Centre Parcs - Whinfell tips

[Lostmystyle]

Off to Center Parcs later this year - it’s not our normal holiday and I am not really too sure about it but figure the kids will love it. Going with a large group who are all enthusiastic for it.

Kids will range from 3-8 and pretty outdoorsy bunch who like nature, bike rides, climbing, most sports

We are heading to Whinfell. I know food and activities are so expensive when there, so I am looking for some tips on:

• top kids activities - currently they want to do them all…and rather not pay than for 4/5 and stick to the pool and bike rides
• if we had one meal out where should we go? Seems mainly chains but what about either of the pubs
• I am hoping to cook most evenings but heard the fridge is really small - would I not be able to bring enough for 4 nights dinners (7 of us per lodge)

thanks in advance

Ouch - 4 or 5 activities?!

we do the bowling - £40-50 per family for an hour.
nonsure about the restaurants but we went to the Indian and found it very average for what it was.
we take a hello fresh box with us but yes - the fridge is small!

maybe take an icebox?

Maybe I have over estimated activities then!! No idea what to do.

maybe I’ll head out half way through to do a top up food shop?

Do some jar meals op if the fridge is small, that’s what I do when we sc. so pasta bake, baked potatoes and beans etc, tacos or wraps, that sort of thing. Cereal snacks and so on as well so even if we eat out we’ve got those things covered to save some money.

Penrith and the North Lakes really aren't that far away from Winfell but you aren't really encouraged to leave the Parc once you get there.

If you want to stock up on naice food in Penrith there is both Cranstons Food Hall and Booths as well as an M&S food if you get desperate. The cafe at Cranstons is pretty decent if you aren't veggie (it's a butchers shop downstairs) and there's some good pizza places and food places that can accommodate groups with children in Penrith

There’s plenty of supermarkets in Penrith nearby. To be honest the parc market isn’t massively expensive either. Would your children like craft activities? If so I’d take some. Take plenty of snacks with you for after swimming. Have a great time! I love Whinfell!

Thanks - yes planning our own crafts rather than booking any of the (paid) craft activities

It’s an under the counter fridge so is quite small. We liked the pancake house as it’s a real treat / not something we’d normally have but also liked hucks.

I had to pop into Penrith as DD needed something or other and it wasn’t far.

We did own activity and then lots of biking and of course the swimming.

The children's varied ages will make booking activities for all of them difficult. At similar ages, mine enjoyed the owl encounter - but it depends if the younger ones can sit (relatively) still for a prolonged period, my youngest was 2.5 and did surprisingly well but was definitely ready to run about by the end and there were some other little ones who left as they couldn't manage. They also enjoyed the pottery painting. We did the electric boat ride as well, that was £££ and to be honest the kids didn't massively enjoy it either so I wouldn't recommend it.

I think we did book maybe 1 activity for them each separately, I think my eldest did archery which they enjoyed and my younger one did some sort of playgroup style thing which was way overpriced but he did enjoy it. There's a soft play in the pub and the sports bar, they enjoyed those, and the pool and playgrounds. Food everywhere is meh for the cost to be honest, we like Bella best. We still mostly ate out for one main meal a day though as didn't want to be doing loads of cooking and clearing up and so on whilst away. Parc Market on site isn't too bad cost wise but obviously not budget shopping prices. Like PP said we used tins for quick meals beans on toast / soup or made sandwiches etc and took breakfast items and snacks.

The best restaurant is the one on the lake. I think it is called the Foresters Inn or something like that. The food is delicious and it has a soft play area in where the kids can run about between courses.

I would definitely hire bikes as well with a trailer for the littlest one to sit in.

We did the Family Wall Ball activity in the squash courts with 4 kids aged 3-7 and they all enjoyed it. Bonus that I’m pretty sure it was a set price for up to 6 people for the time rather than a fee per person so kept costs down too.

We have been to Winfell lots and my advice is don’t book too many activities - you’ll end up just rushing from one thing to another.
The restaurants are expensive for what they are - we’ve always found the Lakeside Inn and Bella Italia the best of a pretty average bunch but if you join the Winfell Facebook page you’ll get a more up to date view.
Now when we go to tend to take a homemade chilli or something similar with us for the first night, eat out once, buy a Cook ready meal from the on site supermarket which if I’m being honest is just as good as anything you’ll get in any of the restaurants and considerably cheaper, and do either a bbq or have a breakfast at Cafe Rouge on the other day. For the short time you’re there I wouldn’t be bothered going off site to shop - the supermarket is a decent sized co-op and not overly expensive. As someone said above the fridges are only small with a tiny ice box but we’ve always managed to fit everything that we need in

I often go with my siblings and nieces / nephews, we all bring a frozen meal in a Tupperware box eg bolgense, curry, lasagna, pasta sauce. I’ll drop by the local Morrisons for essentials in Penrith. We don’t eat out at all. I do hire bikes. Lots of exploring to be had on these. Then you have the pool, nature centre, adventure parks. We sometimes do the treasure hunt but that’s about it. Don’t be forced into the activities and restaurants, there is no need for either, especially when they are little.

You can go out of Center Parcs for a meal in neighbouring town/village if you want, or buy fish and chips to bring back.

Appleby-in-Westmoreland is lovely and please do try to go to Lake District national park . You are in a beautiful and interesting part of the country.

Bike riding the fabulous pool are great.

'Appleby in Westmorland is lovely'

Well it's OK but not worth a road trip out of Centre Parcs, its just a typical Cumbrian Market town.

lol at Appleby being lovely.