Center Parcs / Sandy Balls / Alternatives?

[TheRedFox]

Hi!

We are looking for a short (3-4 night) staycation for our pre-school twins and 5 year old.

We are looking at:

1. Center Parcs (very expensive in school holidays)

1. Sandy Balls in Hampshire

1. Forest Holidays - don't really know much about this option - any views or pointers?

We would also love to hear any other options or ideas you might have?

We need 3 bedrooms and would like somewhere within 3 hours of London.

Thank you! 🙏🏼

What time of year and what is it you want from the break is it eg the swimming?

Slightly over 3 hours depending from which end of London but we love Away resorts (also own Sandy balls) site in Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.

Darwin Forest in Derbyshire is absolutely lovely! 🌳

freshwater beach holiday park is nice have you check hoseasons

Ribby Hall in Lancashire is a similar place I believe

Link to Darwin Forest

darwinforest.co.uk/

Slightly downmarket Centre Parcs is Manor House Hotel near Okehampton in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor

Centre Park is pricey but is great and if you are not tied to school holidays can offer good value.

Sandy Balls - I went a few years ago - very nice accommodation and good parks. Less expensive than Centre Parks. I wouldn't go back or recommend them however. The customer service was terrible. A number of the activities they advertised were not available, the reason they gave was it was outside peak time despite it being the Easter holidays. Apparently it hadn't occurred to them that different areas might have slightly different holiday weeks. Access to the pool was limited with a booking system that was inconsistently applied. I raised this with the manager. When my daughter next went to the pool the staff were mean to her because I had complained. As I said this was a few years ago but at the least I would make sure you check what activities are actually available if you book with them.

Following!

Thank you all, some good ideas here.

I’ve got a thread in Holidays on CP currently. Definitely depends what you want… Food is expensive and well below standard at CP, so I’d plan to self cater fully. We are spending (inc accommodation, food and activities) over £2k on 4 nights here (Woburn)… and it’s rammed.

We always enjoyed our short breaks at Butlins - we liked the one at Minehead best as Minehead is quite nice. Closer to you there is one at Bognor Regis - but Bognor itself seemed a bit of a desperate place . This was some years back though .

I realise Butlins is a bit of a marmite place and often looked down on but kids tend to enjoy it .

Forest holidays is a great option if you’re looking to go cheaper OP, it doesn’t have the pool obviously but they’ve upped their activities in line with CP and the cabins are much nicer IMO. My favourite would be the one in Ross on wye, lots to do around it - puzzlewood, canoe hire, bike paths lovely walks etc

Thanks Monket! Have seen your thread which is very helpful. 🙏🏼