* Center Parcs anyone? *

CharleneUK

Seeing as we've left it too late to go abroad for the school break in Feb, we are thinking about going to center parcs instead.

The prices are, well, pricey, but can anyone tell me if it's worth it?

It would be 2 adults and three kids, 2, 5 and 11 years old.

Any experiences would be super! Thank you.

My_Fathers_Daughter

This may be a silly question but have you checked out their Special Offers Section?

http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/prices_booking/specialoffers/index.jsp

I have been with girlfirends but yet to take the family - I was waiting til DSS was old enough to enjoy the water slides, rapids etc. This year looks like a possibility though - great fun!

CharleneUK

No, I haven't!! I didn't even see it! Cheers. Will see what I come up with.

Are all the activities included in the price?

My_Fathers_Daughter

Not all of them if I remember correctly - it is extra to hire bikes and for the spa. The swimming is free and I think things like tennis may be too (but you have to book these in advance).

I am sure someome will come along with lots of family friendly advice soon!

Don't forget - the accommodation is self catering (although there are lots of places to eat out) so at least you can save money on meals.

mich_city

google for codes also.. can often get a good deal if it suits your dates :-)

Pink_Socks

The swimming pool is included in the price. There are playgrounds around the parc which are also free and a couple of activities like the Bird Hide. Everything else you will need to pay for. Once you have booked your villa/apartment, you will receive a brochure containing all the activities which range from about £5.00 right up to £35+ (each).

Ends up quite expensive - it is really good fun. We have been before and the kids love it!

daveyjp

We have only been once and it was about 6 years ago, but my impression was if I wanted to go to an open prison I would commit a minor crime!

There were 8 of us at Sherwood (aged 18 months to 60) and as we were a large group were on the far edge of the development. It was 15-20 minutes walk from the swimming pool/restaurants etc and over 30 minutes to the car (another pain as two of us had to go somewhere else on the Sunday)

We went in winter (November in our case) and the weather was foul. Walking 20 minutes to get anywhere in the pouring rain was no fun for anyone then we had 8 people's wet clothes to dry out.

Bike hire was expensive, restaurant was expensive, shop was expensive, activities were expensive.

A cottage near a town with a leisure centre would have been cheaper and more fun!

CharleneUK

Oh dear!! I had a feeling you'd have to pay extra for a few things, but it seems like most things!!

I don't think will be for us. Thanks everyone!

Anyone else with experience? How much on average did you spend? ( I know this will vary from family/people to people, but roughly?)

wallacebob

I have been to three - Whinfell (Penrith), Sherwood and Elveden thro' work, so I didn't pay. And I'm glad I didn't pay. Food is very ordinary for price. You have to spend a to to really use all the facilities.
Whinfell is nicest "real" country, and is cleanest. Lots of work done to log cabins. But is this the real lake district? No!
Elveden is OK and well run. But full of Chavs, regular fights in busy seasons I believe!
Sherwood is pretty dismal. I found the cabins more like concrete bunkers, and very shabby. If Robin was alive he wouldn't be here.
All sites make you park miles from cabins to deter you from leaving. Supposed to be road safety, but you will be run down by bikes or staff just as easy!

moneypanicker

It is expensive. I've been 4 times to Longleat. I've been 3 times in November and once in April. Will definately go back again. The cheapest way to do it is to go with another familiy and split the cost. My children are pre-school age and it is a great place to go with young kids. You don't have to spend a fortune on them for them to enjoy themselves, they were happy going swimming playing in the park, chasing ducks etc.

The activities are expensive and i don't think i'd be able to afford it if the kids wanted to do all the activites. If however they would be happy spending all day in the swimming pool (as some seem to do) then it may be worth it!

bunty109

Have you thought about looking at the ones on the Continent? They are waaaaaaaay cheaper, both in terms of the cost of the holiday initially and then when you get there. We've been 3 times during the summer holidays for a whole week and paid around £600 for the week plus Eurotunnel (courtesy of my clubcard deals) : it would about twice that over here and all the bike hires etc are much cheaper than over here too.

They have special offers for Feb half term as I was looking at them and they are excellent prices. You need to look at the centerparcs.com site rather than the .co.uk site though.

I've been to the UK and Belgian and Dutch parcs and I wouldn't go in the UK again in spite of them being great. The parcs abroad seem to be less crowded, cheaper and equally as nice!

Just booked to go to Belgium for October half-term. It will be our third time at the same parc, but the children love it and we enjoy being able to get out and about the local area on the bikes....can't wait!!!