What’s like centre parcs but not

[Whattowearintheoffice]

In an ideal world, we’d go to whinfell or Woburn forest centerparcs. But it isn’t an option. So is there something similar, either ideally within an hour or so north of London, or in Cumbria? Have a Preschool-age child and a toddler, who will both mostly be interested in an excellent pool and somewhere to run around. Also keen for nice outdoor areas etc! Any help would be great!

gladwins farm in Suffolk? Swimming pool, animals, play ground, play room and amazing self catering lodges etc etc.

Farm

Yep another vote for the appallingly named Sandy Balls. We had a blast there.

Ribby Hall is great and you’re close to Lytham (and Blackpool ) if you want a day off site

You could try Rivendale Lodge Retreat g.co/kgs/Rn2oHx

or

Ullswater Heights Holiday Home and Lodge Park g.co/kgs/R.8xav

Whitemead forest park is lovely in the forest of dean Gloucester. Only a basicish pool. Nothing like centerparks but the center is great. Lovely to sit with a drink on a nice day while the kids play on the big playground.

Also Alton towers is a great short break if you want a big center parks type pool. They have lots of lodges with parks etc now.

Forest Holidays?

Wales isn't convenient but Cumbria is? That doesn't make sense.

Sandy Balls in the New Forest or Warmwell in Dorset.

Another vote for Sandy Balls!

They have some other locations as well - company is called away resorts. I quite fancy Tattershall Lakes.

Bainland Country Park also looks good

They are going to Cumbria anyway so could do it en route

Potters Resort in Norfolk

Personally, I would not going to the hype. Just book yourself a cottage in a nice area and look for other activities around them.

Otherwise it's just all manufactured nonsense.

Maybe look at nearby Havens? They all have great pools, many have lovely beaches nearby. Maybe more than an hours drive but not by much. We've been to quite a few in and around Norfolk. Our favourite is Seashore in Greay Yarmouth as it has a lovely private beach and great swimming for little kids (ours are 1 and 4)

Searles in Hunstanton has a good pool, a soft play and some cabins have hot tubs.

Ribby hall is fab for what you want and not far off the m6 so fits with your on the way to Cumbria plan

What about a farm stay with a pool, we’ve been to lovely places in Norfolk and Suffolk with outdoor play things, sessions to feed animals etc. We loved: www.bucksfarm-holidays.co.uk and www.lowerwoodfarm.co.uk

Would advise against Bluestone from reports

I was coming on to say forest holidays. Out of my price this year but lived going in the past. Having your own peaceful hot tub in the forest is wonderful.

How come, what have you heard?

We’ve had some lovely holidays at Hoseasons. It doesn’t have crazy waterslides like CenterParcs but nowhere in UK does really

I went to bluestone and was really disappointed with it.
The pool was never open. Some kid did a Pooh in the pool in the morning and they closed it for the entire rest of the day after saying it would reopen. In the afternoon. Slides etc weren’t on on changeover day.
The restaurants were odd. The Italian one was like something from the 70s and the main one had only unisex loos with the area you wash your hands behind a door. I sent my 6 year daughter who likes to go on her own without realising. So would have been in there with men on her own. When I made a complaint via email they never responded.
The places is very hilly and you can’t get by without golf buggies which is expensive to rent and there aren’t enough of. And the activties all have really high ages so not much for my kids to do. Also there were no mid level slides in the pool for kids that aren’t toddlers but aren’t quite tall enough for the the big slides.

does your Dh hold a grudge against CP?
Youve never been but “very personal reasons” you can’t go?

very odd