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?

Country estate holiday. Not large pools, more outdoor pursuits. Glamping. https://www.swintonestate.com/

I know what you mean with CP, I've found it can be a bit rougher in school holidays. Its also got rougher post covid. I think with Cost of Living it might turn "posher" again. Term time weekends or term time are a bit better. Last trip to CP we had had a very loud and boisterous hen do who took over the entire spa and the whole spa was treated to the graphic tales of Vicky's sex life since she went on the dating websites. They were staying the weekend as we bumped into them a few times it is was full laddette behaviour everytime we encountered them.

I've experienced the same with National trust places this summer holidays though. Our usual places which are normally a nice day out with nice kids activities on seem to be overrun with feral kids this summer. I watched on family put the free toys from the sandpit into a big bag, rmpty the blocks from the blocks table into the same bag and then pocket the chalk from the chalk boards. It's such a shame as the NT volunteer said once it's gone it's gone.

We were disappointed with bluestone, we had lots of problems and ants and rats and they were not helpful in the slightest. They were also not very disability friendly at all, we went with family who have a sen child (asd and also hypermobile causing joint pain) and we didn't realise it was so hilly. We asked about a buggy as nephew was struggling with the hills and was in pain and just got told no as we didn't book in advance they couldn't do anything.

We have been to ribby Hall and it was lovely but is more for primary aged children. Although you are close to Blackpool where there are more things for teens.

Landal Darwin Forest was lovely.
Off to Beekse Bergen next summer...and maybe De Twee Bruggen to make it a 2 centre trip. I don't plan to leave BB during our 5 day stay, as my ASD son is allll about the animals, so the campsite will be the base for more adventurous activities (if we do any).
BB is very doable with your budget and I think with a decent lodge/accommodation you have a retreat from the activity and possible overwhelm for a SEN child but still with the animal views. Speelland has the lake beach and some activities, there are a few ways to enjoy the safari and there's the pools, bowling and some organised kids stuff too.

Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds

I think for £10k you could have somewhere amazing. Cotswolds, Devin, Hampshire. Look at places like Saunton Sands or Chewton Glen?

Have you ever looked at a cruise from Southampton? We’ve done them a few times and find them lovely, gentle holidays.

I am surprised by your comment by people who don’t book for a week because they don’t have money? We are going for bank holiday weekend but we are in Billund Lalandia for a week at the moment.

We have ND kids but not severe. It means just we don’t go AI because the kids don’t do the entertainment. They like a place like Center Parcs.

I am shocked you are thinking £6k to £10k to go to Center Parcs UK.

If you want similar to Centre Parcs, try them in Europe and you can drive to the ones in the Netherlands or Belgium. I would recommend also Lalandia in Denmark. It has a nice aquadome, busier than the UK one but there is Legoland, Legohouse, safari zoo and wow park nearby. Also Duinrell in the Netherlands with water and theme parks.

These countries all do pizza and pasta if food is an issue. Food is remarkably similar to the UK.

I have also been to Bluestone and would recommend too. And Bosinver Farm in Cornwall.

We spent a weekend at Woolley Grange when DS was 4. I’d say it’s for pre-schoolers. We all loved it. Wouldn’t go back now he’s 9.

OP have you considered CP at Easter, I find you get a lot of guests then who go as an extra mini break as opposed to making it their main holiday? This may change the dynamics of the place and there may be less chance of the behaviour you have encountered.

Yes you do sound snobbish.

If you think your son would cope then i'd look at cruising out of southhampton and just using it as a floating hotel. they're usually great with SEN kids activities and food. I would reccomend Royal Carribean for that age range but you might find it a tad common. So look at cunard or celebrity :)

I know you're not talking to me as I’m not OP, but honestly if not being ok with

“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”

makes me a snob, then I’m fine with that 😄

We take our 2 ND kids to cottages in the UK and then spend the money on activities out and about. We spent last 3 years in cottages in Cornwall.
We do enjoy Bluestone too, and have heard good things about Potters resorts.
Our friends like this place for their family

www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk/#3

Last time we went the people in the next door cabin were smoking weed!

Another vote for Potters in Norfolk, absolutely brilliant and so much to do, very good with disability/ND child.
We previously went to Bluestone which was great when the kids were younger, now the eldest is a teen there’s not so much for her.
CP is trading on an out of date reputation imo.

there is also a new potters in maldon essex which is also supposed to be very nice

@orangetriangle Potters five lakes is going to be adults only from September. Agree that it looks very nice though!

The other thing we noticed this time was the lodge next door seemed over full. We counted 10 people in a 6 person lodge. I assume they had hidden the kids on the way in? I suppose it makes the holiday a bit cheaper but if lots do it the pool etc will be busier.

Eurocamps in France are a fraction of the price and loads nicer.

It's a risky strategy if they are caught out too! We needed first aid for our daughter (which in fairness was v good) and they did take her name and lodge number once they had sorted her out

Crieff Hydro in Perthshire.

We really enjoyed our last center parcs break and the kids loved it but I think there was a noticeable shift in demographics in different activities. I found the area around the sports bar seemed quite different to the pool or the outdoor activities. The sportsbar area seemed to be attracting the ‘all day drinkers ignoring the kids’ crowd and I did think the vibe was a bit different.

For your budget you could get a luxury hotel with a pool although trickier if you need 2x rooms with the ages of the kids. I would probably look at luxury holiday cottages and you’d have change to eat out every night and book activities locally. Another alternative might be forest holidays but there tends to be less on site.

I know what you mean OP. I just prefer people not to be so obvious. Shouting, swearing, vaping, dogs barking. I’m a massive snob and I don’t like CP any more. It’s rougher and dirtier than it used to be.

Saunton Sands.
Woolley Grange
Landal Darwin or Sandybrook.
We just got back from one of the Landal and it was lovely. Quiet, no rowdiness and there were Dutch people there which is my mark of success.

I personally think it's mad to spend £10k on any holiday

Woolley Grange has always been messy and not very clean when we have been (but for meals not to stay as we live locally).

The Manor House at Okehampton is our go-to. So much to do whether craft activities or sports are your thing. Most sports are free, craft activities are very cheap.
The hotel rooms are dated but clean, and food is ample but simple. Think meat and veg, rather than a la carte. So perfect for fussy eaters!
In our experience the other guests are generally middle class but not really into labels iyswim.

Personally on your budget I would drive to France and rent a gite with its own pool near to attractions for days out. Brittany has lots and we’ve always found plenty of places to visit.