are a nice treat for one day. There were some cheap or free toddler play events advertised but my nieces are 8 & 11 & DD is 6 months so we didn't try them.

Try to take as much food as you can with you, as the market is limited & a bit pricey. We did really not enjoy any of the meals out & they were quite dear. Spooky Carvery was crap, as was the restaurant attached to the country club. In our opinion the only decent restaurant was the American diner one.

The ice rink was awful - skating on plastic with uncomfortable hard skates was a waste of time. If the rink you get is real ice, that might be better. Bowling was ok.

However I really enjoyed the peaceful time spent in our cabin - that was best of all.

If I'd had time, you can get an evening spa pass for £38 which looked good for a Me Time treat.

aldiwhore · 23/11/2011 10:41

We used to go every January and had a wonderful time. With small children I wouldn't bother with the paid for activities, we never did (apart from hiring bikes... they were FAB and cheap all weekend) we had winter BBQ's, spent a lot of time in the pool area, had lots of wintery walks and did all the free stuff (nature trails, playgrounds etc) I would highly recommend it, but see if they've got any offers on as you're right it IS expensive. Though you will get money off next year as a returning visitor (if you go at the right time).

Have fun.

Just read twolittlemonkeys post.... ditto!! x

nomoreheels · 23/11/2011 10:45

Oh & there was no Cbeebies at Sherwood, just an awful Disney channel that made our ears bleed. Sad

HappyAsEyeAm · 23/11/2011 10:46

I love CP in Winter - we went last year and it was absolutely brilliant. It is not as busy as in summer, and the atmosphere is superb.

One evening there was a Christmas walk which culminated in fireworks. The whole place is lit beautifully, there was a Santa's grott, reindeer display (four mechanical reindeer heads each poking out of stable doors, dancing to music) etc.

And all the usual sporting, art and craft and outdoor activities - nature trail etc. Playground was quiet too. And the pool of course.

Yankeecandlequeen · 23/11/2011 10:46

I've been in Winter (never summer) & we love it! Winter Wonderland is beautiful. I'm going in January & we do activities. My girls love football so we have a few activities booked. Blowing in the morning as its cheaper & if we eat out we tend to use the Sports Cafe as they have offers like BOGOF & the girls can rollerskate in the hall whilst we watch DS (who is younger) playing in the soft play.

PLUS its cheaper in the Winter!

TheHumancatapult · 23/11/2011 10:51

We go M

Original poster
difficulttimes · 23/11/2011 10:51

Is it cheaper in winter?? didn't know that :S

how much was santa's grotto??

OP posts:
malinkey · 23/11/2011 10:54

I wouldn't bother booking activities for a 2 year old - there's plenty to keep them busy with going swimming, walking and cycling round in a trailer on your bike.

malinkey · 23/11/2011 10:55

Oh yes, and playgrounds.

TheHumancatapult · 23/11/2011 10:58
Blush That should be we go Monday To Elverden

Have 4 dc ds1 17 , ds2 14 ,dd8,ds3 6 ( ds2 was not coming but us now as he is not allowed back to school till after Xmas as staff need medical training )

But with younger two , early morning small soft play area then park , back for lunch and a walk then go swimming rest if time

Mine could happily spend all day in the pool. Ds1, ds2 are dojng the laser quest one afternoon

Little 2 seeing FC otherwise bowling is cheap between 9 and 10 last year there was couple free stuff going on he robot controlled polar bear was fab and the guy controlling it out of sight hit my heartfelt thanks fir bring it near enough that ds3 could reach from wheelchair

Staff are fab and very little beats the saltwater pool at night looking st the stars

TheHumancatapult · 23/11/2011 11:00

Difficult

We have 3 bed villa fir £289 for 5 days . Think it is £10 each fir Santa but your not rushed and decent presents oh and book that one before you go

alana39 · 23/11/2011 11:04

We have been in Jan / Feb - less now that kids are in school as we can only go in half term so still pricey. I like it in the winter though, it's much nicer walking around woods than town in rain / snow and DSs like swimming outside in the dark, which is actually feasible for small children in the winter as it's dark so early.

We fill the days by swimming, going on a walk to see ducks in the little ponds, or swans by the lake, cycling around (definitely worth hiring bikes with a carriage for toddler). The kids like watching the ducks / squirrels / deer out of the patio window for ages.

I don't rate the restaurants, and think the shop's a bit limited so I try to cook 3 meals in advance (nice sauce for pasta, curry, casserole etc) then just need to either eat out or buy pizza / fish fingers from the shop for a quick meal on the last night when we've usually had a long day making the most of all the activities. Money saved on not eating out means we can go for a coffee / snack in cafes when we feel like it.

The last couple of times we've paid for activities for the older 2 DSs - like archery, fencing etc but tbh they enjoy the swimming and cycling more than anything else so I wouldn't go overboard.

fluffy123 · 23/11/2011 11:06

I went the Christmas before last and Christmas five years ago each time for a week. One of the parcs is near the inlaws. I recommend going in winter. It is so nice to cosy up in lodge with the fire on. The activities are expensive but look out for pre booking activity discounts. We did lots of things early in the morning and this saved quite a lot of money. Then saved swimming and play parks for the afternoon. Santas grotto is worth a visit and if you are to eat out the buffet brunches , although quite a lot of money will fill you up all day. Have a great holiday.

SunshineOnARainyDay · 23/11/2011 11:12

We are going the week before Christmas. The DC finish school on Friday 16th so we're going to Whinfell on Monday 19th for 4 nights.

The only thing we are paying extra for is the visit to Father Christmas. For the rest of the time we will do lots of swimming and walks in the forest. Plus the fireworks around the lake on the Tuesday evening is free.

We went last year and it was fab, with lights in all the trees, wreaths on the doors of the villas and a lovely atmosphere. Father Christmas was wonderful and the children got a nice present.

We don't tend to eat out in the restaurants but take food with us (we also buy the crackle logs from Tesco to take with us as they are cheaper than buying them in the Parc Market!).

daveywarbeck · 23/11/2011 11:19

Envy sunshine

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