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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

I'm going to Centreparcs - go on PARP me!!!

11 replies

MascaraOHara · 28/09/2005 09:09

...cos I'm soooo excited! never been before.

Think I will be disappointed though as I have these wonderful mental images of me and dd all wrapped up warm in harmony in a beutiful woodland and it being all magical. Teaching dd how to ride her bike and running around outside.

In reality I think I'll be in a dated hut, freezing cold, miles away from the centre watching it drizzle outside whilst dd drives me up the walls

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 28/09/2005 09:32

which one are you going to?

littleshebear · 28/09/2005 09:40

You will have a great time. We have only been in the depths of winter(it snowed the last time we went, which was lovely). It doesn't matter about the weather - you can go in the pool or do indoor activities.

I would book a couple of activities before you go if there's anything you especially want to so - the last time we went we have difficulty getting in to do anything. If you can, book a Spa experience for yourself - it isn't madly expensive but a lovely realaxing treat. I am very jealous.

If you're going to Oasis the accommodation is log cabiny and really nice - don't know about the others.

foxinsocks · 28/09/2005 09:51

yes, you must pre-book. We have always had a fab time (at Longleat) and my sister has also had a great time at Elveden. You can ask for you villa to be closer to the centre (you have to pay a small fee for this).

sweetheart · 28/09/2005 09:57

We love CP too - we go every year.

I'd recommend going to the Spa oneither the Friday or Monday if you are going for a weekend break. They do a reduced rate thing on these days - I think it £22 for the whole afternoon?!?!?!?

We've been to Longleat and Eleveden and found both to be lovely, although Eleveden is better for bad weather as it's less spread out than Longleat.

You'll have a FAB time - promise (this is coming from a person who was dreading going the 1st time and now goes every year )

MistressMary · 28/09/2005 09:58

Wer'e off again there too soon in November.
Longleat for a weekend to celebrate little ones 2nd birthday.
We really like it.

Mae1 · 28/09/2005 12:45

Went to Oasis Whinfell in Aug for 1st time - wasn't sure what I was letting myself in for - thoroughly enjoyed it (& we were there for a week). Wildlife was magical, accommodation great, activities great - all in all - you guessed it - it was great!!!!!!!!! Enjoy yourself.

jamiesam · 28/09/2005 12:56

oh, you'll love it!

Just prepare for all weathers - it's lovely to go for a walk even in the rain, there's loads of wildlife, no cars!, and if you've all got waterproofs you can still do slides and stuff, then come back to villa and get warm and dry. Somehow, nowhere seems to be miles from anywhere, even though sites are clearly very big. (We've been to Sherwood Forest and Whinfell)

Villas are generally comfortable rather than luxurious. We go every year with my family (ie 14 of us) for long weekend and have a great time - roll on second weekend in November!

Top tip - do the spa on Fri night, don't worry about going to ladies only, very few men do it anyway and it's so much nicer when it's not so busy.

Beware that the swimming pool thing (sub-tropical experience, hmmmmm!) is very noisy, not at all what I'd imagined, but you'll be surprised at how long you can spend there, hours just flash by.

Also, shops/restaurants not the cheapest in the world. I take lots of food that we 'don't have to eat' - baked potato, tuna sweetcorn type of thing, which we can cook if we can be bothered, but can buy out if feeling lazy and flush!

Oh and the knives are generally rubbish! (sorry, will stop now)

MascaraOHara · 28/09/2005 15:19

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dillydally · 28/09/2005 15:47

I personally was disappointed by the constant flying over of military aircraft at Elvedon - it ruined the tranquility
also the accommodation is basic, hut style not as nice as oasis I am led to believe (but I caveat this with my being an absolute princess when it comes to hotels / villas etc and I hate crowds so the swimming paradise was a bit too busy for me)
We had fun but my expectations were set far too high

MascaraOHara · 28/09/2005 15:57

DillyDally that's what I'm worrying about - as I said in my first post.. have all these lovely images but am sure reality is not going to be like that!

Hoping November might be fairly quiet though!

OP posts:
jamiesam · 28/09/2005 21:42

You WILL enjoy it BUT it is never quiet at Center Parcs - the car park is always dead full, I can't believe they ever have more than a handful of villas empty.

However, the swimming pool will be great at night - get there Fri night if you're not going to the Spa!! - they have an outdoor pool area (assume they all follow the same formula) which is just magical in the dark - better with stars.

And if the accommodation isn't, well, it's not special, but in the morning, ducks and rabbits and squirrels will come for their breakfast - I think they must visit each villa in turn and if they find one with children to entertain and food on demand, they stick around!

Oh, and maybe consider bringing your own stereo? On the other hand, I do pack for England!

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