Centre Parcs - Whinfell Forest

[LittleBumblebee3]

Looking at booking a trip and have never been before! DC will be 3.5 at the time of the trip. Is there plenty to do for kids that age or is everything geared towards older children?

Accommodation wise there seems to be a huge array of different 2 bed lodges at slightly different prices! Any any significantly better than others? I’m assuming as a general rule that the more expensive, the better? We visited another lodge park last year and followed that rule and ended up in a lovely brand new lodge but it was so far from everything that it was a hassle!

Any info would be appreciated! 😊

We took our DS who isn't quite 2 yet but there was still plenty to do.

Just one thing to mention though - the lodges don't have washing machines and there's no launderette on site!

There is a Facebook group for each of the UK Center Parcs sites. If you join the one for Winfell you’ll get every bit of info you’ll ever need. Ask a question and it usually gets answered straightaway either by someone who has been or who is there at the moment. You’ll find that a lot of posters have their favourite areas to stay - some like to be close to the centre so there’s less distance to walk to the pool and others like to stay in lodges a bit further out - as a general rule the lower lodge numbers in all areas are closest to the pool or the sports complex but in reality nowhere is that far way from anywhere.
We’ve been several times over the last couple of years and my advice would be don’t get sucked in to thinking that you need to book lots of different activities. You really don’t.

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I haven't been since my kids started school as it is too pricy now. I would say 3 is a great age to go as they won't be nagging you for lots of paid for activities, but will enjoy the pool, playground, wildlife etc.

@Pancakewaffle @TheIsleOfTheLost That’s great, thanks 😊

@millymae Thank you! I’ve requested to hoping the Facebook group 😊 we were thinking a couple of family activities just to do something different and then just exploring the park to be honest! DS will be more than content with swimming, swing park and exploring the forest! I just wanted to check as we attended another holiday park recently that claimed to have lots for his age and when we got there all the activities were for 4+ 👎🏼

CP is brilliant for pre-schoolers. There are a few restaurants with soft play areas to keep them entertained while you wait for your meal, and if your dc is fairly independent, it means you can sit back ad relax with a drink!
There’s also a playground right next to the sports plaza, so you can grab a coffee from Starbucks and there are plenty of tables and chairs next to all the action. It’s more suitable for young children, and there’s a separate section for toddlers with a little sand-pit.
There’s a tiny beach by the lake that has just enough space on the sand for little ones to play with a bucket and spade.

You can pay extra when booking and choose your own lodge in advance. I always do this, I don't cycle so want to be near the facilities. When booking you can view a map to help you choose. Badger wood is where we tend to stay.

I've just come back from there with my 4 year old DS and he was the perfect age! Swimming in the morning, picnic, then adventure playground in the afternoon. He cried when we left. We stayed at moorland view, and down that end it is quite a reasonable hill up to the village centre. DS is really good on his bike but he needed boosted up the hill which meant we couldn't cycle together. If we'd been at the Forrester bit it would have been a flat cycle for him.

we went in March with our 3 year. It was amazing!

we stayed in a 2 bed lodge in 6 Oaks - cheapest option at the time. We were worried as it’s looks far out but it’s less than 10 mins walk to the centre and about 20 mins to the sports plaza. He only done 2 activities the balance bike session and the mini kids air trail which he absolutely loved. There’s so much to keep little ones entertained, the pool is great we spent a few hours there each day.

We tend to stay in badger wood as I like to be near the centre but also the sports pavilion.
3.5 is a perfect age. There’s lots to do and they’ll be happy with the playgrounds / exploring.

We've received the welcome pack as we go in 6 weeks. Does anyone know what the codes mean for the lodge we are staying in? It say BE075 but I can't work out what the BE part means?!

@FiW1982 could it be Beechwood?

Plenty to do at 3.5 including a few things you can leave him at and have adult time.

The swimming pool is awesome.

Loads of swing parks.

We go for the executive style lodges - a bit nicer and a bit nearer the centre.

Make sure you go during term time.