Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Centre Parcs is a very weird place.

342 replies

MOIST · 25/01/2017 20:23

Fake forest. Plastic stuff. Signposts and advertising everywhere. Like Ikea in a fake forest with one-way system and bad feng.

Most peculiar.

OP posts:
brasty · 25/01/2017 23:41

I know people always talk about the price of it compared to going abroad. But sometimes you want an easier holiday than dragging kids through an airport and on to a plane. Our nearest is about 45 minutes drive away, so the travel was a dream. It meant I actually enjoyed it.

MsGameandWatch · 25/01/2017 23:44

I'm going to Woburn on Friday for the weekend. Me, two kids and dog. We haven't booked any activities, I just fancied getting out of the grey cold icy city we live in for a few days. We are quite self reliant and don't need masses of entertaining - swimming and then some dinner then back to lodge and relax. I was quite excited about it till I saw this thread.

charlestrenet · 25/01/2017 23:44

Thank you! I knew I wasn't making it up!

So it's bullshit then? I always thought it looked like Logan's Run but without the killing and that.

hippyhippyshake · 25/01/2017 23:57

Elveden pre-fire was all undercover. When it was rebuilt the shops and restaurants were put outside in a 'street' and just the sporting facilities were left inside. We used to go in December and really noticed the cold going from one venue to another after the rebuild!

GabsAlot · 26/01/2017 13:23

its still cold apparently ms

i think we should protest charles

Servicesupportforall · 26/01/2017 13:26

Butlins for the middle classes

brasty · 26/01/2017 13:35

Yes and it is popular because both Butlins and Centerparcs are great for families.

Servicesupportforall · 26/01/2017 13:38

Yes but let's face it one is far far fucking cheaper than the other.

And you probably don't see men walking to the swimming dome swigging a can of larger at middle class centre parcs like you do at butlins. Wink

2014newme · 26/01/2017 13:42

Bluestone has a lot less to do and is like going on holiday to a housing estate. No mature forest etc most of the promotional pics are taken offsite just of the beaches etc in the general area

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 26/01/2017 15:53

Yeah but part of the fun of going to Butlins is sitting in the dining hall, hearing all the reasons people find to be miserable on holiday Grin

At least, we enjoy it Wink

Hopelass · 26/01/2017 15:56

I've been many times but not for a while. I think it's become too expensive for what it is but I did used to really enjoy it. Especially the spa.

LazyDoll · 26/01/2017 16:09

Have been once and honestly never again Shock
Shockingly expensive for what it was. Hiked up prices everywhere. The pool and changing rooms were filthy (far worse than local council run pool at home).
We've holidayed all over the UK in self catering cottages with 3DCs since and would never go back.

coffeetasteslikeshit · 26/01/2017 16:22

I went to the Longleat one about 5 years ago in term time for a long weekend. It was an OK break, although the visit to Longleat itself was the highlight of the trip.

I thought the accommodation needed updating. We stayed in what looked like a toilet block from the outside! I also found it quite claustrophobic and have realised since that I'm a wide horizons type of a gal.

I found trying to organise the activities and get to them on time quite stressful and I agree with whoever said the pool water was cold. I really enjoyed going down the rapids though, that was fun.

The restaurants were dire and someone stole my bike (found it the next day, so maybe I should say someone 'borrowed' my bike?).

I don't think I'd go again unless someone else was paying!

Owllady · 26/01/2017 16:25

Yamadori is right. The one at Woburn was an actual woodland called Warren Woods in Flitwick Hmm sold by Central Bedfordshire council

poppy990 · 26/01/2017 17:34

It is weird the way the place is dead after 9. Creepy!

ilovechocolate07 · 26/01/2017 17:43

Have never been as we've always been put off by the price and added extras. I hear it's good and better value if there's a large group going. Anybody been to anything similar in the south? I like the idea of the lodges and pool.

Mmest75 · 26/01/2017 17:43

Agree with a lot already said. It's v expensive and the only thing included is swimming everything else is an xtra even tennis racquets ....
We've done Woburn 3-4 times and are going again this year. It's great for children. I must admit I don't think we saw any fake trees ...

MummyToTwoBeautifulGirls · 26/01/2017 17:44

I love the Woburn one but can not justify the price anymore now dd1 is in school but great for term time is so quite and so much cheaper. Easter hols is £2500 a week or so after is £550!!

CheesyWeez · 26/01/2017 17:47

We love it.
yy to going to a European CP, can be cheaper if it is term time in that country. I particularly liked the one near Amsterdam.
Agree - take your own groceries.
At Longleat worth paying to be near the centre of the village as the place is HUGE. Not necessary at the Bedford one, more compact.

We love the comfy beds, the absolute quiet at night, being in a forest, feeling safe enough to let (older) kids walk to pool and join them later, and not having the car for the 4 days.

We all like it, often go in a group with all ages, grandma, us (mid fifties) our adult kids, teenage kids and young kids. We all find something to do.

It is spelt in a weird way - Center Parc - as it is a Dutch company.

FaFoutis · 26/01/2017 17:54

We go to the European ones. It is cheap and the trees are real.

pollymere · 26/01/2017 17:56

[Message edited by MHHQ] It leaves you feeling institutionalized I think. It was also mightily expensive to eat, in or, out. You can't just buy one onion.

MrsJ1205 · 26/01/2017 18:00

Been to the Sherwood one last year and I loved it, as did toddler, DH, and inlaws. Def real trees, though they were planted by types, so a pine area, and oak area, etc. Restaurants were terrible but we ate in nearly every meal and the spa made up for it! Going back in May, honestly can't wait!

mainlywingingit · 26/01/2017 18:05

Centre Parc middle class? Isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?!

Summer888 · 26/01/2017 18:06

We love it. Its not a fake forest, its a real forest, and lovely little clean modern cottages, with squirrels and ducks that come up to your patio in the mornings when you have breakfast. You have your own BBQ and there is a shop that even delivers the groceries to your cottage, if you don't like the restaurants. Lots to do, even if the weather is bad - archery, roller skating, rock climbing, high tree tops adventure, mini golf, boating on the lake, bowling, swimming, all in one place and not crowded. Definitively a magical holiday for families with kids, but everyone has different tastes. I guess it depends which one you go to, but the Longleat one is amazing.

tanyadm · 26/01/2017 18:11

Crieff Hydro in Perthshire is much preferable. And they have free childcare..... Don't yell at me for child abandonment, I'm a lone parent, so it's nice to go do holiday things for them AND me. Three hours of freedom for a swim or a horse ride is bliss! 😂