Center Parcs advice

[ScrummyYummyMummy]

Off to Whinfell Forest in a couple of weeks and have a few questions:

Do you need to book restaurants in advance or can you just walk in?

Can you join in activities if you haven't pre booked online? A lot of the ones I'm thinking about are totally weather dependant (given that we're going in January)!

Any other tips for myself, DH and our DD who is 3yrs??

Hello.
You can pre book the activities once you are there,there is a reception desk for this and there also computer thingys around the place for this purpose.
We didn't ever book a restaurant we just turned up,although we didn't eat out in the evenings.
Does your DD like swimming?if so I guess you'll do that at least once a day!

I would book a restaurant for the evening if you want to eat out as they do get booked up.

We usually book one or two indoor activities as well in case the weather is bad

Great. Thanks Hoolie and Orange.

I've booked a few activities and then we can add more when we're there I guess. Booked a restaurant for the first night and will take some of our own food too.

Im going to Whinfell next Monday! I have already booked a restaurant (Bella Italia cos its always popular at tea times) and a few activities.

Well Yankee we may well see you there! We're booked onto a few activities too a Cinderella Panto and some owl watching!

Advice needed here too - what are the self-catering facilities like? I mean, is it reasonable for me to expect to do a fairly standard shop before we go, or should I be stocking up on instant noodles and ready meals?!

Also, how strict are they on minimum age limits for kids' activities? DD will be less than a week off 2, but there seems to be a lot more going on for over 2s.

the shop on site is very expensive so take as much as you can

you get a full size oven and hob, microwave and enough pots and pans to cook most meals
under counter fridge with freezer box but there is not a lot of work top space

not sure about age restrictions but I would book bella italia as it gets very busy, the rest of the restaurants you can generally walk in and get a table which says something about the quality of the food

ooooh the panto! I didn't realise it still ran after Christmas! Its fab - I saw it & Jack & the Beanstalk a couple of yrs ago & the cast was brill! I may look into booking it then!

I agree the shop is a bit more expensive so I'm popping to Morrisons in Penrith before I come in. Staying in a TL the Sunday so I'll be there before 12 noon!