Is Centre Parcs fun?

[Plughole3]

We are still able to holiday during school so looking at going in the Autumn. Is it worth the money, or hell on earth?

Any similar places you would recommend?

I like it. Lots to do, decent restaurants, nice setting and a spa.

I like it there but it's pricey...

I like it but do find it very expensive.

There is lots of bum sex at Centre Parcs. It's well known on Mumsnet

It's fun for some

Everyone in our house loves it (including me). We've been a few times and are going for a few days this August.

Been once and never would go back. You pay through the nose for everything and it has a creepy Truman Show vibe.

If it's not too far away I would recommend renting a chalet at Crieff Hydro. Much better value and more fun.

Loads of people love CP so they clearly have mass appeal but not to me.

It’s great but do it now or you never will, the prices are crazy in the holidays! It is expensive yes but lots for kids to do and really good fun.

We are in SW London but happy to travel.

witchofzog 😂

I think it depends what kind of holiday you’re after. Center Parcs is great if you want lots of facilities on your doorstep. There are lots of restaurants and coffee shops (although mainly chains) loads of activities and a great pool. We stayed at the Longleat one and, although we enjoyed it, we found it too busy and all the activities were very expensive.

We now go every year on a ‘forest holiday’ which is run by the forestry commission.

www.forestholidays.co.uk/?channel=ppc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIysjvhaGz3AIV6pPtCh0BSQMNEAAYASAAEgKIB_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

We go in the winter and stay in a lovely cabin in the woods (log burner, underfloor heating, hot tub) It’s great but just very quiet- not much to do apart from walks in the woods, nature trails etc. There’s just one small cafe at the one we go to (Forest of Dean) but we absolutely love it!

For those who like CP which is the best one?

Rosievalentineluna Thanks will check that out.

We really liked it but again it is expensive. We’ve been Woburn and it’s lovely

We like Center Parcs. It is expensive but you don't need to eat out at the restaurants. We go swimming everyday, do a few activities, the boys ride their bikes a lot, we relax. It's nice and easy - no faffing with passports etc.

We've been to Woburn twice. It was lovely and new. Next year we're trying Sherwood.

I would like to live there !
Take your bike and enjoy. The minute I get there I relax. Love the spas - better than any others i’v been too.
Kids love swimming and all activities
Yes costs lots but worth it IMO

We are going to Longleat for the first time in November. I am really looking forward to having lots of activities on our doorstep, the huge pool and the spa. I'm hoping that in November it won't be too busy :)

Love them all but the restaurants are rubbish. Overpriced and always disappoint. We always take food with us now. The actual places are amazing though, you wo t be disappointed.

We have just come back from there. It is very expensive and all the activities can mount up the cost even more but we only do 1 or 2 in the week we go. The rest of the time is just walking or swimming.

School holiday prices are just ridiculous. Never could afford those. You could look at center Parcs in Europe as I have heard they are cheaper.

What actually is centre parks? I've looked at the website but am none the wiser. Do you just pay to get in and then do whatever you want? Or do you pay for a room and then pay for the random bits you want? Is it just a summer camp for whole families?

Sherwood Forest has the best white water rapids slide. Elveden has the best dinghy ride in the swimming complex. The one near Bedford is the newest, but also the smallest.

How old are your DC?

We've only ever been to Longleat so can't compare to others. Have been going since DS was a toddler, now a teen. It is his favourite place, particularly the pool. It has got more expensive every year, especially the activities. Although activities get more pricey the older the children are, which doesn't help.

Longleat has recently opened a fab new area for little ones in the pool area (wish they had had that when DS was little) so depending on how old your DC are that could keep them amused for quite some time. You don't have to pay to use the pool. There are also free play areas dotted about and also at Longleat there is a small beach by the lake, which is popular with the younger guests.

It is really the pool that most people go to Center Parcs for, and the accommodation amongst the forest, although again over the last few years we have noticed more traffic during the week, although it is meant to be car free, except on changeover days

SO FUN. We've just booked our third trip. Have been to Woburn twice and it's great, small enough to walk everywhere. The pool area is great and is a good couple of hours. We take a big shop so mostly eat in the lodge as the restaurants aren't great. The lodges are well designed and spotless. Activities are brill but can be expensive. Depending on the are of your children of recommend the "outing with owls", my three and a half year old loved it. Have booked Elvedon for October for a change, which is much bigger I think and a little older.

I hate it. Hell on earth for me

Longleat is great and they’ve just had the children’s pool redone and put in some new water slides. But it’s the only village which is hilly so if you want a flatter cycle ride choose one of the other villages. I think Woburn is the new one.

The spa is great- the evening sessions are cheaper. The activities are fun and there’s a huge range. My advice would be to just book one or two things as you’ll want to spend time in the pool. You can book more when you get there if you want to.

I love being outside and cycling everywhere. The restaurants are fine, they are chains so you know what you’re getting and they are very family friendly.
Take your own food and cook in the lodge, they are really well set up for family cooking. The shop can be expensive but has everything you need. Have a great time!

How old are your DC

1.5 & 4.

We went to Moonfleet Manor recently & enjoyed that.

Racecardriver they are holiday complexes built in forests. With self catering apartments varying from 2 bed to 4 bedroom, also varying in quality. There is also a huge pool complex (which is mainly slides, lazy river type thing rather than lane type pool) together with some restaurants and shops, which are under a dome)

There are other restaurants dotted around the site together with activities, sports complex and spa.

You pay for the accommodation which includes access to the pool. All other activities and food (unless you self cater and bring your own food) has to be paid for. Some of these activities can be very expensive but are all on your doorstep, you don't need to leave the complex.

You also leave your car at the entrance (once you have dropped off your copious amount of luggage!!) and either cycle or walk everywhere.

We have just come back from Longleat and were averaging walking 5 miles a day getting to and from the pool and various activities (to give you an idea of the scale of the place) and the fact that we paid for cheaper accommodation and so were further away from the pool.