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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.

First holiday at Centre Parks -is it worth the money and any tips?

3 replies

Taichimum · 04/07/2010 08:36

My mum has given me some money to dh and I to take our 2 small ds's on holiday as we can't afford one. Its not enough to go abroad and we are limited what we can do in the UK as we don't drive, so I am thinking centre parks Elveden. We can afford 4 nights and there would be some spare cash to pay for activities,
The big question is, is it really all that as it is so pricy in the holidays? If it is, which one , which accomodation, and how best is it to organise the time? is it best to book activities in advance or sort it out when you get there? What activities are the best for this age group, apart from the pool? Is it worth hiring bikes everyday and if so should I just put both the kids in one of those trailers and just have two grown up bikes? Also can you survive on food from the shop as we won't be able to bring any with us, coming on the train.
Any advice appreciated.

Our DS's are 2.5 and 5 and love swimming and any physical activity so I am hoping center parks will suit them.

OP posts:
PixieOnaLeaf · 04/07/2010 08:45

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domesticsluttery · 04/07/2010 08:58

We love Center Parcs.

Yes it is pricey, but it is one of those places where you step through the gates and just relax.

My DC are a little bit older (4, 6 and nearly 8), but I have given them each a budget for when we go in August and they can choose activities within that budget. DS1 is very sporty and has chosen to do soccer school, tennis school and cricket school. DS2 is less into sport and has chosen archery and fencing. DD is horse mad and so has chosen the Pony ride. We are also doing the nature walk with the Ranger as a family.

As I am a bit Type A I have booked these activities in advance, and also made reservations in restaurants for 3 nights.

The rest of the time we will do free activities eg swimming, cycling, picnics by the lake etc.

The ParcMarket stocks a fairly good range, you can easily feed a family from there.

gillybean2 · 06/07/2010 17:35

Elvedon CP is great. Make sure you take loads (and i really mean loads) of value loaves as you'll be feeding the ducks a lot and the bread in the shop there is pricey for ducks!

Definitely do the panto/show type thing. It's very good value and the kids really enjoy it even if it is a bit twee and boring for adults.

Most of the other activities you can skip really as it simply cuts into your swimming time and they can be pricey. Unless there's something you really want to do I wouldn't go too over board on extra activities. You can always play in the parks, go for a bike ride, chase the squirrels out of your villa, hire a row boat for the lake or play crazy golf if you get bored of swimming.

Definitely get bikes, but bear in mind if you get a tandem one that you'll both have to go if you want to go anywhere. Eg if you want to nip up the park while one of you has a nap shower then you'll have to walk unless you can get them all in your bike trailer or the older child has their own bike.

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