Is Centre Parcs worth it

[SchoolZooTrip]

We have an unexpected opportunity to go away next weekend and was thinking Centre Parcs as something quick and easy to book but it's coming to £700. Is it worth it?
Looked at Haven which is £200 cheaper but the other similar alternatives I can think of are more expensive.

Been this year with my 3 year old to Whinfell, then a couple of months later did Skegness Butlins. Should have maybe done them the other way around I think as the atmospheres are very different 🤣. It’s a bit like comparing cats to dogs.

If you’ve got kids who like wildlife or outdoor/physical activities then CP is definitely worth it imo (although school holiday prices are sadly ridiculous). We were only there for 4 nights so just booked one activity on each full day we were there for my son - I remember thinking the activities weren’t as expensive as I thought they would be and my son enjoyed all 3 that we booked. We spent the rest of each day at the pool or exploring the site. I can see how it would get pricey with multiple kids/or if you booked several things each day though. We also ate out at the Lakeside Inn a couple of times - nothing special, but pleasant enough and a nice soft play for the kids.

The swimming pool at CP is fab - my son loved that it was warm and enjoyed the lazy river. He happily went daily even though normally he’s not bothered for swimming pools. He was disappointed with the colder, more run down feeling Butlins pool in comparison and we only went there the once (the changing rooms were also revolting 🤢,if people think Center Parcs changing rooms are bad they should see the state of Butlins…).

At Butlins we spent most of our time on the free fairground rides, which DS did enjoy. He’s not that fussed for the shows/entertainment - but if your DC enjoys that sort of thing then that is where I think Butlins really comes into its own. And of course Butlins has the beach too. Don’t risk the Fish and Chips on site at Rock and Sole though - we made that mistake and it was greasy, rubbery and tasteless (we didn’t try the other food outlets after that, but I’ve heard bad things about most of them tbh).

Generally I personally preferred the more restful atmosphere of Center Parcs so we will likely go there again. We might go to Butlins again if there’s a show on that DS might particularly enjoy - but tbh I think he enjoyed being off- site exploring Skegness on the open-top character buses (and collecting the different badges on them), than he really did Butlins itself.

We’ve had pleasant holidays at Center Parcs, but I do always feel like I’m being ripped off there. The activities always seem incredibly cheapened for the amount of money you pay.

I find CP a bit mystifying tbh. I thought it was unpleasantly crowded, rough accommodation with a settee like a board and nasty bunk beds, and I’ve been on suburban housing estates in France that felt like they had more ‘nature’. We had infinitely more fun for a tiny chunk of the price staying at the right youth hostel, or camping, though that is definitely more effort and only really worked for us in a group.

Its great for younger kids/pre teens who love the pool, happy to run around the woods, ride bikes
All activities cost money even using football pitch so you can spend even more.
We took our own food so didnt eat out while there

Havnt been on a few years but hired a caravan at flamingoland. Dc spent so much time wandering around the zoo early morning
Riding their bikes and playing football.

Have a look at Bluestone instead. It’s very similar but a bit smaller and much cheaper.

So if you are thinking that Haven and Center Parcs are similar you need to decide if you are looking for an area you stay in and avail yourself of any facilities therein and stay the whole break without leaving OR a place to stay that has some facilities but is more a base with things to do but that you will use as a base.

Forest Holidays are sooo much better than CP

Sounds like a right pain

Not in the UK - no . horribly packed , shabby and outrageously expensive. Europe is great however . We particularly like the CPs in the Netherlands .

Me and the kids go every year and love it. You don’t have to book all the activities to make it worth while. Most of the restaurants have decent soft play areas and DC often make friends, and we love the nature aspect. It’s a very calming place. I feel refreshed whilst being there. There are plenty of parks and nature trails. I book one activity per day and that’s all. Some people book loads and are just rushing around being harassed - not much of a holiday if you do that.

with haven etc having the arcades I don’t feel it’s much cheaper but it feels very basic compared to CP. my youngest also is scared of dogs and dogs aren’t allowed indoors at CP (and there aren’t that many around at all) whereas when we went to haven a while back dogs were everywhere indoors and outside, and in the play areas! There was also dog mess everywhere.

Honestly, years ago my DH said he would not do Center Parcs as it was essentially a holiday camp and not his thing or mine. I wasn't sure at the time, but reading this thread, I do get what he meant.

It really is a marmite place. We had to go on a family holiday and hated it. Fake woods, grubby accommodation and the okay pool. DC were too small to do any of the ‘activities’ so we just went to the play park and the soft play. I saw someone say it was like going on holiday to a local authority leisure centre.

I wish my LA leisure centre had a swimming pool like CP. where are these in the UK?!

Well mine does has a wave machine and slides…

We've had a tough year so just want to stay in one place! Having a think 🤔

Thanks all these comments have been sooo helpful!

Mine has a wave thing & 1 basic slide, how is that comparable to what CPs has?

Our local authority pool has a wave machine and slides too. But I think the big difference with CP pools is the heat - with younger kids it can make such a big difference not to be so cold waiting for slides or moving between pools. The greenery and slightly better cleanliness make for a more pleasant atmosphere too.

It’s probably not the only reason to go to CP, but it is a big one imo. It’s usually a battle to get my 3 year old to go swimming (even with the wave machine etc) but he was happy to go daily at CP. I really wish somewhere more local had a sub tropical swimming pool like CP!

Just come back from Whinfell Forest cp.
the pool complex and water is warm. My nearly 5 yr old granddaughter absolutely loved it. The playgrounds are good too and we spent hours there. Both free!
Thete’s a softplay area at The Village Inn and a good children’s menu.
she loved bowling and the boat we hired. You’ll need to book asap and then with your booking ref they’ll email you details to book activities and meals out. Really worth doing this so you don’t miss out. We booked other activities but it was really the pool and playground that dgd was desperate to do!

another vote for Kempervennen in the Netherlands. Even with flights and a taxi transfer if was cheaper than CP in the UK .

£700 for CP in summer hols is a steal.

Mad but true!

It's cheaper but for good reason.

Accommodation, swimming etc just not as nice as UK CP. Much of the park is really tired.

Great for those who ski, though.

I think your Ds is the perfect age to go. We went a couple of times years and years ago with the in-laws when our elder two were primary school age, we enjoyed ourselves and there was lots to do for the DCs, that said I am not sure if it was value for money relative to Butlins. Sure CPs had fancier activities, but I always Butlins had some great activities and entertainment on offer. Although, in those days Butlins was in better nick...I have heard some horror stories in recent years.

I think it is worth it.
We took my daughter age 5 to 7 and she loved it. We went as older children aged 10 -13 in the 90s.
It’s expensive, that’s never changed.

The pool (I can only speak for Sherwood and Whinfell) is fantastic. Slides, outdoor bits, good features.
The chalets are lovely cosy and well equipped. Everything feels very safe. The spa is the best I’ve ever been to in this country. The pancake house is a fun experience.
By the way if you don’t fancy going in summer.. we made it a bit cheaper by going late January. Obviously cold , but everything is still up and running and the Winter Wonderland is a gorgeous touch, lots of things to see and do there.
I’m quite easily pleased and I’ll pay for convenience. But we loved it

I’ve been to several UK Centre Parcs growing up with my parents and siblings, as an adult with family and most recently my work took our company there. I would definitely recommend it, it’s very relaxing and easy especially for a short break. I grew up in the countryside and my family still always enjoyed the environment and there’s lots to do especially if you can take or hire bikes. No need to do lots of the extra activities. The pool complex is very warm (take your own towels) and has lots of great slides - I didn’t get to go on these when I last went with work as I was pregnant, but it was still nice being in the pool environment. Take your some of your food as their supermarket is expensive (they sell COOK but it’s much more pricey than in the shops) or you can get takeaways delivered (I think some of my colleagues managed external ones) and plan that you might not be able to have a BBQ if the forest is very dry due to the risk!

I love Center Parcs threads, the critics are the epitome of MN.

You never have to wait long before a poster turns their nose up at UK CP and advises you to load up the car, flog to a port, pay for a ferry and then drive hours to a camp in Belgium or Holland.

I reckon these are the sorts of people who thought Going For Gold was an upmarket game show because it was ‘European’.

CP is definitely worth it. You get lovely long days and children wear themselves out happily. Enjoy.