Can anyone talk to me about Centre Parcs? What activities there are and which park you prefer?

[ENormaSnob]

Booking a long weekend in centre parcs for december 2011.

We are in the North West so looking at Whinfell in Cumbria or Sherwood in Nottingham. Has anyone been to either and can you recommend?

What activities are there? Do these have to be pre booked or can you decide when you are there?

What are the food venues like and is there anything to do at night?

Thanks for any replies.

Whinfell is lovely. You can prebook activities, but as you're going in December, there'll be spaces. Food venues are a bit pricey so go to Asda before you go. Nighttimes, we were happy to chill out in the chalet, although there are child friendly pubs. You won't want to be outside though! We had the best holiday ever there. Look out for red squirrels, it's a reserve!

Only been to Sherwood - several times.

It may help to do a search on this, Norma - there are loads of threads on CP that I can remember.

The activities don't have to be booked up beforehand, although some of the kids' ones with limited numbers do get booked up.

Food is, well, OK. Nice, even. But at the prices offered, one would expect something more spectacular.

At night - hmm, again. There is a deliberately limited amount of "nightlife" because they don't want it to be the kind of place where people just "go out drinking". The social places tend to be for eatng, not bars. There is a "Lagoon Bar" at Sherwood where they do a kids' disco - bowling there too, which is popular.

Don't bother with the "How to be a DJ" session. DD did it and it was pants.

Thanks very much.

Is it worth paying extra for the luxury accomodation?

There will be 4 adults, 1 toddler, 1 baby and 2 older children.

def Sherwood, def pay extra for executive accommodation.

Country Club - good steak, posh pub style food but good quality, nice atmosphere and scenery and nice waitress service

Sports Bar - good for burgers, a few pints and has indoor soft play area and next to bowling. Most people head here when they arrive for lunch (as near car park) and also change over day people go for breakfast. HAve 2 for 1 deal on most days (ie. 2 for one on Wedns for burgers, Sat steaks etc...)

Strada - good Italian Pasta

Cafe Rouge - we like the hot steak or chicken baguettes, also kids eat free and thats a main meal, dessert and drink.

Huck s- Great American style diner, burgers, steak, ribs.

Nothing much at night really only kids disco, or late bowl. Most people go out all day, swim and meal and early to bed at night.

Have odne the pain a pot activity ok - and ds did a morning session 9-12pm it was cowboys I think he he got to make stuff

Nice pool at Sherwood, very clean.

Def recommend a Exe Lodge - they have all been refurbished the numbers start from 700 - 860

hope this helps

I didnt like Whinfell, it was bought by CP's as used to be Oasis, also quite a trek for us to go. We spent most of our time OUT of the comples as the scenery is magnicifant (The Lakes) and there were some fantastic country pubs around for food as the restaurants we found in CP's not brilliant.
Also pool area/changing rooms were a bit grubby.

I like Sherwood as its clean, all exe accom has been refurbished etc...

It's just personal opinion/preference, some would go for Whinfell over Sherwood, Im sure you will have a lovely time

We stayed in new style woodland lodge on the edge of whinfell and it was fab. Have been to sherwood too and think they both have plus and minus points. So don't fret mrspickles!!

Oh and to answer the op, we ate in the Indian in whinfell and really enjoyed it, they do a banquet style meal which was excellent and not too expensive. Shop really well stocked and u can get all u would need there but it is pricey, we went to m+s and treated ourselves to some nice food from there to bring.

Thank you so much everyone.

It's for my 30th so want it to be right

initially we were going to book 2 accomodations but think it might be better to do 1 exec between us. The costs are roughly the same anyway.

Still undecided which to go to though as they are the same distance from us and I can see the pros of both

which has most going on at night? It was said sherwood has a mini disco, does whinfell have this too?

Have a lovely holiday mrspickles, an update would be great when you get back

Most of the parks have the same activities, fairly sure whinfell has a mini disco.