Center parks - a bit tacky?

[9uygjk]

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?

I wouldn’t describe centre parcs as tacky, though the first time we went my husband did describe it as feeling like a middle class internment camp.

From this thread it seems like what one person hates about centre parcs is exactly what another person really appreciates. I really like the fact people can’t park their cars outside the lodges, and that kids can run, cycle etc without the danger of cars.

I've been to both this year, and think the only things CPs and Butlins have in common is that they both have big pools and are full of families. Butlins is centred around entertainment and everything is free. CP seems to be about paying extra to do more sporty/physical things. Butlins is louder and seems to deliver fun that DC want (fair/shows), rather than things parents want them to think are fun (walks).
As for class, I confess I didn't go round asking the adults if they worked in professional roles in order to check if they were MC, so can't be certain. I can say that in both places I saw the usual mix of considerate, pleasant adults and DC with the odd instance of rude/bad behaviour that you might expect when you put large numbers of the public together in a gated complex for several days.

I haven't been for ages but the one in Longleat is nothing like Butlins. The cabins are in the woods and not close together. It's in a big forest. Not near the seaside.

The actual centre itself is tacky in that it's trying to cater to the widest demographic possible. So ends up very generic. Food is boring. Entertainment boring. The water park thing was alright I guess.

I would say it's not like Butlins though. It was overpriced for what you get and not much fun for 15/16 year olds.

Franco Manca and Wags are no better than Cafe Rouge and Zizzi. Just a bit more fashionable and full of people thinking they’re a bit cooler than the people in Pizza Express.

I liked Bluestone when the kids were tiny but we wouldn't go with older kids, it'd be a complete waste.

I thought that after our first (and only) trip.

Yes and you have Booths too. From all I’ve heard I’m v jealous.

Center Parks is the holiday destination for those who can't afford anything better. Their business model thrives by tapping into the middle class frustration stemming from not being able to travel to Florida.

Who goes to Florida for a weekend?

@9uygjk As a fellow non-driving Londoner and at risk of derailing the thread, I would love to hear your tips on visiting Scotland, Cornwall and Broad (do you mean The Broads? I can't find it when I Google) without a car! Always looking for ideas.

Is Florida the epitome of a mc holiday destination? Never heard that before

I think my bafflement is that I don't get who would go there or why. I actually love camping and we've been a few times this summer. I also love deserted beaches and airbnbs, also did that this summer. I just don't get why people would go to center parks.

I also don't have anything against pies or going up north. Woburn center parks is in bedfordshire and am not complaining about mushy peas but rubbish chains and dirty pools.

I have never found the pool at CenterParcs to be dirty.

Do they keep up with refurbishment and replacements, obviously anywhere that gets high 'traffic' will soon look tired unless management stays alert.
Have they enough kit for the activities. One comment last year was that bicycles were limited unless booked way ahead. Little chance for spontaneous choices.
This topic seems to be on a loop, 6 months repeat.

We do have a Booths in the North: it’s great!

I think what this thread highlights is that we all want different things from out holidays - which is obviously ok and to be expected.
What has amused me is the idea that how/where you choose to holiday somehow depends on or reflects your class. Not sure where that puts me but we've done all kinds over the years - CP, camping, road trips, train trips, overland, exotic, cruises, posh hotels, cheap hotels, air bnb, hostels - whatever suited us at the time.
Not sure which of them are middle class or not - also don't care.

We fricking love CP! Given a choice, our kids (teens and pre teens), would always pick centerparcs. We once took them to Disney, a caravan holiday and CP in the same year and it was CP they enjoyed the most!
We love the one in Cumbria.
to compare it to a Butlins is mind boggling.

Sounds like you’ve had a fair few holidays this summer already. Let the CP experience wash over you and accept that for some families and non fussy kids, it is perfectly acceptable.

I just don't get why people would go to center parks.

Posters have repeatedly said why it works for them though, it can't be a shock that people are different?

In my experience the truly middle class outdoorsy people are in the Youth Hostels. So many very sensibly, but expensively dressed families in both ones I’ve stayed in!

We went to CP because we wanted to visit that area and figured we may as well have a base with a pool, playgrounds etc for DC as stay in accommodation that didn't offer that.
The forest setting was neither here nor there as we have plenty of that at home, but it was pleasant enough. Definitely wouldn't pick it as the purpose of the holiday as it doesn't offer enough. Once you get the lie of the land even walking and biking is a bit dull, round and round the same pathways isnt really the 'back to nature' experience its billed as. Although if you don't have much access to that in your day to say I can see there would be a novelty.
Butlins on the other hand offered so much (for DC) we could barely drag them away for trips out/the beach.

You're baffled to learn people are different?

I would never go camping, I am not baffled that others enjoy it.

Well I’m very middle class and am partial to a Starbucks. Mind I do live in a small place with not much choice and certainly no Gail’s. Yes, I also use independents and when I go onto town (aka big city) I’m partial to a Blank St matcha. Never set foot in Cafe Rouge either in or out of CP.

I haven’t been to CP since before Covid but have fond memories of stress free holidays with Dd when she was little. We loved the nature walks, the willow weaving, pottery painting. Loved not having to drive anywhere , etc. I never went to the sports cafe, I think the name of it probably told me it wasn’t my scene! 🤣. Never been to Woburn.

This thread is MN at its middle class finest.

Thanks for the wry smiles.

Fwiw, Gail's service is shocking - give me a Cafe Rouge any day.

I agree, MN on class never fails to entertain. As one who is a bit rough and enjoys decent disposable income, holiday threads are a particular favourite!