Which Centerparcs?

[mandy214]

We went to Elveden last year (first time to Centerparcs) and loved it. We had 5 and 9yr olds. The Woodland Lodge was lovely, we cycled and they loved the pool. We did the basic activities (tennis, boules, football, magician, canoeing) - none of the aerial adventure type things, and they loved the pool (especially the rapids). We are lucky that we get 2 weeks at May half term so we can go outside of what Centerparcs class as half term (so its quite reasonable - well as reasonable as Centerparcs can be) and its not massively busy.

The cost of a Woodland Lodge is pretty much the same at all of the Center Parc villages for our week. So the question is - which one would you go to? Elevden is a trek for us (we are in the NW) but I would readily do it again because we liked it - DH thinks we should try Woburn or Sherwood Forest.

All up for consideration - I suppose priorities are accommodation / pool / cycling and generally nice village. Which would you go for?

I've heard that the pool at Woburn is disappointing. No rapids. Friends who have been to both say that Elvedon is better.

I haven't been to Woburn, but have been to all he others many times. Sherwood is the best by far. Because of the rapids, the outdoor pool and the Spa.

We much prefer Sherwood to Elvedon, it is more spaced out rather than all under one roof so nice to walk/cycle between, the pool is nice too. We are going back to Sherwood in July rather than trying Woburn after hearing the pool isn't as good.

Thank you. Really appreciate the replies.

Woburn pool is small BUT it's never been more crowded than the others. The 3 tunnel/flume rides engage the teenagers. The rapids are fun (not as long slides as Longleat and they lack the almost drowning experience at the end like Nottingham). The lazy river takes a long time to get round - it lacks the whoosh of longleat but it's lots of fun. The play area is fabulous for your 5 year old. Plus it's WARM! And you can always rock up and sit down on a seat to watch. Unlike Nottingham where you can't get near and longleat where you sit in chilly water with your thighs touching the next person and staring up at the are of someone stood in front of you.
The changing rooms are warm and you wander in and just walk into one. Unlike at longleat where you spend much time walking up and down waiting ready to pounce. They are a billion lockers. The showers are warm and the soap dispensers are always full.
We also love the starbucks and just being able to sit and chat while ds plays. It just is huge - there's never a fight for seats.
It is small and not good for long walks unlike longleat. But the sports cafe soft play is bigger and the climbing wall set up better. The cycle centre is next to the car park which is much better than the longleat trek.
If it was full summer I'd go for longleat so as to be able to cycle further. But rest of time it's woburn.

Thank u x

my friend went to Woburn and said that pool looked like a water filled quarry! Ive just had a look and yike its doesnt look very appealing to me quarry

She also said that as it was new it would take a few years for it to establish itself with the trees etc.

De kempervennen, Holland

We preferred Whinfell to Sherwood. The site is a little more compact so you don't have to go quite as far to get to the activities, and it's showing it's age less. The pool was great with a range of slides and flumes and a fantastic heated outdoor pool.