My daughter has just turned 1, and we took her when she was 6 months, and again at 10 months.
Babies can use the pool at any time, but we booked a baby dolphins session on one day too, which was nice. It was done in the upstairs pool, and basically involved 30 mins of songs in the pool and floats/toys etc. It’s done early morning before the pool opens to everyone else, and you’re free to stay after the session is finished, so it’s a great time to get in the main pool while it’s quieter (everyone else is just starting to be let in at this time) or ride the slides if you want to.
For the spa, it depends entirely on what you want. I’ve done both (the spa itself and the treatments). They’re both great for different reasons. The spa itself is one of the best ones I’ve ever been to. It has a large number of sauna/steam/heat rooms, I think about 10 different ones from memory, so you can spend loads of time dipping in and out of each one. There’s also an outdoor heated pool, and a small covered pool with jacuzzi.
For the treatments, I’ve never tried the facials, but have had a few different massages. They’ve all been lovely, but they are expensive.
It’s 2 very different experiences, so it just depends on what you’re after - some general relaxation time, or some specific pampering.
General tips for being there with a baby:
They have a baby sensory session, which is lovely. 10 mins of songs and then some time to explore with various different toys, a mini ball pit, you can make footprints on a little poem as a keepsake, and there’s a sensory room at the back with lights and various other things.
Most of the restaurants have free Ella’s Kitchen pouches - just ask if you want one, and they’ll bring you a menu with what they have.
There’s a microwave and bottle warming station in the bar area of the bowling alley, which you can just go and help yourself to if you need to.
Theres a lovely little area just outside of the sports centre, next to the mini golf. It’s the space where they have the winter wonderland over Christmas time. When it’s not Christmas, they have it open as a walkway, and they leave some of the areas open from Christmas, just without the decorations. For example, there’s a big nest with ‘Center Parcs Whinfell 2024’ where you can sit and get a picture, or a giant toadstool that has a photo box that you can attach your phone to to take a timed picture. At night they light it all up too. We loved walking around this area with our daughter in the pram, and went back a few different times.
Any other questions, feel free to ask. I hope you and your family have a lovely time!