Centre Parcs but cheaper!

flea72

As already said CP is butlins for the middle classes. You pay alot, to stay in a basic furnished shed. You have to walk miles to get to the facilities and for the price paid, you only get access to the pool. Everything else is payg and usually has to be booked weeks in advance.

At least at butlins/haven all activities are included in the price

However back to the OPs Q. There is no cheap equivalent to CP. if you want exclusivity away from the lower end of the social scale, you have to pay for the privilege.

But, CP in holland is usually cheaper than their uk counterpart, so if you dont mind a long ferry trip, then look at the parks there, rather than in the uk

shoppingnoodles

Have you looked at the prices of Center Parcs abroad? They are loads cheaper than the UK ones. We are going to Belgium in the school hols and it cost around £900 for 5 of us for a week-almost two thirds less than CP here for the same time. We will drive, so including fuel and ferry, it will put about £200 on top. We will save money by taking our bikes so we don't need to hire them.

We didn't think this was too bad. The 5 of us went to Finlake in Devon about 4 years ago and it cost around £1200 back then. To be honest, although it was very nice, it wasn't a patch on Center Parcs.

I looked at Suncamp too when we were booking and in fact, they took over one of the Belgium Center Parcs last year (I think it was De Haan). Although I don't know much about them, I bet they are worth a look.

Alye16

In the past I have also tried to find a Centre Parcs alternative as I'm not willing to pay their school holiday prices.
If its a lodge with cycling and outdoor activities you want then look at http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/ or Hoseasons lodges.
If you are looking for mostly indoor activities look at http://www.manorhousehotel.co.uk/ full board and all activities included. (a family favourite, we go every year, but in Feb).
However wherever you look the prices for school summer holidays are always very expensive. If you find somewhere suitable please share.

saving123

Thanks everyone - really just looking for nice accommodation with a swimming pool on site and the option to do other activities. thanks

greenface

Firstly let me say we are fully booked . We own a 2 bedroom lodge/chalet inside Snowdonia with an outdoor pool and based in gods own backyard. there are so many free things to do aswell as attractions to visit locally. Our prices for a week in the summer are less than £500( there are no entertainment pass fees for the clubhouse or pool charges etc.)The prices Center Parks charge are way out for most families struggling to budget a weeks break for their kids etc . I wont give details publicly but If your looking for around this way i can PM you some details for other homeowners. (there is no gain for me)

flea72

saving123 wrote: »

Thanks everyone - really just looking for nice accommodation with a swimming pool on site and the option to do other activities. thanks

Have a look at devere hotel in grantham. It has normal hotel rooms, but also lodges. On site facilities include swimming pool, archery, segway and golf.

saving123

Alye16 wrote: »

In the past I have also tried to find a Centre Parcs alternative as I'm not willing to pay their school holiday prices.
If its a lodge with cycling and outdoor activities you want then look at http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/ or Hoseasons lodges.
If you are looking for mostly indoor activities look at http://www.manorhousehotel.co.uk/ full board and all activities included. (a family favourite, we go every year, but in Feb).
However wherever you look the prices for school summer holidays are always very expensive. If you find somewhere suitable please share.

Did you find you spent much money whilst at the manor house hotel? It looks really good. Are the craft activities expensive? thanks

Alye16

re: Manor House

The price you pay includes all the activities, small amounts to pay for the craft activities which depends on the item you make. e.g.£5 for three large pieces of pottery,£1.50 pair or earrings. They offer some good discounts on children sharing your room. You have to pay for lunch on the arrival and leaving days, normally £5/adult and also drinks at the bar/restaurant.
Moneysaving advice stay at the Travelodge down the road so you get there early and get a full day of activities. Take sports bottles and squash to fill up during the day.
When I look at the prices of Centre Parcs and compare it to The Manor I tend to go to the Manor as the price includes Full board and as many activities as you can fit in and physically cope with.(we struggle to keep up with 2 teenage sporty boys)

Keeping_Positive

Another vote for the manor house.

kingfisherblue

We're going to the Ashbury, sister hotel to the Manor House, at Whit. It's a bit cheaper than the Manor, and is said to be quieter, which suits our family. You can use the facilities at both hotels though.

Trip Advisor has some decent reviews from people who go back every year, alongside occasional poor reviews. The poor reviews tend to concentrate on the dated and sometimes cramped bedrooms, though, but as we're hoping to spend little time in our rooms, I'm not too bothered. It's a two star hotel, and that is based on accommodation, not food or other facilities.

I did ring up because one of my children is disabled. I wanted to query accessibility and book a wheelchair. The manager rang me back within half an hour and couldnt have been more helpful. Prices worked out at £49.50 per night, Sunday to Friday, for adults the last week in May. Children are charged less, dependant on age - but a child really is a child, as I'm being charged a child rate for my 15 year old, not an adult Rae as with so many companies.

We're really looking forward to going, and the reason I booked was following a recommendation on another forum. Good to read of others on MSE enjoying it too.