Centre Parcs

Josie_Jump_3

Hi, we're looking to go on a short break and after vowing never to set foot in an English holiday resort again after a horrific experience at Pontins I'm beginning to waver a tad and am thinking about going to Centre Parcs.

Theres me, my hubby and our 3 year old, and although we live in Nottingham have only visited Centre Parcs Sherwood Forest once on a day pass. I'm not a snob or anything but I like my home comforts and I was slightly put off by the comfort villas because of the breeze block/bomb shelter style. After a few bad months we really need a break and I'm beginning to think that Centre Parcs might be the place to go.

So I'm after a bit of advice from anyone who's been on which centre to stay at - ideally not Sherwood Forest (my hubby wants to get away not travel 10 miles up the road!) and I'd like to pay a bit more for an upgraded villa, but are they worth it ?

Can anyone out there offer me any advice on the best park or which villas are best to go for?

Thanks in advance

Shadow_2

Hi
Not sure if I'm much help, but we're also local to Sherwood Forest (in C'fld) and 4 years ago took our 1 year old then to the Penrith one thinking SF one is too local to be a holiday!
It was a heck of a journey and in February not ever such a lot to do with a buggy in tow. It was whilst foot and mouth was about and they sprayed the car wheels whenever we came in and out (I'll give them on the ball). We got a last minute cheapie and yes it was basic but for 4 nights was fine but just a long way.

Then last year, we went to the Elveden Forest one - what they don't advertise is the volume of low flying aircraft at the nearby RAF base, so not at all peaceful (they were overhead from 7.30am'ish onwards). That said, I definitely enjoyed it more and when I booked quoted NCT04 (assume NCT05 this year) for free housekeeping, free chocolates and a bottle of cheap bubbly on arrival. We also paid the fee to select your villa's location which was worthwhile to us - whizzing back if it rained etc!
Last year we had our youngest (13 month) old in tow and a 4 year old. Still a good drive planning around baby nap times etc but have to say we enjoyed it much more. Villa was again standard one but we couldn't afford a better one. It was a great hol though and the kids enjoyed the little beach by the lake there. By the end of the week we did kind of get used to the planes but it did spoilt the tranquility.

Yes, we'd go again and I've posted on here previously requesting codes for cheaper breaks so if you search you may find some. We've decided that next time we go, even though it's local, SF is far enough - we can take 2 cars, our own bikes if we want and don't have to sit around waiting for the villa check in time, we can set off later and be home quicker! Very boring but I've come to the conclusion that they're all roughly the same and it doesn't matter which one you book! Not meaning to sound critical here, just realistic!! I knwo people who've stayed at SF and said it was great and I note that they have some villas available just a grade up from the Comfort ones now without it being Deluxe prices. If we could, I would stay in a deluxe one though - I looked on with envy at the 2 storey houses in the Oasis one (Penrith) as we plodded our way along the winding road to our little shack.......!!
Have a great time!

bargainaddict

We too had a dreadful experience at a Pontins. AWFUL. A few years ago we stayed at Elveden Forest. We found the villa really well equipped, clean and spacious. We had a small lake outside the villa and everyday we had ducks, birds and even tame squirrels outside our patio doors. It was wonderful having no cars. So safe and quiet. Everyone walked around the site or used the bikes. The supermarket was well stocked. The only downside was activities were quite expensive, so we mainly went swimming. Hope you have a really good break.

ascouse

I've been to the Penrith Centre Parcs a couple of times now. The last trip was Dec 04. They had spent a lot of money refurbing the main centre since my previous trip - and it showed.
The pool was great. Underfloor heating in the changing areas - excellent (especially as I hate dirty slippy floors in pools uucckk)
The restaurants where still quite expensive.
The little supermarket they have for 'essentials' doesn't rip you off though, which i thought was good.
They have introduced a lot more CParcs marketing stuff for you to buy if you've got kids that pester....hats/tshirt/pens etc etc
I was impressed with the food over at the 'pub' within the sports arena. The childrens menu had a lot of organic choice and no sight of 'everything and anything with chips'

HTH

djohn2002uk

Don't be put off by Sherwood Forest being just up the road. Been there and Elvedon and Longleat and Sherwood is still the best as far as we are concerned.
Once in there you are in another world and just think of the "Not far to travel" especially when you are going back home.
Wish there was one just down the road from us. There would have been if it wasn't for the silly Cotswolds planning restrictions.

sjpkgp

I agree with djohn, once you are there you could be absolutely anywhere in the UK anyway, and ten miles with kids in the car sounds like a bargain. I have stayed at both Nottingham (every year since it opened) and Penrith (about 4 times) and the villas are a better standard at Penrith but there is everything you need in them, and they are always warm (too warm). We don't do many of the activities - and if you want to you would be wise to pre-book before you even get there - not uncommon to turn up on a Friday and find yourself struggling to get a badminton slot before Sunday. The Aqua Sana (Sauna suite) is good but pricey (as are most things except the pool - which is still excellent) - people rave about the kids club (also extra) but I have never put mine in it. I only go as a standing arrangement with mates now, but if I wasn't doing this, I would be looking for a special offer, and would only go for a few nights, not a week. The special offers are fairly regular (you provide a code - usually 20% or so off) I would search on here or do a google.

Kitikat

I have visited both the Nottingham and Penrith Center Parcs on several occasions. Since having children mainly the Penrith one as it is much closer for us, but if we didn't have a 3 hour drive I would choose Sherwood Forest every time. I think the accommodation as Penrith is better than Sherwood, but the dome and the rapids at Sherwood are far better than at Penrith in my opinion. Hope you have a great time which ever you choose.

born_blonde

We've stayed at Penrith, Elveden and Sherwood. I agree with don't travel further than you have to it's a different world, we only live 17 minutes from Sherwood and it's not worth the 3 hours plus to the others for us as we don't leave the village. Executive villas have more bathrooms and better ones, more TV's,a DVD, a dishwasher and "better" furniture, plus the free house keeping. We used to use them and decided they just were not worth the money, the comfort villas are fine. But it depends whats important to you. The Park Market is OK but we allways take soft drinks and mixers as these are expensive. When in the bars wine by the bottle is better value. Our little boy is 3 now and has been going since he was 5 weeks old and loves it especially feeding the wildlife and swimming in the Dome. It's also much better value out of school holidays and you get 15% discount on some weeks if you take a pre schooler ( or over 55 year old).
We always go for the mid week break, for us it's long enough and again less expensive.
I hope you enjoy it!

djohn2002uk

Check the centres, there could be some 25% off again next week or so when the kids are back at school. There was 25% off at Longleat last week.

frizz_head

I agree with the posters above - my fave is Sherwood, even though we are only 1hr away from Longleat. For me Sherwood is more child friendly, its flatter - so nicer for cycling, its cheaper (£100 less that Longleat) and in my opinion the villas are nicer - particularly the new exective ones.

Josie_Jump_3

Thanks for your replies, I think we'll be booking it this weekend - now just need to convince my hubby that Sherwood Forest isn't too close to home!