Center parcs alternative?

[Holidaycomedown]

So, we love staying in 'the forest', waking up with wildlife on the porch, toddler friendly stuff everywhere and having access to a brilliant pool. We (I) do not love the now incredible ££££ price tag for a 3 night break. Any ideas?

@LittleKitten1

I haven't found anywhere else in the UK that keeps the DC occupied like the pool at CP. None of the other options seem to compare in that department.

If it wasn't for the kids I would never go to a CP ever again. But they absolutely love it.

Apparently some of the Butlins swimming pools are fab. And I'm about the most "Jesus Christ you couldn't pay me to go to Butlins" person out there.

So, have booked for a week! On the basis that the pool looks great. And there are reams of activities all included in the price, which is £188. So if it's utter shite, haven't really lost anything. But when you think to OP's comparative cost, I have a surplus £1800 that would have gone on just the accommodation at CP, and that's going to cover some outstanding food out in the evenings, and an awful lot of activities, which again will be subsidised by the several free ones that Butlins are already providing.

Have always discounted the place, for my completely unfounded assumption, that it will be packed with Wayne and Waynetta Slob, shouting at their children at the wedding-esque disco entertainment, having had a skinful.

I'm very happy to discover how outdated my views are, because at £188 for the week, it's going to be a very regular occurrence if it's ok.

CP are still doing slots but it's one a day. Agree it's a ridiculous price for an IKEA storage container by some trees, but the lodges are comfy and the wood burner a novelty. I just can't justify ££££ on a weekend away in Wiltshire.

I've been to butlins. It was fun, but very much for DC. I like waking up pretending I'm in being in the forest and seeing deer on my doorstep, with the waterpark and activities for toddler DC on tap. So forestholidays look beautiful (and legit forest) but I'd need to put thought into entertaining my 2yo.

Do bluestone and Darwin have the same wildlife milling about? Are the pools in the same league?

I just can't justify ££££ on a weekend away in Wiltshire.

Yeah you can! Book a stunning lodge on the edge/forest area. You'll see all the wildlife as you would at CP. And it won't be polyester comfort. It will be luxury.

We did Bluestone with a 2 and 4 year old and it was perfect for that age group - lazy river in the pool, splash fun and there are slides but can't remember if two year old was too little. Also nice playgrounds too.

The cottages aren't in the forest and the ones we were staying in/around were terraced, but there are nice walks in the forest around there. It felt quite small and claustrophobic for us though if I'm honest and, depending where you live, it took us over 4 hours from near Gatwick.

You can't have everything!

I've only been to Woburn CP for a Bluestone comparison, but I'd say that it is more like "real" nature as opposed to the "pretend" nature that I found at CP. As in forest walks through proper forest with old trees and
Welsh streams to paddle in. I would say the kiddie pools are marginally better at CP but Google Serendome, which bluestone have.

I really like haven actually. The beds are comfier and some of the sites are on beaches.

Sandy Balls - it's in the New Forest - attractions close by include Paulton's Park/Peppa Pig World, Marwell Zoo, Beaulieu, the New Forest, beaches, Winchester Science Centre, etc.
We've stayed there twice & it's a great base to see Hampshire.

If you decide to go to Bluestone opt for a lakeside lodge and you’ll see plenty of wildlife (including a Welsh dragon egg if you go at Easter ). We like the cottages because they are central but the lake will feel more like you are in nature.
The pool is smaller than CP but I find it cleaner and there is plenty to keep children occupied. I’m not sure about slots - our last break was just pre covid then our 2021 one didn’t go ahead.
If you go I would recommend going in the spring - the winter lights in the forest are magical

Another option could be to stay in Dalby Forest and have a day trip to Scarborough for the indoor waterpark, plus beach, coastal stuff etc.

Don't know how the cost compares and it's not the full Center Parcs car free experience, but you might decide it's a worthwhile alternative if it's more sensibly priced.