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Holidays

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

Original poster

Forest holidays feedback

30 replies

Ilikewinter · 13/03/2022 15:38

Hi,
Am looking for a short break in February 2023 for DH 50th birthday and it needs to be dog friendly!.
Im down to either Centre Parcs or Forest Holidays as I cant find anywhere else open in February, plus I dont fancy a caravan in the cold.
Has anyone been to on a Forest Holiday and can give some feedback please?
Or other recommendations would be gratefull - it cant be a hotel as winterpup cant be in our bedroom!.
Im in North west so Cornwall is out as we dont want to travel that far in February just for a few days....just incase we get snow

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 13/03/2022 15:55

We have been to Thorpe Forest twice, stayed in Silver Birch and loved it. We stayed again 3 mths later and book Golden Oak, really disappointing, the sofas were so ridiculously low, really uncomfortable and difficult to get up from. I have mobility issues, but even my teens said they were daft. But the big things for me was how filthy the en suite shower was. I should have taken a picture the shower head was caked in mould and the mastic and shower trims were awfully dirty. I did email FH never got a reply. Wouldn’t book again.

Original poster
Ilikewinter · 13/03/2022 16:21

Humm this is what im reading, uncomfortable beds, low sofas and dirty. Its shame because in theory its perfect for what we need....and its not cheap either so you'd expect it to be of a certain standard.

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RNBrie · 13/03/2022 16:25

We used to do Forest Holidays quite regularly but then they got so expensive. Comparable prices to Centre Parcs but they are no where near as good. Accommodation is similar in both but with no access to all the extras that centre parcs provides I can't see why anyone would pay for Forest Holidays now. When we went we always chose a cabin with a hot tub which was nice.

Original poster
Ilikewinter · 13/03/2022 16:30

The plus for us was the space between cabins amd having some outdoor space, CP appears to be packed in, plus we dont need any of the extras, apart from food!, as we have the dog. Normally we'd be on a caravan type park but alas not in February. Maybe ill keep looking, sounds like FH is a no.

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BluerThanRobinsEggs · 13/03/2022 16:34

We had one good experience with Forest Holidays and then one terrible one. Paid for early check in, didn't get it as the cleaners weren't done, didn't get a refund. Cabin was filthy - jizzed on cushions filthy. Broken blinds, all sorts. Hot tub wasn't hot enough to use for two days and we were only there for four days. And they handled it really badly - no apology, no refund. There was no WiFi for a bit as well. It was just awful.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 13/03/2022 16:37

We went to Sherwood a couple of years ago and are booked again for June this year. We really liked it, location is beautiful, cabin nicely furnished and clean, hot tub well maintained and the staff onsite were all really friendly and helpful. We ordered in from the on-site restaurant one night then the other days we either cooked or ate out in the area. Really close to a decent sized Tesco so handy for stocking up on supplies. Favourite thing was the Deer who come right up to the cabin, DD loved sitting on the deck area watching for them.

maz82 · 13/03/2022 16:42

I have just come back from having my hen do in sherwood forest. It was so nice. The sofas were low and you literally sink into them but they weren't that bad. The bed was so comfy! We had 2 golden oak lodges and both had hot tubs ready as soon as we got there on the Friday. We also ordered food from their in cabin service which was really nice. Overall out of 14 of us everyone said they wanted to go back with their partners or friends!

superram · 13/03/2022 16:51

We’ve been 3 times and had a ball. I’ve never noticed the sofas are low. Always very clean and hot tub always hot. I also like the space between cabins and the forest. I am anti-social so wouldn’t want to use the communal pool at centre parks or pay for organised fun. We get a golden oak so we have a log burner and toast marshmallows. The take away pizza was horrible but we usually just bbq. I’d give it a go.

stairway · 13/03/2022 16:54

I’ve been on a caravan holiday in February and it was really warm inside. The pool was freezing 🥶 though.

AdditionalCharacter · 13/03/2022 16:58

I've been to three different locations and never had an issue. The cabins and furniture are a little dated, but the jacuzzi is great and we've always had a cabin that looks out into a forest. It's a great holiday if you like a calm setting with very little mixing with other holiday makers

FourTeaFallOut · 13/03/2022 17:01

I've been to Sherwood and Cropton with Forest Holidays and had a great time at both in Silver Birch cabins. The accommodation was perfect, no problems there.

Original poster
Ilikewinter · 13/03/2022 17:41

Ah its good to hear some positive reviews! ....we had a Caribbean cruise booked but have cancelled it so this replacement trip has a lot to live up to 😎 😂

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CottonSock · 13/03/2022 17:45

I priced it up and it just seems so expensive for what you get.

Roselilly36 · 13/03/2022 17:53

My advice would be to book silver birch grade, unless you would like the wood burner as possibly in Feb & bbq. The private hot tubs are lovely.

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 13/03/2022 17:59

We've been a few times and always come home a bit "meh".

Had a stay at Strathyre last year and thought the cabins looked pretty shabby. The sofas as the single most uncomfortable thing I've ever parked myself on. They were threadbare and grubby. Annoyingly the forest retreat was fully booked for food - both to sit in and also for cabin delivery. The WiFi was flipping expensive and didn't work and 4g was non existent.
That being said, the hot tub was ready for us but bizarrely this time bubbled like it has bubble bath in it and made my husband's skin peel. So he sat beside it and brought me wine Grin
I don't think we'd book again to be honest, the price is so high now for what you get.

WingingItEveryDay7 · 13/03/2022 18:32

We've used Forest Holidays a couple of times now and love it! We went to the Forest of Dean both times. Lots of walks and places to visit in the local area and laying in the hot tub in the middle of the forest, especially at night, is heaven to us 😁

Fernandina · 13/03/2022 18:42

Funny, isn't it? If I went on a log cabin holiday in the middle of a forest, the last thing I'd want to listen to all evening would be a hundred hot tubs all buzzing and bubbling away...

I'd rather listen to owls.

WingingItEveryDay7 · 13/03/2022 20:23

@Fernandina

Funny, isn't it? If I went on a log cabin holiday in the middle of a forest, the last thing I'd want to listen to all evening would be a hundred hot tubs all buzzing and bubbling away...

I'd rather listen to owls.

Can't comment on centre parks but where we went the cabins are well spaced apart that you don't hear others bubbling. I love floating and watching the stars through the trees. You can hear plenty of wildlife too 😁
justaweeone · 14/03/2022 17:37

My daughter used to work at the one in Norfolk during university holidays
She said I wouldn't be impressed 😂🙈

Newuname199987 · 14/03/2022 22:32

Try here in the Peak District
darwinforest.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2MqMoNPG9gIVi7HtCh1WYAj1EAAYAiAAEgJ9IfD_BwE
We’ve been several times, lovely lodges some with a hot tub, dog friendly and high standard of furnishings. Lovely area near Chatsworth and Bakewell, lots of walks nearby. We’re back for 5th time in May. They are open all year and have a sister park near Ashbourne as well.

justaweeone · 15/03/2022 07:02

There's this but not sure what accommodation is heated

https://www.thompsonhallretreat.co.uk/accommodation/

converseandjeans · 15/03/2022 07:09

Try Landal - we've been to one in Germany which was great. They have uk locations.

https://www.landal.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8sCRBhA6EiwA6IF4UgOZcVXOkOW9j-hPuAgWvtwD08o21e9sfj78shRYXuAFZcs0Rf1MhoCkTAQAvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Original poster
Ilikewinter · 15/03/2022 07:45

@Newuname199987
Ooh they look lovely, thanks for that!

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emmathedilemma · 15/03/2022 10:10

I’ve always been quite impressed with forest holidays but it’s about 3-4 years since we last went. It’s expensive though and I’ve only been as part of a friends group so splitting the cost several ways made it more affordable. If you don’t need the facilities at centre parcs then I would definitely rule it out. You can probably get nicer accommodation and locations from a self catering cottage than either CP or FH.

squirrelnutkins1 · 17/03/2022 15:10

We've been twice and enjoyed and have another break booked.