Best Centre Parcs U.K./Ireland?

[Robinni]

The title says it all, considering Centre Parcs and keen on Longleat but wondering where others would recommend, thanks!

I think it depends of a few factors such as whether you intend on doing lots of activities, whether you’re going to spend most of your time at the pool, the ages of your children, whether you plan on eating out or self catering, and whether you plan on hiring bikes or bringing your own.

Centerparcs Ireland is (I'd say) about 4/5ths the size of the UK ones (done Longleat and Elvenden)

Longleat is great for a quick hop over to the house and taking the kids through the animal enclosure (or at Christmas for the lights/Santa train), but it's VERY HILLY and as a result, getting a spot on the little train home when you've got a couple of knackered little ones can be impossible.

I'm just back from a french one, and I was super impressed - weather, food, facilities all excellent, and much easier to get to than I was really expecting.

Oh, I didn't finish my thought on the Ireland one - being that little bit smaller (and fairly flat) - I think it's great for toddlers, there's no massive trek home after swimming/activities.

DS(6), we’d do some activities daily but not wall to wall, same with eating for a four day break we’d have 50:50 eat out/in. DS is very into animals so was thinking Longleat but it looks more difficult to get to (long drive south) and if hilly that’s going to be difficult for me. Do they do priority access on train for those with mobility issues?

Thanks for review of French one, was thinking about that too.

We go to Whinfell regularly, but that's because it's only 1.5 hrs drive away.
We have toddler dd1 and expecting dd2 so when they are older, would definitely travel to Sherwood & Longleat when the driving distance won't be as rough.

We don't book loads of activities while there for the kids in the family because it's too overwhelming for them. We do swim every day and play in the play parks.
If we go Fri-Mon we usually eat out 2 evenings and a lunch time l, and have breakfast before we leave at the Pancake House!

Whinfell isn't a huge site either, so it's quite easy to walk around/for the kids to scoot everywhere

I've only been to longleat once with extended family kids and our baby. Our chalet was bloody miles from the action so it was a big outing to go anywhere. We hired bikes which made it easier but it was hilly so wiuld be difficult for people who aren't that fit or small kids.

I'd go to longleat again but aim to stay between the pool and the lake then you would have an easy walk or cycle to the main hubs. Will also wait until our son is beyond napping so we don't have to rush back to the lodge at a certain time.

I’d say Elvedon or Woburn would be best for you for a number of reasons:
Elvedon has flat roads and paths – making it easier to cycle / walk, especially with kids in tow! Probably because it is more ‘mature,’ it seemed like there were more wild animals around the lodges, many of which are very tame.
Woburn has the largest pool complex with an awesome kids pool with pirate ship and slides, the wave pool is not too deep even though it’s the main pool and the whole place is easily viewable for parents. It’s important to note though that kids have to be over 1.2m to go on all the bigger rides, which could be a little restrictive. Also, I felt that there wasn’t anywhere to properly swim at Woburn.
The Spa is absolutely lovely at Elveden Forest but it would be hard to beat the amazing new spa at Woburn.
Woburn is smaller but it does have a few steep hills.

I didn't notice priority access happening when I was there...

France we had deer by the cabin every day (we were in Boix au Daims), in Elvenden it was mainly ducks (which has its own charm too :D )

Actually in Longleat I saw a family of geniuses - they were in the sports bar, and heaped up by the table was a stack of 4 hover boards. I saw them later zooming home. Total pros.