Center Parks

[irip]

I had a look but couldn’t see an old thread but apologies if this has been done before.

Looking at a family holiday (14 of us).

Center Parks has been mentioned as a possible destination so for those of you who have been please fill me in on the good the bad and the ugly.

Any little insider tips for things to avoid or advice to get the most out of it.

TIA

 

[Hobbit]

We’ve been to the Whinfell Forest Center Parcs in Cumbria, although that was 15 years back. Our 3 son’s have since taken their families there as a group holiday, 6 adults & 5 children.

Processing onto site, handing out the keys etc, was slick considering the number of cars entering at the same time. The lodges there were fine, comfortable & warm enough. Plenty of activities for everyone.

We went as a 3, and had no problems getting into the restaurants but when the boys went as a group they found it difficult to all be seated together the first evening. Reservations sorted that on subsequent evenings.

The only downside, for me, was there was no town or village to go for a wander around without jumping in the car.

Would I go again? Probably not, but that’s more to do with being of an age when most of the activities are beyond me. I could get a nice cottage/apartment in somewhere like Ambleside that would give me access to the things I like to do for a similar price…

 

[The Squirrel]

It’s a cliche to say this but….

Centerparks price themselves to be full.

On peak holiday dates and half terms they can be eyewateringly expensive.
Weekdays in school term times they can be a bargain.

We went a few times when the kids were pre-school age so could go in bargain times; including a family meetup. Worked well. I wouldn’t have been impressed if paying x3 as much which was the rate for school holidays.
Don’t expect much from food options - think chain restaurants.
Site is set up car free which is good, but also set up so car is miles away - discouraging you from leaving to explore the area; I’m sure this is deliberate.

If you are wanting to go in expensive days then consider European alternatives. We’ve stayed at Efteling several times; accommodation and food is better than Centerparks; similar vibe in that you’re staying in a secluded forest with swimming/facilities on site but you have inclusive entry to Europe’s best theme park thrown in a 5 minute walk away. Unlike Centerparks it wasn’t set up to “trap” you onsite either - far easier to jump,in the car and explore other local towns and attractions. Even with the cost of the ferry over it’s also considerably cheaper.

We stayed in their 12-person house last year on a similar family meetup and it worked perfectly. They have plenty of other options and can even merge two into a 24-person house if required

Atmospheric overnight stay in Efteling Bosrijk

Discover the enchanting Efteling Village Bosrijk! Book a fairytale stay with the whole family in a house or apartment surrounded by nature.

www.efteling.com

 

[Neilds]

Never done Center Parks but heard rumours that they charge for loads of things once they have you 'captive' in the place - bikes, activities, etc. Is this still true?

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

We looked at it a year or two back to take the kids for a week, once we'd priced everything up including site fees, activities, food etc. Worked out cheaper to take them all to Spain for a 7 days so that's what we did.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Never done Center Parks but heard rumours that they charge for loads of things once they have you 'captive' in the place - bikes, activities, etc. Is this still true?

Yes, but you know that upfront, they don't hide it.

For the OP, what are you wanting out of it, what are the ages of people going?

It does a great job but if you intend doing activities, plan them in advance, limit any kids to so many per day. Box clever or it can get out of hand. Mix the paid with the free.

People like to hammer Centre Parcs but I believe their occupancy rate is about 97% so boy are they doing something right.

 

[irip]

Yes, but you know that upfront, they don't hide it.

For the OP, what are you wanting out of it, what are the ages of people going?

It does a great job but if you intend doing activities, plan them in advance, limit any kids to so many per day. Box clever or it can get out of hand. Mix the paid with the free.

People like to hammer Centre Parcs but I believe their occupancy rate is about 97% so boy are they doing something right.

It’s a real mix of ages from 2 months up to 70 years ish.

The important thing will be keeping the 5 and 3 year old happy.

They both like swimming so that will be a yes probably every day and I think it’s included in the price.

Probably do food ourselves most days if possible.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

It’s a real mix of ages from 2 months up to 70 years ish.

The important thing will be keeping the 5 and 3 year old happy.

They both like swimming so that will be a yes probably every day and I think it’s included in the price.

Probably do food ourselves most days if possible.

In that case, it will be great. Walk through the forests, play in the pool (free). Little kids stuff will be cheap, even the older things are not bad as long as you don't try to cram things in.

We loved archery, soft tennis and segway tours (if on offer) Stuff you would not do otherwise.

We have only stayed in the one at Penrith but the accomodation standard was very good and is set up for this type of family gathering.

 

[irip]

That was generally my thinking.
Bit of swimming each day.
Then some of the adults can do some of the older stuff and the others entertain the kids then swap the next day.

There is enough of us to create our own entertainment.

Come dine with me is something we have done previously for a bit of fun.

We did a Haven a couple of years ago and that worked out fine.

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

Centre Parcs is great for what it is. It’s a self contained faux outdoorsy compound that’s pretty safe.

We have taken our kids at least once a year from the eldest being 6 months old. As they have got older their friends started to tag along. My eldest is now 18 and still likes to go with her friends.

Take your own food, drink and bikes and it’s not too expensive. We would typically have a decent breakfast then eat out in the evening. It’s not fine dining by any stretch, but that’s not why we are there.

The great thing about it is people can go off and do their own things for a bit, but you are never too far away from each other to meet up and grab a coffee or lunch.

 

[Neilds]

Centre Parcs is great for what it is. It’s a self contained faux outdoorsy compound that’s pretty safe.

We have taken our kids at least once a year from the eldest being 6 months old. As they have got older their friends started to tag along. My eldest is now 18 and still likes to go with her friends.

Take your own food, drink and bikes and it’s not too expensive. We would typically have a decent breakfast then eat out in the evening. It’s not fine dining by any stretch, but that’s not why we are there.

The great thing about it is people can go off and do their own things for a bit, but you are never too far away from each other to meet up and grab a coffee or lunch.

That bit is the worst thing for me and my Mrs

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Centre Parks is good , everything you want to do is all there

But yep a lot of the stuff cost extra and it’s not cheap to stay there

you can take a lot of your own stuff to make it a little bit cheaper

You could go for the cheaper alternative of Haven

 

[SteveW86]

Have done CP in England a couple of times, with kids it’s expensive but it does what it says and you know what you’re going to get.

I don’t know if it’s an option or not, but we did a European CP last year in Holland, it was cheaper, had more “free” activities. The one we did was an hour from Calais so really easy. With all the costs it was cheaper than a UK one for the same dates.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

We have been to Winfell quite a few times, always enjoyed it.
It can be expensive at peak times, it was handy being Scots as we have different school holiday dates than rUK and can save a fair bit of money
Food shop/drink prices were decent, not hugely different from Waitrose.

Last year we went on a Winter Wonderland break with our baby great grandaughter and had a lovely time [we took a two person lodge to escape the busy/noisy big lodge. ]
Italian eatery was good we all had a great time, the children adored the robotic waiters

No cars allowed within the park except dropping off and collecting on arrival and leaving, this can lead to some lengthy [ish] walks, so bringing/hiring bikes may suit.

 

[larmen]

Have done CP in England a couple of times, with kids it’s expensive but it does what it says and you know what you’re going to get.

I don’t know if it’s an option or not, but we did a European CP last year in Holland, it was cheaper, had more “free” activities. The one we did was an hour from Calais so really easy. With all the costs it was cheaper than a UK one for the same dates.

We did a French one last year, looking at a Belgium one this year. We have also done German ones with family from over there.

The French one we drove to. On Friday when arriving hardly anyone spoke English. We went on an inset day before the UK holidays officially started. On Saturday it had all changed.

One advantage seemed to be that they don’t insist in Friday/Monday/Friday turnovers, so we could book a length that suited us.

 

[simsini]

There are parks in France, Belgium and the Netherlands run by Landal (https://www.landal.com/) with a similar experience to Centre Parcs, but at a fraction of the price. I went here, which is a former Centre Parcs site anyway (https://www.landal.com/parks/het-vennenbos). Go through the tunnel at Folkestone and you'll be there in a few hours.

I would even suggest somewhere like the Black Forest in Germany, which even including flights would be cheaper, and you get a tourist card with lots of free activities and public transport included (https://www.hochschwarzwald.de/en/red-card).

 

[irip]

Thanks for all the advice guys
That’s really cleared things up .
I have decided I’m not getting involved. I will let the kids sort it all out as they are plenty old enough now.

I expect I’ll only be needed when it comes to actually paying any money.

There has already been suggestions it’s for a big anniversary for the wife and I.

Part of me thinks how nice of them the other half thinks this could be costly

 

[Bazz]

Thanks for all the advice guys
That’s really cleared things up .
I have decided I’m not getting involved. I will let the kids sort it all out as they are plenty old enough now.

I expect I’ll only be needed when it comes to actually paying any money.

There has already been suggestions it’s for a big anniversary for the wife and I.

Part of me thinks how nice of them the other half thinks this could be costly

Get the mother in law to pay?

 

[irip]

Get the mother in law to pay?

She has been invited but has said no unless someone pays for her then she will happily come.
I have (jokingly) said I’ll pay twice what it would cost her if she doesn’t come.

She thinks everyone will pay her share for her and will be so shocked when they don’t.

 

[The Squirrel]

There are parks in France, Belgium and the Netherlands run by Landal (https://www.landal.com/) with a similar experience to Centre Parcs, but at a fraction of the price. I went here, which is a former Centre Parcs site anyway (https://www.landal.com/parks/het-vennenbos). Go through the tunnel at Folkestone and you'll be there in a few hours.

I would even suggest somewhere like the Black Forest in Germany, which even including flights would be cheaper, and you get a tourist card with lots of free activities and public transport included (https://www.hochschwarzwald.de/en/red-card).

Yes, continental options do seem more plentiful and well priced. Another excellent option (accomodation, food and facilities were a quite few levels higher than CenterParks) was this: https://www.hofvansaksen.com/resort#filter:eyJzIjoiMyJ9

We ended up there the same time there was a TT race at Assen. Quite a few race teams and spectators were staying - which was great as they left to do motorbikey things all day so all the facilities were really quiet - about 10 people total in the swimming complex!