CentreParcs

ScienceBoy

ScienceBoy

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Sep 18, 2010
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Just book a weekend away.

Big family gathering, all sharing a log cabin. Upgraded to one with a sauna!

Really surprised, not as expensive as I thought for the chosen weekend.

Then I booked all the require activities, considering we have 6 people and a toddler and the total hours paid for I realised it wasn't so bad, despite it looking quite expensive at first.

Not planning to eat out, I know THAT is where they really get you. It's a family trip so we are all cooking together and eating in the cabin.

Also we are bringig our own food where we can, should also save a bundle vs the onsite shop.

So far so good, looks like a cracking long weekend, pity its so many months away. At least the weather will be better :)

Anyone else going?

Crazy thing is we are already planning a return in 2019, maybe to a different site depending on how we like this one.
 
You can get out under the wire and eat outside of the park.:lol:
Shop prices are not too bad but in house catering in is a bit overpriced and I thought the quality was 'average'.

Great fun for families in a big group but the teenager element on the excellent 'pay for' facilities can be expensive/problematic.
Tip......we spent a very happy competitive two hours with a group of 70 to 7 year olds playing bowls.
Tip 2......if you can take your own sports kit.......bats, clubs, balls [table tennis/tennis] etc as they charge for everything.
 
Last edited:
Pin-seeker said:
The Mrs priced CP up last year,we ended up in the Canaries for less money.
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The hotel is best for couples, if the location has one. Wouldn't go if not filled all the beds in a cabin!

My worst nightmare is being stuck in a hotel, unless I can spend the entire time golfing to get me out the place! Also can't stand all the faff of airports and hotel transfers etc. I do love the flying bit though.

I agree about the food, much better to use the cabin kitchen.

So anyone else is going this year? I'm mega excited!
 
are you going during peak time SB. whenever I have looked for our family of 5 it's been ridiculous
 
guest100718 said:
are you going during peak time SB. whenever I have looked for our family of 5 it's been ridiculous
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Peak ish but not unreasonable.

So is anyone going this year? It's a shared cost so not unreasonable at all, ~ £75 per night per adult for the lodge. The B&B alternative was £80 for 2 but that included breakfast each day.
 
Science boy, which one are you going to. I live about six miles away from the Sherwood Forest one. Never stayed overnight. My brother got the contract to build the tree house at Sherwood. Those that I have talked to take there own drinks etc as they can have your pants down.
 
I've been to the Lake District one a few times, when the kids were younger. You just have to be smart, take your food and drink with you, book your activities in advance so there are no nasty surprises. You can make it manageable, as Scienceboy is doing. If you go in the winter, swim outside, no costs and it is warm in the water. The kids think it is great, swimming under the stars.

We used to go in January, cheaper, and then one year we went in May. Completely different place when you don't need 5 layers, waterproofs, walking boots etc. You can actually fit your clothes comfortably in the lockers, the swimming pool is not rammed as people are outside, you do outside events etc. I'll back CP, it fills a good role.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
I've been to the Lake District one a few times, when the kids were younger. You just have to be smart, take your food and drink with you, book your activities in advance so there are no nasty surprises. You can make it manageable, as Scienceboy is doing. If you go in the winter, swim outside, no costs and it is warm in the water. The kids think it is great, swimming under the stars.

We used to go in January, cheaper, and then one year we went in May. Completely different place when you don't need 5 layers, waterproofs, walking boots etc. You can actually fit your clothes comfortably in the lockers, the swimming pool is not rammed as people are outside, you do outside events etc. I'll back CP, it fills a good role.
Click to expand...

Like most things if you work the system the prices are quite good, luckily I have two daughters who are pretty streetwise.
eg.....The Penrith one is good for Scottish families at half term as the English half term [and big prices] is a week later.
 
Work treated us and our family's to 3 days at Woburn CP a few months back. I thought it would not be my cup of tea but we had a ball. Great family fun and really cool to have such a large group. The accommodation is unessasaraly good, very impressed.
 
It's a great place for a family get together, as long as you go outwith school holiday times. If you are going during school holidays, be prepared for a shock. Everything seems to have the prices jacked up. Bet the milk in the supermarket gets an add on during that time as well ;)
 
I'm guessing it'll be the Elvedon Forest site that you've booked?

You'll probably end up spending more than you originally budget for, and aside from the swimming pool there's not a lot that you don't pay extra for.

Eating in the lodge is a good penny-saving option if you're organised and take everything with you, (the on-site shops are a lot more expensive) and you've got people in your party that are happy to cook and clean up 3 times a day (which eats in to your 'doing stuff' time)

Take your own bikes if you can, that will save you about 20 quid per person iirc. You will need a bike as the place is massive.

There's a pitch and putt (chargeable like everything else) which will probably light your candle, and if theres a big group of you the ten-pin bowling is fairly reasonable. We also did the tree-top climbing course, brilliant laugh especially the zip wire across the lake, although we got it for nothing due to knowing the bloke organising it.

It's quality, but expect to spend a few quid, especially if the weathers poor.
 
We've been a few times and everyone has loved it. We took everything with us - food, booze, bikes and it saved us a fortune. Kids loved the swimming, cycling around and all the activities within. We ate out once and didn't think the prices were that bad really.
 
thought the facilities were very good, but the attempt to gouge you for money at every turn left a sour taste. not sure i would rush back anytime soon.
 
Depends what time of year you are going as to whether it is expensive or not.
My two kids are not school age yet so we can get great deals. The fact they are young also means we can spend a lot of time at the pool, which means you save money on activities.

For the kids, Centre Parcs is great. We will be going again this year and the next.
 
After checking the prices I put this on Twitter last year......."Let's play a game. Can you guess which week is February half term?"

Centre Parcs.jpg
 
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