Centre Parcs newbie

[JK201]

We've booked to go away next week to the Woburn site staying in an exec lodge. 4 adults and a toddler.

Having never been before, what do I need to know, pack etc? And any hints and tips.

What can I expect there to be in the lodge kitchen ie tea towels, cheese graters etc or do I need to pack everything??

Thanks

It will all be there - and there’s normally a shop on site

If you want to do any activities or eat out though book in advance

If the toddler is still in a cot, cot bedding isn’t provided (although the cot is), but other than that, everything is provided! I love Woburn!! Have an amazing time!

Thank you.

I realise it's 'center' parcs too. Doh.

Still cringing at the cost so hoping it lives up to the hype.

I know it’s not for everyone, but it is my favourite holiday, and worth every penny!

Check in online before you get there.
You can’t get in to your lodge until 3pm, but you can use the facilities on-site – namely the swimming pool – from 10am onwards. Pack all your swimming stuff separately so that you can park up and spend the morning swimming. Then you can send the other half back to the car to drive it onto the village and up to your lodge with all the rest of your gear in, while you saunter over there all casual.
Don’t hurry off to bring your car up to your lodge at 3pm if you don’t have to. Let the rush die down a bit and then go, and you’ll beat the crowds and get a bit more time in the pool.
Bring the bulk of your booze with you, so that you can empty it into your lodge now – while the car is parked outside – rather than having to lug it all home from the ParcMarket, which is the on-site supermarket. You can stock up there when you’re running low.
When you drive your car back to the car park – where it’ll stay until you go home – text yourself the location, or write it down if you’ve got no signal. That way you won’t have any delays when it’s time to check-out at the end of your holiday.
You can leave the site at any time to explore the local area or to do a top up shop. Just let the staff know so you can get a badge for the car to let you back in.
You can bring your own bikes to Center Parcs, and all the villages are well set up for cyclists. You can also hire them at the Cycle Centre, including children’s bikes. There are various pre-bookable activities for bike-lovers, too – my eldest was 2 when he did the balance bike class and he loved it.
A buggy trailer from the Cycle Centre is handy if you’ve got little ones, as long as they’re old enough to support themselves properly while sitting. No, you can’t put a baby car seat in. We asked. And yes, they are pretty heavy to pull along. But the kids will love it.
Depending on where your lodge is, there may be a fair bit of walking to get to the main areas, so bring a buggy and some flat shoes. That said, Woburn Forest is the smallest of the 5 villages so it’s ideal if you’re not up for a hike.
Pack a bucket and spade - every village has a small, sandy beach on the lake.
Take a packet of toilet rolls – you’ll only get one roll provided in each of your toilets. There are no potties or potty training toilet seats either, so take these from home if you’ll need them.
Don’t worry about taking pound coins for the lockers. Everything at Woburn is done with high-tech wristbands that let you in to your villa as well as your locker. You can’t forget what locker number your stuff is in, either. Just put your wristband up to the little machines in the changing rooms and they’ll tell you. And you can even link it up to your bank card and make cashless payments for food and drink at the pool if you want to.
Take beach towels for the pool. There are plenty of towels at your lodge, but you’re going to want them for baths and showers.
Don’t worry about packing buoyancy aids. There are racks full of buoyancy jackets in two different sizes, and they’re free.
Take washing up liquid. There’s a little sachet on the sink to get you started, but that’s it. As with most things, you can pick up a bottle in the ParcMarket. But if you’re trying to save money it’ll be cheaper to bring it from home. Likewise, bring some extra dishwasher tablets. They give you four but it depends how often you cook and how many dishes you create.
On that note, take a couple of extra tea towels, too, as there’s only one supplied.
The rubbish bin is tiny – they’repretty hot on recycling – so plastic shopping bags are a better size than bin bags. Save them up in the weeks before your break and bring a decent stash.
Take kitchen roll for the inevitable spillages. On that note, take a couple of extra tea towels, too, as there’s only one supplied.
There are brick-built BBQ stands at all the lodges and you can buy a disposable tray to go in it from the ParcMarket. There are a couple of basic tools provided in the lodge, too (tongs and a fish slice).
If you want to eat at the pancake house on the last day then get there no later than 11.30. We arrived just before 12 and it was 1hr wait but it was worth it.
Take a backpack/rucksack. If you plan to hire a bike these are essential. We took one for each of us, though my Primark cream leather look one did look a little out of place I’ll admit.

Waiting for the 1st person to say “they are hilly”.....

They are not hilly.

Will you be having bumfun!😂😂

If you want to use the log burner buy the firelogs in Tesco for £1.50 each rather than paying £9.99 for three in the Parc Market. Pick up blueberry muffins £1 a pack and lovely olives there though.

Definitely make a trip to the pancake house.

Take tea bags, coffee and snacks for hungry kids after swimming. I also take a frozen stew or something for the first night, so I’ve got something quick to just heat up for supper.

And if you’re going to get fire logs, then remember to take matches.