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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

CENTER PARCS - WHAT MUST I NOT FORGET TO TAKE?

40 replies

Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:23

We are off to the Sherwood forest one at the weekend. It has been years since I went the first time and it seems that lots has changed (including a huge inflation of prices!

We are "economising" so plan to take food with us and limit ourselves to free and cheap activities.

Can anyone who has been to one recently give me an idea of things that we ought not to forget.

Already on the list is bottle opener.

OP posts:
MummyDoIt · 20/05/2008 11:25

Dishwasher tablets and washing up liquid. They don't provide much.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 20/05/2008 11:26

Your very big wallet

Swimming suits.

Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:27

good call - we don't have a dishwasher at home (unless you count me) so i wouldn't know what to do with tablets but just packed the washing up liquid.
thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:28

2 swimsuits per family member - check!
I understand that the swimming place is free so I havce a feeling we'll be spending quite a bit of time in there!.

I have a big purse but it's rather empty!

OP posts:
Pinkjenny · 20/05/2008 11:31

Something for everyone to wear whilst sitting, dripping wet, round the pool area in between dips, e.g. towelling robe or cover up.

MummyDoIt · 20/05/2008 11:32

Yes, the pool is free and we spend at least two hours a day when we're there.

Even if you're self-catering, it might be worth having one or two meals in the restaurants as some of them have play areas for the kids. It can be worth paying for the meal simply to have a relaxing meal yourself while the kids play.

Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:32

extra towels - on the washing line drying as we speak.
Thankyou

OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 20/05/2008 11:34

Message withdrawn

PrimulaVeris · 20/05/2008 11:34

We take our own softy loo roll for our delicate bottoms

Oh, tea towel, bin liners, sharp kitchen knife - salt & sugar in small containers, tea bags, coffee - and lots of food

And bottles to go with the bottle opener - bit pricey at the parcmarket

Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:34

it's going to be a big family gathering (about 65 of us) so one evening meal will be an immediate family one - our chapter)and another will be a big BBQ for everyone.

Does anyone know whether the ovens are normal size or not? Thinkjing about bringing some of those fresh pizza's with us that Asda do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:36

beg your pardon cod - I don't follow you?

OP posts:
MummyDoIt · 20/05/2008 11:37

I take it Cod's not a Centerparcs fan, then!

I think the ovens are normal sized. We've certainly done pizzas in them.

Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:38

Not my choice to go to Center Parcs (as was very evident when I saw how much it was all costing the Family. But we can't find anywhere else to go with room for everyone!

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 20/05/2008 11:39

ovens are normal size

also pepper and oil, primula

we usually do a supermarket shop on the way

bikes
kitchen roll
clothes pegs
hand soap for the cloakroom
£1 coins for the lockers (you get them back though)
inflatables for the pool to save the kids pestering you to buy them
buckets and spades for the sandpit if you have tinies

cadelaide · 20/05/2008 11:40

LOL @ Cod...

Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:40

very useful list Mrs B - thanks. Is Primula a staple food for Badgers ?

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 20/05/2008 11:41

no

tis vile stuff!

I meant I'd add pepper and oil to the list Primula posted

Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:44

pmsl!
got it.
brain leaked out through boobs last night

OP posts:
savoycabbage · 20/05/2008 11:45

Take sand-pit toys. And as much food as you can. I don't think that the shop is that overpriced but it's not cheap and my lot were starving the whole time from all that activity. There is a starbucks now so you might want to re-morgage your house for a frappe-latte-mocha-chino.

UnquietDad · 20/05/2008 11:45

Not all "villas" have dishwasher. They provide a small amount of washing-up liquid (sachet) so take some.

Worth taking as much food as you can - the "Parc Market" shop is OK but expensive and has a small choice.

Bottle-opener is a good idea - there should be one but our villa came without.

Towels - you can order them, but if you have room for your own, no reason not to take them.

It is a fun place with lots to do - enjoy!

PrimulaVeris · 20/05/2008 11:47

pmsl @ badger food!!!

Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 11:52

thanks - I knew mumsnet would know these things.

any other advice?

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 20/05/2008 11:59

other cheap thrills, iirc, include petanque and table tennis, and some of the guided wildlife walk / treasure hunt type things are cheap or free so you can feel you are 'doing stuff' without shelling out for climbing walls etc

check out when there are musicians or similar playing in the plaza-y bit if you think it'll entertain the kids for half an hour

there are ball pits and soft play areas that are free too, I think

Original poster
Cadbury · 20/05/2008 12:07

Ah, I was going to ask about soft play and adventure play grouns. I have one child of 7, oneof 5 and one of 15 months and they all have far more energy than it feasible!

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 20/05/2008 12:10

oh the outdoor play areas are all free

if you are lucky the 7 and 5yo will spend all their time tearing round the woods anyway