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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think there is no equivalent alternative to Center Parcs?

258 replies

Onelifeliveitright · 08/05/2023 11:40

We go every year and this year have booked an exclusive lodge with hot tub, games room, sauna and steam room. Looks amazing! My love of CP is growing the older I get. The teenagers still love it and are now old enough to do what they like. We only do a couple of activities to keep costs down. I love the environment, the lodges and the pool. And the fact there's enough restaurants to eat out every night. We like lazy days and going out. So looking at next year. My daughter works in a private school so breaks up early in summer. We can therefore go at the beginning of the week but it's SO expensive even though term time. I've looked at loads of alternatives but cannot find anywhere else that compares like for like. Aibu to think it doesn't exist?!

OP posts:
drsp51 · 08/05/2023 19:36

We used to take our sons to The Manor hotel in Devon https://www.manorandashburyresorts.co.uk/
when they were aged from 10- 16. It’s not particularly fancy but there is a huge range of activities, most of which are included in the price, as is full board so you know pretty much what your holiday will cost. It’s traffic free and all enclosed so we were quite happy to let them go each morning with a few pounds each for ice creams and deposit (refundable) for racquets etc.
Its been a while since we went but when I last looked, it seems as if they have added more in the way of pools and crafts

JMSA · 08/05/2023 19:41

TeenLifeMum · 08/05/2023 12:47

Centre parks in Holland is usually cheaper and great.

I've heard this too.

StrawberrySquash · 08/05/2023 19:41

Took a look at the Bluestone website, but gave up over the waffly, flowery language. Ugh!

Tanktanktank · 08/05/2023 19:44

Might not be the sort of thing you’re looking for, but The Manor and Ashbury Hotel’s at Oakhampton in Devon was really enjoyable for a big group of friends with kids. Massive list of things to do, nice Spa (at the Manor) although the Ashbury may have one now too. They are about a mile apart. Craft, sport, activities and a golf course.

JMSA · 08/05/2023 19:49

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 08/05/2023 14:13

I've heard really good things about the unfortunately named Sandy Balls Holiday Park but haven't been myself.

https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/parks/hampshire/sandy-balls/?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-KiBhCsARIsAPztUF3fgFclFojZtlE24DOOeAhOmSIb1fRRQ8kGZcFB6mawrtnTSdo9UaAhu2EALw_wcB

Sandy Balls Grin

CreeperBoom · 08/05/2023 19:52

Hothotdamage · 08/05/2023 19:27

In school holidays? I guess it depends what you do but last time I looked CP was way more expensive than SC abroad. I get you might not find something like for like but still.

We are Scottish school holidays, and have had 7 days in CP at the start of July for £1.5k. We tend to add on a few days at nearby attractions or theme parks to make the long drive down south worth it, and that obviously adds to the cost.

The sort of "abroad holiday" I'd consider equivalent would be e.g. a first choice holiday village, with water park, ropes course, football academy, archery, etc. I paid £2.8k for that last year in October. Going in summer would have been much more expensive but also far too hot for my DC.

Both are great holidays, but the one my DC talk about all the time is the UK one.

Bluebells1970 · 08/05/2023 19:53

We did loads when our DC were younger but were happy to move onto cottages on a shared site with pool as it was 1/4 of the price. We used to really enjoy the pool for the last hour it was open when you could just float around and all the screaming kids were in bed. Sherwood was the nicest, we found Longleat was too spread out. And it was hellish making dinner reservations in all of them.

Theelephantinthecastle · 08/05/2023 19:55

Tanktanktank · 08/05/2023 19:44

Might not be the sort of thing you’re looking for, but The Manor and Ashbury Hotel’s at Oakhampton in Devon was really enjoyable for a big group of friends with kids. Massive list of things to do, nice Spa (at the Manor) although the Ashbury may have one now too. They are about a mile apart. Craft, sport, activities and a golf course.

That looks lovely and right up my street but it's not any cheaper than Center parcs, I don't think

shivawn · 08/05/2023 20:00

Interesting to read the mixed opinions on Center Parcs here. We're going for the first time in a couple weeks, I'm not really sure if it'll be our thing but it seems very convenient with young children so we figured we'd give it a go.

JMSA · 08/05/2023 20:02

You'd be as well taking out a David Lloyd membership near your home, staying in a local Air B&B or Premier Inn for a week, and eating out Grin

Hothotdamage · 08/05/2023 20:08

CreeperBoom · 08/05/2023 19:52

We are Scottish school holidays, and have had 7 days in CP at the start of July for £1.5k. We tend to add on a few days at nearby attractions or theme parks to make the long drive down south worth it, and that obviously adds to the cost.

The sort of "abroad holiday" I'd consider equivalent would be e.g. a first choice holiday village, with water park, ropes course, football academy, archery, etc. I paid £2.8k for that last year in October. Going in summer would have been much more expensive but also far too hot for my DC.

Both are great holidays, but the one my DC talk about all the time is the UK one.

Ah that explains the price, we are in England, I think it was 2.5/3k last time I'd looked for a week. Not heard of the holiday village with first choice, was it worth the money?

TillyTollyTully · 08/05/2023 20:10

I'd imagine Bluestone would be the most similar kind of holiday.

We've been 3 times for a weekend and always thoroughly enjoyed. The lodges are beautiful, spotless and very spacious. Surroundings the same, everywhere is just kept beautifully. Activities are good but pricey. Swimming pool is great and the buggies are great fun.

I totally disagree with anyone that compares CP/Bluestone to Butlins though. We went to Minehead last year to give it a go and were less than impressed. Rooms were clean 'ish' (if I'm being generous) but the site itself was absolutely disgusting. Rubbish everywhere, overflowing bins, fag ends, buildings tired and tatty to put it mildly. The swimming pool changing rooms were absolutely foul, I've never seen anything like it. The kids liked the arcades and one of the shows. But the queuing...queues of half an hour for the pool, the food hall, the shows. Why some people are evangical about it and go year after year I'll never understand.

cadburyegg · 08/05/2023 20:11

We love it. I'd go more often if I could afford it. Great pool, activities for all ages, doesn't matter if it rains, lovely friendly staff, safe for young kids to cycle/scoot around. Always have just booked the bog standard woodland lodges.

I've noticed some people (not on mn) complaining that you can't go offsite or use the car but for us that's one of the advantages, I don't need to figure out what we are going to do, don't need to drive anywhere!

Never had a bad experience, although when we went last winter one of the boilers in the pool had packed up and it was quite a bit colder than usual which was a pain. But no big issue really.

As a single parent the only thing I don't like is having to drag the kids out early on departure day to fetch the car. Although I've noticed they seem to be getting less strict on it so I might ask if I could be allowed to keep mine at the lodge...

Testina · 08/05/2023 20:11

FMLWTF · 08/05/2023 15:58

I’ve never been so clearly can’t say with any authority but…they strike me as places for people with no imagination. 🙊

@FMLWTF dropping and running that snobbish comment or going to elaborate? 🤣

I’ve posted above that I was at CP this afternoon with a group of teen nieces and nephews who spent hours in the pool together.

Do please explain why I have said, “oh no darlings, please come out of the rapids and off the drop slide - we like to use our imaginations don’t we?”

You night sound less of a dick if you explain 😉

And please do share the details of your last family holiday. Not to copy as god forbid I didn’t use my own imagination 🤣 But you know - so I can be inspired by you 🤣

cadburyegg · 08/05/2023 20:13

And about Bluestone, it sounds nice but I don't fancy driving 200 miles to get there (driving really tires me out!) when our nearest CP is less than an hour away.

BarkyMatherson · 08/05/2023 20:14

Bluestone isn’t the same, much more of a Butlins vibe. We asked for a wine list in the restaurant and we’re told “ red or white”

The pool also allowed public access.

The shop was tiny.

Everyone flying around in golf buggies and cars onsite so not safe for kids.

Accommodation was nice though.

headstone · 08/05/2023 20:15

I don’t understand why people are offended by calling CP a holiday lacking imagination. A lot of enjoyable holidays are, especially when people always go back to the same place. People can relax more when there is little thinking and planning and stress involved.

ColdinNovember · 08/05/2023 20:25

Being a ‘centre parcs family’ is a thing now?

Testina · 08/05/2023 20:26

headstone · 08/05/2023 20:15

I don’t understand why people are offended by calling CP a holiday lacking imagination. A lot of enjoyable holidays are, especially when people always go back to the same place. People can relax more when there is little thinking and planning and stress involved.

Is that aimed at my reply @headstone?
Nothing wrong with saying that CP is a holiday lacking imagination. But I think if other posters specifically say they are for people with no imagination, that’s quite dickish don’t you think? I wouldn’t go so far as to say offensive, but dickish certainly.

CreeperBoom · 08/05/2023 20:37

Hothotdamage · 08/05/2023 20:08

Ah that explains the price, we are in England, I think it was 2.5/3k last time I'd looked for a week. Not heard of the holiday village with first choice, was it worth the money?

It was definitely worth the £2.8k in October. I've seen dates up to £5k though, which would be less so, IMO! That's maybe where you get the advantage, not paying through to nose to fly from Scotland though 🙂!

Freepo · 08/05/2023 20:41

JMSA · 08/05/2023 20:02

You'd be as well taking out a David Lloyd membership near your home, staying in a local Air B&B or Premier Inn for a week, and eating out Grin

Don’t know where to start with that. It’s fine not to like centerparcs but a number of the comments saying so have been a bit sneery.

my 5 year old loves the play areas, riding her bike through the forest, the massive swimming pool, the range of activities she does from cupcake making to aerial trekking to driving her own boat on the lake. I love taking her somewhere she loves going. I also love that getting there is a relatively short car journey given my toddler travels very badly.

also we paid £1200 in school holidays for Sherwood Forest last time for 4 of us - I would love to know where we get an all inclusive holiday for 4 for that (genuinely - we have been looking at abroad and all of it was so much more than centerparcs! If we can go abroad for that I would love to)

Dymaxion · 08/05/2023 20:47

4k for 4 nights in August for the 4 bed Executive lodge with a hot tub ! Don't get me wrong I can see the appeal for some people, who doesn't like trees and no traffic and a big pool, that you might only have limited access to during busy times like August but it does seem a little bit much, plus I am surrounded by flipping trees here, give me a beach or sea view any day Smile

1nutcracker · 08/05/2023 20:53

Onelifeliveitright · 08/05/2023 12:52

Bluestone is too far for us. Will take a look at the other suggestions thanks. If it were school holidays I'd expect it but it's not (apart from Scotland). But do the Scottish travel all the way to Sherwood Forest? Don't want to go abroad for it as love that you can drive there in less than an hour. Our abroad holidays are very different.

We used to travel every year to CP Sherwood from Scotland, as the weather much better than the CP in Penrith.

Nowaynowaynoway · 08/05/2023 20:53

We’ve booked one in the Netherlands for the May half term. Works out about £800 cheaper for the week than a UK one once you take in to account travel etc and that’s booking the top accommodation.