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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

Thinking of going to Center Parcs for a shortbreak ........never been .......come and tell me your horrors/tips/advice thanks (-:

67 replies

mosschops30 · 25/02/2007 15:45

Thats it really

OP posts:
pinkchampagne · 25/02/2007 16:15

Blimey, Beetroot!! I should hope you did get toilet roll if you paid that much!!
Only cost us £400 - hence no toilet roll etc!

Original poster
mosschops30 · 25/02/2007 16:16

lol pc so at £265 I probably wont have windows and doors do you think

OP posts:
pinkchampagne · 25/02/2007 16:17

Think you may be provided with a tent in the woods, mosschops!!!

sammac · 25/02/2007 16:18

If you try using this code VL11 you might save up to 20%. I've booked the seluxe accomodation (ie with loo roll ) for the same price as the basic accomodation. Worth a try!

Original poster
mosschops30 · 25/02/2007 16:19

thanks sammac will look at that

OP posts:
Beetrootccio · 25/02/2007 16:28

was not much cheaper for the basic lodge. This is whitsun half term/ 4 kids etc

pinkchampagne · 25/02/2007 16:31

We went in the Easter holidays, but the £400 was the price after a £100 discount!
It is a lot cheaper if you can go in term time.

blackandwhitecat · 25/02/2007 19:31

We went at half-term to Whinfell and loved it. After reading threads like this I took loads of bog roll only to find that bog roll was provided so we brought it all back again. As for food,IMO, it was ok. We had a Chinese take-away one night and that was fine to good while the cafe/ pub type places sell the usual kids meal type things and some ok adult meals. Limited veggie options or healthy options but no worse than you would get if you went to somewhere like Brewsters. Obviously everyone has there own tastes so I wouldn't be swayed by other people's 'horror' stories. It is expensive but, according to our research, no more than a cottage somewhere nice at peak times and yes you have to pay for the activities (which you can be selective about but still have a good time) but not for the pool, safe and bike friendly aned lovely environment and family friendly atmosphere which you don't get at a B @ B or cottage. We're definitely going back.

blackandwhitecat · 25/02/2007 19:31

We went at half-term to Whinfell and loved it. After reading threads like this I took loads of bog roll only to find that bog roll was provided so we brought it all back again. As for food,IMO, it was ok. We had a Chinese take-away one night and that was fine to good while the cafe/ pub type places sell the usual kids meal type things and some ok adult meals. Limited veggie options or healthy options but no worse than you would get if you went to somewhere like Brewsters. Obviously everyone has there own tastes so I wouldn't be swayed by other people's 'horror' stories. It is expensive but, according to our research, no more than a cottage somewhere nice at peak times and yes you have to pay for the activities (which you can be selective about but still have a good time) but not for the pool, safe and bike friendly aned lovely environment and family friendly atmosphere which you don't get at a B @ B or cottage. We're definitely going back.

blackandwhitecat · 25/02/2007 19:35

What we liked as well was not having to bundle the dds in and out of carseats and have to pack a zillion things to get anywhere and since everywhere is close together but still a walk away it's a really active holiday. I think if you went to a cottage or B & B with young kids you'd still have to pay a fortune to actually keep them entertained and it'd be a hassle which it isn't at CP.

Ulysees · 25/02/2007 19:43

Sounds like you're of the same opinion as me BandW?

The Indian restaurant is good at whinfell too. Can't remember how expensive but nothing major? They have buffet nights there and I think the chinese do also.

FWIW dh took the boys to the pizza making at the italian and they loved it. Think they do this different nights and you pre book it.

wheresthehamster · 25/02/2007 20:06

Have always enjoyed the food at the restaurants at Elveden apart from the burger place.

Lovely getaway feeling with no cars and no reason to leave the camp. The children love the wildlife coming up to the door for food.

If you get to choose a villa get one that backs onto water to maximise duck/geese exposure.

We've only ever gone basic and have always had a loo roll!

Remember the towels!! We have forgotten to do this at least twice.

If your children are a bit older, say 10 upwards, the extra cost of activities can be daunting as they might not want to spend all day in the pool and in the outdoor play area.

TheOriginalXENA · 25/02/2007 20:12

Where has the mn link to cp gone?

pinkchampagne · 25/02/2007 20:12

Don't buy food from the burger bar by the pool - it's vile & very expensive!

DeviousDaffodil · 25/02/2007 20:33

We go once a year for a long weekend with freinds to the Longleat one and love it.
between us we have 7 boys aged 1 - 6 and we have a whale of a time. We take our own food, and make huge spag bols and chilis or have a pizza night.
We spend the day in the pool and cycling. the mums have a morning at the spa and teh dads have a footie tournament.
I think it is OK value for money, although the villas are starting to looka bit dated. but the peace and quiet and no trraffic is worth it.

EdieMcredie · 26/02/2007 10:06

OMG I LOVED it. We went to Eleveden and stayed in the cheapest accomodation. Had toilet roll, towels, enough pillows etc. Restaurants were gorgeous. The only thing I will say is that it is a tad overpriced but sooo relaxing!!

Ulysees · 26/02/2007 13:26

See mosschops another vote of confidence Do you need a nanny? Only way I'll get to go? Will sneak in via trunk and sleep on sofa

You only get towels in posh ones though so think you must have used your Balamory influence on them Edie

UnquietDad · 26/02/2007 13:35

The good:
Quiet environment
Clean
No cars - good if you enjoy cycling
Family-friendly
Wide range of activities (esp. if you are sporty)
Childcare clubs
Non-chavvy

The bad:
Pricey for what it is
Activities all extra, apart from swimming
Accommodation basic (but you don't spend much time there ideally, it's a place to sleep)
You need to be a "water-baby" as swimming seems to be the centre of the place
A bit sinister - it will remind you of The Village in "The Prisoner" crossed with Stalag Luft IV
Supermarket is expensive

Tips:
Plan a few paid activities and budget for them
Use the Time Out clubs to give yourself child-free time (if you want it)
Order a Breakfast Box - saves you bringing all that stuff
Get a map before you arrive and know the layout
Hire bikes - not cheap but worth it (or bring own)
Bring washing-up liquid and extra toilet roll
Bring a corkscrew - the one they gave us was crap

WackyJacqui · 10/07/2007 22:45

We have just come back from Longleat after our first holiday away with our nine month old. Have to say we were really disappointed with Centre Parcs. Site was ok but really not worth the price if you are just taking babies. Accommodation was disgusting - very old, dated and damp. We paid the extra for executive and all we got was some very well used crusty towels. It reminded me of my student accomm. We ended up coming home a day early it was so depressing. Having said that I understand they are about to revamp most of the accomm - sad they let it get in this state in the first place as it could be a fab place for a holiday.

mummydoit · 10/07/2007 22:53

We've just had our first break at Elvedon and loved it. We had an executive lodge and were very pleased with it. Very comfortable, tvs (in bedrooms as well as living room), dvd, dishwasher and daily maid service. The food was okay but the children's menu is pretty much the same in all the restaurants (though you can order half portions of the adult menu). Not a lot of healthy options but you are on holiday! The supermarket was pricey so worth taking your own basics - cereal, bread, juice, etc. If you've got your own bikes, take them as the hire charges are quite pricey (cost us £55 for Tuesday to Friday for two bikes and a trailer, and we had to return them by 10.00am on Friday which left us bike-less for the rest of that day). We arrived at midday on a Monday and there was a big queue to get in (this was term-time, too) and another big queue at 3.00pm which is when you can drive up to your lodge to unpack so be prepared for that.

Theresa · 11/07/2007 17:02

We went to Whinfell in March for first time and loved it & have booked for a weekend in september. having heeded prevous tips on this site we took food for the entire weekend with us & loo rolls. I think the loo rolls were provided but i cant be sure, we stayed in 'basic' chalet for 6. However we decided that supermarket wasn't too overpriced, you expect it to be a bit more than the supermarket and it was, but not too bad. also we ate at the sports cafe and the 'hardrock cafe' type place and they were fine and again not overly expensive. my major tip would be to take lots of bird seed with you as the wildlife on the patio was one of the highlights of the break

bundle · 11/07/2007 17:03

@ non-chavvy

i saw a boy (about 9 or 10) fall into one of the ponds nr one of the cafes and his tattoo-covered family honked they laughed so much. no one noticed him crying or helped him to get out

MyEye · 11/07/2007 17:16

bundle, is that true? I'm afraid that has made me lol.

bundle · 11/07/2007 17:42

oh yes sirreeee

EdieMcredie · 15/07/2007 15:40

I love it, we had a great time. We went to Eleveden. The food in the restaurants were lovely. Food in supermarket is good but a little pricey.