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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want something like Center Parcs but without the verrucas and the damp?

101 replies

OrangeSamphire · 29/12/2016 16:42

We are looking for a short break in the Spring. Really as a birthday get away for DS who is unable to walk or talk and we struggle to buy presents for. He loves warm swimming pools, walks in the woods and animals, so... Looked at Center Parcs Longleat as it's about 2 hrs north of where we live.

Seemed to tick a lot of boxes - wheelchair accessible walks and a warm pool for 5yr old, tree top and climbing wall activities for my 8yr old. Spa. Close to Longleat for the wildlife/animal stuff.

So far so good.

But. I just cannot abide crapness. If I knew that for the £600 odd we'd get even Premier Inn standard accommodation for the long weekend, I'd tolerate that. But I've read so much about damp lodges, filthy swimming changing, terrible food etc, I am reluctant to book.

Anyone know of anywhere similar that will keep the whole family happy and entertained for a long weekend where quality is a bit more consistent? Ideally no more than a 3hr drive from east Cornwall.

OP posts:
PrincessConsuelaTheSecond · 29/12/2016 22:06

Hucks is AMAZING! Shush the PP who says otherwise Grin

I'm a hotel snob too - when we go abroad I do 4/5 star or I don't go.

However we go to CP 1-2 times a year, we're actually going next week. The accommodation is brilliant since it's been renovated and feels very homely.

Plenty to do, the food is reasonable to good, the swimming area is clean even when busy. There's nothing not to like IMO.

Hope you enjoy the trip if you booked it Wink

confuugled1 · 29/12/2016 22:16

Might be a bit far but have a look at Potters in Norfolk

I haven't been but have seen it recommended several times on mn. Supposed to be a five star holiday resort with everything (mostly) included. Has very good reviews on the whole. And although it. Doesnt advertise a lot it seems to get a lot of repeat business so Doesn't need to... Somebody on here lived locally to it and said that it encouraged a lot of local visitors - they run lots of themed weeks or weekends out of season..

I've got it on ny list of places to go sometime before the dc get too big!

Seems to be an upmarket version of butlins with lots of activities and swimming like cp.

kilmuir · 29/12/2016 22:20

Never had a damp lodge or dirty changing rooms and we have been going for 15 years.
My SIL used to take my nephew in his wheelchair and said it was very good for accessibility etc

witsender · 29/12/2016 22:24

To be fair, we have been to Longleat and had a lovely time. Pool was clean and warm, plenty of changing rooms, had one of the new 3 bed lodges and it was immaculate. Very high standard. Cost us about £380 outside of holidays.

2rebecca · 29/12/2016 22:32

I went to the one near Penrith a few times. Used to be called Oasis. Set in woodland with red squirrels. The pool was busy and I got bored before the kids did but there was loads to do and if you book a large lodge with friends they are really nice, haven't tried the smaller ones. They are expensive but the kids always loved going.

MassDebate · 29/12/2016 22:51

I'm a bit of a princess when it comes to holiday accommodation and have never had a problem with Centerparcs (Longleat included). We tend to go for new style executive lodges at the older sites (at Woburn the Woodland lodges are just as nice as everything is new).

Woburn is way more than an hour from Longleat though OP!

JojoLapin · 29/12/2016 23:05

CP is totally overrated! I am not a holiday princess but our "hut" was so old and badly maintained. Some of the Formica in the kitchen had been ripped off. Lots of rust in the bathroom. Badly maintained grounds. Stinky pool area. Expensive activities that all needed to be booked way in advance (no idea if kids would be willing to take part on the day). Shitty food options. I was so surprised and disappointed. It was a few years ago but never, ever again! I'd definitely rather stay in a small hotel that has a pool and plan my own activities.

KenAdams · 29/12/2016 23:25

Watergate Bay?

Shamoo · 29/12/2016 23:41

CP is great, just don't book the basic lodge. The exec lodges are lovely, no damp etc. And consider paying a bit more to pick your lodge so you get a good location.

I also think Forest Holidays are good - lodges are probably nicer than CP and have hot tubs and heated floors etc. but there is less to do there in terms of activities. Lots of beautiful forest though!

grumpysquash3 · 29/12/2016 23:51

We went to CP Longleat in August in a group of two families that included a wheelchair user (aged 10, can't walk or talk, likes warm swimming pool) and other children aged 4-15.

The Longleat site is lovely, plenty of forest to walk around, a lake in the middle. We hired a boat thing a bit like two canoes joined together that disabled DC could ride in. Activities for 8yo are plentiful. So far, so good.

However, as a kindred spirit in the loathing of crapness, I would say that the regular adapted accommodation might not be brilliant. Our friends with the disabled DC rent one of the luxury villas so there is plenty of space and daily cleaning provided. Obviously this costs quite a bit more but they are nice and also have a games room and ensuite bathrooms. If you go swimming at peak time, you will find the changing rooms a bit crowded and damp and you might have to wait for a disabled cubicle. Out of peak time it's ok; the staff hose it all down regularly.

Eating wise, it really depends what constitutes a holiday for you. We like self catering - facilities at CP are quite good (oven a bit crap, but not dreadful). Food options are along the lines of Cafe Rouge, Pancake House etc., but they get busy and you would need to book in the evening (especially for wheelchair space). You can order take-away but we haven't had great success with that.

It's not a 5 star hotel, but it does cater well for DC and is pretty good for disability inclusion. The staff are helpful.

Does that help at all?

grumpysquash3 · 29/12/2016 23:56

PS CP Longleat is really near Longleat Safari Park, which is a nice option for leaving day, before going home :)

3boys3dogshelp · 29/12/2016 23:58

We've done CP and Retallack - Retallack was much much nicer than CP IMO and it didn't have the water park when we were there.
Our kids loved both and I'm sure yours will enjoy it at CP but don't go expecting Retallack standards of food, views or cleanliness. I'm not a holiday snob but we live in the countryside and I find CP 'forest' a depressing tbh - it's all just a bit too overused to be pretty. Plus you Have To leave your car at the car park but all the bloody staff drive around!! Not any safer for kids to bike around than at home for us (I appreciate these things don't actually affect the holiday but they just surprised me when we went)

WyfOfBathe · 30/12/2016 00:14

I went to CP Longleat in this summer for the first time since I was a child. It was lovely accommodation and DD loved splashing in the pool and "exploring" the forest.

I believe that at the cycle hire shop you can hire Duet Bikes, which are basically bikes with a wheelchair attached to the front, so that could be an alternative mode of transport for your DS (I'm not sure if you need to be adult-sized to ride in one or not).

The only thing which isn't fantastic about CP is how ridiculously busy the pool can be, but if you go for an after dinner swim it's much quieter.

Also, set a budget for "extras" before you go - you can have an amazing stay without paying for anything else, but there are a lot of very tempting paying activities as well, e.g. quadbikes, high ropes, scuba diving, owl cuddling, and of course the spa Grin.

grumpysquash3 · 30/12/2016 01:33

I've just Googled Retallack and it looks amazing (if a little far from East Anglia)! But it only seems to do full week breaks in the school hols....starting at £2400 for a family of 5. Agree that it is higher spec than CP though. Thanks for sharing. :)

oldlaundbooth · 30/12/2016 01:57

£2400 per week? ConfusedShock

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 30/12/2016 02:06

Celtic Manor is definitely swanky if a little corporate but they have a lovely pool and huuuuuge whirlpool and naice spa and really nice food. Also a ton of interesting outdoor activities like high ropes, zip wires and golf golf golf.

sippingginandlemon · 30/12/2016 02:35

We did an executive lodge at CP Longlete last summer. It was super. Immaculate, spacious and a lady came each day to wash up.
It was expensive but as all the children really enjoyed themselves with not one cry of 'I'm bored', was worth every penny.

I like longlete as Warminster town is very close and it's worth doing a shop for luxury foods and easy meals before you enter the park. It saved us £500 in meals out!

The spa is wonderful and really worth a visit. They have proper ceramic painting for the children, book an early slot and they fire things the same day for you to take home. Lots to do and see it ticks the boxes from toddlers to teens.

The children have decided they are returning next year. We were informed lol.

Luggage16 · 30/12/2016 02:37

Another vote for forest holidays! Accommodation is lovely, hot tub under the trees is amazing and relaxing. As for the 'nothing to do' comment they do have activites but we've never bothered and just enjoy nature walks in lovely surroundings, days out locally and lots of chill out time in the cabin playing games or soaking in the hot tub. By far the most relaxing holidays we go on!

NoArmaniNoPunani · 30/12/2016 02:41

Another vote for forest holidays, much nicer than centre parcs and you get a hot tub

SisterViktorine · 30/12/2016 07:35

I've just looked at Forest Holidays availability for next Christmas and it is several hundred quid more expensive than Centre Parcs for the same dates. Shock

Don't think a hot tub is worth that tbh!

ShinyMoonFace · 30/12/2016 08:10

We went to CP Longleat this year - it was fabulous. Worth paying extra for the lodges close to the centre of things IMO. DH was very very Hmm about going to CP and was quite bad tempered about it all in advance, but he enjoyed it as well and even said he would be happy to go back this year - which is pretty major.

Lodges were clean and comfy. Not damp at all!

BusyBeez99 · 30/12/2016 08:25

We book a lodge as far as possible from the centre and hire bikes. Lovely 15 minute cycle ride to get breakfast each day :-)

Yesitsmeagain · 30/12/2016 22:11

With Forest Holidays though, what I don't understand is without the whole 'package' aspect of CP you might as well go to any beautiful self-catering lodge/house/cottage anywhere for much less money.

I went and had a look around the one in Suffolk and it's just a bunch of lodges all facing each other sitting on a scrub bit of 'forest' in the arse end of nowhere.

OverScentedFanjo · 30/12/2016 22:15

Probably no good. But what about Bosinver in Cornwall? Beautiful warm pool. Wheelchair accessible cottages. Really clean and super friendly.

DontCallMeBaby · 30/12/2016 22:34

I reckon all the CenterParcs have a rogue cleaning team who don't actually clean, judging by reviews. Fortunately we've never encountered one. Long lest is our 'local' but we've been to Whinfell, Sherwood and Woburn as well. Woburn just a month ago - almost as hilly as Longleat, but currently incredibly compact, so easy to get round. I'm not sure I'd recommend the pool for a non-walking child though, as both the main pool and the outdoor pool are really small (for mobile, older, reasonably brave kids though the rides are AMAZING). That said, the lazy river has inflatable rings to bob round in, which I don't think the others have.