Centre Parcs - Which One?

[MummyLozza]

Which Centre Parcs do people think is best? We are close to Wooburn, Longleat, or Elevden.

With a 5 year old boy and a 9 year old girl. Would enjoy various activities, plus swimming but probably not big on bike riding - maybe scooters. Would like to see animals and wildlife.

We went many years ago and liked Elveden. I remember it was big with open spaces and I see you have said about not riding bikes, but it was nice to go for long walks with a child in a pushchair and a child who was learning to ride a bike. We took the scooter too which was nice to have with the open space.

Woburn was much smaller and things were much closer together so things were easier to get to. Didn’t have to walk much to get to restaurants or activities.

longleat has has a zoo next door to it so we had a day in the zoo after we checked out which the kids enjoyed. Although I know there’s Woburn Safari Park too, but we didn’t go here at the same time as CP and don’t know how far that is.

I can’t remember much about the pools but hopefully someone else will come along to give you advice about them.

All CP will have access to swimming pools and similar activities. So that wouldn’t change from park to park I don’t think.

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Elveden because it’s larger and flatter. It feels like a proper wood as it’s more established and natural. The lodges don’t seem so hemmed in.

If you like animals and wildlife I’d go to stay in longleat centre parcs. You can pop over to longleat which is over the road for the day and see all the animals. I think you can still use Tesco vouchers to buy tickets. Longleat centre parcs is the only one with a train which can be fun for the little ones.

Elveden is better than Woburn.

We prefer Elveden, is flatter and has a more central hub, Longleat is hilly and spread out, but they did have a land train when we visited, I assume it’s still there as it’s necessary. Not been to Woburn, but I have heard it’s small in comparison. Enjoy your trip OP.

I haven't been to the other two, but Woburn is quite new, so everything was nicer but it had less of the established forest feel. We went a few years ago so it might feel different now. It's also quite small which meant everything was easier to get to but the perimeter fence was visible in various places, giving it a sort of gated community feel. We enjoyed it there though.

We like Woburn (closest one to us). Elveden was great when the DC were little as it is flat and not particularly spread out. Did Longleet once and it was too hilly for us (DC were all under 6).

Have you costed out the stay at CP @MummyLozza ? Factor in self catering costs, onside supermarket can be pricy and cooking facilities in the lodge a bit hit & miss.

For example, on both occasions were stayed at CP, the ovens have been inadequate, only partially heating up - so we had to abandon our "home cooked" meal at the expense of wasted ingredients/ruined meal and then pay out for a restaurant meal on top! We thought the first occasion was a one off, secon stay, different lodge butcsame oven issue -,was so frustrating after a days activities and tired fractious kids.

The cost of actives and bike hire if you dont take your own, if you want to take full advantage, does hike up the cost of the break once again quite substantially.

The idea of CP is lovely, but for us, the reality is for a short family break the cost becomes prohibitive - we now favour cottage rentals near the seaside - the New Forest is good, close enough for a jaunt over to the Isle of Wight if the mood takes us.

Soolrry OP, not what you asked but there are slternatives out there that offer better value for money imo.

I prefer Woburn. I find elveden to be tired. The flumes and pool is better at Woburn.