Aibu to ask for an alternative to centre parcs?

[Kforkatie]

The ILs like us to go on holiday with them every summer. We have DS5 who is indoorsy and dd2 who is outdoorsy. The holidays are invariably rubbish with a bunch of people with different agendas and no one capable of making a decision!
Anyway, ils have heard from colleagues that centreparcs is the way forward. I'm not entirely convinced because a, it's expensive b, it'll be crowded peak season and c, my son will hate most of it!
However, I am open to be proved wrong, if it's awesome! Are there any alternatives (preferably in the south UK), that you can suggest?

Not South of England, unfortunately- but near Tenby, take a look at Bluestone - we've done this and centre Parcs and enjoyed both although this was less pricey!

Ribby Hall, though if I say it;s near Blackpool you'll probably run screaming in horror

its in a place called Wrea Green

CP is pricey but never feels too crowded as is mostly fully occupied all year round. Usually ticks the going away with IL's box though

Do you have to go on holiday with them?

Seriously, try center parcs.

Many many indoorsy activities and many many outdoorsy ones. Book your favourites.

Something for everyone and never feels busy even when full to capacity

SSD ribby's great, isn't it? I've just come back from a long weekend there. DH and kids are there for the rest of the week and I'm jealous that I've had to come home.

The new pool's lovely for little ones

Sandy Balls in the New Forest? I spent a lot of my childhood holidays there and I've heard its still as good.

Try sandy balls in the new forest. It has the forest but also indoor and outdoor activities and swimming pools. Slightly cheaper than centre parcs and much cheaper if you get a posh lodge and share the cost with your ils!

If it's possible to go abroad, the CP are much cheaper and much better than the CP over here!

For us, this summer it will be cheaper to go to a CP in Europe, get a ferry, petrol for the driving, an overnight stopoff in both directions (we wanted to extend the holiday and break up the driving) and pay for food and activities than it would be to go to the local CP less than half an hour away!

And if you are able to go at the fringes of the holidays it can be even cheaper as the schools go back at different times - eg Dutch schools go back a week earlier than ours typically so the last week is a good one in Dutch CP!

Try CP for a long weekend out of season to see if you like. Usually bring my family once a year - not for main holiday but it ticks most boxes for the kids/teens. Am at one now as just moved house and forgot to book main summer holiday. It's not my favourite place but all I need is a good book & good wine.

The Manor Hotel (Sports and Arts Hotel), Devon, might be worth a look. Good for a holiday with different ages. So many different activities included in the price and just sign up when you're there. Room decor is a bit dated but activities available made up for it.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I am quite taken with the idea of Sandy Balls! We don't have to go on holiday with them, and I don't particularly enjoy it, but the children love spending time with them and I love spending time with my own family, so I try to go along with good grace and drink my way through it. I shall have a look at your suggestions, but maybe if CP is equally busy for most of the year, summer time might not be so awful. I must say that I like the idea of booking activities because it'll save me from the endless debating!

yes Ribby Hall is soooo good...spotless, great eating and drinking facilities, the adults only pool is divine, the spa hotel is lovely, a 9 hole golf course, gym and creche facilities and the evening entertainment is separate so if you dont want to join in there's no need to

Ashbury Hotel in Devon. Indoor and oitdoor activities. Not as posh a Centre Parcs but the kiddies will love it

another vote for Ribby Hall

YANBU. Have you (and the ILs) read the thread here a couple of weeks back about building work in the middle of the night at one Centre Parcs site?

Ashbury manor hotel is great for activities but food is terrible

Forest holidays

Ashbury manor has something for everyone, it's a bit strange and dated in some ways, but lots of indoor and outdoor activities, I though food was ok, typical hotel buffet.

Just back from our first time at Centre Parcs and it was fantastic - much, much better and less crowded than expected.

I'm really not an outdoorsy person and I love centre Parcs! We went for our honeymoon. There is indoor stuff to do as well as outdoor stuff and spa and swimming pool, which is free.

The sands resort in cornwall is great. We used to go there when I was a kid, its pretty much set up with kids clubs and stuff to occupy the kids and a spa etc for adults. And its right by the beach. I loved it there.

We've done CP a couple of times
We go to Butlins now, seaside apartment and premier dining. (have also done hotel).
We prefer it to CP, which I'm happy to be ribbed over.

I think it's our last year (rejoicing inside after years of doing what keeps kids happiest)

Bluestone is fantastic, Great woodland with fantastic camp smoky for outdoor eating (especially if it's wet). Definitely worth getting a golf buggy.
Their indoor soft play and crazy golf is good too. Not to mention their fantastic swimming pool complex.

There are some great days out close by too including Folly Farm.

Let's margarita

I think my problem was the evening meal. I had a Thai curry one night. It was good. My options for sides, boiled, roast or chip potatoes