Better Than Center Parcs?

[PleaseDontJudgeMex]

Hi there, created a burner account as this might be sound very snobbish… but… where can we go in the UK that’s like Center Parcs but…. More upmarket?

I’ve been to Center Parcs an awful lot, firstly as a child, and now as an adult. We’re a family of 5 with 3 boys (5-lower teens). It’s always seemed like we were surrounded by people whose lives were similar to our own.

We’ve been here for a week. We get nice villas. The quantity of people staying for a few days (confirmed by activity staff - one said we were the only guests she’d spoken to who had booked for a week) and not booking activities (presumably due to cost) has increased massively. People openly drinking and smoking adjacent to the Plaza now seems to be a thing. Yesterday we walked past a man wearing a hooters hoodie, and I’m pretty sure down by the lake has become a drugs hangout 😳. It’s also been raining quite a bit, and the quantity of leaks in the roofs of the swimming pool and plaza is really surprising.

We always felt our kids were safe here and we didn’t need to worry about them popping to the shop or going out on their bikes, but it doesn’t really feel like that anymore.

We were considering booking a Treehouse next year but we’re now questioning the whole thing. So… if you’ve got £6000 - £10000 to spend on a summer holiday for 5 in the UK - what’s the Center Parcs alternative?

@CottonSock yes although it's local I haven't been to Woolley grange even though I posted it- so couldn't say children wise what age it suited- looks lovely with young kids though

10k??? Bloody hell, I've just spent that on our family of 5 for 10 nights in Florida inc park tickets! Not everyone's cup of tea but for 10k I'd want to travel outside of the UK!!!

Bainland Lodge Retreats is our go to, lovely place. You can even get a private chef to come to your lodge and cook for you and get Starbucks delivered in little golf buggies.

If your ND child would cope with a ferry crossing I really think Les Ormes in Brittany would work, it’s a lovely site and way cheaper than CP. 30 mins from the st Malo ferry port.

Hi Op,
maybe you would like Centre Parcs in Longford forest? New enough and expensive enough. Not seen anything like you describe. Boat trip from Holyhead and then about 2 hours from Dublin.

alternative further west is Delphi Lodge in Mayo

Never been to CP. We go to the carribean- which is fab for teens- and spend less.

Manor and Ashbury Resorts in Devon often come up on "Alternatives to CP" threads.

There's Riby Hall in Lancashire too.

YY to Crieff Hydro

Cotswold water park is another idea.

There were quite a few people fagging it outside the reception doors last time we were at Crieff hydro but I don't think I saw any blokes in hooters hoodies.

lowermillestate.com/

Another vote for Bluestone - the new platinum lodges are very naice indeed and you feel much less trapped on site than at CP, and the local area has absolutely loads to do. However there are fewer activities for your older children - not much for teens, really.

Does it have to be UK? You have a generous budget. What about something like a Neilson activity holiday?

Sorry OP, didn't see your update. Neilson instructors are absolutely fantastic with SEND.

I'm going in 2 weeks for a week at a park. We've been there loads of times and it's always been nice.

I actually want to know to prepare myself 🫣🤣

I wouldn’t spend £6k on a park holiday anywhere. You can hire a whole, gorgeous private house with own pool and gym for that, and do day trips if you must.

The Tawney hotel
Celtic Manor
Gleneagles

Oh yes the lower mill estate can be nice but you need to be careful with what accommodation you pick.

We're home now - I wanted to thank everyone again for your amazing suggestions - we've been checking them all out and there are some great ideas here.

We did have a good time at Center Parcs, but it may just be time for us to move on.

On a last visit to the swimming pool we even saw this wonderful pair of shorts in the wild. IYKYK... definitely not our thing though.

I would definitely consider going abroad, Duinrell is very nice.

You can prepare for the trip and it won’t be bad as you think. You had to go to Centreparks a first time too. Don’t let it hold you back.

all the best

I don't know if it's what the op is looking for but would definitely highly recommend Delphi Lodge in Mayo. Fly into Knock if you can for a shorter drive over. You won't see hooters hoodies or pineapple shorts, more likely wetsuits for bog snorkeling or midge proof head gear 😄
Amazing time, but Center parcs it ain't!!

Obviously why the hot tubs are there 😁

Forest hotels - no pool but have kids activities on site

Potters

I'm just back from Sherwood and we'll never go again! We usually go to Whinfell which is far nicer. I like to think I'm not a snob (maybe I am?) but the place felt over run with feral kids, mums with huge lips effing and blinding and people just lacking manners everywhere we went. Yes that sounded snobby I know.

Just Googled the upside down pineapple

Try this place in North Netherlands. Fly Amsterdam and 2 hr train. Could ferry and drive. Dutch all speak English. Its like a classy lovely CP. Known for being good for the disabled but not sure how they cater for ND people. Every activity under the sun, many included in the price, lovely restaurants, art everywhere (you can follow an art and sculpture trail). Went in July and not that crowded but they have UK weather 🙈