Sherwood Forest Centre Parcs

moneypooh

mommyme wrote: »

Bit silly going to Sherwood and not seeing Sherwood Forest?

Centre Parcs at Sherwood DOESNT have THAT many great things to do. The horse riding is off site as is a lot of the activities, The bowling has limited alleys, The sports centre isnt very well equipped, the swimmings good, the spa's nothing special and the shops are WAY over priced considering there's a tesco 5 minutes away. There is a bike hire but there you never really see anyone on them and I'm not sure whether the lake will be open for boat rides. There is a mini golf centre but its right at the back of the park and takes ages to get to from the main centre (esp with little kids)

If your going in December they do have a reindeer parade which is nice - but then there are cheapr alternatives (and MSE is about Moneysaving dont forget)

I guess people go to CP for different reasons. I totally disagree about things to do, I have two teenagers and they are never bored. I've never been anywhere where they have unlimited bowling lanes! The sports centre has more activities than my local one. The spa is very nice. The Lake is always open when the weather permits - not too windy. We always take our own bikes and TBH walking around is just as good, as Sherwood isn't hilly like Longleat.
MSE isn't just about being cheap, it's about having the holiday you want for the price you want. If you have alternatives that suit you then fine, but most CP visitors want what the village offers.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Trixie102 wrote: »

Mommyme, I know you are offering good advice and I agree that some things on-site are over priced but the idea is that you don't have to worry about going off site to do stuff. Going into Mansfield may be a hassle for some people, especially if they have children and don't want to use the childcare facilities at CP while they are off site.

I live local too to Sherwood CP and just love the fact I can park my car and not see if for a few days. I don't think the Spa is over-priced, I even go for an evening session when not staying at the park. And I know they do combined childcare and spa packages for people who are staying.

When I went last June with friends (adults and children) we didn't do any paid for activities apart from badminton (such a laugh) and crazy golf. We took the Playstation along as well as a DVD player. Kids wanted to be in the pool all day and then (as tired) just wanted to chill out when they got in. We walked (well roller bladed) up to the nature centre one day, went to the pancake house another (for a treat), so you don't have to pay lots on activities when staying.

Another free highlight is the daily duck/ swan feed. We took some cheap bird feed and each morning the ducks and swans would come waddling up to get fed from the patio area.

I also disagree that the on-site food store is expensive. Some items are but mostly they are a good price. We normally take the staples with us and then just buy some stuff whilst there to keep costs down. Later in the day the bakery section reduces most of their products so bargains can be had.

Enjoy yourself and have a great time. I wouldn;t get too stressed about booking activities (unless there is something specifc you really really want to do) and have fun. I'm booking our next visit for Feb next year this weekend and can't wait.

The spa is £69 a day - which, considering what you get for it I think its ridiculous. i think its silly paying all that when there is cheaper alternatives (I DO visit the spa at CP but it has always been discounted and have Never Ever paid more than £10 for a day)

I didnt mean the restaurants are expensive - The pacmarket is though (well it was when we last stayed) We've always nipped to tesco's before going into the site to get food etc rather than pay CP prices.

moneypooh wrote: »

I've never been anywhere where they have unlimited bowling lanes!

I cant remember now off the top of my head how many bowling lanes there are but there isnt loads and we had to wait a fair few hours before a lane free'd up so i would book this when you get there for later on in the week. At the superbowl you can usually drop in and have a lane within 30 mins or so

moneypooh

mommyme wrote: »

I cant remember now off the top of my head how many bowling lanes there are but there isnt loads and we had to wait a fair few hours before a lane free'd up so i would book this when you get there for later on in the week. At the superbowl you can usually drop in and have a lane within 30 mins or so

That's because the Superbowl does just that bowling, CP offers so many different activities it does have limited space. Change over day has the best availability, usually around 12-4pm. You can get early and late lanes for a cheaper price too. I book before we go for the first day and then for later in the stay when onsite. You don't have to queue onsite as online booking points are dotted around the village also via wi-fi access.

We have a bowling a few miles away and it has less lanes than CP, and we always have to book in advance so I guess I'm use to doing it that way.

I live in the country and have to travel everywhere, even for a large supermarket, so having all these activities, restaurants and swimming complex right outside my door is a real treat.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

moneypooh wrote: »

That's because the Superbowl does just that bowling, CP offers so many different activities it does have limited space. Change over day has the best availability, usually around 12-4pm. You can get early and late lanes for a cheaper price too. I book before we go for the first day and then for later in the stay when onsite. You don't have to queue onsite as online booking points are dotted around the village also via wi-fi access.

We have a bowling a few miles away and it has less lanes than CP, and we always have to book in advance so I guess I'm use to doing it that way.

I live in the country and have to travel everywhere, even for a large supermarket, so having all these activities, restaurants and swimming complex right outside my door is a real treat.

The bowling at Sherwood is smack opposite the Pacmarket and its a tight squeeze (its not near the other activites) and for the sake of waiting hours and hours or nipping up the road to superbowl it'd be easier to do the later

Coincidently - Mansfield has a continental christmas market on in dec which might be worth looking at - I say might, will be a first visit for me as im not normally in the area)

Hm maybe thats why i dont see the fuss over CP acitivites - because there are so many around here, Off the top of my head i can name about 30 places within a 10 mile radius of CP which has the same activites so i guess i dont see it as a treat

(In fairness i always see CP as an over priced modern upgrade of butlins and i like to adventure out and about, think i'd go nuts staying in the same complex but as you say - different people want differrent things )

vikingaero

the_cows_udders wrote: »

How well does T-Mobile internet work there? We have a dongle and would rather use the laptop in our room than go and sit in a public area with wifi.

I inputted Centerparcs Sherwood Forests postcode NG22 9DN into the T-Mobile Coverage Checker:

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband/coverage-checker/

and it said that:


Your mobile broadband coverage in NG22 9DN is very good. You should be able to use T-Mobile's mobile broadband outdoors, and inside most houses. You may get variable coverage in commercial buildings (shopping centres and offices)

the_cows_udders

Thanks for the tips

There is a large group of us going as a surprise party for a relative who has always wanted to go to Centre Parcs. We're keen to do things onsite as it's easier for the group to either stay together and do things without having to use cars. It's also easier to split up and do things for a couple of hours then meet again for meals compared to several car loads going off in various directions.