Is it worth paying extra to get accommodation guaranteed near to the village centre at Center Parcs?

[CosmicCloud]

Planning a trip to Center Parcs at the end of September with DH and DS who will be 17 months. Just wondering if you think it's worth paying the £45 extra they ask for to be guaranteed a villa near the village centre?

It depends if you want to walk or not, we had a woodland lodge, it was about 10 minutes from the village centre, we enjoyed the walks after feeding our faces at the numerous eateries

the kids loved riding their bikes to and from the village centre , I dont mind a bit of a walk and I don't feel like I'm on top of it all either

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

we go to the whinfell one and pay extra as we need 2 accomodations so we get them next door but i wouldnt pay extra to be close to the centre in whinfell as the furthest you'll walk is about 15mins, dunno about the other parks.

yes it can make or break your holiday tbh (distant memories of having to cycle ludicrously uphill with small children in a tag along thing behind )

Which one as we go to longleat and I would say yes if you plan on using the pool mostly. But the land train is really good, picks up every 20 mins and drives the whole way round in half hour I think.
Longleat is very steep between the pool and the sports centre and is quite a trek with a buggy, it depends how fit you both are.
Bikes are great for getting around with a trailer or bike seat, you come home fitter than you went.
I'm very jealous our days of going in school time are over, with 4 children we would never get permission, make the most of it while you can.
We'll be there the week before xmas, can't wait, love center parcs in the winter.

Yes if you are going to Longleat my legs nearly fell off this time with the cycling. Those hills!

We are going to the Thetford one (sorry, can't remember its name atm) in November for a 4night midweek break with DD (who will be 3) and DS (who will be 3m) we paid about £20 extra to get a woodland lodge that was 12-15mins from the pool complex. It would have been £45 for one 8-12mins away (iirc) and we figured we wouldn't be in any hurry. We decided that mid range accomodation with mid range distance was fine.

Depends on individual situation i guess

That's Elevden I think Alice.

I think that the walking is fine, it't not the distance that bothers me, it's those mountains at Longleat!

Thanks for all the replies. It would be the Whinfell one we are going to and would mainly be using the pool, as DS too young for most of the other activities.
Don't mind walking but was thinking more about if it was rainy it would be better to be close to the village.
If we hired bikes and a trailer for DS then the journey would be shorter but this would probably be more expensive than the £45 for closer accommodation.

Elevedon is flat, no hills

Check out the map before paying, for example at whinfell all the executive lodges are in a bit just five minutes from the centre.

Also, although bikes and trailers are good its still nice to take a buggy so they can have a nap after swimming and you can get a drink or food in peace.

Thanks for all the replies. It would be the Whinfell one we are going to and would mainly be using the pool, as DS too young for most of the other activities.
Don't mind walking but was thinking more about if it was rainy it would be better to be close to the village.
If we hired bikes and a trailer for DS then the journey would be shorter but this would probably be more expensive than the £45 for closer accommodation.

cosmic - hiring bikes and trailer would be more - £25 bike each for the stay and then there is the trailer.

Oops double post - broadband misbehaving. Good point about still taking the buggy for DS to nap in. It would be a woodland lodge so think they're pretty spread out over the park.
Guess if we pay for it in case it is rainy then the weather may just be nice [hopeful emoticon].

Thanks for info on bike prices.

A bit off topic what would you recommend taking food wise and what is best to get when you arrive? Are the supermarket prices really inflated or not too bad?

They are more expensive but not only that there is also less range. Depends what you want to do. We tended to eat out for one meal and then have lunches as picnics so made sarnies.

4 pack of innocent smoothies is £4 in the parcmarket so if it more expensive. Over £2 for a tube of Pringles.

Then again it is a pain in the arse transporting food and cooking all the time - you have more flexibility if you eat out. Unless you are going in school holidays then do not believe the bollocks about booking restaurants - we went in term time last month and most places were quiet all the time. Pancake house gets busy at lunch time but you could always be seated.

Don't get the food welcome pack unless you plan on cooking properly - it had a lot of things like condiments and oil in - also has loo roll and if you are in decent accomodation you get that anyway.

Thanks Pfft. Planning on probably eating out for lunch when DS less tired then maybe cooking something for dinner so think we'll take along ingredients for a few meals. Will remember the tip on loo roll .

Hi we go to Whinfell quite often and I would recommend either Badger Wood or Seven Pines. I personally find the restaurants onsite poor quality for money (think Brewer's Fayre quality at double the price). We usually cereals for breakfast, sandwich stuff for luch (can take it out with you if you don't want to go back for lunch) and ingredients for one pot meals for dinner (spag bol etc.)We only really use the supermarket for fresh essentials like bread and milk etc.
Have a good time
ps. the best time to swim is as soon as the pool opens or in the last hour before it closes

Yes - pool is silent at the end, we went round all the slides in the last half hour, it was great.

Restaurants are crappy and service not great I find.

Thanks. Any more tips on how to get the best from our visit? Have just booked and am getting excited even though it's not for ages .

If you can, go to the spa. I'm not really spa person, but they are excellent at centre parcs. Obviously this would depend on your oh looking after kids/dropping them in creche, but if you can, its excellent! Best bit about going imo!

We went to the Sainsburys at Elveden when we went but next time we will probably shop at the supermarket on site, It was good value and prices not that different what Sainsburys charge anyway

If you're going out of season (term time) I think it may be better to chance it with regard to a chalet near the complex. If you book a specific challet there's no chance of getting upgraded as you gt what you paid for (ie that challet).

If you're going to hire/take bikes then I don't think it matters too much where you are in Elvedon. Unless you have a small one peddling along on stabelisers which may wear them out quite quickly. If you've got a trailer or a tag along bike it can be a bit harder peddling further, but it's not so bad really as no real hills, just a very gentle slope on one side of the complex.

Take a ruck sack to put a few bits of shopping in and your swim stuff etc. You can get shopping delivered but have to spend a minimum amount IIRC. And without a rucksack you end up with various bags dangling from handlebars, not good.

Def take some basic items and loo roll as even if you get some provided it won't be enough.
Also get as many cheap loaves of value bread as you can as the bread in the shop is mega expensive to feed the ducks with. I usually take 1 loaf per child per day and make sure I ration to that!

Thanks everyone. Will definitely try to have an hour or two at the spa and remember plenty bread for DS to feed the ducks with.