CentreParcs Virgin - what do I need to know ?

[Whizzz]

Thinking of booking our first Centre Parcs holiday. Poss a 3 or 4 day break for me, DH & DS (5). Looked at the website but whats the real info I need to know ??
Whats the best type of accomodation to book ?
Do we need bicycles - how much to hire?
How much are the 'extra' activities ?
etc etc

TIA

There will be a cot and a highchair provided on your lodge. Someone had moved he one in ours so we phoned the help desk and one was brought to our lodge 10 mins later.

I agree that we wouldn't go during the school holidays - it was packed enough during January - mainly full of skiving school age kids. Ooops - just saw Collision thought the same

Lexiemum - take the wipes!

you can't take the pushchair to the pool - there's a buggy park just outside the changing room and you have to leave it there.

Dd was 7 mths when we went. She was happy in the pool for about half an hour then had had enough. So we would get changed except for feet (you've got to go out through the footbath) and then grab a table for lunch. If you go to Whinfell there are a few seating areas up several flights of stairs which no-one else seemed to have found - they're quieter and still have the playpens/highchairs.

We were in the basic lodge, but the next one up had a DVD player which would have been good in the evenings - I felt lost without my ironing pile!

It's definitely a holiday for the children, but if they're happy then we were quite content too.

Meant to say dd and I got changed while ds an dh swam for hours!

Anyone know about kids clubs? What age groups are they for?
(desperately hoping there are some for 2yos )

we've been having a Monday to Friday break at Longleat every year for the last 7 years, from when the kids were 1 and a half (Now 9 and 6).

W're off again in a few weeks and I know I will start to relax as soon as we pull into the car-park.

The location is lovely and to see the deer, badgers and other wildlife come onto your patio is wonderful.

The pool area is fantastic, the supermarket is practically the same as anywhere else, restaurants just a little bit more so.

We've always had our time taken up with swimming, beach, cycling, playgrounding and snoozing in the afternoon to even think about kids clubs. I go on holiday to spend good time with my children. I've never had the urge to put them into a seperate place, so although I can't advise for definite on the kids clubs ages, I do believe they cater for most ages.

This isn't our 'family' holiday as there are about 15 of us and dd is the only child- rest are couples and single friends so it would be good to see them on our own and do some activities with them without worrying about dd. Have never used kids club before so was curious. Will obvioulsy be able to do things in the evenings as well but as we're only going for 2 nights even 1 1/2 hours kiddy activities would be plenty!
We are planning on taking our bikes with dd's carrier to the one in Cumbria- might also take dd's trike with parent handle in addition to the buggy...

Hayls - there are Bumblebees sessions at the Kids Club - Ofted-ed nursery bascially. It's from 3 mths - 2 yrs (up to 3rd birthday)

Sessions are 8:45-11:45 - £15
12:25-2:15 - £10
2:45-5:45 - £15
3pm session not available Mon or Fri (have brochure in front of me!)

all the days are themed - lke transport/music/circus etc.

Staff seemed lovely with ds (3)

Way Hay - booked it !
In the end we've gone for Elvedon as they had Exec villas with saunas available How decadant !! DH decided we should treat ourselves

Right - tips for Elveden please
Whats good for a 5.5 yr old??

OOOOOH a sauna! Get you!!!

Well, if you're going to do it - do it in style

Had fun trying to work out the villa codes with the map !! Why do the codes to pick from have MP OK (we worked out it was Maple & Oak)when the map has EF references !

Just back from Oasis Whinfell forest - our 5th time - we love it, but it can be expensive compared to general day to day living - £2.50 for a coffeeetc! But hey you are on holiday! We had a 4 bed VIP executive lodge with dishwasher andtmble dryer, DVD player and towels and maid service - couldn't afford the exclusive one for half term (£1500) but there were three paying couples so it was good value! We also used the pool late afternoon and evening, and also on last day - dd thought it was fab and wants to go again!!! Once a year is enough!