Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To ask you for Center Parcs tips?

49 replies

KenAdams · 13/09/2012 09:55

And no, there will be no anal sex!

We're off to Sherwood Forest soon and will have our 4 month old with us.

Any handy tips that you knowledgeable MNers would like to pass onto me?

OP posts:

Lovesoftplay · 13/09/2012 09:59

Take basic food supply's (cornflakes, beans, whatever!!) as the little supermarket is quite expensive.

Book activities as soon as u get there because they get booked up really quickly.

Have a lovely time in the great outdoors :)

DappyHays · 13/09/2012 10:03

My best tip would be not to bother going.

If that isn't an option. My tip would be to do your supermarket/booze run before you get there and/or take plenty of £££ with you.

Something I didn't do, and maybe it would have improved my experience, was book a treatment in the spa. Maybe you'll get a few hours to yourself and be able to do this.

Seeline · 13/09/2012 10:06

We always book activities on line befre we go - don't know if that's still possible.
Agree to take basic supplies as it can get really expensive. Sometimes I freeze a bologanise sauce etc to take with us which can defrost on the ay so that's the first night sorted. The restaurants can book up quickly too - but if your lo is only 4 months you wouldn't have the same time restrictions on when you eat so probably not so much of an issue. You used to be able to book those online too.
really don't bother with 'posh' clothes - tracky bottoms, fleeces, trainers all ideal.

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 13/09/2012 10:08

We did the spa, it wasn't that great tbh. Very overpriced for what it was, although that shouldn't have surprised me!

My top tip would be to go to the swimming pool from 3pm onwards - it's absolutely heaving in the morning, but was quite civilised at that time of day.

Also, as others have said, take food and booze with you. Oh, and if you're planning to have bbqs, take your own disposable ones because the ones in the cp shop are dreadful - we ended up having to cook everything in the oven!

WhatYouLookingAt · 13/09/2012 10:08

yabu to ask here. There are topics full of answers to this question.

Anypointinseeingdoc · 13/09/2012 10:10

Take a bike lock for your buggy.

thebeesnees79 · 13/09/2012 10:14

take basic food items and Google the local supermarket as the on site shop is expensive. Take swimming gear, the pool is amazing.
Take water proof stuff with you and bike locks if you have them.
I hate the duvet & covers (they make so much noise when you turn over) so take your own.
other than that enjoy, I love centre parcs its very relaxing.

thepowerofvoodoo · 13/09/2012 10:15

don't go. we went for the first time a few months ago. awful place. like some sort of prison crossed with a holiday camp. all set up with 12 ft fences on the perimeter to stop you getting out to the really nice sherwood forest pines outside. tip would be get to the exit area then take the track down to the left just before the main exit and this takes you to a proper forest with lots of activities, bike trails, cafe etc. the centre parcs staff are told "not to tell people about it" to keep to locked in their overpriced prison.

BrandyAlexander · 13/09/2012 10:17

Take household basics with you. We took washing up liquid, plastic bags for bins, tea towels, dettol wipes for the highchair, extra dishcloth etc.

We also took breakfast stuff - bread, butter, milk, jam, cereals, tea, coffee, sugar etc. We also had lunch stuff - sandwich fillings, crisps, juice. We ate out a fair amount (expensive) and took plenty of alcohol with us.

Don't forget your own bedding for the baby as it isn't supplied.

Book all the activities before you get there, as well as restaurants for evening meals. There is a creche which you can book in advance (think it takes them from 3 months?). Babysitting service can be booked when you get there.

Hth! Have a good time :)

julieann42 · 13/09/2012 11:05

We have been going as a big family group for years now! We always take our own food and cleaning stuff! The shop is well stocked ad if you run out of baby stuff you should be ok but it is pricey! We do like the fresh bakery though and would often buy the fresh bread and cakes for lunch as a treat! Like the others say, bike locks for pushchairs and raingear! Book the extras before you go! We dont tend to do many of the extras due to cost but we would often take the children swimming twice a day! Morning and evening and have a walk around the complex in the afternoon and chill at the villa!

ENormaSnob · 13/09/2012 11:09

Take your own food.

Kayano · 13/09/2012 11:10

Take your food with you!!! Don't eat out all the time

Its £7 odd for a chocolate pancake. One pancake!!!

Take birdseed

Kayano · 13/09/2012 11:12

Yes afternoon swimming is sooo much more
Pleasant than morning swimming! Book morning activities and swim in the afternoon

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 13/09/2012 11:12

Voodoo - your escape route sounds ace. We went to Sherwood earlier this year and I was so disappointed that there wasn't really any actual forest to cycle/walk round, just miles and miles of chalets. Would have love to take the bikes and dd and get out!

discophile · 13/09/2012 11:13

Center Parcs is fabulous. With a four month old you don't really need to fork out for that many activities really. The swimming pool ("sub tropical swimming paradise") will keep you occupied for quite a lot of the time. And of course it's free to get in. On the day you are going, I would get there ASAP and get in the swimming pool before everyone gets there.
I would have a look at the website and see what you fancy doing, before you go, so that you don't waste any time when you are there.
Take your own food and drink - but that's really obvious.
It's a great place. Even if the weather is shyte it's still great. I suppose it's not everyone's thing but each to his own.
I'm jealous!
But why no anal sex?

Sidge · 13/09/2012 11:14

My top tip is don't bother going.

But if that's not an option - take warm clothes (LOTS), a wetsuit for the baby (the tropical swimming pool is bloody cold), loads of money (everything is really expensive) and book as much as you can before you go, including any spa treatments.

I don't see the appeal of CP. Given that when we went we had to take 3/4 of the contents of our house with us it wasn't much of a holiday/break...

BrandyAlexander · 13/09/2012 11:26

I agree about taking warm clothes (they keep the villas at a very cool temperature) and also pack warm stuff for the baby, esp at night. Definitely a wet suit for the baby as well. My baby would get cold after 25 mins, and that was with the water. There is a much warmer baby/toddler pool but insufficient depth to really do anything with a baby in it.

Hopeforever · 13/09/2012 11:28

Just written a long response but it got lost
Ignore the doomsayers, hopefully they will all be at home and you will not hear their whines!
Take extra towels, a sharp knife if you like cooking from scratch and a frozen meal or 2. We get everything else from the shop and have it delivered.
Breakfast is a good meal to eat out if you have a baby
Bedding is fine unless you are fussy
Our 6 month old was plenty warm enough n the pool area
Have fun and relax in the spa if you can. I loved my mini break there

TheBrianRogersConnection · 13/09/2012 11:33

Bloody hell I've got exclaimation mark overload reading this thread.

Anyway, as with others here...My tip is not to go.

Overhyped pap. We stayed in an Executive villa (executive hahaha) it was on par with a Travelodge & our bedroom stank. And it was £££££

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ByTheWay1 · 13/09/2012 11:40

take some birdseed and a tub with you - if it is anything like Longleat you will attract a shed-load of lovely creatures and birdies to look at - as with a 4month old you may spend some time in the accommodation.....

We went to Longleat in July and had 3 deer, 4 squirrels, 2 bunnies, a moor-hen and chicks, a duck and ducklings, a woodpcker, a bloomin' big heron, countless great-tits, blue-tits, chaffinches, a jay and a crow - It was like Snow White out there the first time we came back after going swimming...

Original poster

KenAdams · 13/09/2012 11:58

It's booked and paid for so well have to go!

We're booked in for a Twilight Spa session and the boys (going with three other people) are thinking about going paintballing. I'm happy with not doing many more activities as the pool and walks are enough with DD.

Weve bought her a warm wet suit so I hope she'll be ok! I might put her happy nappy swim suit under it for an extra layer if she needs it.

Didn't think about a bike lock for the pram. Might just take a carrier instead.

Thanks for the advice about how to get off the property, will have a look.

I've looked at the restaurant menus online and they are quite expensive, so might just do one meal out a day.

OP posts:

Dotty342kids · 13/09/2012 12:08

oh good grief, what's with all the CP haters?! We've been going every year / alternate years for the last 6-7 years. Our kids love the play areas, love the lake area, love the cycling (flat and child friendly), love the fact that they have a tv in their bedroom and can watch cartoons when they wake up (never alllowed at home!) and love the various wildlife that comes to your door.

Yes, it can be expensive but we always take quite a lot of food with us so eat lunch out one day and dinner out another day, so that's only twice in a four day visit.
There's no rule that says you have to stay on site so if you want to go and visit the local area, then do! My DH loves the fact that he doesn't have to go near / in his car for days as he normally drives a lot for work. It's a real pleasure to just walk or cycle around.

Enjoy it!

GwendolineMaryLacey · 13/09/2012 12:12

We went off site at Sherwood as well :o Turned left past a farm and into the woods. Was a brilliant cycle track.

Agree, take all shopping with you. We don't bother with the restaurants except a coffee in Starbucks at 11 ( we go as a big family group and it's our meeting point) and one pancake meal if there's a pancake house as we all love them. And if you do go for a coffee buy a cake in the Parc Market and not Starbucks.

And the Parc Market tear and share bread is bloody lovely. :) We've been known to bring it home!

WithoutCaution · 13/09/2012 12:22

Take some athletes foot powder/cream. I only ever seem to get athletes foot from Centre Parcs...

Watch out for plasters in the pools and what ever you do do not look under the water. Just in case you see someone who's swimming costume/bikini bottoms are not covering them scarred for life

Original poster

KenAdams · 13/09/2012 12:24

We haven't got bikes as whaling with be easier with DD so hoping the walks aren't too far. Our lodge is pretty central.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2