Centre Parcs, Longleat - What's the deal?

ChilliBob

Guys,

I'm considering a short break but I'm in some what unchartered territory, so, wondering if the gang on here who know more can help me.

* My wife's after a 'safari' experience - hence thinking of Longleat (looks the best, it's about 2.5-3hrs away, so short break limit, did consider Woburn too)
* My wife is pregnant, around the time we go we'll have around 10 weeks till the due date
* The Spa nearby seems right up her street!
* We'll have a four year old son in tow

I think we're more interested in the safari and the spa, is staying in Center Parcs and treating it like a self catering cottage and nothing else sort of defeating the purpose of Center Parcs? (never been!). Are we unlikely to get the full benefit of Center Parcs if my wife's pregnant and in her third trimester?

All I can remember about Center Parcs was the hillarious Mumsnet thread a few years back for what some bloke thought Center Parcs was a byword for   (for those who remember!)

Any thoughts much appreciated!

JGB1955

The 'Safari' experience is totally separate from Center Parcs - they just happen to share the same locality.  Likewise with Woburn.  There is a LOT of walking/cycling involved at CP - your wife might not appreciate that at that stage of her pregnancy. To leave the Parc for your safari experience you would all have to walk to the car park (could be a mile away), leave the site, return to the car park and then walk back to your villa.  There is a land train at Longleat but the site is VERY hilly.

ChilliBob

Very helpful, thank you. So that doesn't discount the safari or spa, but tells me Center Parcs is probably a rubbish idea. 

Cheers

jon81uk

If mainly interested in the spa at Center Parcs you might get a hotel room close to the spa instead of the lodge accommodation more traditionally at Center Parcs.
Spa Breaks | Aqua Sana

ChilliBob

Cheers, yeah that's the spa I was looking at - it looks decent. I didn't think it had anything to do with Center Parcs though?

Edit: Just seen the Center Parcs logo in the bottom right, d'oh, facepalm!

jon81uk

ChilliBob said:

Cheers, yeah that's the spa I was looking at - it looks decent. I didn't think it had anything to do with Center Parcs though?

Edit: Just seen the Center Parcs logo in the bottom right, d'oh, facepalm!

The spa is at Center Parcs Aqua Sana Spa at Center Parcs | Center Parcs

daveyjp

From my one and only experience Center Parcs really don't want you you to leave during your stay and getting back in on a Sunday evening was a tortuous process.

If you don't intend staying within the 'compound' go to a 4-5 star hotel instead.

ChilliBob

Ah man, that totally doesn't sound like our vibe then! Thanks for the comments 

emilyjane92

We stayed at Woburn CP but did the safari on the way there. Worked out quite well as did the safari early then when done we turned up at CP round the corner for checkin and enjoyed our evening and rest of weekend there. I don't think I would leave in the middle of my stay but the safari could easily work as something to do as you are arriving/departing CP and then get best of both worlds.

ChilliBob

emilyjane92 said:

We stayed at Woburn CP but did the safari on the way there. Worked out quite well as did the safari early then when done we turned up at CP round the corner for checkin and enjoyed our evening and rest of weekend there. I don't think I would leave in the middle of my stay but the safari could easily work as something to do as you are arriving/departing CP and then get best of both worlds.

Thanks, that's really useful to know for future. I think on this occasion we will shelve the idea I think my wife is just too knackered to enjoy it. Perhaps in a couple of years when number two is fully here! 

joanneharris

Centre Parcs is based around activities so being pregnant would rule her out of a lot of things there. Spa would be nice, restaurants, walk in woods, possibly pool, etc but 90% of activities would probably not allow a pregnant person to do them (or she would simply not want to do them being pregnant!). I would save yourself until you are ready to have a fun filled weekend with the kids and non-pregnant wife!