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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.

Original poster

Tips for Center Parcs Sherwood?

20 replies

Mam23 · 15/02/2014 12:28

We're off for half term. Three DCs 8, 6, 4. They like swimming and cycling so we're hoping to entertain them mostly with that rather than all the expensive pay-for activities. Little bit anxious about the weather though. What can we do indoors apart from swimming that isn't ££££? And any other good tips or things that are worth the spends?

OP posts:
supadupapupascupa · 15/02/2014 12:38

hiya, we're going at easter! We went last year with a 3 and a 1 year old. Basically our days were spent like this. Leisurely breakfast, swim until everyone was starving, out for lunch (don't assume you can walk into a restaurant...you need to book!) back early afternoon, both kids (and mum) naps until tea time. Either out for tea or cook in the villa. Kids on bikes to a playground and run around for a good couple of hours. Back in time for telly and bed.
We didn't have time for anything else!!
I have done badminton in the past which might amuse your older ones, and the evening disco is quite good.
In my opinion the weather shouldn't make much difference unless it's really windy (cycling in the wind isn't nice). The rain can be fun as long as you're dressed correctly.
Check out sherwood forest which is right next door, we haven't yet but intend to on our next visit.
Recommend the pancake house :-D
Supermarket expensive but very well stocked. There is a supermarket slightly north in the next town (3miles I think) but didn't find it necessary.

ProfessionalKiller · 15/02/2014 12:46

Marking place as I'm going at the end of March with a 2 year old and 6 month old Grin

Are the outdoor play areas good?

OddFodd · 15/02/2014 12:59

The outdoor play area near the pancake house is great and has picnic tables - it's a really nice cycle ride too. On the other side of the lake by the golf course is a pub which has a lovely terrace if it's dry and an indoor/outdoor play area.

The play area behind the Sports centre is also pretty good (and usually empty). You can sit on the terrace and have a drink while the kids play and the food there is reasonably (for CP!) priced too. You don't need to book either. Actually it's quite a good place to hang out if you've saving cash - there's a soft play area and you can watch people doing sports and playing video games (my DS enjoys watching people in amusement arcades - yours may not!)

We got to the pool by 9.30 every day so that we could have a base to return to. If you go to the left as you come into the pool, there's the kids pirate pool area which is quite a good place to position yourselves if you've got little ones.

supadupapupascupa · 15/02/2014 13:29

outdoor areas are good yes for kids, and each one different. we didn't check out the sports centre soft play, but have heard good things about it!

the pirates area in the pool in brilliant :-) my personal fav though is the much warmer outside bit in the pool

Original poster
Mam23 · 15/02/2014 13:30

Ooh fab tips thanks.

Like the idea of the soft play and the playground near the sports Centre.

Do we need to bring much washing up/tea towel sort of stuff? We're in the basic accommodation.

Where's the disco on? I could only find a pyjama party listed in the activities and DC1 is too old at 8 according to the website which is a real shame as they'd all like it but I'm not sure about letting just two go, seems mean to DC1.

OP posts:
yourlittlesecret · 15/02/2014 13:48

Been there every year since DS1 was 6months old. He is 18 now.
For little children you don't need to pay for activities. The pool will keep them happy for hours. Come to think of it it keeps my teens happy for hours.
There are soft play areas in the Sports Cafe and the Country club.
Also two large outdoor play areas. There is also a man made beach by the lake with some sand play stuff.
The restaurants are expensive but we do eat out when we are there. The sports bar is a little cheaper.
The kids disco is, I think, in the bar next to the pool where there is a bowling alley.
We usually do breakfast at the lodge, buy sandwiches or pasties at the supermarket for lunch and eat out in the evening.
Food wise I take breakfast cereal, coffee, juice and snacks. One thing that really clocks up the cost is drinks and snacks. I take vast quantities of cans / bottled drinks with us. They do leave a limited washing up kit but you might need more.

OddFodd · 15/02/2014 14:25

We only had a sachet of washing up liquid in our house so I'd bring a bottle! We took a load of basics with us and my standby - a frozen spagbol which defrosts on the journey so you've got an easy dinner on your first evening.

Disco is definitely in the bar/bowling alley next to the pool and it's free I think

Original poster
Mam23 · 15/02/2014 16:06

Excellent, thanks. The disco sounds great. We'll bring washing up stuff and lots of drinks and snacks. Maybe bake up a batch of oaty cookies too. They always feel healthy and outdoorsy Smile

OP posts:
supadupapupascupa · 15/02/2014 19:53

there will be queuing in the carpark to get onto site to your villa. What we will do is arrive early, go for a swim and collect the bikes. then once the keys are available we will cycle to the villa and get the kids inside with a bag of basics from the car. DH can then cycle back to the car for another couple of bags (we get a bike trailer which is great for this and the kids! especially with wet swimming kit!). Cup of tea, and then the queues should have gone down enough for DH to go fetch the car whilst I occupy the kids :-D
Failing that we will all go swimming, head back to the car and let the kids nap whilst we are queuing and get the bikes later!

Original poster
Mam23 · 16/02/2014 20:58

Soua very sensible plan re the carpcar park situation. Thanks!

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 16/02/2014 21:03

You could do the treasure trail without paying. The first clue is by the cycle hire iirc, that first board gives you the clue for the next board.

ProfessionalKiller · 17/02/2014 15:23

Sorry to ask another question, but wjat type of highchair is provided with the accommodation? Dd is tiny....and we def will not have space to pack the bumbo!

Original poster
Mam23 · 17/02/2014 15:27

Treasure trail sounds good, thanks for the tip.

I can look for a highchair when we're there but im not sure whether they'll be in every house as we're not booked to go with an infant.

OP posts:
yourlittlesecret · 17/02/2014 16:47

All houses are equipped for babies. If you don't have one you have to stash the cot out of the way.

ProfessionalKiller · 17/02/2014 17:32

Thanks Mam, that would be dead useful!

OnIlkleyMoorBahTwat · 17/02/2014 18:30

If you're fit and keen cyclists there's a mountain biking trail centre about a mile away along a forest road that can be cycled to (Sherwood Pines). Or you could drive there, has walking and mountain biking trails and Go Ape and other activities.

Original poster
Mam23 · 17/02/2014 22:16

Cycle trail might be a good plan for a day without rain. Will look that up. Thanks

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 17/02/2014 22:19

Take binoculars, plenty of bird hides about.

tiredoftrains · 17/02/2014 22:22

The high chair when we went was a fairly large square wooden jobbie - wouldn't have been much good for my ds when I was weaning, he was prem though so extra small!

SweetPeaPods · 03/02/2015 23:05

Marking place to come back and read as going next week

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