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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Center parks - a bit tacky?

368 replies

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 08:08

Just back from our first trip to center parks. Went to the one in Woburn and honestly I just thought it was a bit tacky. Apparently it's middle class Butlins but is it? Maybe am being particularly picky but I still thought it was a bit like Butlins. Is it just me?

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 23/08/2025 16:26

Pregnancyquestion · 23/08/2025 16:21

Even compared to Butlins, no one is impressed by a CP holiday,

I have never met anyone who would be anything other than indifferent about where I go on my UK holiday.

Really? My friends at least pretend to be interested.

Molkomad · 23/08/2025 16:30

I'm currently at the one in Sherwood Forest and can say it's certainly not tacky and I've done a lot of Butlins holidays over the last few years! It's an outrageous rip off and so expensive but I wouldn't say tacky

Quitelikeit · 23/08/2025 16:30

Op you are baffled as to why people would go? Yet you actually went there

Ive never been and I will never go because I have done a bit of research and know it’s not for me

Next time be like me and do your research

Seymour5 · 23/08/2025 16:47

Our family is fairly widespread across the UK, occasionally we might manage a break with a big group. Last time we went to Whinfell, there were three generations. About a dozen adults and half a dozen kids from 11 to 16. a couple of dogs in the mix too. We only saw the teens for food or the odd event that was booked. They were out on bikes or in the pool. They had a great time.

We got together at the biggest lodge in the evenings, did games and quizzes. We sometimes cooked, or had takeaway delivered. We’ve been to Sherwood a few times, and prefer it, but Whinfell made travelling more equal.

marzipanpan · 23/08/2025 17:12

Distracteddistraction · 23/08/2025 15:25

Also a doctor and husband an accountant, and it’s v popular with lots of work colleagues/ friends for both of us. So agree probably fairly stereotypically middle class

I just see a really wide range and mix of people there. Definitely plenty of families you would also see at Butlins etc

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 17:21

To answer the question of why I went. Dh was back in the office and I had a bit more AL left so thought I'd take the kids way for a few days but didn't want to traipsing around with all the bags through the airport on my own. Woburn is only an hour by train and my logic was that even in the rain it should be fine with the pool.

As I was on my own and travelling by train, I assumed that we'd do a mixture of self catering and eating out so lunches out and having an easy dinner at home. Bbqs weren't allowed due to the drought so we couldn't do that either as an easy option.

Dcs are 8 and 6 so I still had to supervise them throughout and they did get bored of the pools. They actually like swimming and there wasn't the space but are scared of most rides so didn't go on those. The six year plds bike we rented didn't have gears for some reason and without those Woburn is no fun. We did lots of badminton but they don't like crafts or bowling. Maybe they are already too old for it maybe it's just not for us.

OP posts:
Pregnancyquestion · 23/08/2025 17:26

Twiglets1 · 23/08/2025 16:26

Really? My friends at least pretend to be interested.

Yes, in the sense that they’ll say, oh that’s nice, have a good time. They’re not like ‘oh get you! You lucky thing. You must be doing well going to centre parcs! I could only dream! Wow, you always go to the coolest places!’

KindLemur · 23/08/2025 17:33

So your kids don’t like crafts, rides or bowling. The pool at Woburn is small and you can see this from online reviews. The bike you could have taken back to the rental and seen what else there was available. Really it sounds like you were just underprepared for the trip and have very fussy kids who don’t enjoy much.

what do they actually like doing? Maybe base your trips on that. Or just be brave enough to actually travel more than an hour with them. I’ve camped, paddle boarded etc alone with a baby and 3 year old. Just because DH wasn’t available doesn’t mean you have to remain within an hour of the m25

KindLemur · 23/08/2025 17:34

Also OP if you do things like centre parks , camping. Etc with friends with similar aged kids, it opens up a whole new world of fun. Maybe keep that in mind for future trips

Notmyreality · 23/08/2025 18:12

KindLemur · 23/08/2025 17:33

So your kids don’t like crafts, rides or bowling. The pool at Woburn is small and you can see this from online reviews. The bike you could have taken back to the rental and seen what else there was available. Really it sounds like you were just underprepared for the trip and have very fussy kids who don’t enjoy much.

what do they actually like doing? Maybe base your trips on that. Or just be brave enough to actually travel more than an hour with them. I’ve camped, paddle boarded etc alone with a baby and 3 year old. Just because DH wasn’t available doesn’t mean you have to remain within an hour of the m25

This. Finally after 13 pages the truth comes out.

Possiblyfamous · 23/08/2025 18:19

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 08:52

Maybe tacky is the wrong word but I just thought it was pretty rubbish. There is no where to get decent fresh bread or coffee. Large parts of it feel like a crappy leisure centre, whilst the pool is bigger than normal, it didn't feel clean. The food out is terrible. The sports cafe is tacky.
Strangely it feels like aspirational middle classes in the 90s, cafe rouge, starbucks etc. By now no one middle class would actually go to any of these places in their real life.

We love Center Parcs and have been going for years. We tried Woburn for the first time last year and I agree with everything you’ve said! We still had a great time but it doesn’t come close to the others! It’s a shame you probably won’t now try Elvedon or Longleat, we have the best family memories there with our children and now with our grandchildren.

Breathejustbreathe01 · 23/08/2025 18:20

Well CP is one of our favourite holidays. Our 8 year old DD is autistic and loves the familiarity and our 5 year old DS loves the playgrounds. Both love the pool and DH and I love how the kids fall asleep almost immediately from tiredness so we can have a delicious meal after they've gone to bed at the lodge table and relax without worrying about laundry or cleaning. It's expensive but it's one of our easiest, most relaxing holiday experiences and we'll keep going back.

IAmQuiteNiceActually · 23/08/2025 18:22

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 08:52

Maybe tacky is the wrong word but I just thought it was pretty rubbish. There is no where to get decent fresh bread or coffee. Large parts of it feel like a crappy leisure centre, whilst the pool is bigger than normal, it didn't feel clean. The food out is terrible. The sports cafe is tacky.
Strangely it feels like aspirational middle classes in the 90s, cafe rouge, starbucks etc. By now no one middle class would actually go to any of these places in their real life.

They're not clean...my mum got an awful stomach bug from the pool.

I've not been for twenty years but the cabin we stayed in was quite old and had a bit of a stale smell. The restaurants weren't that great (I think my H went out to the local village for a takeaway) and it's not exactly middle class. It's just a swimming pool and some trees.

Slooped · 23/08/2025 18:43

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 17:21

To answer the question of why I went. Dh was back in the office and I had a bit more AL left so thought I'd take the kids way for a few days but didn't want to traipsing around with all the bags through the airport on my own. Woburn is only an hour by train and my logic was that even in the rain it should be fine with the pool.

As I was on my own and travelling by train, I assumed that we'd do a mixture of self catering and eating out so lunches out and having an easy dinner at home. Bbqs weren't allowed due to the drought so we couldn't do that either as an easy option.

Dcs are 8 and 6 so I still had to supervise them throughout and they did get bored of the pools. They actually like swimming and there wasn't the space but are scared of most rides so didn't go on those. The six year plds bike we rented didn't have gears for some reason and without those Woburn is no fun. We did lots of badminton but they don't like crafts or bowling. Maybe they are already too old for it maybe it's just not for us.

I really don't think your 6 year old has outgrown CP. If anything they sound too young as they can't get much enjoyment out of the pool if finding slides scary and presumably aren't great at bowling either (no 6 year old is) which I agree doesn't make it much fun. It just sounds like the wrong fit for your family.

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 18:52

I have also camped and travelled abroad with kids on my own. My kids also do like cycling and swimming but in Woburn ypu needs kids bikes with grars as it's hilly. The whole point of going to center parks was to have a quick and easy break. We have already been on holidays with friends and I couldn't be bothered organizing things with others.

Also for those of you with ND - did your kids not mind the crowds? Mine really hated people constantly bumping into him on the rapids or the lazy river.

OP posts:
indoorplantqueen · 23/08/2025 18:53

We love CP. Been to a few different ones and Longford (Ireland) is my favourite. We always go for New Year’s with another family and it’s perfect for post Xmas blues. The lights around the park is beautiful. The kids all love the pool, riding their bikes, bowling and pottery painting. We eat out every evening and the food has been consistently good. The service can be slow though.
the supermarket is well stocked and has a fresh bakery section.

Crikeyalmighty · 23/08/2025 18:55

I would honestly if I had young kids rather go to Butlins- and pretty sure I would count as middle class- at a third of the price my son actually enjoyed it more

Sheknowsaboutme · 23/08/2025 19:00

Tacky? Absolutely not. Been going for 24 yrs.

we go every year. Happy to pay silly prices. Keeps the riffraff away.

i detest the idea of all inclusive with grubby kids fingers all over the nuggets and chips and towels on loungers m. That’s grim

hangerup · 23/08/2025 19:20

We always go for New Year’s with another family and it’s perfect for post Xmas blues.

@indoorplantqueen I would like to go in that lull after NY & before going back to work/school.

PopcornKitten · 23/08/2025 19:25

This made me chuckle. Op, you would feel very let down if you went there expecting to be surrounded by middle class children off on their private school extensive holidays. Perhaps if you booked a treehouse and checked out the Porsches, Lamborghinis and range rovers outside.
We’ve just got back from a 7 night break and loved the wildlife, lack of cars, ability to cycle and walk through the area. I did chuckle at the Elemis hand wash in the pool area toilets.
It’s personal preference but I don’t see it as a middle class place at all. Just regular families on a break.

PopcornKitten · 23/08/2025 19:33

I’ve just noticed you went to Woburn. I’ve only been to Elevden. When I researched, the impression I had was that Woburn is ‘Center Parcs Lite’

Ireallywantadoughnut36 · 23/08/2025 20:38

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 08:52

Maybe tacky is the wrong word but I just thought it was pretty rubbish. There is no where to get decent fresh bread or coffee. Large parts of it feel like a crappy leisure centre, whilst the pool is bigger than normal, it didn't feel clean. The food out is terrible. The sports cafe is tacky.
Strangely it feels like aspirational middle classes in the 90s, cafe rouge, starbucks etc. By now no one middle class would actually go to any of these places in their real life.

I know what you mean, it doesn't reflect my view of the typically mocked middle class life, which I think is actually the very upper middle classes (yummy mummies, organic fair trade coffee sold by an independent, sourdough, rare breed meat, quinoa, mindfulness, sound baths, reformer pilates, lululemon, English sparkling wine, pickle ball, environmentally friendly second hand designer clothes, wooden toys, a hamper from Fortnums, glamping at Feastival, Daylesford farm shops, wild swimming) but I think "middle class" is incredibly, incredibly broad and to a lot of normally middle class people Joules, dishwashers rather than washing up, over priced cafe rouge and badminton followed by a walk in the woods with a Starbucks latte hit that bill. CPs don't dooriginal working class holiday park things, like "entertainment" like Butlins which is very classic old school working class holiday. They also don't have caravans they have the "wooden villas/lodges". There's no karaoke, no gambling/slot machines or arcades, there's a lot of wood and whilst the restaurants are chains now, they aren't mcdonalds or KFC, they're Starbucks, Bella Italia and cafe rouge.
I also think the clientèle at CP is super super broad, the sports bar is always really busy, always, so whilst I'd never associate soft play, tv screens and carling with middle class life, clearly lots of CP customers really want that.
The reality is the organic eating, farmshop visiting, range rover driving, designer coat wearing mummy and daddy middle classes are all skiing in Val D'isere, getting winter sun in the Maldives or having a luxury villa holiday in Arrabella and Rupert's Provence villa over the summer. So there isn't actually a proper middle class market. You could try Lakes by Yoo in the cotswolds, they're very traditional upper Middle Class (complete with £500 a night piece tag, Michelin star chefs doing supper clubs, a Barbara sturm spa and electric car charging stations).

MumsTheWordYouKnow · 23/08/2025 21:23

The food outlets are very tacky. If I was to stay there (despite the extortionate costs!) again I’d never eat any of their fast food crap. Rest of it is fine, in a ‘not bad’ sort of way. The bits I like are the accommodation, outdoors and the pools.

Ozgirl76 · 23/08/2025 23:19

If your kids don’t like any of the things they have there, it seems a really odd place to choose to go. I can’t imagine many kids being bored there, unless they’re used to a lot of screens normally or constant entertainment. Mine spent all day in the pool (to be fair, we went to Sherwood) and they’re 4 years older than yours. They could spend ages just cycling around, going to the playgrounds and they made friends with some other kids there too. If mine had said they were bored at a place that is designed for kids’ fun, I would have been very surprised.
Maybe 6 was too young but can they not entertain themselves without you normally?

Seymour5 · 24/08/2025 07:40

My adult DC have been to several (we’ve only been to two) and Sherwood gets their vote every time.

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