Centre Parcs for beginners

[edgewater]

Never been before but have a week just me and DS who is 12.

DH will be at work. Thinking about Whinfell in Cumbria. Need to take train and taxi but ok with that from Edinburgh.

Can anyone give me any help? This will be in July in Scottish holidays.

Vasoline for all the bum sex

Penrith is an easy taxi to CP

On site shop is pretty good lots of local produce.

Enjoy.

Ok, I can only give you the advice based on my recent visit to the Irish Center Parcs in Longford.
Tip 1 - arrive either before 3pm in the afternoon or after 5pm.
Tip 2 - get as many wristbands (keys) as you can for your room (we were staying in a three bed lodge and they were only going to give us 3 but there was 4 of us staying. These wristbands also unlock your locker in the pool area)
Tip 3 - To get through to the pool, you enter a dressing room via one door and exit through another on the opposite side to get to the pool area. This simple thing threw us for a few minutes when we got to the pool.
Tip 4 - Book as many things as you want to do before you leave to get to Center Parcs. There will be some availabilty when you get there but the times may not suit you.
Tip 5 - The Parc shop is like a Spar shop and prices are pretty much the same as your general local shop.

Hope that helps.

Book restaurants in advance as well as activities. Things like table tennis, crazy golf etc you don't need to book but might have to wait for a bit.

I don't know about Whinfell but Sherwood still uses keys for doors and pound coins for the lockers.

Arrive early and leave late pools are quietest on Friday and Mondays during the day.

You can get on site form 10 and leave as late as you want we only tend to use the pools on these days now so much nicer.

Pretty sure whinfell uses wrist bands for pools and houses but it’s been a while and done some European ones since so could be mixing up.

Book in Belgium or Netherlands. Half the price and great activities.

Great tips. (Sorry shameless place marking )

We always take a casserole, chilli or something like that for the first day so we can just reheat.

If you were driving I'd suggest a shop delivered to the boot of your car before you leave home with breakfast stuff / alcohol. If you want fire buy your logs from home bargains £1 instead of £4 !

Don’t eat out - over priced generic chains

Buy treats etc in advance

Bring dvds

Go to the pool when you arrive and wait till after 3/4 to check in to beat the crowds

Book activities in advance but manage expectations as £££

Bring board games etc

we usually get there for lunchtime with a picnic. then head to the pool whatever. get out about 3 ish. dh goes to the car and drives to the villa. ds and I walk/ bike (you can collect hire bikes when you arrive) to the villa, where I make a cuppa ready for when he arrives! its wristbands at elveden (these are villa key/ locker keys at the pool). get fire logs (light the wrapper ones) from b and m/ pundstratcher before at £1 instead of 3 or 4 for £10!

Thank you.

By not taking a car, I don’t think we can arrive early as we will have no where to leave our luggage.

Plan is to take a cool bag with a few bits from marks with us for the first night and then use the shop.

I’ll look at actives on the website.

Thanks everyone.

Ring guest services and ask if they have somewhere to leave luggage or you will miss a lot of your holiday as you won’t be able to check in til 3 and have to be out at 10am.
Definitely prebook key activities and dinner for all nights
Consider taking the basics from home - butter,tea, coffee, kitchen roll, ketchup, cling film, jam etc. So you don’t have a massive shop there.
Take kids lunch bags/boxes - not worth buying meals for them twice a day if they, like mine, enjoy a packed lunch. Saves the hassle of having to go back to the villa to eat.
Take your own travel coffee cup if you like Starbucks
If you fancy a bit of a treat they do combo childcare and spa offers
Also check out the poolside cabanas - perfect for arrival or departure day to just chill in for a few hours
Think that’s it for now! Oh except if you are arriving in a taxi do not arrive between 2.30-3.30 as you will spend a fortune queuing

Thank you. Is there a seating area around the pool other than the cabanas? I’m not a great swimmer but DS loves it. Is there somewhere I can sit?

There are lots of seats round the pools, also a little cafe. You might find it tricky finding a seat at busy times, keep your eyes peeled for people leaving, I've always found one somewhere after walking round a bit.