Centre Parcs - which activities shall I book?

[Hulababy]

We are off to Centre Parcs for a week at Whinfell, Crumbria, the week before Christmas.

Have never been for a holiday there before but need to dstart thinking about any activities we might want to prebook.

Now some we can't prebook as it may be weather dependent, esp for outdoor stuff. But others we can.

I need to hire a bike - DH and 6y DD taking their own.

Me and MIL fancy a treatment in the spa place - what would you recommend?

Anyone done the Christmas activities for children? Which are worth doing? Is there anyone that includes a visit from Santa?

I think DH might book the golf simulator for an hour.

And what else would you recommend for any of us?

The spa itself is lovely. sorry but can't remember what treatment I had, just that I woke myself up snoring Hope you have a lovely time

I'm at Center Parcs Longleat at the moment. Just got in from doing Tree Treking. It may appeal to you if you are the adventurous sort. Alas your DD will be too young/small - have to be 1.22m high (typical age 8yrs+).
Not sure if they have Tree Treking at Whinfell, but if they do, then it might be something to consider (even if just for DH). It lasts around 1/2 hour and involved being put in a harness and walking along ropes suspended in the air between trees. At Longleat, cost was £22, so it's not cheap. The course has 10 sections, including the power fan, and for those who are visiting Longleat and doing Tree Treking, section 6 I feel is the hardest.

Ladies Spa is probably worth you and MIL booking, or alternatively it's cheaper to go after 6pm (mixed session). You and MIL could have the evening out, leaving DH to take DD to dinner somewhere and put her to bed.

don't bother pre-booking the golf simulator, just pay when you get there.

it might be worth pre-booking horse riding if you want to do it, as that is always popular.

the forest ranger's lodge at whinfell have some good activities - treasure hunts, squirrel walks etc, but book when you get there.

will dd want to go in the kid's club at all? - they have different activities each day.

as it's your first time there, i'd recommend turning up and having a look round first.

you may love the swimming pool so much that you spend most of your time there.

extra activities are expensive, so don't give CP too much money in advance.

We've been to centre parcs quite a few times, the did the week before christmas when our dd's were 3 yrs and 1 yr, it was lovely with the village all lit up. We did a visit to Santa's grotto which the kids really enjoyed, we were allocated a time slot so no queue thankfully. You'll need to pre book the spa to be sure of a place and the horse riding is always very busy. Enjoy.

More questions on centre parcs.....

Going to Whinfell. Are the restaurants any good or a big rip off? Have had quick look and apart from the pasta one don't much fancy any of them.

Do they do takeaway?

I tend to take my own food to CP.
The food in the restaurants is pretty average and quite expensive. You alo need to book.

They do takeaway. We went to the Indian and it was really nice. My friend and I booked a duo treatment at the Aqua Sana (back, neck and shoulder massage and facial) it was called steps to heaven or something like that. That was lovely, very relaxing. Whinfell do tree trekking but to be honest we booked our activities when we got there. Have a great time

Thanks! Really looking forward to it. We went away in March and apart from visiting relatives in the summer we haven't had a holiday this year.

We are in a woodland lodge and I think we got a good deal. My LO is only 2 so apart from bike hire I think we will just use the pool and playgrounds.

Thanks for info. So the softplay isn't free then? How much is it - do you know?

What kind of accomm did you have? We've got a woodland lodge.

Can I just ask - was there any building work going on? Some reviews from earlier this year said their hol at Whinfel was spoilt by building work going on?

spa is fab - just the spa session is wonderful!

Dss love the swimming pool. Activities-wise they have been happier once 8 and can do more of the active/climbing/exciting sans-parents stuff.

Where's your lodge? Near the centre or long way out?

We don't rate the CP restaurants and mostly just self-cater. The supermarket is OK.

We've not been at Christmas, but there will no doubt be loads of Christmas-themed events.

What soft play did you have to pay for 'letuseatcake'. We've been taking dd's to centre parcs a couple of times a year since they were babies and have never had to pay for soft play. Is it new? We haven't been to whinfell for a year or two and would be interested to know what you paid for.

The soft play at the Lakeside Inn is free but there's a big indoor play bit in the sports centre which you need to pay for IIRC.

I found the restaurants fine as I was expecting them to be awful so was pleasantly surprised . We're going back to Whinfell in a couple of weeks - can't wait!

We have been to CP at pre-christmas - we did the pony ride down to see Santa and then the grotto - was pricey but the kids loved it and the wait was not too bad - there was more than one santa in session!!

The soft play was just getting built when we were there earlier this year, so I am shocked that they actually charge for it - in fact I do think that CP are getting too greedy - prices too high - or are they trying to keep the rif-raf out!!!

Seasonal activities are ok - nothing outstanding, and prices average, but we liked the teddy bear picnic and the memory maker as you brought something hime with you. The gingerbread decorating was a right rip-off as you got one gingerbread man and a few bits of decorating stuff - you could do this yourself in the lodge!!!

Have a good time and report back!!!

Yes please report back!