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

Original poster

Have you ever been to a European center parc and what was it like?

12 replies

LovingKent · 02/03/2015 11:13

Got a few responses posting in shorthaul travel but posting here for traffic as well. Debating where to go for a holiday this year. Have enjoyed UK Center Parcs previously but now DS is school age this is looking very expensive. Can anyone recommend any of the European ones? Any downsides? Is it better to go at a particular time e.g. I've been told that May half term isn't a Dutch holiday so that looks good as might be quieter.

OP posts:
Kerberos · 02/03/2015 12:21

We went to Het Heiderjbos last year. I can't compare it to UK centre parcs but we loved it. Had a lovely time. The team there all spoke amazing English and really tried hard to accommodate our children in the activities, even to the extent of telling the bedtime story in 3 languages which the kids thought was fab. Definitely recommend it.

Original poster
LovingKent · 02/03/2015 17:11

Thanks Smile. What's different about them?

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BadgersNadgers · 02/03/2015 17:31

I went to one in the Netherlands that was shit (de Eemhof I think), a decent one in Belgium (Vossermeeren) and Lac d'Aillette in France.

The accommodation is a little more basic than in the UK but the facilities are good, there's a great, enormous soft play at Lac d and a brilliant pirate adventure thingy at de Vossermeeren. Given how much cheaper it is than UK Center Parcs it is worth it. And the weather is better. The cafes are about how you'd expect as are the prices in the Parc market but you can always go off site.

Indantherene · 02/03/2015 17:35

WE've been to 2. De Emhoff was very good but we went to one by the German border and were bullied by the other guests because they thought we were German [WTF?]

A good time to go is the last week of August because their schools have all gone back.

They are much, much cheaper than the UK version and make a good base for exploring. We went to Amsterdam for the day from Emhof, and also d'Efteling.

FreckledLeopard · 02/03/2015 17:35

We went to Les Bois-Francs in Normandy and had a great time. The accommodation was fine, lots of activities and very pretty area. The only thing they didn't have was a kettle! Really good value. It was about six years ago that we went, though, so can't vouch for it now.

Contraryish · 02/03/2015 17:41

We went to one in Germany in a couple of years ago, but haven't been to one in the UK. It was massively cheaper than the UK version, even with the tunnel factored in, the pool was great. There weren't huge amount of facilities and the food on-site was dire, but we were using it as a base so that didn't bother us at all.

We're off again in a few weeks to a Landal holiday park. Even cheaper and better, in my opinion!

SugarPlumTree · 02/03/2015 17:42

We went to Erpeheide a couple of years go as a last minute one end of the summer. Never been to a UK one but I really quite enjoyed it to my surprise. The DC's loved it so we have just booked De Eemhof so we could visit Amsterdam whilst there.

Am hoping the post saying it is good cancels out the one that says it was shit and it will be ok!

MrsHathaway · 02/03/2015 17:44

Vossemeeren. The pirate ship is ace.

I'd say there's more to do for nothing than in the UK, but it's a bit less luxury. It was cheaper for us than eg Whinfell even with a full set of passports, ferry/tunnel, hotels (to break up driving) etc.

utahforever · 02/03/2015 17:45

We have been to Les Bois twice now and have loved it. Off to Le Lac soon and hoping it will be as good as our previous trips. Never been to the UK so can't compare. We really enjoy the rustic (not pristine), woodsy, outdoorsy feel with few English.....and don't mind muddling along with our pigeon french Grin.

It seems to be a marmite thing though - you will either love it or hate it!

Original poster
LovingKent · 03/03/2015 11:29

Thank you all - lots of useful info here Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
LovingKent · 03/03/2015 11:33

I think we'd also try and use it as a base to explore the area as some of you have. Did that when we went to a Dutch one as children (did a day trip to Amsterdam and some other places that I've forgotten!)

Indantherene - bizarre to hear you were bullied.

Freckledleopard - how odd about the lack of kettle. I'd have to take one!

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I8toys · 03/03/2015 12:07

We go every year May/June half term and they are full of english people.

Been to Het Heijerbos - they had jungle cove I think - we had breakfast with the animals
De Vossermeren - ski dome and water skiing - fabulous - going in May
De Kempervenan - think this one has the private cove

My children have been water skiing, normal skiing, quad biking with proper petrol engine bikes. The kids clubs are brilliant - one has an indian theme and they toasted marshmallows around a few at a teepee camp.

I refuse to entertain british centreparcs as they do not compare.

Accommodation is a bit dated but same as normal centreparcs. We drive and go via the chunnel using tesco clubcard points. Cheap holiday.

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