Whinfell centre parc - advice needed.

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We are going to Whinfell Forrest on 23rd June. I have a 10 y.o and a 7 y.o. Does anyone know what the free activities are? I know the swimming is free but what else? is there a adventure playground ect. I've read that Whinfell has an entertainment team that put on shows in a place called the Green room. Are these free? anyone been?

We thought we may do a carraige ride, go bowling and possibly put both boys into archery. Can anyone recomend other activities?

Found the other tips (on other thread) useful. Hope someone has been to Whinfell and can advise.

There's a good wooden adventure playground and there are mini discos etc in a room (which could be a green room). There is an indoor soft play at the pub. I can't think of anything else but i'm sure there are things.

I think if Whinfell is like the others, the shows are charged for, but don't cost much

On another thread, someone said it was better to book meals out in advance, especially on the last night. Has that been your experience at whinfell? What are the restaurants like?

Just got my little book through the post. Exciting!

My boys (8 and 10) enjoyed fencing this year. DS1 (10) was old enough to do proper archery, which was good. They also did a bird of prey thing.

But the highlight for them was definitely the high ropes course and tree trekking: it's expensive, but a real "Wow" if they've a head for heights.

We don't rate the food at all, and always just cook for ourselves.

Enjoy!

Roisin, did you manage to squeeze the 8 year old onto the "proper" children's fencing or did he have to faff about with foam swords? I was thinking of this for ds but he will be about 3 weeks off 9 when we go. Are they rigid?

Thank you Rosin. Your boys are convieniently aged. My 7 y.o seems to be excluded from the really exciting stuff.

When we went the age limit was definitely 8, so he got to do the proper fencing. (I didn't think the fencing was that fab, but we don't have swords at all at home, so it was a treat for them!)

We found 7 to be a frustrating age at CP, but once he was 8 he could do lots of the activities.

There's also lots to do on the lake, but we tend to go in winter when it's frozen!

DS1 did the scuba diving course, but I wasn't that impressed. The instructor wasn't great at communicating with 10 yr-olds IMO, or maybe he was just a bit on the young side.

Don't forget to book yourselves in to the spa to be pampered!

Spa is top of my list. I did wonder about the actual quality of the activities tbh (anyone lucky enough to be in Cubs gets to do quite a bit of this sort of thing for much less £££)
Thanks roisin - the age is definitely 9 for fencing now, but 8 for many other things

We generally choose things that they can't easily do elsewhere, because CP often is quite pricey. For instance horse riding is much cheaper here than at CP; but there's nowhere locally where ds2 can do high ropes things here. (They need to be 10 to do Go Ape.)

hi, my 2 aged 4 and 2. Been to CP every year in last 4.5yrs. We love it.
Always eat out, food never been a problem. Cafe Rouge now open, and the Italian is good. Indian good but top price for a curry. Book in advance for last night, as do get booked up but you will always get in somewhere but maybe not your first choice.

Free things, Disco in afternoon cant remember day, swimming, soft play areas in sports plaza for under 1.1m, and pub, only pub a bit dated, and food not so good.

2 really good parks, the walks are good to follow as a nature trail.
Wooden play area above cafe rouge. Other activities do seem pricey. But mine are only little yet.

For mummies though if you can I really recommend the ladies only session in aqua sauna, 9.30 till 12.30(ithink) make sure you are there on the dot, and look out for discount ticket when you check in. It is so worth it if you like to chill on your own.
Enjoy, wish we could afford twice a year. Check out the discount meals on this site or other on moneysavingexpert for 2for1 at cafe rouge.