Centre Parcs but cheaper!

EmmaHerts

Sandy Balls

vikingaero

EmmaHerts wrote: »

Sandy Balls

It's a nice dusty feeling at first, the absence of moisture in the nethers, then you sweat and it becomes uncomfortable with a little chaffing....

Oh you meant: http://www.sandyballs.co.uk/

EmmaHerts

vikingaero wrote: »

It's a nice dusty feeling at first, the absence of moisture in the nethers, then you sweat and it becomes uncomfortable with a little chaffing....

Oh you meant: http://www.sandyballs.co.uk/

I was being lazy.

The site seems pretty similar to Centre Parcs but they offer caravans as well as lodges so can be much, much cheaper.

kingfisherblue

Just to add an update about our holiday at the Ashbury - the kids are asking when can we return . The journey there was over four hours, plus a stop for breakfast. the return journey was a nightmare due to a broken down lorry in the middle lane of the M5, an accident, and several other long queues that we couldn't see a reason for. We stopped very briefly for the loo, and were in the car for almost 7 and a half hours :eek:

The holiday, though, was great. The rooms were fine, with comfortable beds. Plenty of drawer space as well as a double wardrobe, magnifying light-up make up mirror, hairdryer, one of those suitcase support thingummys (not sure what they're called), heated towel rail, plenty of tea and coffee supplied daily (including decaff ), and a DVD player in the TV (daughter's room didn't have the DVD player though).

We were in an accessible room as I have a disabled child. We hired a wheelchair, well, I say hired, but it was free. They didn't even want the £10 deposit that they advertise. mobility scooters are also free. We were also provided with a wheelchair when we went to the manor, so that we didn't have to cart the Ashbury chair back and forth, but I would imagine this depends on availability.

The room was big enough, but not huge. The bathroom had a wheelchair accessible shower, grab rails, and a shower seat. The shower itself was lovely - a much stronger spray than at home.

Disability access was ok - sometimes we had to go outside as there were steps inside, but managers are aware of this and are hoping to sort it out. There were no specific disabled parking spaces, but staff reserved a space for us near our room, using traffic cones with a picture of a wheelchair attached.

Food was very tasty, and there was plenty of it. The meats were very tender and came with a choice of sauce or gravy. Main courses had a choice of two items (either two meat dishes or a meat dish and a fish dish), 3 vegetarian options, or omelettes (two inches thick ). New potatoes and roasties were served every night, and there were always two vegetables as well. Starters were varied, with a large choice of soup, cold meats, salad, pate, and a hot starter such as barbequed potato wedges. You could mix and match everything in the starters. Desserts were very tasty, with a choice of five per evening. In addition to the five options, you could have ice cream, fruit, or any combination.

Breakfasts offered a decent variety and again there was plenty to eat. the same with lunches - both breakfast and lunch were buffet style with both hot and cold options.

There was a sign for afternoon tea, but how anybody could manage that as well as the meals.......

The activities are amazing . Some prices were higher than others - pottery transfers weren't cheap compared to other crafts. Jewellery making was cheap, pottery was very cheap, and I was quite happy to pay the prices charged. Most activities were free, it was just the craft stuff you paid for.

We have come home with all sorts of things that we have made - glass frosted jugs and glasses, silk painted scarf and Noah's Ark circlet hanging, patchwork, garlic dish with pottery transfers, coffee pot and jug (also pottery transfers), wooden plaques, butter dish, vase, ornaments, Noah's Ark cookie jars, pottery sports cars, porcelain painted mugs, salt and pepper pots, jewellery (I made a lovely green bracelet for £3, and my daughter made matching earrings, bracelet and necklace for £6.50 for all three items), egg dish, money boxes, bird box - I can't remember them all.

We also enjoyed archery, ten pin bowling, mini golf, snooker, the pool (well, the kids enjoyed the pool a few times, but I don't like swimming, so my daughter took the boys in for me). I had a facial, and we all loved the deep relaxation class except for my middle son. The swings went down well too . We didn't really try many sports, as we're not a sporty family, but there was plenty of choice. My two lads did want to try crown green bowling though, which they loved. It was pouring down outside, but the bowling rink is indoors, like most of the activities, so we didn't worry about the weather.

When we do go again, I'm taking a roll of bubble wrap for all of the breakables that the kids (and me ) are likely to make. Boxes and newspaper are available, but I think packing the stuff into hessian Tesco bags (the ones with the flat bottoms) might be easier for packing the car up later, so I'll take some of those as well.

We stayed at the Ashbury, but did most of the crafts at the Manor. The Ashbury is building a craft centre there, though, so we'll spend more time at the Ashbury next time. It's definitely worth the travelling from Merseyside, where we live, but then again, I'm lucky that my children are good travellers. they weren't any trouble in the car, and I didn't get 'Are we nearly there yet?' at all :rotfl:

peachyprice

Thanks for the update, glad you had a good time.

We've booked an accessible room at the Manor, originally we were booked in a category B triple, but I put on my booking form that I'd rather not have an over the bath shower as my mum (70yo) has trouble climbing in and out and slipped last year in Italy, they phoned me back and offered the accessible, it will be interesting to see how the room compares to the normal category A room DD and I had last year.

We're all ready planning what activities we're going to do, I really fancy the silk painting as we didn't do it last time and we're going to go to Ikea before we go, depending on what we see we'll stock up on a few bits and bobs for the transfers and glass engraving. . I made a sunflower small dish and mug last year, this year I want to make the jug to match.:T

Sorry, should have mentioned taking something to transport your goodies home in, although we did manage to get boxes and newspaper from the pottery room last time.

My mum is going to give bowls a go, she's pretty good but hasn't played since she came back from Australia 3 years ago, so she's really looking forward to that, it'll give her something to do while we go swimming.

graham29a

Highly recommend Center Parcs in Holland. We went during school easter holidays for less than half the price of the UK ones.

Alye16

Pleased your trip to the Ashbury went well Kingfisherblue and that you were able to find lots to do. Its good to hear that the Ashbury was able to meet all your families needs.I recommend the target bowls for your kids if they enjoyed the crown green.

xukc

How do you go about booking the Ashbury, do you have to do it directly over the phone? Do you mind sharing what sort of prices you paid for your break?

redmike123

vikingaero wrote: »

Center Parcs is The Middle Classes queuing to do activities.

Butlins/Pontins/Haven are the Working Classes and poorer Middle Classes queuing to do activities with more swear words.

Brilliant !! :beer:

kingfisherblue

xukc wrote: »

How do you go about booking the Ashbury, do you have to do it directly over the phone? Do you mind sharing what sort of prices you paid for your break?

I just rang the number on the website - this is for the Manor, but they dealt with my booking for the Ashbury. I paid a deposit over the phone, but be aware that there is a small charge for credit cards (no charge for debit cards). The balance was only due on the day we left, which is unusual these days.

We went in the May half term, and the price worked out at £49.50 per adult, per night, with a discount for the kids (the discount is pro rata, up to age 17 - you pay a lower percentage for younger children). I thought it was great value for money, especially as it was full board. There was so much to do that we just didn't have time to go anywhere else in Devon, so it's very MSE :money:

https://www.manorhousehotel.co.uk for the main website.

Prices are here:

http://manorhousehotel.co.uk/UserFiles/File/24.pdf