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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

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Original poster

Never done a resort before, will I hate Centerparcs?

18 replies

superoz · 10/01/2011 12:42

I am looking to book a short break in the holidays for myself, dh and 3year old dd, and am contemplating Centerparcs.

However...

We have never ever been on a resort holiday, except for our honeymoon in the Med and I don't think that counts. I was all ready to give it a go but dh was dubious and now I'm having second thoughts. We are looking to go in school holiday time as dd now started nursery school so if we hated it it would be a pretty expensive mistake to make.

So I would like to ask the experts - reasons for going? And reasons not to?

OP posts:

Anonymousbird · 10/01/2011 12:48

If you go in the school holidays, be aware that you have to book up all your activities at stupid o'clock. It is pretty horrific in peak times. Lots to do (if you can get a slot!) but people everywhere. My idea of hell.

If your DD is only in nursery, I would strongly advise you go off peak. School attendance is only compulsory after 5th birthday, so make the most of being able to go off season and much cheaper if you possibly can.

Good luck!

DuplicitousBitch · 10/01/2011 12:50

you would be mad to go during school holidays. tbh i think you are mad to go if your dd is only 3. jsut go t oa nice hotel with swimming pool instead. centre parks is for families with older kids who need exercised like labradors

Original poster

superoz · 10/01/2011 22:58

Hmmm gone off the idea already. Definitely my idea of hell.

Any alternative suggestions where? Was initially looking at central/northern UK, would really like to go somewhere for at least a couple of days over the Easter hols.

OP posts:

corns1lky · 10/01/2011 22:59

don't listen to them - it's fab and your ds will love it
we always go in the hols and don't have a problem booking things in

corns1lky · 10/01/2011 23:00

sorry your dd will love it!

falsemessageoflethargy · 10/01/2011 23:08

It is good but if your dc is 3 then you dont need to go in the school holidays and anyway it will be heaving with 7 year olds getting in the way - go in term time.

Its good value in the term time - ie 400 in holidays its just not worth it at 900 etc.

DuplicitousBitch · 11/01/2011 12:19

what on earth will a 3 year old get out of centre parks? the only thing they can do is go to the pool.

silverfrog · 11/01/2011 12:23

there is loads more at centre parcs for a 3 year old to do than just the pool (and I don't mean straight into kids clubs either!)

we have been a couple of times.

we have found them to be very helpful and accomodating when booking dd1 (ASD) onto activities - she needs a lot of extra help, and they rearrange as far as they can.

center parcs is what you make of it.

you can have a veey expensive time ther, or not.

the playgrounds are good, as are the general grounds - cabins right in the woods etc good for wildlife.

the activvities can be expensive, but I would say they are fairly well run, and the stuff you get (eg in craft sessions) is not bargain box cheap.

PandaNot · 11/01/2011 12:25

We too had always travelled independently before having children and CenterParcs was our idea of hell. However we went when ds was 2 and have been back lots and lots of times in the last 5 years - the children (and therefore us too) absolutely love it, plenty to do, even for little ones, and the one where we go - Whinfell- never seems particularly crowded, even in the summer. We noticed last time that there were lots of new activities on offer for the under 5's.

I would go in term-time though if your dd is only 3.

falsemessageoflethargy · 11/01/2011 13:37

I think there is a lot for a 3 year old to do as well and more important its just the vibe of everything set up for dcs at that age that I like - noone cares if your preschooler is having a tantrum etc.

Also I really like the elemis spa treatments

Karoleann · 12/01/2011 14:15

We've been 5 times, the first time was when ds1 was 20 months and he's always had lots to do. The likes the pool, there's some fantastic outdoor play grounds, espeically at Longleat. The beach, for organised activities at 3 he's enjoyed the football, teddy bears picnic, painting, creepy crawly talk, the children's theatre, and riding in the pod behind my bike!

Longleat itself is also great for a day out.

The creche is good too and I've had some great spa treatments.

DH has only been once though and really hated it - he's not really into other people's children!

ShowOfHands · 12/01/2011 14:21

DD was 2.10 last time we went and she had a bloody ball. Wildlife watching, swimming, couple of activities (painting and making a memory box thing), went in a pedalo, disco, walking, cycling (in trailer).

There's lots for a 3yr old to do.

OopsDoneItAgain · 12/01/2011 14:24

How about Bluestone in Wales? Got a lovely pool and a soft play but it loads less busy and not anywhere near as commercialised as centreparcs.

dinkystinky · 12/01/2011 14:30

Its like marmite - you either love it or hate it.

I'd go for a family friendly hotel instead myself - cost will be pretty much the same as centreparcs in peak holiday season anyway.

Or check out babyfriendly boltholes.

gingernutlover · 13/01/2011 08:30

we've just been for new year with dd aged 5

there is a lot to do for free or almost IMO we went to elveden which has a fantastic childrens lagoon area with small flumes and a big paddling pool with sand pit. There is also several large play areas outside and soft play in the sports bar. DD also loved the play area at the country club when we last went (when she was about the same age as your dd OP)

this time because she was older she was desperate to play ith other children so she went to the childrens club twice (at her request) but we have never done it before and still found our days full. She also loved riding around in the trailer on the back of dh's bike when she was smaller and feeding the many animals that come to your patio door.

It was very very busy while we were there but you can book restaurants and other activities before you go, or whilst on site. We never had a problem just walking into a restaurant for lunch this time, but you would probably want to book for dinner. It is much more expensive in the holidays though so I would def take a preschool child out of nursery to go when it is quieter and cheaper.

I find it's one of the most relaxing holidays with young children, and the accomodation is spacious and comfortable, so much better than a hotel where yu only have a room.

Original poster

superoz · 14/01/2011 17:15

Well I think the consensus is to avoid term time if at all possible, so I will! Thanks for all the opinions, good and bad, very helpful indeed. I think we will give it a whirl later on in the year when it's cheaper and have persuaded dh it won't be as bad as he thinks it will be , I'm still sitting on the fence until we have at least tried it.

Going off to research where else to go in the school holidays now!

OP posts:

starlings383 · 14/01/2011 19:34

We couldn't get on with Centre Parcs at all, hated having to pay for everything all the time. Try Coombe Mill; family run and all the activities on the farm included.. perfect for little ones!!

KJacks · 24/01/2011 08:58

Hello Everyone,

Bluestone in Pembrokeshire, West Wales? The family and i are massive fans, its set in such a beautiful place.

There is loads to do, water park, indoor adventure centre, softy play area, cycle trails, nature routes plus a load of other activities - they even have a fantastic baby sitting service incase you fancy a nice meal out?

Having stayed at Longleat and at Bluestone, i would highly recommend Bluestone, its much smaller, more personal and in my opinion, much higher quality accommodation, activities and your only 10 minutes from the beach - check it out.

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