To ask you about Center Parcs?

[PurpleFlower1983]

I’ve never been to Center Parcs before but as new parents my husband and I are coming out of our off the beaten track comfort zone and embracing family holidays! I know Center Parcs divides opinions on here but we are likely going on a family break to Sherwood Forest in September - it’s cheap then, I would never pay their ridiculous prices in school holidays! I want to give it a go so I can decide for myself.

I have a few questions for those in the know, I’ve tried googling but all the info seems to get mixed together for the different sites, including the European ones.

1. Is there any evening entertainment?

1. Can you sit around the pool area?

1. Is there a lower age limit for the boats on the lake?

1. How much is weekly bike hire?

1. Does the reduced mobility bus run throughout the day?

1. Are the ‘old style’ lodges ok? We would have two people with reduced mobility and the older ones that are available are closer to the centre.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, there is not evening entertainment. If people in your group have limited mobility definitely get a lodge near the main actitivies or they could find it difficult. Yes you can sit around the pool. You can also hire a cabana

I'm not sure about the mobility bus but ring them and find out, they will be able to tell you. Or look at Woburn, much smaller park with only one hill up to the swimming pool.

No evening entertainment as such, but when we've gone on our own with dd we usually go out for dinner (or eat in) then put our Dd to bed and have a drink and play some games. Cards, dominoes etc. When we've gone with friends, we've had a lodge with a hot tub so we've gone in that once Dd is in bed.

I think a lot of the old lodges have been refurbished, but check the website, it'll tell you on there.

You can sit around the pool and there are little travel cot type things if you have tiny ones. You can hire cabanas for about £40-£60. We've never done it because we're usually in the pool not sitting around the pool, but might be a nice idea if some of your group won't be in the pool constantly.

If you didn't like the old lodges you can pay to choose your lodge when you book.

1. Is there any evening entertainment?

Not entertainment as such. There are bars and activities you can do of an evening, e.g. bowling, snooker but not cabaret or anything.

1. Can you sit around the pool area?Yes. You can hire a cabana or just sit on chairs around the pool. Its lovely and warm in there.

1. Is there a lower age limit for the boats on the lake?No

1. How much is weekly bike hire?Have a look on the website they should have here charges.

1. Does the reduced mobility bus run throughout the day? Not sure about Sherwood. At longleat there is a land train that runs all day.

1. Are the ‘old style’ lodges ok? We would have two people with reduced mobility and the older ones that are available are closer to the centre.

Yes they're fine. Also some of them are specific disabled friendly lodges with a parking space and close to the centre.

We just came back from Longleat center parcs. Unfortunately it rained all week but we had a nice time. I agree about not paying school holiday prices but it's quite reasonable in term time. I would recommend bringing groceries with you as the parc market onsite is over priced

Thanks everyone!

I went to Woburn recently and there is a children’s disco at 7pm, which I took my then 17 month old too. It was a bit on the late side for her though so if your little one is much younger it may not appropriate. My DD absolutely loved 30-45mins of tearing up the dance floor though haha.

Oops ^ to!

Love CP! Been dozens of times & never had a bad holiday. It's great with kids - lots to do, whatever the weather & more 'home from home' than a hotel or caravan etc. It's what you make it really. If needs be, you can do most of your own cooking & take DVDs, toys, etc. Everywhere is VERY child friendly.

We have been to elveden with my mother who has disability walking there was a pick up shuttle bus that you could book from the lodge to wherever you wanted to go I presume it would be the same for sherwood. The pools have been done out at sherwood so good for little ones looking at going myself soon. Definitely worth going before the children reach school age

Thanks for the info everyone!

The mobility transport at sherwood runs on demand and can also be booked.
Woburn is very hilly compared to sherwood and elveden which are mostly very flat p, sherwood has one big hill down to the quad biking and paint balling. You can hire mobility scooters and electric bikes.