Center Parcs - Whinfell - tips

[popsickle555]

We are heading to Whinfell next weekend, I know it's going to be completely full up so I am expecting it to be busy but does anyone have any tips for getting the most out of a trip? DCs are 12 and 10 so able to 'stay up' later than when younger and do activities / swim in the evening. We will arrive at 11am on Friday and leave 9am on Monday (sadly!)

I am taking all food etc with the exception of one breakfast and coffees we probably won't eat out due to cost.

Ay tips on best times to swim / where to park etc would be great.

I have booked Aerial adventure, Golf, Tennis, Bowling which were all kids requests. Not planning to book more unless someone tells me there's something unmissable! Have also paid for bikes.

Also is the spa worth a visit (for me alone)?

The activities are great but I believe all are available outside of the park considerably cheaper, but please check as its a few years since we have been.
The Owl and hawk activities are great

Don't overbook yourselves. You don't want to run around trying to make appointments all day every day on holiday. Swimming plus one other thing a day is enough. The treetop rope trails are great and a real achievement.
Take back packs - so much easier to transport stuff (swim gear, wet clothes, shopping etc) when on bikes.
Pack all your swimming stuff separately so that you swim as soon as you get there, it’s usually quieter.
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.

I’ve been going to CP for 20 yrs. Don’t scrimp on going out for meals. Its part of it. The sports plaza is great for bar meals.

We like swimming after dinner in the evening and Bella Italia. Mornings are always busy at the pool with smaller children. Bowling is good fun and I'd recommend the full hour. Adventure golf is fun too. The aerial adventure is great and I'm glad we did it but wouldn't want to do it again because I'm scared of heights 😁I'm looking at the electric boats this time.
We always eat at the lakeside Inn, Bella Italia and have a Starbucks habit when there. We enjoy walking through the winter lights at night and walking around the further out areas. The Sports bar is too loud and chaotic for us being ND. If it's a clear night go out for a walk and look at the stars. We've got amazing photos of the night sky from our last visit.
Have a great time!

Whinfel is small enough for you to go back to your lodge between activities so easier than other centreparks.

We usually have leisurely breakfast then swim at 10am and again after an early dinner. Its busy at 10am but quiet later. Its easy enough to set up base in the pool, go away from the chairs at the front of the pool and you'll find more eg upstairs above the changing rooms.

We usually arrive at lunchtime, buy lunch from supermarket bakery and eat somewhere then have a walk round, go for an ice cream or drink then swim before going to the lodge.

Parking - they'll tell you gate A or B. It's bloody gridlock between 3pm and 4 30pm, gates open at 4pm so I think you may as take kids to lodge after 3 and dh can go for the car on his own at 4. Same on leaving day - one of you take the kids to the pool whilst the other takes the car back then joins you.

The spa is considered one of the best according to my friend who does these things.

One booked activity a day plus swimming and walking or biking is plenty.

Have a great time.

Small tips

Use big suitcases to take your transport your things from car to lodge. Making endless trips back and forth to the car unloading and loading is a pain.

The pool is often quiet at around 6pm

Do not rush to be the first to take your car to the lodge because it's chaos.

I'd say the opposite!
Disclaimer - have only visited Sherwood. Whinfell is possibly different.

At Sherwood the takeaway meals etc are all prepared in a big central kitchen.
The food is incredibly expensive. Best part of £20 for an adult main in most if the restaurants . To be expected I guess but the quality is really poor, basically microwave meals.

I'd advise taking your own or ordering from takeaways offsite.

We are sorted for food. Taking a toastie maker for lunches and evening meals frozen and ready in cool bag. I did this last time and we just ate out once which saved us at least £500! We will probably splash out on some coffees 😅

Whinfell is the same. We eat out a few times for convenience etc but it's definitely not value for money at all. At Whinfell I would say Bella Italia is the best and even that is just inflated cost chain food. The roast in the Lake House is also ok and not as poor value as other food.

It's a shame you have to leave early on Monday otherwise I would have suggested hanging around to swim again, do another activity and have lunch etc first.

If you know your lodge location, if you're fairly central personally I wouldn't bother with bikes at all. It's easily walkable, saves all the faff, and the cost of hire.

Annoyingly we are really central! But I didn’t know that when i booked so we have the bikes but the kids will love the bikes and I think we will be doing a lot of loops around the place just for a bit of exercise as DH is a keen cyclist.

Planning to use the pool tomorrow from 2-4.30 (hoping some will go to their lodges then)

Saturday lunchtime 12-2

Sumday evening after 6.

Kids are definitely old enough to stay up late to swim and to eat at unusual
times.

Center Parcs is one of our all time favourite places to visit. We loved the birds if prey experience. It was absolutely brilliant. Where we stayed in Whinfell there was a little park at the bottom. Our boys went there every night and met new friends. We went swimming every day, ate most of our meals in the cabin, but ate out twice and we always go to the pancake house. Have an amazing time 🙂

Absolutely book the spa, it’s well worth the £60 or so. I took my sister who had only been to swanky spa hotels and she was shocked how nice it was and how many different rooms there are.

We rarely eat out at CP because it is overly expensive so save your pennies there.

Take peanuts for the red squirrels!

Yep 2nd the sports plaza. Their burgers are amazing

Traffic can be a nightmare round Penrith on change over days and at its very worst on a Friday in school holidays.

Sometimes its worth coming off at J39 or J41 and taking the scenic route in if you are coming off the M6.

There's also some snow forecast in the area this weekend so take warm clothes.