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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Don’t know what to make of centre parcs

155 replies

Murphs1 · 15/01/2023 22:08

I’m staying in Woburn forest. The facilities are fantastic, albeit hideously expensive, the accommodation is pleasant, but… is it just me, it all feels a bit stepford wives and slightly prescribed fun! I don’t know I can’t put my finger on it.
I think part of it is I’m in a fenced in ‘forest’ which I know is a security thing, and my car is a half hour walk away if I want to get out, but I understand the no car rule.
I can’t say I’m not enjoying it, but it all feels a bit contrived?

OP posts:
pompomdaisy · 16/01/2023 07:01

Enjoyed it with young kids. It was easy. Now we go campervanning in the vw and it's far better. You do what you have to do at the time.

WordtoYoMumma · 16/01/2023 07:02

I've only been once and it's definitely not for me. When we go away we like to explore and find new places, do interesting things etx. I completely agree OP that it's an odd feeling of being trapped in the park, but then that's the reason people go cos it's the whole holiday, not just a base to stay in. That's not what I want from a holiday and although we had a nice time (it was about 15 years ago and we went for the weekend with my parents) even if it were half the price I wouldn't go again.

Heatherbell1978 · 16/01/2023 07:09

We love CP and have been going since kids were babies with family and friends - different holidays with different people. You don't have to spend a fortune there you know? The lodges themselves are similarly priced to other 'nice' holiday lodges. We pick up a Tesco shop before we go so cook ourselves and drink in the lodge and usually stick to just the swimming pool and parks. Sometimes do climbing. We do treat ourselves to the odd meal out, drink out or spa but don't feel like anyone is forcing us to do anything or spend money while there.

gogohmm · 16/01/2023 07:19

I went once as a guest of friends, felt like an extra in the Truman show. Restaurants were not up to much, cooking facilities basic, and I've staying in better accommodation on caravan sites for far less (and they let you park next to your accommodation!) We do go to self catering places but choose independent locations close to amenities not tied to the park and that we can park next to the lodge

Snailsaresweet · 16/01/2023 07:21

There is a perimeter fence around the Longleat one - I live nearby, and went for a walk in the woods over Christmas and came up against it. Which was a shame as my (slightly out of date) map showed a track going straight through and I had to make a muddy detour!

SushiGo · 16/01/2023 07:26

It's insanely expensive and the one near where I grew up is in the most geographically boring part of the county so I have never seen the appeal of going.

Lots of the things people say they like about it are available cheaply elsewhere. Camping is also often enclosed, and there are beautiful eco sites, with cars kept away from the tents and glamping yurts and cabins, in much better locations than CP for half the price.

Original poster
Murphs1 · 16/01/2023 08:26

WordtoYoMumma · 16/01/2023 07:02

I've only been once and it's definitely not for me. When we go away we like to explore and find new places, do interesting things etx. I completely agree OP that it's an odd feeling of being trapped in the park, but then that's the reason people go cos it's the whole holiday, not just a base to stay in. That's not what I want from a holiday and although we had a nice time (it was about 15 years ago and we went for the weekend with my parents) even if it were half the price I wouldn't go again.

Yes I think that’s it, @wordtoyomumma. It’s a fantastic place with lots of amenities and I can see the appeal, but for me personally it’s not the sort of holiday I would like to repeat. Although I can see why lots of people enjoy it.

We went to bluestone previously, which is a similar set up (with less activities admittedly) but this we used more as a base. There were golf buggies to get around, and no cars, so the best of both worlds, and it was easier to pop out for the day if you wanted to, and didn’t cost so much money.

OP posts:
Parisj · 16/01/2023 08:35

It brings out my inner snob, I absolutely hate it when you look around somewhere and see that all the other couples and families are just like you! I want to pretend that I am special and different and definitely not predictable and staid like everyone else (I'm actually a complete bore). So I love centerparcs but I know exactly what you mean. Its convenient and not as fake as a theme park but very predictable.

CandleCandleCandle · 16/01/2023 08:36

I think it doesn’t work as well if you make it your main holiday and like to explore an interesting area . The whole concept is as a little mini break where it’s a nice to have a midweek or long weekend to go somewhere, stay in the same place and do all the activities.

Fivebyfive2 · 16/01/2023 08:38

I've never been before but going in March with DH and our 3 year old. We booked it because it's not a long drive, was reasonable price as it's out of season and seemed like an "easy" holiday eg all in one place, no driving, lots of space for D's to run about in. Ds doesn't like too much noise/crowds so things like Butlins with entertainment didn't seem right and the idea of taking him on a plane filled me with dread. We'll get a shop in and do a mix of cooking and eating at the restaurants/getting takeaway. Probably not booking many activities except the odd toddler aimed thing so not too expensive. Just looking forward to the pool and letting Ds potter about the playgrounds really.

Cnidarian · 16/01/2023 08:39

Nature for people that don't really do nature, and a service station in some trees are both statements with a grain of truth. I found it annoying at Woburn that you couldn't do a long walk, couple small trails to a hide. However, the spa is nice if expensive, the pool and activities are good and it's very easy with little kids. Swings and roundabouts. For the money I think a Haven forest Park is better value.

cptartapp · 16/01/2023 08:41

It's great if your DC are toddlers, we had a couple of nice enough stays. Once they're about three or older I'd rather be on a beach in Spain.

MorrisZapp · 16/01/2023 08:45

I won't go back. The final straw for me was realising that they deliberately had no open ground where kids could kick a football around, instead they had a locked football pitch you could pay to open for an hour. We clubbed together with other parents, I felt sorry for the staff member who had to come along at the end of the hour and boot the kids out so it could sit locked up again.

The most cynically venal set up I've seen in all my years of entertaining kids.

heinztomatosoup · 16/01/2023 08:45

Try Forest holidays instead - genuine forests, amazing accommodation and activities based on the outdoors. We just got back from Forest of Dean and had the most brilliant time

Kitcaterpillar · 16/01/2023 08:46

Tilllly · 15/01/2023 23:12

Haven't been for YEARS but going with DH in a week....
slightly put off now 🤣

You'll have a lovely time. There's nothing like a holiday park to get people excited about how much more interesting and exciting they are than Other People.

MajorCarolDanvers · 16/01/2023 08:46

We go in term time so get it a very reasonable price.

We pick up a click and collect shop at a nearby supermarket and take plenty of wine.

The kids do one activity per day plus the pool.

It's relaxed and chilled.

If you don't like it don't go. I don't like Ibiza or Tenerife type resorts so I don't go there. Others love going to these places. That's fine.

FrenchandSaunders · 16/01/2023 08:51

They are all fenced it, that’s the whole point to make it safe and secure. Woburn is one of the smaller sites so seems more hemmed in than Longleat.

we enjoyed it when the kids were younger. Ridiculously expensive now though.

Hedonism · 16/01/2023 08:54

It's like going on holiday on a massive housing estate with lots of trees.

But we did like it for ease and lots of traffic free scooter paths when DC were tiny and we didn't have to pay school holiday rip off prices

rookiemere · 16/01/2023 08:56

I loved it when DS was younger. We had a BH weekend that other areas didn't get in September so a few of us would rent lodging beside each other and it wasn't that expensive.

The DCs were able to play quite freely from a young age due to the lack of traffic and when we went when DS was a bit older it felt like a safe place for him and his pals to get some small independence like going to the pool by themselves.

We tended to bring a disposable bbq and only have one or two meals out.

Yes activities were expensive but we once went to a Haven and the price of the soft play areas and the amount of child friendly slot machines was horrifying, plus there was broken glass in the pub playground, so I'll stick with Cp thanks.

Haven't been since Covid as DS older and doesn't want to go away with us. I do miss the spa - one of the best I've been to and very reasonably priced.

gingercat02 · 16/01/2023 08:59

I have always shyed away from CP because I thought it would be a bit Stepford holidays. We went last summer, to avoid flight chaos, etc. I was right we all hated it 😪

MattHancocksWhiteBikini · 16/01/2023 09:01

It's just a forest themed resort. It's not perfect and it is pretty 'managed fun' but I do enjoy it.

It's massively overpriced, but I don't know anywhere else quite like it in the UK. The waterpark is fab, you can spot deer from your chalet, use the crèche to go to the spa and cycle everywhere. I think if you live rurally the appeal is probably much less.

It's just about worth it low season termtime, I wouldn't pay school holiday prices unless I was in absolutely desperate need of a break.

Courgeon · 16/01/2023 09:15

Been twice and hated it. The water bit gave me the ick and rubbish chain restaurants. Hated being fenced in in the beautiful lake District. The highlight was seeing a red squirrel.
We prefer haven, people are snobby about haven but we've always had a far better time and it's loads cheaper.

Mitfordian · 16/01/2023 09:19

Yep. I felt like I was in the Truman Show....

Pool is awesome for kids. Accommodation is pretty basic considering the price. Restaurants awful. I don't think it's MC either....

Mitfordian · 16/01/2023 09:23

Parisj · 16/01/2023 08:35

It brings out my inner snob, I absolutely hate it when you look around somewhere and see that all the other couples and families are just like you! I want to pretend that I am special and different and definitely not predictable and staid like everyone else (I'm actually a complete bore). So I love centerparcs but I know exactly what you mean. Its convenient and not as fake as a theme park but very predictable.

Yes everyone looks identical, it's awful 😂.

(Not me because I do not wear athelsiure and am special and different).

MrsMiddleMother · 16/01/2023 09:26

I love Center Parcs and if it wasn't for the price I'd go more than the few times I have. I like being in one place, going for long walks surrounded by nature but not having nettle stings all up my legs. Being able to walk and ride safely with no cars around is wonderful. When we want to have a base but go and explore other places we go for a Haven