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Original poster

To think Center Parcs really isn’t middle class

381 replies

GodAgainstAll · 30/12/2023 16:04

Just spent a few days there for the first time. It’s expensive and the people there seem to be v affluent in terms of clothes/cars, but middle class? I was surprised.

OP posts:
Gallowayan · 30/12/2023 20:08

@EducatedMummy I hope (rather than believe) that you were posting that ironically? 😂

dingledells · 30/12/2023 20:08

Honestly just book Eurocamp or similar in the sunshine, some of our best holidays with DC.

We’ve done the above but I didn’t find it that different to a recent Hobourne break in Dorset except for more Europeans!

Chubbywubba · 30/12/2023 20:08

No, very middle class people take their holidays in Scotland, or the Lake District. They may occasionally go to Europe, but mostly to cities or provinces with great cultural appeal and historical influence - hotspots on the Med are avoided. If holidaying in Scotland they stay in a lovely loch hotel or a holiday house all to themselves. They take long, quiet walks in the countryside. Centre Parcs is the holiday choice for those of “new money.”

willstarttomorrow · 30/12/2023 20:08

But if CP is serious about attracting solid middle class families it must offer entertainment geared at cultured educated minds. 😂
Absolutely no properly, solid middle class family with cultured minds go to CP. Obviously a wind up. New middle class maybe but old school will continue to take UK holidays in some remote cottage and do a lot of walking and National Trust (not bitter at all about my impoverished but upper MC upbringing). One sibling continues to inflict this on their children.

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:09

@Poblano I completely understand that many hardworking parents with stressful jobs want to "switch off" on holiday, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't clapping away at the cabaret-style entertainment on our first night!

But it wouldn't too taxing for CP to host book clubs, language exchanges, the occasional lecture where parents are able to give the brain a bit of a workout, and meet likeminded people who enjoy good conversation.

Calabou · 30/12/2023 20:09

Centre Parcs has a class status?! I've never been but it always came across as somewhere anyone could go. Somewhere you'd go if going abroad wasn't possible/affordable at the time. Sounds like it's actually quite expensive though! It isn't my kind of thing, I don't think I'd make enough use of the activities to be worth it, and it sounds quite people-y (I'm fairly antisocial and prefer to go back to peace and quiet 😁).

dingledells · 30/12/2023 20:09

@Calliopespa 😆

Goddessonahighway · 30/12/2023 20:09

The AI holidays I've been on were all very sedate with families with small children. Didn't see anyone drunk (as were with small children) and food had lots of local options and with grilled local fish etc. Just families looking for a holiday with entertainment for the children. Holiday makers in AI aren't locked in - they are allowed to roam and do day trips. 😀

Megifer · 30/12/2023 20:09

dingledells · 30/12/2023 20:03

But if CP is serious about attracting solid middle class families it must offer entertainment geared at cultured educated minds

Such as?

Flea fly flo bang tournaments?

NearlyMonday · 30/12/2023 20:09

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:08

It’s when they stop fishing them out that it’s no longer MC.

Show quote history

Ah, good to know there’s a distinction 😃

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 30/12/2023 20:10

When I first went to Center Parcs there was a terrible noise in the pool that I thought was a chav dad calling his kids to the burger shack for lunch.

Turned out to be a recording they broadcast when the wave machine is about to start.

AgnesX · 30/12/2023 20:10

Good grief 🙄

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 30/12/2023 20:11

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:09

@Poblano I completely understand that many hardworking parents with stressful jobs want to "switch off" on holiday, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't clapping away at the cabaret-style entertainment on our first night!

But it wouldn't too taxing for CP to host book clubs, language exchanges, the occasional lecture where parents are able to give the brain a bit of a workout, and meet likeminded people who enjoy good conversation.

No way, absolutely not possibly serious.

Nice one.👍

Poblano · 30/12/2023 20:12

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:09

@Poblano I completely understand that many hardworking parents with stressful jobs want to "switch off" on holiday, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't clapping away at the cabaret-style entertainment on our first night!

But it wouldn't too taxing for CP to host book clubs, language exchanges, the occasional lecture where parents are able to give the brain a bit of a workout, and meet likeminded people who enjoy good conversation.

Cabaret-style entertainment? 🤔

A piss take I presume.

Calabou · 30/12/2023 20:13

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:09

@Poblano I completely understand that many hardworking parents with stressful jobs want to "switch off" on holiday, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't clapping away at the cabaret-style entertainment on our first night!

But it wouldn't too taxing for CP to host book clubs, language exchanges, the occasional lecture where parents are able to give the brain a bit of a workout, and meet likeminded people who enjoy good conversation.

The occasional LECTURE? Bloody hell, I'm on my second Masters, work in education and really do enjoy academic writing and research. There is no way I'm doing it on holiday though! Holidays are for my brain to switch off a bit, overstretching it is just as bad as not using it enough.

dingledells · 30/12/2023 20:15

But it wouldn't too taxing for CP to host book clubs, language exchanges, the occasional lecture where parents are able to give the brain a bit of a workout, and meet likeminded people who enjoy good conversation.

Tbf we go to holiday parks with friends so just chat to them!

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:15

Spudlover · 30/12/2023 19:54

Wind them up and watch them go eh OP?

That’s definitely what she was up to.

Poblano · 30/12/2023 20:15

Although actually I did do a pre-Christmas flower arranging class at Longleat around 20 years ago and made a lovely table centrepiece that got squashed in the car on the way home.

Amethystanddiamonds · 30/12/2023 20:16

I suspect if I was truly middle class, I'd be in the Carribbean right now rather than an EU CPs (because I can't afford a UK one). It's an easy holiday, presumably aimed at families that need a break from thinking rather than a particular class.

dingledells · 30/12/2023 20:16

would one class meeting reptiles as a lecture?! 😆

belgiumchocolates · 30/12/2023 20:16

Book clubs, language exchanges, the occasional lecture

On your hols, seriously ?

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:17

NearlyMonday · 30/12/2023 19:59

@Livelovebehappy can I refer you to my comment about 15 mins ago, about AI now being the norm in Mauritius, due to the secluded location of most of the hotels? Not a chicken nugget anywhere to be seen!

And here was me thinking AI was artificial intelligence! 🤣

PrueRamsay · 30/12/2023 20:17

Carouselfish · 30/12/2023 18:10

Middle is very broad though isn't it? I thought the thread would be about it being full of wealthy chavs rather than being upper class!

That’s certainly how I imagine it, based solely on the people I know who have been there.

More aspirational WC than MC

NearlyMonday · 30/12/2023 20:18

But if CP is serious about attracting solid middle class families it must offer entertainment geared at cultured educated minds. 😂

Has anyone suggested bum sex yet?

Dottymug · 30/12/2023 20:20

Posters on this thread using words like 'chav' and 'common' are showing themselves up horribly. No class.