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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Noominia · 23/08/2025 10:33

The first time I went, I was with 2 DDs and parents, DH had refused to come because he thought it sounded like Butlins. A couple of days in my mother said "You know this is absolutely nothing like Butlins but it is exactly what (DH) imagines Butlins is like". With youngish children we always enjoyed it, especially during term time.

Original poster
9uygjk · 23/08/2025 10:33

Am not obsessed with class but having moved to the UK from abroad, I sometimes use it as a marker for approximating whether something will be nice or not. I don't understand why having nice stuff is only seen as middle class. My kids don't like beige food, or a dirty pool. Is that snobby? I don't get why people would pay that much money for something that isn't very nice. I was on my own with the kids hence trying something local to us.

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 23/08/2025 10:34

Seems expensive for what it offers, have not been myself but that has been the conclusion of people I have met who have.

As for certain nocturnal activities, no idea whether that is an urban myth or not.

Original poster
9uygjk · 23/08/2025 10:35

As I was on my own with the kids, yes I was hoping to have at least one meal out per day which we did but it was inedible. The activities were fine but so cramped.

OP posts:
hangerup · 23/08/2025 10:36

I don't understand why having nice stuff is only seen as middle class.

I don't think it is

My kids don't like beige food, or a dirty pool. Is that snobby?

No but probably easier for them & you if they lower their standards somewhat 😆

I don't get why people would pay that much money for something that isn't very nice.

Well for some it isn't that much money & for us it's worth it.

anotherside · 23/08/2025 10:37

Kids love it, there’s plenty to do whatever the weather, and you don’t have to get on a plane to get there. Perfect for a few days low hassle family break.

DrowningInSyrup · 23/08/2025 10:38

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?

So it wasn't muddle class enough for you? Have you considered you have just put down a holiday many mners may have saved for and enjoyed. Pay more and go somewhere posher.

itsgettingweird · 23/08/2025 10:39

I don’t find it tacky or as you described.

However of the 3 parks I’ve been to Woburn, Elvedon and Longleat it was my least favourite.

I found it small and all too central.

Elvedon is my favourite.

Original poster
9uygjk · 23/08/2025 10:39

Just to clarify - it isn't about the money- I would happily have paid more for pancakes that were made with actual real batter rather than ready made stuff. Or more for the activities which weren't so squeezed in. The huts are so so close together. It's the low standards rather than the cash.

OP posts:
Figcherry · 23/08/2025 10:41

hangerup · 23/08/2025 10:36

I don't understand why having nice stuff is only seen as middle class.

I don't think it is

My kids don't like beige food, or a dirty pool. Is that snobby?

No but probably easier for them & you if they lower their standards somewhat 😆

I don't get why people would pay that much money for something that isn't very nice.

Well for some it isn't that much money & for us it's worth it.

You would lower your standards and swim in a dirty pool?

I live in France and have my own pool so my pool standards are extremely high.
However if a pool is dirty then it's not being maintained properly and that is awful and I would not be happy swimming in that.
Most public pools heavily chlorinate them at night to clean them ( which is why you're not allowed to use them) and then use another chemical to reduce the chlorine to a safe level by morning.

hangerup · 23/08/2025 10:41

As I was on my own with the kids, yes I was hoping to have at least one meal out per day which we did but it was inedible.

It's not somewhere I would go alone & not sure I would go with just my family.

The food isn't great but inedible?

nomas · 23/08/2025 10:42

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 09:22

Totally agree with others about French eurocamps - they are much cheaper and a lot nicer. Yes, I expected nicer something to justify the cost. We live in London and don't drive so walking everywhere is not that special. Plus we have lots of woods near where we are and I don't want to say it....but maybe even a Gail's would be better than Cafe Rouge and I don't usually like Gail's as the bread is crap.

Could you recommend a eurocamp? Thanks

hangerup · 23/08/2025 10:42

I haven't been to Woburn only Longleat & Elvedon & haven't found it cramped.

The pancake place is definitely overrated.

nomas · 23/08/2025 10:43

hangerup · 23/08/2025 10:41

As I was on my own with the kids, yes I was hoping to have at least one meal out per day which we did but it was inedible.

It's not somewhere I would go alone & not sure I would go with just my family.

The food isn't great but inedible?

Why not with just your family?

TheBaronesshasWrittenaLetter · 23/08/2025 10:43

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 10:39

Just to clarify - it isn't about the money- I would happily have paid more for pancakes that were made with actual real batter rather than ready made stuff. Or more for the activities which weren't so squeezed in. The huts are so so close together. It's the low standards rather than the cash.

I know what you mean OP. If only center parcs provided equipment in the accommodation where you could make pancakes and had a supermarket on site where you could buy the ingredients for real batter.

hangerup · 23/08/2025 10:44

@Figcherry dirty is subjective. I haven't ever swam in a dirty pool but I haven't found dirty pools at CP. Have you?

anotherside · 23/08/2025 10:44

9uygjk · 23/08/2025 10:39

Just to clarify - it isn't about the money- I would happily have paid more for pancakes that were made with actual real batter rather than ready made stuff. Or more for the activities which weren't so squeezed in. The huts are so so close together. It's the low standards rather than the cash.

It’s not known for fine dining. More lower end kids friendly type restaurants that can serve 100s in a single evening. As for more space between cabins - same deal: it’s not a luxury resort/lodges in the countryside. It’s a man made site in a pleasant enough surroundings built to host hundreds of thousands people annually. There’s nothing wrong with Center Parcs, it’s just your research/expectations were out of whack.

CharlieEffie · 23/08/2025 10:45

I loveee centre parcs so can not relate

Hiptothisjive · 23/08/2025 10:45

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.

Woburn is very very small compared to most and limited.

Hankunamatata · 23/08/2025 10:46

One in ireland was lovely and clean

About 20 years ago did one in norfolk/Suffolk as a day visitor and surprised how dirty it was

hangerup · 23/08/2025 10:47

@nomas haven't really thought about it tbh & maybe if we were going just as a family I would prefer alternatives.
We have only ever gone with family & friends so it very much appeals in that aspect. It's quite hard to cater for big groups and different generations so CP works really well for us hence why we all like it.

Mumof2wifeof1crazytimes · 23/08/2025 10:48

I agree with your comments OP. Been to a few over the years, kids loved it but I found it expensive and scruffy, especially the pool area. Felt like it had not been cleaned properly.

MrsBobtonTrent · 23/08/2025 10:49

We went once. Hated it. So many people (over)drinking in the pool that it felt unsafe for the kids. Why serve alcohol in a swimming pool? Food was shit. Didn't feel safe cycling about as there were so many kids bombing about not looking where they were going - ended up walking along wheeling our bikes instead, so pointless. Spent ages queuing to get in, then felt weirdly trapped as it was such a mission to get out (eg to go and buy some actual food as we had assumed we would eat out while there). Then, having bought food, our oven didn't work (trying to get that fixed was a mission, and it was never properly functioning while we were there). Not unexpected that the activities were so madly overpriced, but we had expected to use the pool a lot and cycle about - when those are both largely unavailable then it's quite a boring place to be trapped.

Went to Butlins for a long weekend a few years ago expecting similar but trashier. But the pool was excellent and timed so not crowded, and no drunk people. Didn't engage with much else there, as so easy to walk/drive out. Over the road from the beach in Minehead and big supermarket round the corner. Accommodation clean and functioning. Probably a third of the price of Centre Parcs.

TheLette · 23/08/2025 10:50

I don't understand Center Parcs. It looks horrendously overpriced. When I go on holiday I don't want the stress of wrangling kids in public swimming pool changing rooms every day, and I don't want to eat at overpriced chain restaurants. The accommodation also looks very meh for the price. I just don't see how it would be a holiday for me/my partner at all. If I'm spending a ton of cash on a holiday, I need to enjoy it as well as the kids. Otherwise what is the point.

However clearly some people enjoy it - in which case great! Not for me.

Icecreamandcoffee · 23/08/2025 10:50

I wouldn't say tacky. I would say it is overpriced for what it is - self catering in the "woods". I certainly wouldn't be happy paying school holiday prices and the prices of certain weekends in the year at the current standard. The older sites are very much in need of investment and a substantial maintenance program - lots of the lodges are damp, need lots of minor issues fixing (doors, bath seals, cracked tiles) all minor niggles that whilst don't affect the usability do make the lodges look a bit neglected at the side of other holiday accommodation at similar price points. The pool at Sherwood could really do with a lazy river or something else adding. The parks really need another "free" offer in addition to just the pool as in bad weather it does get very crowded. Most similar priced competition usually has a free pool offer, a soft play/ indoor play offer and a large decent outside park for all ages. CP only really has a pool. The parks are not great for all ages and again at some sites are very much in need of an upgrade. The soft plays tend to cater for the younger ages.

I went in the 90's as a child when the sites were smaller newer and had a more authentic "woodland" feel. You could cycle around the park and actually cycle amongst trees. Nowadays it's become very cramped with lodges but without the investment in facilities needed to really keep the peaceful woodland escape feel so things like the swimming feel very busy. Activities are usually an extra cost and restaurants are all chains.

It doesn't really have a like for like competitor to somewhat hold it to standard. Haven/ Butlins are a different kind of holiday. Years ago there was Oasis (now the Winfell CP) who offered something very similar. There is bluestone in Wales but it is so far for many people to travel that it doesn't really stand as a competitor. Forest Holidays is another kind of competitor but they don't usually have the pool offering.