Center Parcs Tips - Sherwood

[Jessesgirl13]

We're having our first ever trip to Center Parcs next month, we'll be there for 4 nights (mon - fri) with our two young kids (4 & 2). Looking for tips of things we should be booking and things we should be taking with us. Also how far in advance do people book activities/restaurants etc?

We booked an evening meal quite quickly after booking as the time we went before we couldn't get in anywhere without a booking.

With activities we tend to book while we are there depending on weather etc but you may want to book in advance. The grocery shop is good but expensive.

I would take 2 sets of swimwear - when ours were that age we would sometimes do an hour's swim in the morning then have a break and do an hour in the afternoon.

We're going next weekend and booked our activities restaurants about 3 weeks ago, and there were already limited time slots. DS is ten so we're able to be abit more flexible on meal times which helped. I'd definitely book in any must does pretty soon.

Also with regards to what to take, we always pack drinks, snacks etc as the parc market is pricy. We eat out every evening and have one pancake house breakfast 😋 but if you're wanting to cook then take food in. Failing that there's a co-op a couple of miles away.

Get yourself on the sherwood Facebook page, it’s full of information and suggestions.

we’re here currently and every staff member we’ve met so far have been so helpful friendly and gone over and above. Enjoy.

Book restaurants like now- or they get booked up.
There is a big Tesco in Ollerton about 10 mins away if booking a click and collect slot or quick run round there works for you. Can’t remember the road numbers offhand - think it’s the A614? But basically the lights you would turn for CP/Edwinstowe go a little bit further north instead on the main road and there’s a roundabout with services on it and a right turn down into Ollerton - tiny grim Asda but big Tesco. Likewise we often go to the McDonalds at the services there for a lunch before going into CP on changeover day and then head to the pool to kill the time before the lodges are ready.
Two sets of swimming kit each so one can dry out while the other is in use - including towels as you can’t take the lodge ones down to the pool.

My tip would be don't take your kids on the rapids! We love the Elvedon one but the Sherwood one is really rough and we didn't enjoy it as much (ended up bruised and half drowned!). We have teens so young kids would not be good on it.

It’s also really strongly cashless - not so much for kids your age but when they’re a wee bit older and wanting to spend money themselves.

Great tips here... for self catering I'd take some decent knives, washing up liquid etc, grater if needed.

I go with my 4 and 2 year old and there aren’t that many things they can both do (CP are strict about age limits). There’s the aerial trek, and chestnut’s picnic but a lot of the stuff my older daughter likes eg cupcake decorating you have to be 3 to do.

the little captain’s adventure is good fun and they could both do it (albeit in separate boats I think.

I would get the activities booked in because it’s free to cancel till 12 hours before, so booking now you’ll get the biggest choice of time.

have a lovely holiday!

Some great tips here - thank you! Just booked all restaurants we want (think we'll do a delivery one night, not sure DH's stress levels will cope with the kids in a restaurant every night ) and the two sets of swimwear is a great shout!

On the take out, the pizza is pretty dire so I'd avoid it.

The Pancake Hut is blooming gorgeous - I swear with the amount I drive past the place, if they made a drive thru/drop in one on the outside of the park area - I'd live in the bloody place

We've just got home from being there last week.

Book the pancake house now! We didn't manage to get in and we booked our stuff about 6 weeks ago.

Ds is 3, he really enjoyed the mini highrope treck, baby owls (the falconry company that run those sessions are so informative) mini golf and swimming, the children's pool area was a hit with him.

There was a lot he is too little to do, but I find CP is what you make it.

Have a great time!!!

We'll be brunching at the pancake House this time next week 😋

Take dvds if you have a lodge with a player- the tv channel selection isn’t great and Netflix etc wouldn’t work on ours. Take w/up liquid and tea towels as well as stuff for lunch as the shop is expensive. It is completely cashless now too everywhere on site and they add a tip automatically to every restaurant.

Went to Woburn last week. I cancelled a couple of activities 2 hours before they started and got full refunds.

You can click ‘print itinerary’ on the webpage and then screenshot the page so you’ve got it handy on your phone.

Just booked the pancake house! I'll make sure to load up the ipad with shows for the kids too as we dont own any dvds 🙈

We've had lovely holidays over the years at CP - hope you enjoy it OP! Agree with booking into restaurants and activities early . We like to hire bikes and you can fill an afternoon cycling around the perimeter and just stopping at the play areas. We also love the nature centre and bird hide