Center Parcs- don't drive.

[centerparcsqs]

Hi! I'm a single mum and don't drive.
I have been saving up and want to take my little boy away. I'm near a Center Parcs and all the activities look so amazing but unfortunately I don't drive.
Has anybody been before? Is it possible to get a lift there and be fine?
I guess what I'm asking is is everything on site and is there enough there to stay for 4 days.
Thank you!

If you can get to the site then once you are on it, you don’t need to drive at all.
You can hire bikes or walk to the activities.

If you are self catering then you need to think about getting groceries, it can be expensive to buy on site or eat at the restaurants every night.

Yes you can get a lift or taxi and never left site when I've visited.

You can get a taxi there or get someone to give you a lift, the only thing is that people who aren’t staying aren’t allowed in but I’m sure it would be ok to drop you off
You would be fine for 4 days and it’s a very safe environment

I never left the site when I went so that's okay. You'd think they'd do coaches, they'd get more custom.

You get there and park up, apart from unloading your car, cars are not allowed on site.

Can you get your bikes there? People travel around the site on bikes or on foot. There are also land trains.

You would have a lovely time with your son for 4 days. He’s the perfect age for it.

Oh ignore me - I thought you said he was 4! But any age you’ll have a great time.

It would be fine to not leave the site whilst you’re there. Just factor in extortionate food prices at the restaurants and shop.

We always take our own groceries, but that wouldn’t be easy without a car.

Last time we went there were plenty of people being dropped off in taxis. You definitely don’t need a car for while you’re there it’s just for getting there and getting home.

They specifically built Woburn so it was accessible to Londoners who don’t drive - there’s a free shuttle bus from the train station, which is about an hour from St Pancras. Dunno about the other
parks. Once you’re inside, everyone is car-free anyway so it’s completely designed to not need your own car. That’s the same in all of them.

The idea is you stay there and not Leave .. you unload ans park your car until you leave

Oh amazing thank you! I can get a lift so hopefully can bring basic groceries with me.
Can anybody please shed some light on the average activity price?

The whole point of center parcs is to not leave once you’re there.
we had to leave early because my son was ill and had to get special permission to bring our car in to load up

Swimming is included and there are loads of playgrounds. Other activities vary in price massively - you’d need to look them up for the site you’re planning on going to.

How old are DC? Gets pricier the older they are. The pool is free, my DS was happy there just going round and round the rapids.

This page has a list of sample prices for activities.

www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/activities/example-activity-prices.html

I don't know how old your son is, but I really wouldn't worry about booking loads of paid for activities. The free swimming pool and playgrounds were plenty for my DD.. in fact the one paid for activity we did for her (football for toddlers) was a total waste of time as she kept trying to climb out and run to the badminton courts!

Yep you'll be fine with no car. The parking in the car park is the worst bit!

How old is your son? If little then the free activities might be enough(playgrounds, bike rides, woodlands walks, swimming).
If he's bigger and wants to do archery / quad bikes
/ go ape it gets a bit pricier.

Do you know anyone with one of those pull along cart things that fold up (like people take to festivals)? Could be a long walk from the car park carrying all your things so I'd do bag pack for clothes and lighter things and some kind of shopping cart for the heavier stuff.

The check in queue can be long at arrival time but you can go before this and check in. You can't go to your lodge but can use play parks and other facilities.

I do caravan parks on train so my advice is miniaturise everything you can. I love home bargains for the tiny refillable bottles for shampoo, hand wash, washing up liquid etc and microfibre towels which take up less space. If they have a towel bundle option you can pay for them it's worth it as reduces a lot of bulk.
Think about lightweight foods like noodles, breakfast cereal etc. You might want to eat out for your main meal but you'll still need basics.

By check in queue I meant the cars for whoever is taking you. It will be easier for them to drop and go a bit earlier I would think

The activity prices are hideous - £55 for quad biking, £28 archery, £21 for cup cake decorating, £21 to drive a mini jeep, £11 30 minutes junior cross bow. £60 for an hour's bowling.

The swimming is free.

Download the app , it's all there . It's a lot but you'll do something every day for around £50/100 extra . There are cheaper ones and obvs swimming is free but limited now

Did you go / book it in the end OP?