To wonder why on earth anyone goes to Center Parcs?!

[CakePigeon4]

I’ve had several friends who have been to various sites and raved about it, but to me it just looks like a slightly more upmarket Butlins?! It’s extortionately expensive, the chalets look like they’re furnished by Premier Inn, you have to pay for activities, you’re stuck on site eating at their overpriced restaurants... Am I missing something?!

Do you not find the pools absolutely rammed?

Not in term time they aren't, and particularly so in the evening and at lunchtime. In the evening especially after 6pm they are dead! We used to love taking DS at that time.

We have this thread every year

For me it’s because it’s close and my son is autistic and will go there and enjoy it rather than tolerate it.

Bloody love centre parcs

YABU to completely dismiss somewhere you've never been when friends have raved about it.

We've been a couple of times with our small children and have loved it. It's easy and convenient and the kids love it. We don't find it too expensive.

But then if you don't want to go then don't🤷‍♀️

At CP it's all more wealthy people.

I am not wealthy. The people I know who go aren't wealthy.

I'm not sure what works so well about it, for us it just does. We can take the dog, all the things we like to do are there, the layout of the BBQ/garden in relation to the kitchen makes it less labour intensive for doing a big BBQ. My children are autistic so the fact that everything is close by and clearly laid out is a big plus for us. We are pretty well travelled but CP is my DD's favourite place. It's just so easy.

We’ve been a few times and always had a fantastic holiday. Enough to entertain young kids and teenagers and adults.
Love the no driving aspect. The pools are amazing and we’ve always had immaculately clean lodges.
Great cycling and the restaurants on site are family friendly, with soft play in all of them for youngsters.
It’s each to their own isn’t it? I cannot abide camping although others would say it’s the best holiday ever.

We really enjoyed it and have booked to go again next year - slightly out of main school holidays so cheaper.
we generally pay around £1000 for a family of 8 in a self-catering cottage - the last two, in Cornwall and Devon
Where do you find 5* holiday cottage so cheap?? We paid over £1000 for a two bed apartment last time we were in Cornwall!

I'm lured in by the mischievous misspelling of 'Parks'. I'm a rebel, just like Boris.

It's great being somewhere where cars don't exist. And there's so much nature about, but yeah, it's waaaaay over priced.

for the same money you could get an amazing self-catering cottage anywhere in the country - why is Center Parcs better?!

Can’t think of anything worse than a self catering cottage in the country 😂
“Look kids, it’s just like our house, but that bit less familiar and comfortable. PS, we’ll be cooking as washing up ourselves like in our own house.”

Why don’t people just not go to centre parcs or self catering cottages or whatever if they don’t want to and just accept that others like it.

@CakePigeon4 @Lazypuppy the chalets at Center Parcs are very definitely 3 star in comparison to the last couple of gorgeous cottages I’ve stayed in for a fraction of the price 

Oh sorry I thought you hadn't been!?

Why would you have to eat at their restaurants? The one we have been to has a lovely restaurant about 10 mins walk from the site.

@Fluffynoon nope haven’t been, just what I’ve gleaned from looking on the website. They look budget at best.

We used to go with a big group of family friends, and it was a good place for that. Older kids can roam fairly freely, as there aren't cars within the site and so on.

@CakePigeon4 it's all about balance for us. CP is more for her than us. Our next holiday will probably be the Maldives - more for us than her!

@KatieHack funny you should mention that- I’m mixed and love centre parcs but would never just rock up at a country cottage break. I don’t have time for the loaded “you’re not local are you” conversations when on holiday. They’re bad enough at my fucking place of employment.

I was desperate to go for years.....but once we got there I hated it! It's sanitised countryside with handrails. Peaceful...but if you look over your shoulder there are many other folk walking/ cycling behind you. Bloody spooky!
Kids (then teens) loved it though.
Never again for me, simply awful.

It's DS's favourite place, have been since he was a toddler and is now a teen. Sometimes go with GPs too. DS (and DH) spends most of the time in the pool. I tend to potter around, and then join them in the pool.

We do some of the activities, although we have noticed some of the prices are getting ridiculous, so when we go again, may not do so many.

We usually eat out, and factor that into the cost of the holiday.

Went to a Haven many years ago and the accommodation looked like an old prisoner of war camp, the way all the chalets were laid out!

Have never been to a modern day Butlins, but did go many years out of season to the one on Barry Island on a schools A-level trip . Think that put me off.

We do other holidays too, but CP for us, as others have said is easy. It's all there, you don't really have to think and don't have to drive.

we managed to go this year for a week as our February half term was late this year. Loved it. Cycled and Swam every day. Did lots of activities.

Went once and that was once too many. Stupidly expensive and mediocre for the money they ask.

It was like being trapped in The Truman Show, there are a million better places to go.

Ive never been but to me it looks overpriced. Thats not to say i wouldnt like it. We often camp or stay in a caravan which is not everyones ideal holiday and DC have had freedom to cycle around the campsite, visit the shop, even go to the beach on their own (depending on campsite location) so those things are available elsewhere but i get why people like it.

Please tell me where you find a nice cottage for 8 in Devon or Cornwall for £1000!
Last time I looked that was the cost for a 2 bed.
Or is that term time winter?

I was sceptical about centreparcs but we got a cheaper week due to different holidays. The kids loved it, everything contained, different activities to try. Booking restaurants way in advance was
Annoying.

@Karwomannghia we usually go with English Country Cottages, in September so outside school holidays.

Ah we can only go in school holidays unfortunately.

Centerparcs in France is miles better, not like a prison camp (ie. quite easy to get out for days out and meals), better furnished and much cheaper.
CP in the UK is shite