Centre Parks - Whinfell - any tips???

saving123

Looking to book a weekend break later on in the year to whinfell and this will be our first time at centre parks. Going to be going with my children who are 1 and 4. Any tips/advice would be welcomed?

Any information anyone can give me on activities they have done would be great. Also what are the parks/pook/soft play areas like?

What is the kids disco like and has anyone been to the pantomime? What was it like and was it very expensive?

Lastly thinking we are going to pay extra to get closer to the middle/centre. Areas we are looking at are: Beechwood, Forrester Lake, Moorlands. Anyone got any advice on the best areas?


thanks so much

artichoke

hi

we went to Whinfell for the Lapland Experience a few years ago.

We loved it - We were in the outer area - but we thought it fine - we hired a bike with a child trailer on the back and the kids - age 2 and 3 at the time - thought that the best bit of the holiday - being pulled around in the trailer and shouting "faster daddy" - they still talk about it now whenever they see another child in one of those trailers!

The pool is great for kids (free - as they all are at Centre parcs) there is a big adventure playground (outdoors) which is great as well and free.

The kids disco - i was not impressed - it was just load music and lights in a room - no table and chairs or bar for adults to sit around and relax whilst the kids tired themselves out... the bar was in another room and if people left the door open the kids ran out of the disco....

we payed to see the pantomime which was ok -but quite expensive from what i remember - i have since been to Haven regularly and think Haven's entertainment is so much better for kids this age...

When we went to soft play area was in the pub and was ok - but with only limited adult seating near to the play area.

We did not do any other activities the kids were happy in the swimming pool, on the adventure playground, cycling on their own bikes (with stabilisers) and being pulled around by daddy...

art

minskerella

Lucky you!! We absolutely love it there - been about five times since we had the children - we're addicted!!

We never pre book activities because we find we really don't need them once we get there. The children (ours are 1 and nearly 4) are more than happy with swimming everyday and the outdoor adventure area which are both free. Ours also liked the softplay at the Lakeside inn and also the sports cafe but we used to go there early as it got a bit wild. We hired bikes and did the nature trail and treaure hunt. These were both fun and only a few £. We have always just gone where we have been put and been happy with our lodges but we never get the very basic one - we always upgrade slightly. These tend to have a better location and towels and bed linen etc. Never stayed in a cheap one but my friend did and said it wasn't so great.

Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia good but book!! They get sooo busy at 6pm ish. American diner ok but expensive for what it was.

Have fun!!!:j

saving123

thanks to you both for getting back to me, great to hear from people who have been. WHat was the nature trail and treasure hunt like? What sort of price were they.

We are planning to book the new style lodges i think

thanks again, really looking forward to it

artichoke

ah yes - if forgot the treasure hunt - we did that too on bikes with the kids in the trailer...

it was very cheap and good fun - all those participating turn up at set location and get given a clue and map ( i think) you then have to find the next clue etc - when we have done it most people are on bikes and there is a bit of competition as to who is going to find the next clue first...

We stayed in the basic accommodation as we have a dog and found it fine at Whinfell as all the lodges are quite new and wooden style. At the other centre parcs we have found the basic ones to be dated and a bit scruffy - but at Whinfell the basic was great...

have a great time...

our kids are a bit older now and so we longer go to Centre Parcs as it is far too expensive in school holidays and with no evening entertainment shows for kids. It was great when they were little but now it is no longer a money saving holiday for us - Centre Parcs evening entertainment focus's on people eating out in restaurants which for us is too expensive..... and just sitting in the lodge in the evening feels too much like being at home!

anyway have a great time

art

saving123

thanks again

pinkmami

Ohhh I love Whinfell! Been 9 times & will be going in January for our 10th! With little ones your age the Winter Wonderland will be fantastic! We went with ours in November when the snow was plentiful & it was truly magical - one of the best times we've had there. If it does snow don't worry about the drive from the A66 as the CP team were excellent in clearing & gritting the roads & paths (councils could take some lessons from them!).

I always book the lodge in advance. Badger Wood, Foresters Lane & Lake Beck are great locations. They're usefull locations as to when you need to take the car back to the car park in the dark - esp on your 1st trip! I'd personally avoid Fell View, Meadow View & Moorland view for the distance to he car park - but lodge wise I suppose they're great but I'm used to the central area. To save a few ££ book a lodge one or two from the central area perimiter. If you don't book they can send you to the back of beyond. This happened to my cousin on her 1st trip - and now she always books one!

Soft play areas - the one in Lakeside Inn is very good, smaller one in the Sport Plaza & the Leisure Bowl. All free. There is also the sports hall in the Sports Plaza which is less than £4 for a few hours. Full of toys, ball pits, play mats slides.......

Swimming pool - free & lovely! Warm & the water is tropical & great for the kids as they don't get cold. you need a £1 for your locker (returnable).

Eating - tad more expensive than your average takeaway but you're on holiday! I always save every month to make sure I don't cook there. Bella Pasta tends to full up with families about 5-7pm & booking is advisable which you can do weeks before yo ugo there. lakeside Inn - very nice indeed. Sports Cafe is our favourite. My eldest 2 are 9 & 7 & love nothing more that a few £1 coins each to go up stais to play pool! DS is 3 & we find a table near the entrance of the play area so he comes & goes as he wants with us seeing him coming out. You feel very safe there......very safe. They have the best offers there on the menu like BOGOF on fish meals, burgers, buy one get one half price etcf...on different nightds of the week.

The Dining In takeout is also great. You can call the order or pop in. They also deliver to your lodge for a £2.50-3.00 fee. I'm aware they will have a Pancake House there at the end of the year...yummy! Starbucks x 3 is there too. Indian restaurant is also lovely.

Activities. My middle child has been pony trekking & loved it. She was 5 at the time. The pantomime is well worth it - they are brilliant so definately book it. Face painting, hair braiding, walking, swimming, soft play, gingerbread decorating in teh Winter Wonderland. Seeing Santa in the worshop is a must so book that too! Maybe a ride on the horse & cart, see the reindeer (free), oh I can go on!

BOOK IT!!!!

saving123

thanks for all the information, sounds great! can you remember roughly how much the pantomime cost? Did you do the teddy bears picnic? If you did what did you think of it? thanks

pinkmami

I think the panto was about £12.....never did the picnics though. x