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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Who would seriously pay £4000 to go to Center Parcs??

82 replies

SquiffyHock · 17/08/2008 16:57

Honestly???

I've been browsing holidays for May next year (DS starts school in September so we will be restricted to school holidays). We have a new baby due in March so DH suggested going to Center Parcs - just looked it up, Comfort accomodation starts at £1700 - new style executive Lodge, which we've stayed in before £3000 and the most expensive type is £4000!!

I was looking at a 4 bed as we will take my parents but honestly! We went to a really lovely villa during the Easter holidays this year and it wasn't that much including flights.

Just wanted to rant really - they must sell some of these villas, I just wondered who to

OP posts:
katierocket · 17/08/2008 21:18

the one that used to be oasis - is it in the Lake District? TBH it was so grim that I've blocked it out of my mind

Original poster
SquiffyHock · 17/08/2008 21:22

Squeaky - I would agree with you, we have been to CP before and really enjoyed it. The most we have paid is £1000 split with another couple. This is just the first time that I've looked for school holidays and couldn't believe the price!

Have ordered a brochure for Bedruthan Steps so may try that, just a very long drive for us.

OP posts:
hatrick · 18/08/2008 08:32

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Dozymare · 18/08/2008 08:38

we HATED CP.......it was just like a glorified butlins, and once you had been in the germ infested, has anyone not got ill after going erm I mean indoor sub tropical swimming pool once, it get's boring. Accomodation was crap and cramped (we did 4 bed lodge) and as for the food, don't get me started.......

Have heard that the CP in Europe are better and cheaper though....

tiredemma · 18/08/2008 08:48

We always go the week leading up to xmas, and have to admit that so far we have enjoyed it (6 years in a row). We always get the 4 bed Exec villa with hot tub and share with friends.

forevercleaning · 18/08/2008 08:56

I have only been to a UK one once, and that was the Elvendon Forest in Suffolk. It was years ago around 2001, and we had a good time, but would say the european ones i have experienced have been absolutely fantastic. Couldn't fault them.

Never been to a Butlins so I cannot comment on the comparison, but do know that they don't provide the experience of all the different sporting activites which we have tried at CP, watersports, ski centres, archery, and loads more, so I don't think it is possible to honestly say they are the same type of holiday. Correct me if I am wrong, but the only thing that looks like the same is that they both have chalets!

Portofino · 18/08/2008 09:17

We've been to one in Belgium, and also to Sunparks (which is also owned by same company) and never paid nearly this much. At Easter we spent a week at a Landal park in Germany and it was great. My dd still asks regularly when we are going back. One of their luxury villas for 4 cost about 500 euros for the week. They have lots of sites in Holland and I'm tempted to book up for Xmas. Molenheide looks quite interesting too.

mumto2andnomore · 18/08/2008 12:06

We have been to Sherwood many times and Longleat once and love it.In October half term we are paying £450 for a 2 bed woodland lodge with 2 bedrooms for 4 nights. I booked early and used a code, thats why it was so cheap. We usually go in February half term and pay about £650 for a 3 bed comfort villa as we take my mum and dad.

Much as I love it I wouldnt pay £4000 but you really dont have to.

Its really strange reading these descriptions of center parcs, I dont recognise it at all, its like going on trip advisor, so many different opinions of the same place. Shame it will put off people that have never been though.

Overmydeadbody · 18/08/2008 12:10

I wouldn't go to CP if I was paid £4000 for the experience

JudgeNutmeg · 18/08/2008 12:40

I love Longleat.

I'm taking my two boys by myself at the start of the Christmas holidays. They will have breakfast and then disappear for the morning whilst I work on an essay for college. I'll make lunch and they will turn up again. Later we will swim. They will then disappear off again until tea time. We will nip out for pudding and a glass of wine for me in the evening and listen to whatever live music is on. Home again for a DVD in front of the fire. Repeat for 4 days. Lovely holiday. £280

JudgeNutmeg · 18/08/2008 12:45

Also, I think that you can make a conscious decision not to get involved with the mass people-herding and consumerism at CP.

I'm not into shopping, designer gear or paying £3.50 for a namebrand coffee. I like being outdoors, swimming in lovely warm water, eating well, sleeping in, reading a lot, letting my 9yo and 12yo have freedom and just generally relaxing. That's what CP gives my family, I just ignore the stuff that isn't 'me'.

hatrick · 18/08/2008 12:49

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Othersideofthechannel · 18/08/2008 12:51

Shopping? I have been to two sites and didn't notice any shops apart a mini-market and postcard/souvenir shop.

Othersideofthechannel · 18/08/2008 12:54

Squeakypop, what's "PetV"? I've googled but it didn't make sense.

JudgeNutmeg · 18/08/2008 13:22

Othersideofthechannel, we went to Sherwood last Easter (which we didn't enjoy as much) and there were designer clothes shops, a designer sunglasses shop and a starbucks type place as well as new shop units being built. Now I have friends who would love all that but for me, CP is about wearing the same fleece all week and smelling slightly of chlorine. I'm possibly not the customer that CP wants to attract.

SqueakyPop · 18/08/2008 13:45

Pierre et Vacances

Othersideofthechannel · 18/08/2008 14:33

Thanks SqueakyPop, I've heard of them. I thought it was Pet V (doh!)

Judgenutmeg - I'm with you there. (I've only got one fleece!)

missblythe · 18/08/2008 14:42

Four grand?!!

If I had that much to spend on a holiday, and needed activities/childcare etc, I'd go here, where they will also feed you:

www.scottdunn.com/accommodation/chia-laguna-sardinia.html

forevercleaning · 18/08/2008 15:01

Im still waiting for someone who has actually paid 4 grand for CP?

We all seem to have got ourselves a bargain nothing like 4 grand.

Granted, you could make it very expensive if you ate in the restaurants and did all the extras, but that is the same on any type of holiday.

Portofino · 18/08/2008 19:32

Pierre et Vacances accommodation is really crap though though I think the facilities are generally good.

SqueakyPop · 18/08/2008 19:52

It's bijoux

nametaken · 18/08/2008 20:19

4 grand for the premium accommodation I expect.

I know people like Sadie Frost and Kate Moss go, so perhaps it's the likes of those paying out 4 grand.

chocolatemummy · 18/08/2008 20:28

that is ridiculous, It is a nice place but £4,000, what do you want from there? the pool is great ad the forest is lovely and relaxing but not THAT good

Park Resorts are very god value, some sitres are alotr better than others but its so cheap and kids are entertained alot, pools, well cleaned and guarded and accommodation is good (if you get silver or gold)
I do know a couple of lovely places but dont wnat to put them on here lol

rookiemater · 18/08/2008 22:16

I like CP but I have to say their prices are now ridiculous. I have just priced up 4 nights mid week for the last week of October ( think it is the week after half term so they can't even use that as a reason) the cheapest 2 bedroom they can offer is £799 for a comfort villa which doesn't even have a poxy dishwasher.

Having checked James villas we can stay in a lovely villa in the Costa Blanca, including flights for £848 for the entire week.

We have recently stayed in White Cross Bay caravan site and for half the price stayed in a high quality caravan with lots of living space and a nice non crowded swimming pool and childrens play area on site.

CP appear to want to price themselves out of the market completely, surely they realise that they need to be cheaper than going abroad.

forevercleaning · 19/08/2008 08:24

rookie - the last week of october is half term in my neck of the woods so not sure if that made a difference to the booking as 799 quid does seem a heck of a lot.