Holiday in UK in November with a toddler - any good ideas? Centre Parcs maybe??

money_saving_diva

We are thinking of going on holiday in November and I am starting to get ideas but I am not sure what to book or whether to book anything yet anyway? I have looked at places like Centre Parcs as I have heard good things about these places but I have always thought they were a bit of a rip off (but I don't know if that is right?) I think we should go somewhere with or near indoor activites as our little boy will have only just turned 2 and we will want to do lots with him to give him a great week and the weather probably won't be great!
I have signed up to Centre Parcs e-mails to see if they do any deals nearer the time.
Does anyone know of anywhere good to go? Or does Centre Parcs do good Autumn deals?? Any help would be gratefully received! :T
(BTW we are in central England so most places are easy to get to)

mum26

Centreparcs can be quite good value during term time, i'm sure they have reasonable prices for November (we went last year when the firworks display was on and it was wonderful - they also do christmas events from late nov), have not looked as my eldest goes up to Upper school in september and they are much stricter re term time hols x

lawley1010

I would recommend Centerparcs, we went to Whinfell in March on a Mon-Fri break and my little boy had just turned 2. He loved it, we booked a few activities, messy play (which I dont think was worth it) and little kickers football which he loved, we also put him in the creche for a few hours just to give us some time to ourselves which is rare and he settled no problem and the staff were excellent. The swimming pool is also great and the best bit is its free! There is a whole area for babbies and toddlers with a few water slides and buckets and watering cans in the pool for them.

We are going back for a weekend in Nov to the winter wonderland experience (I think I am more excited than him to see Santa!!), this starts at Whinfell on the 13th Nov.

susancs

You could try Butlins as they usually have a child's indoor funfare and shows aimed at younger children with characters and puppets. My daughters used to love it there when your little one's age. You can often get some good last minute deals outside of the school holidays. We found half board good as it was a buffet service, so lots of choice for fussy eaters.

mspig

lawley1010 wrote: »

I would recommend Centerparcs, we went to Whinfell in March on a Mon-Fri break and my little boy had just turned 2. He loved it, we booked a few activities, messy play (which I dont think was worth it) and little kickers football which he loved, we also put him in the creche for a few hours just to give us some time to ourselves which is rare and he settled no problem and the staff were excellent. The swimming pool is also great and the best bit is its free! There is a whole area for babbies and toddlers with a few water slides and buckets and watering cans in the pool for them.

We are going back for a weekend in Nov to the winter wonderland experience (I think I am more excited than him to see Santa!!), this starts at Whinfell on the 13th Nov.

You will really love the winter wonderland experiance - we tend to go every year, and the little ones have been going since birth. The place is lovely with the trees lit up and the lodges having fake snow on the roofs, and we have had reindeers lit up all over the place a few times but they weren't there last year for some reason.
They have area set up like old fashion villages and reindeers there aswell for you to take the kiddies to see, then we went into this old fashioned house and got a meeting with the santa - it was really lovely, hope you enjoy it, no doubt we will be there again this year.

pinkmami

Go go go go!!!! CP is fab! I only go to Centre Parcs (only been to the Whinfell one 7 times) & I've been to the Winter Wonderland twice. The sooner you book the cheaper it is. The comfort lodges are great but they have revamped lots of them & they look really nice. So nice I've booked 2 breaks for March & Nov 2010! Its great for little kids & the swimming pool is excellent & the water is very warm esp in the kiddy section. I always reserve a specific lodge cos I don't want to be placed in the far ones with 3 kids to walk back with & I like to be close to the village centre. Some people might consider it a rip off, but with a toddler you really don't pay any extras. When the kids get older the expense will rise!

The winter Wonderland in Whinfell is lovely & esp when the kiddies see Father Christmas - Magical!

You won't be disappointed if you go!

helyg

Center Parcs is fantastic. We used to go there a lot during term time before the kids started school. If you go during the Winter Wonderland it is lovely.

We have actually booked Center Parcs for next summer, I was left some money by my Grandpa and once we had bought things we needed like a new dining table and a fence for the garden I asked everyone what they would like to spend the rest on and everyone agreed that they wanted to go back to Center Parcs. It is expensive in August, but I booked it early and got it for £150 less than they were charging for this August this year.

pinkmami

I tell you what I do. I have 2 saving tins - those you need a can opener to get in them (stops me from nipping!!). I save about £20 a month in one & about £10 plus a few loose £1 I have in my purse in the other & they pay for 2 breaks in CP each year. I can't do it other wise. I also book about 12 - 18 months ahead. So if you do go this year & want to go again well save each month & also when you return home from CP they offer you up to about 15% off your next booking if you book within a certain time.

simes

pinkmami wrote: »

I tell you what I do. I have 2 saving tins - those you need a can opener to get in them (stops me from nipping!!). I save about £20 a month in one & about £10 plus a few loose £1 I have in my purse in the other & they pay for 2 breaks in CP each year..

£20 + £10 per month .. Thats £360 a year.
That would not pay for one CP break, never mind two.!

Lets be realistic. If you choose Centre Parcs it is going to cost .. A LOT.
Personally i don't think its worth it - it is a rip off . But if you can afford it then give it a try because it is very nice .
There won't be any amazing deals in November, so don't put off booking expecting last minute deals ( unless you know any staff that can get you a friends and family villa).

It does look nice in winter with the trees lit up, and its great going in the pool ( especially at Sherwood) and going outside when its dark with the mist coming off the hot pool because the air is so cold.
But if you are worried about the cost them look elswhere. The Butlins bonfire weekend is better value.

onefootmotu

The 4 days we spent at Whinfell last Nov with our toddler was by far the best holiday we've had with him!! We've been lucky and tried camping, a cottage, Haven, Butlins but it's CP that stands out for us. The place was beautifully decorated, there's plenty to do and you don't have to spend a fortune if you don't want to. We took our bikes and borrowed a kids seat from friends which he loved, used the pool every day, the free indoor soft play area and just went for walks and spent time together. The enchanted forest is lovely at dusk, all lit up like Christmas with real reindeer there too. The kitchen facilities were good in the lodge so we didn't need to eat out at all.
I would thoroughly recommend it to parents of toddlers and at £209 for 4 nights in a 2 bed Woodland lodge in Nov 2010 it's cheaper to book for next year than for this!

pinkmami

simes wrote: »

£20 + £10 per month .. Thats £360 a year.
That would not pay for one CP break, never mind two.!

Lets be realistic. If you choose Centre Parcs it is going to cost .. A LOT.
Personally i don't think its worth it - it is a rip off . But if you can afford it then give it a try because it is very nice .
There won't be any amazing deals in November, so don't put off booking expecting last minute deals ( unless you know any staff that can get you a friends and family villa).

It does look nice in winter with the trees lit up, and its great going in the pool ( especially at Sherwood) and going outside when its dark with the mist coming off the hot pool because the air is so cold.
But if you are worried about the cost them look elswhere. The Butlins bonfire weekend is better value.

SIMES - £234 I paid earlier this month for a 4 night break - I find that more than reasonable! I find it easy to save for them!