What to pack for Center Parcs

[Itscurtainsforyou]

We're going next week, what do we need?

So far on the list:
Swimwear
Warm clothes
Exercise clothes
Towels

Do we need household stuff or is that all provided?

Tongues for the BBQ

Lol tongs

A torch as it will be dark on an evening.

A bag of logs from b&m. They're much cheaper there than cp. equally some of their huge marshmallows for roasting in said fire too.

A hand wash for the separate toilet and small hand towel.

Which cp you off too? I'll come back with more when I'm not tired. We go a lot

Thanks!

Are the logs from b&m ok to use? I've read that CP say you can only use theirs.

We're going to Sherwood.

If you're taking bikes (or hiring them) rucksacks are great for transporting all your swimming gear etc.
No need for 'posh' clothes.
We always go to the supermarket on the way there so we can take all the food to the lodge in the car. After arrival day, you have to leave the car in the car park.

Also if you are taking bikes take something you can put on the seats to save you getting a wet bum if it rains as you have to leave bikes outside

I checked and Longleat wouldn't let you have shopping delivered to the villa (I assume the other parcs are the same) but you could click and collect from a nearby store.

So, how was it @Itscurtainsforyou , id you enjoy it? Do you have any top tips for next time?

Just arrived, so far I've realised that we've forgotten matches! But otherwise so far so good - thank you!

Will you get chance to go to the spa, it's about £40 for 3 hours and absolutely worth it, especially at Sherwood. I can honestly say it outstrips some of the 5 star spas I've been to.

Have you got any/many activities booked? Hope you have a fantastic time!!

Thank you! Yes I'm booked into the spa while the rest do an outdoor activity. Booked eldest an activity tmw while I stay home with napping baby. Thursday may be bike rides for all.

The lodges are lovely!

Sherwood spa is fab, recently been done out and has a few extra bits since I was last there, enjoy!

Got back from Sherwood on Sunday, things I would have liked to have more of
Dishwasher tabs
Washing up liquid
Extra frying pan
Kitchen roll
Towels

Take some logs from wilco or b&m. Lovely fire in the lodge. Logs at cp are expensive.
Unless you're like my Dad and bring an axe and chop your own on site.

ooh very hand thread! ...just came on to post something similar as I'm a CP virgin and off to Whinfell with dh and our 18month old in a weeks time.

Any Whinfell-specific tips?

We've been laughing (somewhat nervously) at the apparent military-style timings of arrival/booking in/unpacking etc!

oh i just LOVE Sherwood.... jealous. It's not the one closest to us so not our first port of call.... be sure to check out the country club and the nature reserve. Sherwood is very flat - with just one hill near the sports centre.

Have a GREAT time.

One thing that surprised me on my first visit was that swimwear and towels were the kind you use on sun holidays rather than your local swim baths; eg beach towels and pretty cossie. Minor point but i made a mental note to pack differently for our next visit.

So how was it, Curtains? What did you like / dislike / forget to take? And did you enjoy the spa?

Hello!
It was good thanks - spa was amazing

We forgot matches and needed to top up with milk/bread from the site shop, but otherwise we did a Sainsbury's shop on the way there that fed and watered us for our whole stay. The on site shop was well equipped (very middle class - more Waitrose than spar shop ) but expensive. We were glad we'd bought the fire logs from b&m as the ones in the shop were over £4 each.

In the lodge they provided a welcome pack of tea towel/dish cloth (but I'm glad we took our own too), a sachet of washing up liquid and three dishwasher tablets. I wish I'd remembered a bottle cleaner (for baby bottles). The toilet roll was quite thin paper so I'm glad we took our own!!

Activities were expensive (as predicted) but geocaching was good as it gave you a tour of the site, lasted around 2 hours and only cost £17 for a group of 4.

I agree re swimwear - I wish I'd packed/owned a fancier costume rather than my gym costume. The pool was good, although the small kids area was looking a bit grimy.

I was a bit disappointed in the outdoor play area as the bits suitable for under-3s weren't great - a small playhouse and one large basket swing. I'd have liked to see some individual swings, a slide etc. But my eldest loved it!

The accommodation was excellent - we were probably in the cheapest area but it was good quality and comfy. Thanks to whoever suggested taking bird seed/nuts - we put some out on the patio every morning and attracted all sorts of wildlife.

We did some laundry while we were there, although it was expensive - £8.50 per 3kg - and we had to itemise it before handing it over! But good that the facility was there.

All in all it was a good holiday - thanks for all your input!

Glad you enjoyed it, will you go back? The Come Back Soon offer is good, you book at whatever price but if it goes down you get the reduced rate (though you have to check on line yourself and phone if the price drops, it's not automatic). We booked at £509 for a 4 bed lodge with friends and it went down to £399, bargain! You also get £25 vouchers to spend next time in the shops / restaurants / activities.

I'd like to try Woburn next as despite living in the north it took us nearly 3 hours to get to Whinfell this time, could be well down the M1 by then! Anyone been to Woburn? As it's the newest I'm wondering if its much different to the others.

Going to Woburn in a few weeks time, but I've never been to CP before.