Best Centre Parcs tips for a first family stay at Sherwood

[Blendedmumof4]

Help me out with your best centre parcs hacks. We have never been, but taking our family of 6 (kids are 16, 12, 12 and 6) for 4 days Mon-Fri. We have prebooked some activities for my youngest who has a birthday whilst there. I am planning to eat in most if not all nights, to keep costs down, but I would like any tips or tricks from those that have been lots! Planning to arrive before check in time to use the pool and have packed a separate swim bag...what else do I need to know? We are visiting sherwood. Thanks

Make sure you take handwash for each of your bathrooms, as they don’t provide any, and foil/cling film/sandwich bags. Oh, and cooking oil, salt & pepper, sugar, tea bags… all the kind of stuff that you take for granted at home and don’t necessarily think to pack.

Have a fab time!

Not sure about Sherwood but monkey nuts attract the red squirrels at Penrith. Plan a trip to Aqua Sana if you can. Buy logs from home bargains. Bring a cheese grater if needed as the ones provided are awful.

Don't forget Tupperware/sandwich bags/clips to seal food, especially if you're planning on picnic lunches.

I’m amazed how many people have happy memories of this place. I spent a week feeling jostled, ripped off and freezing in the ‘tropical’ Waterpark. I have to say the spa is AMAZING though.

Thanks everyone for your tips, I feel super prepared now (at least I will be once I shop today!) And for the person who suggested the track to sherwood pines, that sounds amazing and I know my older ones will definitely need something further to explore. Thanks all for letting me learn from your experience!

Longstanding members other than me of MN have not commented on this thread- I expected someone to suggest taking lube!!!

Being serious- hope you all have a lovely break there.

ha ha I did consider it - that’s an old thread now. CP was definitely code for CBS on there!

Until I had children I would have hated It with a passion but my children loved it so much it was that that created happy memories. We took them once a year from baby to student age, in addition to other kinds of holidays.
When they suggested a family trip last year ( they are now 27 and 29) I cautioned their expectations, I thought maybe they had rose tinted memories and warned them the place is full of small children! However it turned out to be great fun. I still wouldn't dream of going as a couple,

I never tried to do it on a budget though, the idea of cooking on holiday is no rest.

The bike ride to Sherwood Pines is great. There is also a Go Ape there which may be cheaper than the ropes at CP.

Go swimming in the evening before closing time. It is much quieter

If you are looking for something to do you can usually hire a kayak without booking.

If you can leave the family book an evening spa session for yourself.