Centre Parcs virgin, what should I know?

[MrsHende]

Going to Whinfell next week with DH, DD(3) and DD(6mths) and PIL.

What should we bring, what's not worth taking, where's good, where to avoid, any really good activities?

TIA

Take as much food as you can fit in the car. The on site supermarkets is ££££££

Great, thank you! Exactly the kind of thing I needed to know!

Is there anything at all in the lodges - salt/pepper/cleaning stuff?

You can shop in pentith if you don't want to pack your car with food. We have sainsburys aldi morrisons snd booths.
I always take our own towels to use at the pool.
Washing up liquid and clothes useful
Apparently weather supposed to be good next week but it is the Lake District so can rain. Wellies for kids and waterproofs for all the walking about.
The spa is fab if you can spare time to go.
The tree climbing activities are great.
The pool is great obviously.
If you fancy a change you can drive to ullswater in about 15 mins and see fantastic views.

There's nothing in the lodges as in salt / pepper etc. I plan meals and take the food. Remember wine! Take fire logs for the lodge, home bargain sell them cheaply. If you experience any problems with your lodge contact customer services- I've always found them to be really helpful. Hope you have a great time, I love Whinfell!

Sorry op. you need to read this and check what the expectations are. . .
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1385104-Center-Parcs-Anal-sex

I have tears running down my cheeks at that thread! Brilliant! (Also, nae chance )

Thank you too for all the other info - supermarkets in Penrith seems obvious now you say it. I'm hoping for a wee trip to Ullswater, I'm sure we'll need a change of scene midweek!

Never thought about towels, ones we know are ours sounds like a good plan - are they generous with towels in the lodge?

Forewarned. Forearmed ;) have a lovely time. There are lovely red squirrels everywhere. And birds.

Buy lots of bird food at a bargain store to take with you (it is expensive there) if your little ones are anything like mine they will be up early and you can put some on your back terrace and watch all the birds and red squirrels come down. We have wonderful pics of my little boy with a red squirrel just above him and saw lots of woodpeckers too.
The pool opens early for little ones, 9am.
There is soft play at the sprts bar and the inn, also a little (teeny) beach near the water sports hut.

The black out curtains are very effective. i am taking a night light when we go in a few weeks as the first time we went I couldn't see ds1 in his cot and I didn't like that- I like a soft light so I can always see them (also got a six month old now too) though I realise that is my own preference.

I'm going too May Day weekend :)

acid the website says the pool opens at 10? Is it earlier for some guests then? Would be great to get in at 9 since I'll have been up for bloody hours anyway with the dc sorry to hijack op.

Don't leave valuables in your rooms

Also be very careful of your belongings in the swimming pool changing rooms. I had my towel swiped out of my locker, which I'd left open for literally a couple of minutes. Had to hang around, freezing cold in my cozzie until DH came out of the changing rooms so I could borrow his wet towel. I was not happy.

Apart from that, we had a great time!

Get travel insurance unless you mind losing money if you can't go. Years ago DS was admitted to hospital the day before we went. (Long story but he was vv ill.) We lost all our money and did without a holiday that year.
Lesson learnt.

There is a chain at shoulder height on the front door, use it immediately. I didn't realise it was there and the DSs (2) escaped within minutes of arrival. Do full lock check, we found patio door was open by 2 cms or so and could not close. Wasn't obvious as locking end was behind the curtain. Maintenance closed then locked it for is. We didn't book extra activities and found inclusive pool and play areas enough.

Yes, it isn't widely advertised but you can go in the pool from 9 (pretty sure it is 9) with under 5s. Just in the baby pool area but that quite big and fun for them anyway.

Take a torch for night time strolls back from village centre or incase of emergency dash to car

A tourch and a spare tea towel

Thanks, it would never have crossed my mind to take a torch.

Now, where might I have put our torch...!

Bird food has been put on the list, right under wine.

Any cafe/lunch spot recommendations in Ullswater?

Thanks acid

DVDs, bin bags, dishwasher tabs, extra loo roll, foil to line the baking trays, kitchen roll, anti bac wipes
loads of bird seed, monkey nuts, cheap bread for wildlife

Brilliant, thank you.

(Any advice on how to fit it all in the car...!)