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

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Original poster

Centre Parcs. What's wrong with it?

67 replies

jojoisamum · 07/09/2008 13:32

Been reading a few old threads and many people have said "was there last Summer but never again".

What's wrong with it?

We need to get away in October with DS when some work is being done to the house. Thought this might be a good option for swimming, walking and spa treatments but loads of you have said it's horrible. Is is horrible or just not to your taste?

Several of you also talk about discount codes. Can you tell me where to get one for October?

Many thanks

OP posts:

FluffyMummy123 · 08/09/2008 13:59

Message withdrawn

JuneBugJen · 08/09/2008 14:02

I'm really adventurous, but, really enjoyed time there and going back with 3 girlie mates and their 3 oldest kids.

It will work out cheaply then as sharing rooms and cost. The dcs loved it last time and. Its not perfect,its a bit upmarket Butlins, but if my dcs are happy then pretty much I am happy.

I am VERY selective about who I recommend it to though. Some friends would love it, others hate it.

maltloafeater · 08/09/2008 14:03

Our villa was grotty. Looked like it has been cleaned but then left shut up for several months. Mould on the bathroom ceiling and on the curtains. A general feeling of damp and decay. That said I think the villas have all been refurbished since then.

JuneBugJen · 08/09/2008 14:06

We are getting one of the newer villas Malt, it was only £20 more!
Agree the villa last time was a bit tired, but at least then the 5dcs could go crazy without worrying about damage!

The spa was great aat Longleat, we chucked the dcs into kids club for 3 hours and had a pedicure and lounged around reading Grazia.

priceyp · 08/09/2008 14:12

I think MB and lowfat have already said this, but we went to De Kempervennen last summer with my 2 SIL's and their kids. Hired a huge villa to accomodate 9 of us, mostly self catered, but out for drinks, lunches etc. We had a brilliant time. It was 1000 euros as opposed to £1200 in the UK and we felt that the shops, restaurants and additional activities were all very reasonably priced. Between all the adults we didn't refuse the kids ice creams or drinks, because nothing was expensive (compared to UK). We were 2 teenagers, 6 adults and 1 toddler.
We have been to Sherwood, Elveden and Longleat previously, but on the whole I much preferred Holland. We used our tesco vouchers to pay for the ferry so all in all it was quite a cheap holiday. And there was a snow dome so the kids had a chance to give snowboarding a try. I think that was about 25 euros each, about half the price of Milton Keynes. We also hired a bike each and a trailer for my ds, which as I am sure others can testify, costs an arm and a leg in the UK!!
Plus the Dutch are lovely, so if you can try Holland!!

bundle · 08/09/2008 14:38

@ upmarket butlins

palaver · 08/09/2008 14:41

it's a waste of time to go with a baby IMHO, but great when the kids are older and can enjoy the activities

Nappyzoneneedssleep · 08/09/2008 14:45

We go annually winter or early summer - we love it, i would never pay the school hols prices and we always go out of season when prices are low or offers are on - much prefer sherwood, Very family friendly. Doesnt suit everyone obviously but then life would be dull if we were all the same. We tend to go with family so alot of us for good crack

Fimbo · 08/09/2008 14:53

I am sorry Bundle but that has been said before on a few Cp threads.

My friend went in the summer hols - midweek for 2 villas cost £1700. Yes you can get in the swimming pool earlier but not the accommodation until after 3 then they had to be out again at 10 on the Friday. It was £25 per lane for a game of bowling. That said, she did enjoy herself.

bundle · 08/09/2008 19:39

there is absolutely nothing upmarket about CP

littleshebear · 09/09/2008 16:38

We go after Christmas when it's really cheap, for the weekend but we leave Sun night so the eldest two (at secondary) don't miss school. Always go to Whinfell. We hire bikes and go in the pool and kids do one activity each, if they want, and I go to the spa, which is lovely.We all love it, and I didn't think I would.Starting to look forward to it now.I would not like it when it's busier, I think, or if you tried to cram too much in. We just relax, really. Twice it's snowed, which is just lovely on all the trees. The food in restaurants is awful - but we just eat in.If you can, I'd go when it's quieter.

DartmoorMama · 09/09/2008 16:53

We went to the sherwood forest one in Nov a couple of years ago.
I really wanted to like it but:

Cons
really expensive
Most food terrible particularly the breakfasts
bike hire expensive
pretty scruffy in places
very little for young kids to do
sub tropical pool was freezing, everyone was sitting around it with hot drinks.

Got a tummy bug

Pros
in uk
good little supermarket

sitdownpleasegeorge · 09/09/2008 16:55

IMHO there are far less tattoos on the CP clientele than on the Butlins holidaymakers.

There was also a pleasant distinct lack of public swearing at or around children when we visited CP, compared to Butlins.

Call me a snob but these are 2 popssible indicators of social standing as far as I am concerned.

mummypoppins · 19/09/2008 11:02

love it love it love it.

Go at least twice a year sometimes more.

Kids have a ball and we just relax and recharge.

SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore · 19/09/2008 11:15

we go every year to the one in Nottingham. dd1 loves it. we always get a chalet by the lake/river and all the ducks, swans, geese, squirrels come and sit in your garden area early on a morning to be fed. i have loads of pics of dd1 with all the ducks ill find one and add to my profile for you.

i dont think the activities are that bad price wise. but certainly not cheap. there is a lot of things for kids to do that are chaep/free though. swimming with slides. nottingham has just built a new slide. nature walks, kids club, free kids disco every night, free soft play areas.

the accomadtion is always clean and well equiped and if there is anything not there that is meant to be there you just ring up and some one brings it upto you.

for the adults there is the spa and sports facilities and a few activities too.

dd1 who is 4 did childrens fencing, a pony trek and the swimming last time we went. i did a couple of exercise classes and dh entered the table tennis and snooker tournaments.

the drinks are very expensive but you need to drink out each night you are there. we take games etc to play in the chaklet one night we are there

the food at Nottingham is nice but pricey. and the restaraunts are very busy. if you want to eat out you have to book in earlier in the day to get a table at a decent time.

vet50 · 19/09/2008 21:11

I have already put a message on but cant find it (about Longleat), isnt there a system that notifies you when you get a reply to your post like on the Runners World Forum? Anyway, we didnt have a good experience with our accommodation this time and were in the second best, cockroaches, smelly loos and winter duvets in July. However, I complained when we got back, admit I should have done so at the time but being v British, and got v nice letter and £120 off next hol. The activities and the activity leaders were all great, nice environment and you can get a bit of culture next door at the Lord Bath's pad!

dusted · 19/11/2008 19:52

Hi. We have the opportunity of joining a family holiday at Center Parcs next year but our baby will only be 4/5 weeks old. Is it advisable? will it be too disruptive? Any advice?

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