To not get Centerparcs?

[goingmadinthecountry]

No holiday this year - finances - friends suggested a weekend at Centerparcs. 600+ for a weekend without activities, showers rubbish compared with ours at home, basic kitchen with not too clean stuff in it, cheap plates, tiny outside area, all the effort of shopping/cooking/washing up/cleaning/making beds. Overcrowded overpriced activities, screaming children. Having to be at every activity at a set time, riding a crappy hired bike around for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Been before and it all seemed like an effort. Really, am I missing something? Disclaimer: I live in the countryside so feel no need to get away from it and commune with nature.

If you don't like it don't go.

As a family we live rurally so nothing is on our doorstep it's a novelty to have everything in one place. Yes, the pool can be busy but we tend to go at mealtimes when it's quieter and just have our meals early/late which we do on holiday anyway as routine flies out of the window.

Personally my idea of hell would be 2 weeks in August in Spain or All Inclusive as with everything it's horses for courses.

Just to add we went in July for a week £1500 all in for accommodation and spending money plus all the activities we did.

I even upgraded accommodation and we got daily maid service, en-suites & jacuzzi bath - we'll be booking for next year

Badminton or tennis is all as same price as at our local leisure centre.

Another one to add to the list as to why it's just the same as home (but £1000 more expensive).

Grumpy here you are

We love it, take the ageing parents and kids. Can get a mobility scooter for fil and he will come to the pool for a bit as he can walk into the water. No cars so no concerns over a glass of wine here or there.

Tbh I wouldn't take a 3 year old and 2 year old to a really nice restaurant I want places that are family friendly and won't keep us waiting for ages.

I live Center Parcs, could someone explain the Netherlands ones to me please? How do you get there, book your travel etc? I'd love to go to a Holland Center Parcs.

As for going abroad most people don't go for a full week. For us CP is 2 hours door to door, we fire down whilst the kids nap. Everything is thrown in the back of the Volvo and then I take the kids to the play park whilst DH unpacks. We do infrequently go abroad but the travelling and packing is not fun whilst the kids are so little.

bunbaker I have been to two places in your link -Cameron house and Slaley hall. They have typical hotel pools and activities aren't included. Most people go and for spas and golf, they aren't really places I would recommend for people looking for centreparcs type activities.

Somebody up thread mentioned Crieff hydro and that is worth a look if you can travel there.

Thanks for the suggestions (alternatives to CP)

Kraggle we use clubcard vouchers to book Eurotunnel. They vary in length of drive from Calais, we had a bad drive yesterday and with stops it took 6 hours for what was supposed to be about 4 as got snarled up in traffic due to accudents but usually it's been fine. You fill in your details amd print off an eticket and check in very easy.

Another option is ferry from Harwuch to Hook of Holland. Kempervennen has a snow dome next door. We're at de Eemhof and plan to visit Amsterdam plus are deciding whether the drive to de Eftling is worth it with teens.

We've got 3 free activities included but they aren't that expensive anyway in scheme of things especially when you work out the exchange rate. Lazier battle about 11 euros, zip wire 8 euros, 3D printing is 5 euros.

There's an option to add on meal packages too.

Last week in August is cheaper as Dutch schools back. If you book ahead there is discount on a sliding scale the closer to arrival you go but then last minute discounts kick in.

You book European Center Parcs by going to Center Parcs.com rather than .UK. You can get early booking discounts and free activities included if you book early. We are tempted to try De Kempervennen with the snow dome.

"They have typical hotel pools and activities aren't included."

We loathe organised activities so we wouldn't take part in them at any place we stayed.

I don't like Centre Parcs style pools as I like to swim not muck about. We also avoid places with lots of small children as DD is a teenager now.

For the Dutch center parks arnt there another brand that are actually dutch called Landle or something like that supposed to be even better?

I wouldn't go now but it was great at the stage the children were at. We could cycle everywhere and see red squirrels. Loved the webcams with badgers etc at night.

I'd forgotten that - at the European sites the first couple of activities are free.

There are Landal Green Patks but the pools haven't compared to Centre Parcs, at least not in the couple we have been to. Also a lot more activities in CP. Think a couple of Landals are ex Centre Parcs and do have good pools but the majority are a fairly basic pool.

Another lover of CP last time we went cost is £250 for a weekend - Whinfell. Been to ones in Netherlands/ Belguim as well. We take our own bikes and usually only swim on the Friday / Monday as much quieter. Have done various of the paid for activities and found them all to be excellent. Horses for courses. This year we have 2 weeks self catering aboard booked for less than £1200 including flights/car hire. Can't wait 6 days and counting.

Loved it (many!) years ago, but now it's crowded and overpriced.

Went few years ago so maybe improved...
Dark forest cabin [weather didn't help], lift music entertainment in foyer type area by restaurents. £3 a bounce on garden type trampolines for 5 minutes. Earnest looking people playing badminton.
Felt bankrupt at end plus sick bug from hell started dominoing through extended family for our travelling home.
Never again....

You can tell by the brochure what they are - e.g fairly obvious that you are not going to be able to do serious swimming in the pool.
It was a good holiday for us as a one off - plenty of fun swimming, safe cycling, chance to try out different activities like sailing and scuba diving. Pleasant cabin. Car free.
It isn't cheap- but you know that before you book.

We love it but it's our second holiday not our first, the only complaint we have is the length of the journey but from the south west everywhere is a long drive.
If you go to Sherwood they have a lane swimming pool, not sure about the others but Woburn doesn't.

I also think the price for Centreparks is a rip off. I don't understand why people would pay thousands for it.

We just got back from 5 nights in a caravan park in West Wales. It cost £450 for 4 adults and 2 dc. Lovely big 3 bed caravan, beautiful site with sea views, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis court, football pitch. Lovely clubhouse with nightly activities for adults or dc, a secure games room for kids, good quality cabaret. We went crabbing on the beach, saw Dolphins from the pier, went on bike rides and walks. Also spent an extra £50 on a boat excursion where we saw Dolphins and seals.

What extra does Centre parks offer for the additional £1200 it would have cost for there instead? Make use of your local caravan parks, they're a fraction of the price!