To think that people should at least go to Centre Parcs before they slag it off

[Ohbehave1]

I am fed up with my friends saying how expensive Centre Parcs is or how they wouldn't like it when they haven't even looked on the booking site.

I know they can be expensive but I have done it on the cheap. And I know that they have gone downhill a bit, but they can still be good value for money.

For those that want to complain, at least look at the booking form.

That was for 6 of us btw. It's not cheap but not as expensive as that makes it sound. £30 bottle which is obviously really a £15 bottle then £20 a head.

I'd rather go and stay at a Motorway Service station for a week. Similar experience and prices.

Liquorice - I have no idea where you've been in the Lakes (Bowness or Keswick I'm guessing) but it's quite possible to do the Buttermere horseshoe on a weekday, or a big walk out from Eskdale, without seeing another soul.

I am the same when people slate the sun holidays, (I know not the same) but it's ow you make it, we went on a £10,000 holiday and compared to our £130 holiday the sun holiday was by far the best, yes we had sun, sea and sand, however the DC had lots more fun, doing treasure trails, adventure playground, quad bikes etc... they always speak highly of the sun holiday...

until the kids are older, we will take their lead with the odd sun holiday here and there.

Apart from when we went to Lapland, I would never go on holiday or even a short break to somewhere where the food was terrible. Part of the reason I go away is to eat well.

Disclaimer DD is 15 and would hate CP, and so would we.

But much as I enjoy the solitude of walking in The Lakes, they don't really offer much in the way of activities to entertain 4 kids from 12 down to 1 over the course of half term.

Bunbaker, if I only had one 15yr old then I'd feel the same. Ds1 probably won't want to come at 15 but by then dd will be 4 so we may look at something else for half term.

And it doesn't have to be terrible, you can buy and cook your own. The restaurants are just a bit meh.

I'd rather go and stay at a Motorway Service station for a week. Similar experience and prices

Oooh! Well, Liquorice.... Buttermere, Borrowdale, Langdale (for Crinkle Crags), Wasdale Head and Eskdale are all quieter and have the most fantastic scenery.

If you want a bigger village, Coniston is also lovely and much less touristy than Ambleside and Hawkshead down the road, especially if you stay up towards the Old Man or on the other side of the lake, near Brantwood or round towards Torver.

I go to the Lakes several times a year - used to live there too - but have only ever endured Bowness and Hawkshead once each. Never again.

I love the hills and get there as often as I can, but can't bear fighting my way through packs of people in their new Peter Storm gaiters.
It's funny when you go up one of the big climbs from a slightly "different" direction - doing Scafell or Great Gable from Wasdale, for example - and see the coachloads coming up the popular tourist paths.

Sorry to go off topic....

We have been to center parcs a few times and are going again soon. we have a disabled son and it suits our needs. We only go in term time and don't do any paid activities so it isn't expensive. It is not real countryside but we live in the real countryside and it is nice to be 5 minutes walk away from somewhere to eat. We can go walking in empty woods any weekend.

I thought I would hate it but actually I really liked it and found it perfect for the children. It was great for them to have some independence and to be able to ride safely. We didn't find the activities too expensive and the kids loved it. I would go back and I'm a real holiday snob.

I really like Center Parcs. I actually do find it very tranquil. I went in the Easter holidays this year; it was miserable weather, rained all the time - but the one I went to had an indoor ski slope so my DD took lessons and then we went to the pool once a day. That was all we needed. When it rained we stayed in by the fire and looked out at the ducks and deer wandering past. When the sun came out my DD was able to play at the quiet playground visible from our window, overlooking the lake.

That was our 4th trip. I love that it's close by and easily accessible. I love riding a bike in a safe and clean environment. (I live in a polluted and congested city and hate cycling here). The first time I did pay for lots of extra activities but now I find we don't need to. Pool, playgrounds and visiting the animals is plenty to keep us busy (DD is 4).

Agree that the food is 'lowest common denominator'. I don't particularly mind as it ticks so many other boxes for me.

Liquorice, the others are right about trying different places, I could have guessed the list of places you have visited - all really busy. Ennerdale is beautiful and very quiet. And there is nowhere in the world to beat sitting by Wastwater on a sunny autumn day.