Which centre parks?

Dinah93 · 7 October 2008 at 11:07AM

Hi all,

I am looking to book a weekend break to Centre Parks as a family Christmas present, there seems to be some good offers on at the moment. However I am a bit torn as to which location to book! We are closest to Whinfell forest, but I have heard that this is very poor in comparision to the 3 original Centre Parks locations. So I'm toying between Whinfell and Sherwood, anyone have any opinions? We do not need facilities for young children as we are all over 16.

Cheers, Dinah x

vix85_2 · 7 October 2008 at 11:25AM

went with my family 4 years on the trot to Whinfell several years ago and it was fab, especially loved the red squirrels there and the expanse of cycle paths, have not been to any other centre parks tho, went between the ages of 15 and 18 and was never bored, some activities were expensive but spent most of our time in the pool complex, did horseriding and paintballing once, filled the rest of my time with walks and cycling and annoying the rangers about the animals

hope it helps

Kitikat · 8 October 2008 at 11:02AM

I've been to them both and think they are both fab. If I had to choose one over the other I would go for Sherwood as I think the water slides/rapids are far better than the slides at Whinfell. But I'm sure you would enjoy either one.

BillScarab · 8 October 2008 at 11:42AM

The only one in the Uk I haven't been too is Sherwood. Whinfell used to have the best rapids but they tamed them down a lot. Personally I think you'd enjoy any of them.

We haven't been to any of them for a year or two as we go to the ones in Europe now. They are generally much cheaper even allowing for the extra travel costs and the rubbish exchange rate. I'd seriously recommend looking at them. Just look at https://www.centerparks.com instead of .co.uk

kaggy · 8 October 2008 at 1:14PM

I have been to Elveden which was great but have recently been looking at the European ones, are there any that are particularly good/bad? My kids are 10 & 5 and we will be going in Feb 09.

Many thanks
Karen

Unity · 8 October 2008 at 1:36PM

Dinah93 wrote: »

Hi all,

I am looking to book a weekend break to Centre Parks as a family Christmas present, there seems to be some good offers on at the moment. However I am a bit torn as to which location to book! We are closest to Whinfell forest, but I have heard that this is very poor in comparision to the 3 original Centre Parks locations. So I'm toying between Whinfell and Sherwood, anyone have any opinions? We do not need facilities for young children as we are all over 16.

Cheers, Dinah x

Hi Dinah,

I've been to Elveden twice, Sherwood once and we've just booked for an early Christmas at Whinfell. If you want to PM me the date you're going - and we turn out to be going before you - I'll let you know what it's like

.

If I had to choose between Elveden and Sherwood, it would be Elveden every time as the pool is all part of the same indoor complex as the shops, restaurants etc., but it is too far for us all to meet up, as Whinfell is closest. I can't say what Longleat is like as we haven't managed to get there yet.

Just a minor point, the special logs you can buy in their shop, which are usually around £5 I think, are available at 'Homebargains' for 99p - so I have stocked up with four for a long weekend.

Hope you enjoy it :T.

moneypooh · 8 October 2008 at 1:47PM

I stayed at Whinfell not long after CP had taken it over from Oasis, then it was the poor relation to the other 3 HOWEVER, now it certainly has been improved a great deal. The paths and roads were much improved as these were terrible. Center Parcs has heavily invested here and it shows. The lodges are more spacious than the villas and great value.

Compared to the others the main sports offered is standard to the others, except the beautiful red squirrels.

The main water complex is not as good as the others for sports junkies as the rapids were water tunnels as opposed to a big wide multi-person rapid river. (unless changed in the last year) However the tunnels are great fun and queues not too bad. Sherwood has the added bonus of cascade ( a large water ring ride for upto 4 adults).

Whinfell has brilliant 'air shows'. The local air base does mean some great low passes, my DS loved the chinooks and even a typhoon. This doesn't happen very often but great when it does - if you like planes.

Whinfell has the added bonus of most of the village being under one roof (butterfly centre) and the rest of the facilities in another (jardin de sports) - good when weather is bad.

You'll enjoy either of them. We go to all four on a kind of rota so we get to visit them all in a year or so, and they change every visit with improvements all the time. We visited Longleat last year with a 3 month break and went back to things being upgraded even in such a short time.

Whinfell is by no means the 'poor relation' anymore and although each site is different they do offer almost indentical facitilies. If you do go to Whinfell, Yang, the chinese restaurant buffet is well worth a visit.

We love them all, and each of us has our favourite. Personally I can't wait until Warren Wood is open as it'll be our nearest - roll on 2010! I hope this is still going ahead ??!!??

Unity · 8 October 2008 at 5:15PM

moneypooh wrote: »

I stayed at Whinfell not long after CP had taken it over from Oasis, then it was the poor relation to the other 3 HOWEVER, now it certainly has been improved a great deal. The paths and roads were much improved as these were terrible. Center Parcs has heavily invested here and it shows. The lodges are more spacious than the villas and great value.

Compared to the others the main sports offered is standard to the others, except the beautiful red squirrels.

The main water complex is not as good as the others for sports junkies as the rapids were water tunnels as opposed to a big wide multi-person rapid river. (unless changed in the last year) However the tunnels are great fun and queues not too bad. Sherwood has the added bonus of cascade ( a large water ring ride for upto 4 adults).

Whinfell has brilliant 'air shows'. The local air base does mean some great low passes, my DS loved the chinooks and even a thyphoon. This doesn't happen very often but great when it does - if you like planes.

Whinfell has the added bonus of most of the village being under one roof (butterfly centre) and the rest of the facilities in another (jardin de sports) - good when weather is bad.

You'll enjoy either of them. We go to all four on a kind of rota so we get to visit them all in a year or so, and they change every visit with improvements all the time. We visited Longleat last year with a 3 month break and went back to things being upgraded even in such a short time.

Whinfell is by no means the 'poor relation' anymore and although each site is different they do offer almost indentical facitilies. If you do go to Whinfell, Yang, the chinese restaurant buffet is well worth a visit.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest too. I was wondering if we'd made a mistake after having such great times at Elveden. It's just in our case there'll be eight of us coming from all points of the compass to get there - so it's the most convenient for those in Scotland, without cars.

TASHMA · 9 October 2008 at 2:00PM

I am very lucky to go to Sherwood CP twice a year and absolutely love it. Activities in Sherwood are quite spread out which can be a problem if the weather is bad but I have been in all seasons and never found this too much of a problem. Just take sufficient umbrellas, raincoats if needed. Would love to go to Whinfell though... maybe one day!!

Have a great time whichever one you decide to go to.

Dinah93 · 12 October 2008 at 12:59AM

Thanks for the replies everyone. We have been to a couple in Europe, but only looking to go for a weekend in late January so I think it is better to stay in the UK for the sake of 2 days! I was all convinced to go with the cloest (Whinfell) then moneypooh mentioned the outside swimming bit and I wanted Sherwood again! Getting to the point where I may literally flip a coin!

Given it will be January, and therefore very likely rain if not snow, I think I might have to go with Whinfell due to the closeness and the greater proportion of indoor activities.

Some of our old friends used go quite regularly and they seemed to have settled into one as the mum liked the spa better and the son likes the pancake restaurant! Personally I think I'd be more drawn by the spa than the pancakes!

Unity · 12 October 2008 at 11:03AM

Dinah93 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone. We have been to a couple in Europe, but only looking to go for a weekend in late January so I think it is better to stay in the UK for the sake of 2 days! I was all convinced to go with the cloest (Whinfell) then moneypooh mentioned the outside swimming bit and I wanted Sherwood again! Getting to the point where I may literally flip a coin!

Given it will be January, and therefore very likely rain if not snow, I think I might have to go with Whinfell due to the closeness and the greater proportion of indoor activities.

Some of our old friends used go quite regularly and they seemed to have settled into one as the mum liked the spa better and the son likes the pancake restaurant! Personally I think I'd be more drawn by the spa than the pancakes!

We're going for a weekend in November - so will let you know what it's like

.

Which centre parks?

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