Are ANY Center Parcs any good at all?

[Dalesgirl16]

I really wanted to visit Center Parcs for a long weekend with my husband and toddler this year. However, I have so far read reviews on Woburn, Longleat and Elvedon and am very put off by bad reviews of dirty and tired looking accommodation, dirty changing rooms and that the big pool is too cold everywhere. I know that it's expensive but we are not looking to do many activities, more exploring the walks, cycling, pool and I thought I'd treat myself to a visit to the spa (noisy and too busy at weekends?). I would love to hear reviews about your stays, in particular the accommodation. I have gathered it's expensive.

I cannot understand their popularity.

We must have been at least 10 times and have never been ill.

DH has a friend who is always ill wherever he goes on holiday. Maybe some people are not very good around other people's germs.

Woburn is fab for small children, everything is within walking distance. We've been for the last 3 years and we love it, everything is clean and tidy and the pool is lovely for toddlers. No real swimming area, but the lazy river and the rapids are fun.

This year we're thinking of going to either Sherwood or Longleat - I can't decide: can anyone help? What are the pros and cons of each? We have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. Thanks!

We went to Sherwood last year something like 4-9th Sept with DH and 2 year old. It was the week kids went back to school, so quiet and cheaper.
We stayed in an exec lodge which was right at the edge of the complex, a bit far from everything with a toddler. This year we've booked a new but basic cabin which are right in the centre.
We left DD in the crèche while we had a spa afternoon, was fab! Great playgrounds inc a mini beach area, pool was fine with lots of little slides in paddling pools. We didn't eat in restaurants, just took food with us.
DD really enjoyed the few activities we did- teddy bears picnic was one of them (approx £7 inc small picnic and a bear). We took our own duck and squirrel food and just pottered around a lot.
Would never pay the ridiculous peak prices for it though.

We've only been to Longleat so can't compare to others. It is quite a large site, so can be quite a distance from the pool, we usually book late so end up as far away as you can be! It is also quite hilly. But there is a regular land train if your little ones are too tired to walk.

The toddler pool area has recently been revamped, we haven't been there since the work has been completed but the pictures look good. There are also quite a few playgrounds dotted around the site. It is quite a few years since we did activities for little people, DS is now a teenager, so don't know what activities they offer now but there were plenty when he was little.

You are literally next door to Longleat Safari park if you fancy a break from the pool/activities.

We're back from a weekend at Whinfell.
I thought it was good. Our lodge cost £650 for 3 bedrooms for half term weekend and had a dishwasher and wifi.
My son and his pal are 11 and loved the relative freedom within the park. I even managed a couple of spa visits - spa is excellent. Activities are expensive and I woudn't go if we didn't have DS but it's a holiday that most DCs love.

To be honest, we were very relieved when our kids outgrew them. Hated Longleat, site badly arranged but loved Sherwood and the swimming complex there is great. I personally far more enjoy finding a group of small cottages with an onsite pool - much better quality and mcuh cheaper. I hate the chain restaurants that you can't ever get a table at unless you book 2 years in advance or eat at silly o clock, the supermarket is a rip off and it's the general feeling of captivity I didn't get.

the ones in Holland and Belgium are nice, and cheap. Pleasant, clean accommodation if you don't get the basic type.

We have just come to Woburn. It’s loads nicer than I thought it would be! The accom is really lovely, not tired or dated at all.

Not been to any other ones but hardly what I would call small!

Just go and see what you think. Anywhere that has a lot of children will be a germ fest.

I love long leat although I agree about the changing rooms being ridiculously small. We were put off going in the summer holidays for this reason!

We've been to Longleat once and Whinfell about five times. Love it. We never eat out though as it is always disappointing.

In fact, the Pancake House at Longleat is the worst 'meal' we've ever had in a restaurant.

I went to Sherwood with ex-dp and toddler dd when I was pregnant with ds. We hated it. We were bored, I was knackered due to being pregnant and on one catastrophic day ex-dp got the runs and cycled back to the lodge alone to use the facilities only to discover that he didn't have a key with him and he had to climb in through a window to prevent soiling himself. I was ill the next day too.

Last year I went to Whinfell with dc, 11 and 7 and dd's friend and her mum. We had a fantastic time, the kids were delighted when we booked again for this year.

I know lots of people love it for toddlers but for me it worked much better for kids who are able to have some independence in a controlled way. My dc loved being able to cycle by themselves and meet us adults at places. Ds in particular loved the cycling so much I bought him a new bike when he came home. We also enjoyed the activities; raft building and the tree tops walk thing were fab.

Yes, the supermarket is a rip off, so were the inflatables at the pool. £9 for a rubber ring, we made them share one between 3! The food by the pool was cheap enough for what it was, other places expensive.

Never been to centreparcs it doesn't seem like value for money to me I did look for half term this week £1100 for most basic accommodation and I really don't see the attraction.

I'm just back from Butlins today they now have high end accommodation on site at minehead and an unbelievable amount of activities and entertainment for our 1 and 6 year old. Not for all I know as there is some snobbery around Butlins but we had a great time and it was amazing value for what we paid.

I’ve only been to Woburn - several times as fairly local - although DH went to several as a kid.

The first time we went we booked loads of activities and meals out/takeaways and although it was okay it was expensive and not at all relaxing.

The next few times have always been good.
We haven’t booked any activities or meals, have shopped in Tesco in the next town, Flitwick, and just chilled, had in laws visit etc.

Once, we had my daughters birthday party there - we brought a few of her friends with us and paid for a pamper party person to come one afternoon, as a day guest. ( I don’t think this is permitted, strictly speaking. )

The last time we were there was the best - took 6 x 12 year olds who we sent out in the morning with packed lunched and they messed about the whole time on bikes, boats, badminton and bowling. In the evening it was safe to let them go out on their own, buy sweets, go to a disco. Me and himself and the dog had a whole weekend chilling and walking and doing bbqs.

It really is what you make it.

I heard they were making a proper lengths pool - that would make a real difference.

We used to stay at elveden in January for £199 per week. Then she started school so we stopped going. We loved it.
I used to work as a housekeeper at Woburn and loved my 2 lodges that I cleaned. Lovely cosy but roomy with outdoor sauna.
Woburn is small, the pool is tiny compared to elveden and still needs maturing. The rides and slides are good for older kids.the outdoor rapids are not that rapid but it's fun to be outside in the water. We used to do roller skating which was good....but a wooden floor would be better.

We have been at least 10 times, spending hours in the pool and never ill. I have the constitution of an ox but the rest of the family are snowflakes and no issues. I think Elveden is the best pool for toddlers versus Woburn and Sherwood. Never had any problems with planes. We have always really enjoyed what is a nice, easy, family break.

Only been to Elveden (about nine years ago) but was totally underwhelmed - way too busy (and this was in term time), just people and kids everywhere. Playground, soft play, pool heaving all the time. Nowhere to walk except round the lodges. Really difficult to get offsite. Lodge was dingy. Why people pay peak prices is beyond me.

We found Haven and independent places like Sandy Balls, Kelling Heath etc to be much better value and better as a base for exploring the local areas. Thankfully now the DC are a bit older we can just hire a peaceful cottage somewhere and avoid the crowds!

I've done Elvedon and longleat and am doing Woburn Easter BH weekend.

I preferred elvedon as flatter (ds has mobility problems) but accommodation was pristine clean in both.

Admittedly the apartments in elvedon had only been open 3 weeks at the time!

You can opt for refurbished lodges.

Pools have never been cold when we went - and that was a week before Christmas!

We went to Woburn last Easter and are going again this year. Everything was new and spotless. Swimming was good - no pool to swim in but there was a wave pool which would be OK for a toddler and a separate toddler area. It was small and easy to get round. SIL went in the spa and enjoyed it. There was a heated outdoor pool at the spa which she used even though it was April.

I'm at Woburn for the first time right now. It's only been open since 2014 so no problems with the accommodation.

My 18 mo is having the time of her life. She loves the pool and the playgrounds. I did pay £11 for a messy play thing for her which was a big waste of money as she spent the entire time washing her hands at the toddler height sink.

The pool is full of people. It's a bit much as an adult but the kids all love it. It's warm and there are plenty of chairs if you do get the chance to sit down. The changing rooms have actually impressed me with their size and layout and the underfloor heating keeps the kids warm.

We haven't eaten out at all cause it is so expensive, I batch cooked the week before and froze meals. The activities are all expensive too but we've done a couple with the kids mainly to get a break from the pool.

We'd definitely come back again. Not for a while though, I need a chance to recover!! Oh and we are away with my parents cause having more adults than dc means everyone gets a chance to put their feet up.

One of my friends who loves spas said the spa was one of the best she's been to

I like sherwood one, but the European ones are good too. Never been to Woburn though.

I have always gone with low expectations and not been disappointed my older children love it. You have to splurge on activities say in the morning but allow plenty of time for a big swim session each day. I cannot see the attraction with just toddlers but we are all different!