Why do you like Centre Parcs?

[lalalove]

I really struggle to see the appeal of Centre Parcs. If you love it, and go there frequently, what are your reasons?

Personally I can’t get over how expensive it is, when for the same price you could travel aboard and experience a different culture/climate.
Even for a staycation in the UK you can stay in much nice accommodation/locations for less. Does it not feel like just being at home? Having to cook and clean up after the family? And if you do eat out there are just a limited choice of dull chain restaurants.

Don’t hate me, but it just seems like a glorified butlins with an outrageous price tag (nothing wrong with butlins, at least it’s more affordable which I get!)

The majority of activities are chargeable as well aren’t they? So what are the benefits of going there!?

I think I’m in the minority so maybe the comments can change my mind!

It doesn’t look anything like those hotels though in terms of what it’s offering. And they don’t have the dome and pool complex and rapids etc I wouldn’t say they are comparable holidays.

We go to Winfell (only live half an hour down the road) and love it as it is so peaceful. Love that there's no traffic so completely safe for kids and we always see so much wildlife. We had badgers visit our lodge last time. The swimming pool is also fantastic.

We’ve only been to ones in Belgium and the Netherlands. It is a lot cheaper than the UK ones. I wouldn’t pay the amounts for the ones here.

Pros are the pool and just general convenience. Sipping rosé while the kids run around the softplay. Going to nearby towns for wanders/ meals. Never having to worry about the kids getting bored.

My kids are on the younger side though and I think once they are over 10 it will appeal less.

They're usually really peaceful.

I just wish they were cheaper so I could go more often.

Main reasons for us (we don't go often but every few years, and off-peak because we only have a pre-schooler):
The subtropical swimming paradise
The surroundings - deer, squirrels, ducks, birds come to your Lodge looking for monkey nuts!

It’s a very easy holiday with small children . The lack of cars made it safe, the woods, pool and playgrounds meant for lots of free activities and the restaurants mostly have play areas. The accommodation is of a high standard and there is a good selection of alcohol for drinks in front of a wood fire after the little ones are in bed.

It's a home from home

I forgot about the skiing - such a brilliant addition.

No cars is great

The rapids !!! And the slides .. not much else really!

I think there is a need for more indoor swimming pools like the ones they have but not stay there !

I like that it’s an hour from home, no airport, flight chaos to deal with. I like that we park the car on Monday and don’t get in it till the Friday. There are two major things that appeal to us as a family and that’s the cycling aspect and the swimming aspect.

The shoots, lazy river, slides, rapids are great fun whether you’re 8 or 58. And we don’t have the freedom to cycle where we live, but my children zoom off on their bikes at CP and I know they won’t encounter a car or fall off a curb, or get chased by a dog. They love locking their bikes up outside the pool and restaurants. Apart from breakfast and a few lunches we eat out when we’re there. Yes, they are chain restaurants - Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge etc, but I can cope with that, kids won’t eat anything too fancy.

Last time we went pony trekking, kayaking, played tennis, badminton, went bowling, kids did a few crafty type activities. It was a girl training to be a Norland nanny who was running the classes.

Yes it’s absolutely extortionate but in my experience it’s clean and well managed and my children just love it. And that’s why I do it. It’s good fun. Would I go without the kids? Nope. But I would have gone as a young adult in my twenties with friends.

When we have gone the weather has been good, I imagine it would take the shine off it rained.

£70 pp/pn, inclusive of the pool complex.

An absolute steal.

I've contemplated taking DS and a few mates for a bday, rather than a party. You're right - it's a place where even teens are happy and occupied!

It feels like you need to be an 'activities family' to love it. I love UK holidays and am not snobby about parks/sites but staying on site all day doing tennis/high ropes/cycling would hold no interest for me tbh. Definitely see the appeal of the pool but otherwise we are more hiking/beach/National Trust/museum/walks in actual countryside people. And we live in a reasonably rural area so seeing squirrels and deer isn't that novel 🤣

We went with our 3 year old and were bored by the 3rd day. There didn’t seem to be anything to do other than swimming, soft play and the play park. For something that is in a forest you can’t actually go into the forest. The only places you could really walk were along tarmac roads. Most of the outdoor activities were an extra charge, which is a lot when you have already spent close to a thousand pounds on accommodation. I much prefer a holiday where you can leave and explore the area. It definitely wasn’t for us.

We thought MNHQ should clarify
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/1385104-Center-Parcs-Anal-sex
MNHQ

@mushroomshroom it is a lovely time to go as the winter lights are up and the park looks beautiful.

I have met two people who made a point of hating centre parcs, and they were both cunts. Like, utter bastards. Make of that what you will.

It is not what I would choose to do if it was 100% down to me (as 1 half of a childfree couple) however I can see the appeal for families with kids, and we go sometimes with the extended family. Hassle free outdoors time. The forest smells nice. You can safely ride a bike as there’s no cars. There are squirrels. You can bring your own wine. I don’t care about the price because money is not an issue for me and my family. The spas are quite nice and the accommodation is large enough for extended families to get together. It is what you make it. One of the nicest moments last year was just sitting on the sofa at centre parcs chatting with my FIL about the book he was reading.

Also flinging yourself down the rapids and almost drowning is pretty hilarious. You should try it, OP!

It feels like you need to be an 'activities family' to love it. I love UK holidays and am not snobby about parks/sites but staying on site all day doing tennis/high ropes/cycling would hold no interest for me tbh. Definitely see the appeal of the pool but otherwise we are more hiking/beach/National Trust/museum/walks in actual countryside people. And we live in a reasonably rural area so seeing squirrels and deer isn't that novel

I don't think we are a particularly activities family. I think a lot of it is just having the whole extended family together & having fun but equally able to do different things
We only do weekends though.

It's a good idea. It cost us nothing for the extra 3 teens because we could self cater and we'd have needed a 4 bed anyway even if they hadn't each brought a friend.

@stanleypops66 we are already booked for August but might see if we can do it as well

I think this!

I like going to the Centre Parcs in Germany and the Netherlands where they have the same facilities or better for 1/3 of the price.

‘Actual countryside’ - what does that mean in this context? There’s one in Cumbria and one in Sherwood Forest. They are hardly central London. Or do you imagine you’re locked in and not allowed to leave the site?

(I think that only happened once, during the queens funeral).

It is better value abroad but going abroad can be a faff.

Anal.