centre parcs longleat questions!

[soxy]

Hi

we're looking at a mid week mon-fri break here with dd who is 3 and a baby which will be 4 months or so, in the first week of sept and having never been here before wanted some advice!

would it be really busy then? also is it worth paying the extra £45 or so to have a lodge nearer the central area?

we were thinking of coming up on the sunday and going to the safari park and then staying in a b&b or something that night (just to make the break a bit longer), and just wondered if anyone knew of somewhere around there that would be good for this and is good for little ones etc.

Thanks!!

We went to centreparcs when 2 of ours were about the same age. They didnt really get that much out of it to be honest as most of the activities etc are centred around older children. There was a playpen in the pool area so we could at least leave the baby there in her rocker. It's one of those places that stays busy all year round. I would always say compare the price to a cottage or one of the hotels like Bedruthan steps that is set up for children. Might be somewhere to take them when they are a bit older and can go cycling, swimming etc. Always worth imo paying for something larger and nearer the middle if poss. Nothing worse than trailing back in the rain with a crying baby is there!

I'm off there next month. Have been taking my DDs since they were 6 months old.

Definitely pay the extra for a central location. If you're likely to go swimming a lot then it's probably better to go up near the swimming pool area rather than down by the Jardin des Sports, as there is less for a three year old to do down there. The only thing you have got down there is the soft play and a few swings. Most of the swings are at the top. That said, when my DDs were little we used to spend most of the afternoons walking from the top of the Cascades down to the bottom, stopping off at every set of swings along the way. Then went and saw the lake and walked back up again / got the land train back.

Have never stayed in Warminster, but there is a travelodge on the main road, not too far away if that is your sort of thing.

HTH

Yes, as others have said it will be busy (95% occupancy year round) and yes to getting a central villa.

If the baby is under 6 months you will not be able to transport him/her in a Centerparcs bicycle as they have age restrictions on who can go in the trailers etc.

We first went when DS1 was two something (and DS2 not born) and had a wonderful time. But I'm not 100% sure it was value for money, as we mostly enjoyed pottering round the environment and then spending a fortune in restaurants and cafes. The swimming is lovely but a bit limited for a 4 month old and the changing facilities are not fabulously easy or spacious.

I think it comes down to whether you and your 3yo will enjoy it enough to justify the work and limitations of taking a small baby.

You will love it. We have been 3 times with DGC (DGS1 thinks Centre Parcs is paradise on earth).

Agree you should pay the extra to be near the swimming pool etc. Longleat is very big - can take 40 mins to walk from the farthest chalets. As others have said, it is always busy.

Don't underestimate the fun your 3 year old will have from the most surprising things. Our DGS wanted to ride round on the land train for hours at a time and got totally over excited when the rabbits and ducks came wandering around the chalet.

The swimming pool is lovely for all ages and at that time of year you can spend hours by the lake just feeding the ducks and playing.

Don't underestimate the cost of eating out. We usually go well stocked up with groceries and wine and avoid eating out except for the last day when we pack up, leave the chalet and then go to Cafe Rouge and have an enormous breakfast.

Absolutely yes to paying extra for a central villa. Also try and get one that looks out onto the main lake/water area as you get more ducks/geese on your patio to feed.