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Original poster

Is Center Parcs worth the price?

151 replies

Vergus · 21/03/2025 10:36

I am considering taking the family to Longleat Center Parc over the May half-term. I don't really want the hassle of flying abroad this year but the price for a 7 night stay over the half-term week is making my eyes water slightly. I could get an all inclusive package in Majorca for the same fee. I see also they almost double the prices for that week alone, which is standard practice I suppose for the holiday provider market as they know they have you over the barrel. But the cost for essentially a cabin in the woods is somewhat breathtaking.

I have heard very good things about Center Parcs however so am keeping an open mind. I understand the Subtropical pool is included in the price tag and is a real hit. I also like the look of the location - Longleat looks great for cycling and getting out in the forest. Kids are aged 6 and 10. It's also only a two hr drive from us so that's always good.

If anyone is happy to share their experiences/thoughts - both pros and cons I can weigh things up. The price is coming in at £2958 - activities I see are extra as well. And - of course - it's self-catering.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Milly16 · 21/03/2025 17:26

We often go and it's fun, the kids love the pool and cycling around, but normally go for 3 or 4 nights. 7 is too long. Whether it's worth the money depends on your priorities and financial position

Shinyandnew1 · 21/03/2025 17:27

I would rather go abroad!

OtherCoraline · 21/03/2025 17:30

We got a good deal and paid £450 for 4 nights but even then DH thought that it was too much. The restaurants on site were awful and apart from swimming/walking around, you end up spending a lot extra on activities for the kids- I think a build a bear type thing was £28 each although that could be slightly wrong. Was a different site as well. But still.

Stepfordian · 21/03/2025 17:30

Everyone I know whose been says it’s great but I honestly just cannot bring myself to part with that amount of cash for a self catering cabin!

hoopyvest · 21/03/2025 17:43

Went a few times years ago for short breaks with kids and my parents.

Pluses: It's safe. We did a few activities together such as bowling and quiz night. We left the kids with my parents while we went to the spa for the afternoon.

Minuses: The cost. Mediocre restaurants and food shops.

MissJeanBrodiesmother · 21/03/2025 17:54

It depends. I think that it is very over priced. I go because my dd likes it and it is practical as she can't cope with abroad and loves the pool. If I didn't have these limitations then no I wouldn't use it especially in school hols whete the prices are ridiculous.

SomethingFun · 21/03/2025 17:57

I could be a billionaire and centre parcs would still be a no because it’s a rip off - it’s not the cost it’s the lack of value you get for it. £5 for a post mix lemonade. £50 for 20 mins on the high ropes. £40 for 45 mins bowling. It’s nothing special, there’s nothing special to spend your money on. And the spa is crap and overpriced imho.

HappyMummaOfOne · 21/03/2025 18:11

We go to Center Parcs about twice a year (because it is really close to us and we go in term time so always find a deal under £500).
Even though we love Center Parcs IT IS NOT worth £3k!!!! It is just a cabin and a pool. EVERYTHING is extra and you will spend a fortune on icecream for the kids, an activity, drinks ect ect. Go for the all inclusive as you will get more for your money.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 21/03/2025 18:22

SomethingFun · 21/03/2025 17:57

I could be a billionaire and centre parcs would still be a no because it’s a rip off - it’s not the cost it’s the lack of value you get for it. £5 for a post mix lemonade. £50 for 20 mins on the high ropes. £40 for 45 mins bowling. It’s nothing special, there’s nothing special to spend your money on. And the spa is crap and overpriced imho.

I've just been looking at the activities and can't believe what they're charging for those either. Obviously these things have to be maintained, but given what they're charging to stay you'd think some of it would be included

Disappointing too, though not surprising, to hear that the "Parcs" in europe are cheaper ... and then they wonder why so many go abroad Confused

bouquetofstitches · 21/03/2025 18:30

We love Longleat and have stayed for 7 nights a couple of times, although 5 nights and weekend breaks are more popular. 7 nights is our favourite as we’re not quite ready to go home after a shorter break, but the cost does jump up significantly once you add a weekend in. We prefer it to a beach type holiday abroad; we feel so relaxed by the end. Not all CP are equal but Longleat is great.

rachpach03 · 21/03/2025 18:43

It really depends what you’re looking for. Centre parcs is great if you are outdoorsy however I’d be lying if I said it isn’t overpriced, from the minute you step in everything basically doubles in price so not only is the holiday expensive so is all the extras once you’re actually there.

We always go abroad however last year we chose to got to centre parcs in October and we did love it but still think I’d rather an abroad holiday. One tip is definitely have food in lodge that you can cook and/or get takeaways from outwith the park as the food on site is awful and sooo expensive.

Saz12 · 21/03/2025 18:49

I've been once, out of holidays. It was... OK. Nice not to have to answer the "what are we doing today" questions. All the atmosphere of an airport departure lounge.

Whattodo12e · 21/03/2025 18:49

No it's absolutely not worth that price. Depending where you are in the UK and ages of dc look up efteling and drive there tagging on de kemperven which is the Dutch center parks and much nicer

Seawolves · 21/03/2025 18:58

We go, usually for a long weekend. It might be more expensive than some places but the adapted lodges are truly adapted, they don't charge us extra for hiring in beds/hoists/shower beds etc. The pool is accessible as there is a Changing Places changing room and we are able to take my little boy's wheelchair right up to the pool edge.

We have a week long break booked for the summer in an adapted cottage but it is costing an extra £100 to hire in a profiling bed and £50 for a hoist and shower bed so it works out equal in the end. Lots of places that claim they are accessible are not as accessible as they'd like to believe they are.

We can't simply jump on a plane and head for the sun because my little one is medically fragile, he is also unable to sit without specialised seating, he's unable to transfer from his wheelchair to a chair. I'd love to take him abroad one day but I would want to travel with another adult for help and support whereas we can go to CP just me and him because the whole layout there makes it easier to manage on my own.

Porcelainpig · 21/03/2025 19:17

nutbrownhare15 · 21/03/2025 11:20

Try Hoseasons much better value - I like to get a lodge with a hot tub

I second this. There are some great parks with cottages and a hot tub, but have a small pool, fishing lakes, ranger activities, bikes etc as they are small and quiet. I booked a cottage with a hot tub at a park in Devon for 1.6k in August. It wasn't perfect but it was good value and we had a good time.

My son has complex needs so struggle to find anywhere decent and sounds like CP would be too much. 3k is eye watering for a UK break in half term!

I would go back to the Spa at CP though. I loved that.

strawlight · 21/03/2025 19:37

I love Center Parcs, we’ve been at least once a year for 15 years. However… when the kids were in primary we went in term time and paid peanuts. Once they got to secondary we started going with family in the school holidays, and lucky for us the grandparents paid.

I would not pay and cannot justify the school holiday prices and nearly £3000 is ridiculous. Go to Majorca, and save CP for a time when it’s less expensive. For reference, Longleat starts at £479 for a Mon-Fri break for 4 people in term time, which is much more reasonable!

jollyjollyme · 21/03/2025 19:54

We’ve just got back today. The whole place is tired and needs a massive makeover.
Our lodge was filthy and we had to ask for it to get cleaned again as it had barely been touched when we arrived.

It is nice there bur everything costs a fortune. Majorca would definitely be my preference.

MinionKevin · 21/03/2025 20:23

Been over 10 years since I went but I thought it was grubby. If they could charge you for thinking they would. I did not get the appeal at all. Also it rained all weekend so not like we could be outside.

I remember a friend going in the early 80s, large family so they just squished into the accommodation. I’m sure I remember that the activities were free then.

Coffecakebakes · 21/03/2025 20:27

I was a centre parcs fan until it just became too busy and expensive. We had a great holiday at a much lower price at centre parcs in Belgium.

FrenchandSaunders · 22/03/2025 07:52

Get a lodge at Sandyballs in the new forest. Has a pool, bit of entertainment but not a lot. Can cycle for miles around the forest. Fab pubs to stop at and not far from the sea.

RubyBee · 22/03/2025 08:11

We went a couple of times during Covid times when it wasn’t possible to travel abroad. I’d say the pro is the lack of cars so the kids have the freedom to cycle safely. Also they can wander off in the woods to play which is nice. For me the con was that I felt, well, conned by the activities. Was stood watching my kids do half an hour of pedal go-carting for £18 per child thinking about how I was basically being rinsed. The restaurants are the most mediocre ever (Strada, Pancake Hut). Plus I find the vibe quite down as the whole place is full of knackered parents with small children. A bit like how adults-only hotels feel wrong because they are full of old people and no one else, Center Parcs is all tired parents sniping at each other.

FrostyFriday · 22/03/2025 08:17

Centre Parcs in EU is often worth the price and the drive is very simple. Activities are so much cheaper in Belgium/Netherlands. We always book a VIP lodge with sauna. We love the swimming and cycling. It's amazing! I would NOT pay the UK prices during school holidays though. Majorca would win!

MiniCooperLover · 22/03/2025 08:22

I refuse to pay half term/holiday prices. We go to the ones in Holland as we can get the ferry easily. The ferry plus the park is so much less than a UK one.

BeyondMyWits · 22/03/2025 09:14

We tried a Dutch Parc and a French Parc and they really weren't the same. Yep, they were cheaper, but so was the "lodge" standard. And you had to add a days holiday to get there, and another to get home.

A long weekend at longleat for us takes a couple of hours extra each journey. We would always treat CP as a short break, not a full weeks holiday.

I do very little. Maybe have a swim, bowl, crazy golf, walk, sit at the window and look at the deer, drink cocktails etc. I don't cook, don't clean, don't phone surf, or watch telly, just chill.

HeyThereDelila · 22/03/2025 09:25

£3k for a week? No.

You pay for all the other activities on top so it ends up costing a fortune. I think it’s totally overrated for what are effectively lodges in a pine plantation.

I went once on my DSis’s hen do. It was fine and the activities range is good and the pool is fun, but for that money I would book a holiday cottage by the coast or in proper countryside and find a nice local trail where you can hire bikes, and pay to go kayaking on another day - similar activities and you’ve saved £2k.

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