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

Original poster

Centre Parcs

27 replies

Spoo · 12/02/2007 21:53

I have two sons - 2.0 yrs and 9 mnths. Do you think that we would have a good time at centre parcs - or are they too young? If so what can you recommend doing.

OP posts:
losty · 12/02/2007 22:00

yes you will love it. you can take your own bikes or hire them, the DSs can go on the back or you can hire a burley bike trailor which they will love. The pool is fantastic. there are special kiddie only sesssions. There are also tumble tot type sessions, but there is a small fee for those.All the restaurants are baby and child friendly.

we have been a few times with our 2 DSs, since they were young. We have always had a lovely time.

PS go during term time if you can, you get some good deals.

Original poster
Spoo · 12/02/2007 22:02

Thanks Losty - we thought we would go for a weekend at Sherwood as a treat for working so hard, but I didn't want to waste money. What did you do in the evenings? Did you take the kids out or did you stay in?

OP posts:
losty · 12/02/2007 22:06

yes it is a lovely treat. i find the atmosphere there v relaxing. That moment you leave the car in the car park is bliss....

In the eves you can either take the kiddies out to eat with you, or get a babysitter ( we have never done that, various reasons, but know others who have v successfully) or stay in and get a takeaway. We have also taken it in turns to go for a late nigth swim. I love simming outside loking up at the stars. (the pool is so wam and hte air so cool it is lovely!).

Also, I highly recommend the spa for a couple of hours if you can manage it. Sheer bliss.

Flumpytina · 12/02/2007 22:08

We took dd's at about the same age as yours and had a great time. Do you have a DH/DP? Sorry if that sounds personal but you will need 2 adults to take the kids into the pool area.

When we go (we are going again in a few weeks time) we tend to spend the morning in the pool area, then back to the accom for lunch and naps, and in the afternoon we go for walks/play outdoors if it is fine, or go to the indoor play areas if it is raining.

We haven't put them in the creche yet as we always go with friends and we do childcare swaps so we (DH and I) can go to aquasana for a spa session. I thoroughly reccomend you go...pure bliss, so relaxing and no kids allowed.

This time we are putting them in the creche (I think they take kids from 6 months+)as I'm desperate for more time off childcare and more time with DH.

There's loads to do even with littlies and it's really child friendly.

Oh yes they have a baby sitting service too which is fab for getting out in the evenings

losty · 12/02/2007 22:12

I echo tina's advice. Its amazxing how much I forget! Its been a while since I last went.

Original poster
Spoo · 12/02/2007 22:20

Sounds delicious. I do have a DH - and we both love taking the kids swimming - although it will probably be hard work, I love the idea of not persuading DS1 to get in his car seat for a few days. Love the idea of the bikes too. They do take-aways?? Tempted to book it up now. Would you recommend a 4 night week or a weekend?

OP posts:
Flumpytina · 12/02/2007 22:23

4 night (mid week) in term time....much fewer big kids crashing about all over the place!

merlotmama · 12/02/2007 23:04

We've just come back from Whinfell (Cumbria) and the place was full of little people in snowsuits. You can get some good deals midweek in term-time.

Given all the packing/preparation re. holidaying with wee ones I would definitely suggest going for the 4 nights rather than only 3.

This was our 7th visit in 12 years, if you include Oasis before it was bought over by Center Parcs. We really enjoy it....and we're not even a particularly sporty family.

FluffyMummy123 · 12/02/2007 23:05

Message withdrawn

losty · 12/02/2007 23:23

you have misread the thread cod

pinkbubble · 12/02/2007 23:29

From what I have seen on the television advertising it would be a lot lot cheaper in taking your DC during term time during the week We desp want to take DC but if we do it will cost around £800 for a weekend DH wont rise to that and we wont rise to taking DC out of sch either!

losty · 12/02/2007 23:32

pinkbubble I am in same boat as you now. It is v pricey in the hols....

pinkbubble · 12/02/2007 23:34

Its really not fair, you want to spend time with DC and you get penalised by priced ohhh it makes me so

taffy101 · 12/02/2007 23:37

Yeah we were going to go for summer hols but is cheaper to go to france! We are going 4 days mid week to Winfell next month really looking forward to it. Cod i've not been swimming with my 3 month old yet!! But 3 year old dd I have

weepootleflump · 12/02/2007 23:40

Hi again Spoo! We took dd (2) to Sherwood in Nov and had a lovely time though I have to say the swimming pool wasn't half as warm as I'd expected . It didn't stop us though - we still spent at least half of every day in there.

The best advice I got (from mnet) before going was to stock up at m&s and not use the restaurants. We did this but had one night out at the Pancake House and it really was poor. You can always drive off camp to the local towns for some cheap eating places too.

Had one night out with dd at the kiddies disco and it was a really good night.

Hope I haven't been too negative, I'd definitely recommend it and would love to go back, although I'd only go if we went with friends and their dc next time (so dd would have company during the day and we would in the evening).

losty · 12/02/2007 23:44

flump what a great name!!!!!!!!1

I LOVE the pancake house (longleat). We'vebeen lots. maybe you had a bad experience??

the gingerbread men icing thing is fab!

weepootleflump · 13/02/2007 07:43

Thanks losty .

Gingerbread icing was great idea, just a pity our's was completely stale - or maybe you're not supposed to eat them .

I'm a bit of a pancake conniseur so I do have high expectations but dh eats anything and even he thought it was crap.

However, you may be right and maybe it was just a bad day or maybe it's just not as good as longleat's?

Original poster
Spoo · 13/02/2007 12:46

Thanks for the advice - definately booking it now. Gingerbread icing sounds like fun.

OP posts:
losty · 14/02/2007 20:06

booked it yet spoo??

Rubybees · 01/03/2007 21:07

We go every year first week of Dec, been to Longlet and winfell for the past 4 years (ds now 5 and dd 2) went when dd was 4months and felt very well accommdated. We swim and take our own bikes. Never used the creche and take food for the week with us as it's so nice just to chill with dh at end of day with log fire

well worth it (we go over dec for the lapland experiance its fab)

HTH

tiredemma · 01/03/2007 21:08

Snap rubyrees, we go for xmas countdown, take own food etc and only use pool ( although past two years I have booked myself into the spa!)

Love it- we had the exclusive 4 bed with hottub last time!!

We have been to sherwood and longleat. Didnt like longleat though, fat too hilly.

tiredemma · 01/03/2007 21:10

far too hilly

DeviousDaffodil · 01/03/2007 21:13

Now I love Longleat being in the forest.
We ahve been loads, always take our own food and cosy up in the evening, get the Uno out and drink lots of wine.
The pool is fabulous esp at night. The spa is amazing and teh kids loved their morning in th creche while we went. ( they still talk about it now).
Accomodation is getting a bit dated now, but apart fro that love it love love it.

Wolfgirl · 22/03/2007 11:39

Can anyone tell me what kinda bucks we are talking about, going to centrparcs. Our family are DESPERATE for a break! I dont want to see another dish, cooker, fridge... I just want to be fed and walk out - iykwim LOL. But we dont have a lot of money - at all. Do Tesco clubcard deals offer centreparcs? If not, are there any sites where you can pick up vouchers / discount coupons etc. AND! is it cheaper to go weekends, mid-week etc.

any help would be great. xx

EdieMcredie · 28/06/2007 18:37

Don't Mumsnet give you money off? I have catalogue infront of me, tell me when you want to go and for how long in which accomodation and ill tell you how much. We are going for 4 nights in a villa for £240!!