Just got back from center parcs - disappointed

[branflake81]

Spent the weekend at Center Parcs and although we didn't have a terrible time, I don't think it lived up to the advertisments.

The chalets were quite ugly and there was no real "countryside". (Not sure what I was expecting, maybe a proper forest where you could escape from everything) but there were chalets everywhere. The activities were all very pricey and the restaurant we ate in was really grim.

I won't be going back in a hurry.

Which centre parcs was that? They do vary a great deal.

which one did you go to?

yes that's a fair summary

It's pricey too

It's really just a middle-class Butlins

But at least no one shouts at the children

yes, they remind me of butlins taht I used to go to as a kid

We've always found the CP at Sherwood Forest to be great.

It does have a forest, as the name suggests.

It is very over priced. I think someone on here once described it as like "having a holiday at a motorway service but with trees". A pretty accurate description imo.

Definitely varies as to which one you go to and which accommodation you pick. The new designed villas are lovely but you do pay a bit more.
Some of the activities are better value than others certainly but we did spend quite a bit of time in the forest just walking

Some of the luxury villas look fab but they are up to £2,000 per weekend!!!

We did a couple of years of Centerparcs but now do bog-standard caravan parks (Croyde Bay) which is 1/3 of the price and TBH I think the kids prefer it - less walking because it's smaller, and it's by the beach. And we prefer it because we aren't spending £200 a day.

We were at Sherwood forest and to be fair were the in the lowest price chalets but I would have expected more for the money I paid.

I have only been to Longleat but always had a lovely time, some of the older cabins are a bit like a builders porta cabins but last time we stayed in one of the new houses, shared it with another couple, 3 ensuite double bedrooms, it was gorgeous, it is very expensive though, there is no getting around that
Butlins is so cheap and much more to do for the kids that is mostly all included, not really my cup of tea but in my experience,if the kids are happy then we are happy

Tip for anyone booking - make sure you look on discount voucher sites first - you can get anything from 5-35% off just by hunting down and tapping in a code!

MP - Croyde Bay is SO much better than Center Parcs I agree. Scuzzy woods V Croyde beach - no contest!

Croyde Bay appears to be run by a Trade Union?

Sounds very dodgy. Do they have forced marching and singing The Red Flag every morning?

We went to Sherwood last year and although it was a very successful holiday (I thought the chalets (cheapo ones) were fine), the kids spent all their time going down the rapids - they want to go back this year, but I'm not spending £1,000 for them to go swimming....

The activities ARE very varied and lots available, but you don't really get much for your money. We all did archery, but I think I only actually shot about 6 arrows.

Came back all very happy and I WAS raving about it, but having had time to think about it, I'm not sure it's worth the money.

But as my husband said, 'at least there's no riff-raff'

mp where do you stay. i would be grateful for a reccomendation for me and kids?

Lovely countryside at Longleat CP - you can't be describing that?

Come on, it's not etiquette to start a thread and not revisit it!