Center Parcs Whinfell

HeyBigSpender

We are shortly going on a holiday to a 3 bed executive lodge in the Fell View part of the complex. Can anyone tell me what these lodges are like? Are they the old fashioned type or the freshly refurbished ones they keep trumpeting on about? Will we need some bikes there?

Also, I have an almost 4 year old, and a 1 year old. What activities are worth booking, or should I just make use of the free swimming pool?

Finally, myself and my other half like to mess around with tennis rackets ("playing tennis" is attributing too much skill to our endeavours!), am I right in presuming that tennis courts are popular and will need to be booked in advance? Are there any indoor ones in case it is raining? And therefore, do I need to book childcare in advance also?

Any other Center Parc tips?

sluggy1967

Can't say for certain, but I think you'll find they are the older ones because they have a slightly different name for the new ones (if in doubt, ring CP with your booking number & they'll tell you straight away). You don't need to have bikes as there are some lovely walks (& Whinfell is a bit hilly) but a lot of people do. I think the tennis does get busy so I'd book to be on the safe side if I were you, and there is a creche which you can book the kids into (not used it myself, but all the kids look happy in there!). Finally, we've found that when we've been to CP (4 times, 2 times to Whinfell) our 4yr old doesn't need any booked activities-he loves the swimming & there are little areas for him to play in if you go for a coffee in some of the places. There were things like decorating gingerbread men which he did, but we never booked. Other than that, he was absolutely exhausted at the end of every day from swimming and walking (pedalos are good for 4yr olds & don't need to be booked, not sure about a 1yr old though!!) enjoy!!