* Center Parcs anyone? *

Rachie_B

CharleneUK wrote: »

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?)

No, only the pool is included

we went in Jan 07, and besides hiring bikes each and spa session for the ladies
the only activities we booked were; an hour of football which was £3.50 per person and badminton which was the same price i think

our 2 ( then 10 and 4) were happy in the pool ,taking bike rides,playing on the "beach" and taking walks

i will not pay the ridiculous prices in school holidays though!
we went with my sister and her family, and split the cost ( used a code too )so ended up paying just less than £200 each family !! :T

CharleneUK

Thanks to everyone who replied!!

BernadetteN

Why not try the 4 Sunparks in Belgium? These are much cheaper, maybe a little shabbier if you take the cheapest of accommodation. Bike hire and 10 pin bowling is cheap. The nearest Sunparks at Oostduinkerke is less than an hour from Calais. They do really good last minute deals (about 2 weeks in advance) and give 20% discount for families with under 12s, 20% off for booking 6 months in advance etc. We did a 5 day midweek break in May half term for less than 200 Euros for a 6 person cottage. Crossings start at £38 return with Norfolkline. USe code VBBR for an extra 50 Euros off. Also, Sunparks are now owned by Centerparks so they are now going more upmarket with more luxury accommodation.

G-G_4

I love Centre Parcs.. been about 12 times! Since I was about 6yrs old..

It's awesome.. the one in Sherwood Forest is the best in my opinion.. although I havn't been to the one in the Lake District..

It's an excellent family holiday and well worth it..

G-G_4

You can easily go and not spend too much money..

The swimming is free and is more than enough entertainment for 1/2 a day.. and you can go in the evening when it's dark, great fun for all the family!

Also, lots of roads and tracks to take mountainbikes on or just for a walk..

Take a football and lots of places to play with that..

Also tons of forest for the kids to run about in..

The lake is fun too!

I really do love centre parcs! Try and get a week with dry weather (not eay i know) and it can be a drag in the wet..

Ms_Chocaholic

I agree with G-G, I think it is excellent, we have been with and without children. Can be expensive but if you buy or take your own food (the supermarket stocks a wide variety at reasonable prices) then you can cut down on the cost. Taking your own bikes will also save on cost.

It's really safe as no cars on the roads inside the Parc apart from Fridays and Mondays. Even when it's been wet, as long as you have a warm waterproof coat on, it's quite exhilerating riding about without a care about how you look.

I've been to Longleat (the biggest Parc in the UK and very hilly so need to be fit to cycle around), Sherwood (my preferred choice) and Whinfell. Not keen on Whinfell at all, the pool and all restaurants are in one dome like building, it feels like you are at large shopping centre (Lakeside, Bluewater) whereas at Sherwood, the restaurants are outside and you have more of a feeling of being in the open.

Let us know what you decide.

Ms C x

BOBS

I was looking at Centre Parc for our family holidays in July .... came across Ribby Hall Village near Blackpool which seems to be like Centreparc but a good bit cheaper ......has any one been to this ??? Would love to hear any views..

Rachie_B

BernadetteN wrote: »

Why not try the 4 Sunparks in Belgium? These are much cheaper, maybe a little shabbier if you take the cheapest of accommodation. Bike hire and 10 pin bowling is cheap. The nearest Sunparks at Oostduinkerke is less than an hour from Calais. They do really good last minute deals (about 2 weeks in advance) and give 20% discount for families with under 12s, 20% off for booking 6 months in advance etc. We did a 5 day midweek break in May half term for less than 200 Euros for a 6 person cottage. Crossings start at £38 return with Norfolkline. USe code VBBR for an extra 50 Euros off. Also, Sunparks are now owned by Centerparks so they are now going more upmarket with more luxury accommodation.

thats a fab price !! :T

what accomodation would you recommend / do you stay in ?

I've tried getting a quote online but no price shows up in the price column ? do you have to ring up ?

wendyl1967

We go every year in winter as an extra break and love it. We have a 13 and a 10 year old boy. We have gone on our own and with friends since it opened.

It is expensive but we are fortunate that our two boys are just happy to spend hours in the pool. They go round and round the rapids for hours on end. We get to spend the time sitting in a hot pool area reading. Sometimes we play badminton and racketball which is not too expensive.

Bowling is dearer so we usually only do that once during the holiday. £18 for 45 mins!

The restaurants are a mixture of prices. They have a macdonalds type place also selling sandwiches, salads and jackets potatoes for around £4.50 a meal deal. For example burger, chips and a drink which we find reasonably prices. The pizza restaurant is similar to the ones in my home town. The place we find very dear is the Indian restaurant. We went with friends for the first time last October and we said never again. It was nice but not that nice. 4 adults and 4 children. We had 1 popodom each, 1 drink each plus a bottle of house red, 1 childrens meal, 7 curries and it came to £151 between us. I nearly died when we got the bill!

Take your own bike with you.

You will have a fantastic time if your kids a good swimmers.

It will save money if you do not have to fork out for all the extras.

The supermarket is ok. It is like paying for named brands with a few pence stuck on. The meat is very dear.

We have just booked again for April.

wendyl1967

We live about 5 miles from there. I have been twice to childrens parties. It is good but nothing like Center Parcs. They have a pool with two small slides and two jacuzzis. You can't really compare it. It compares more with Haven holidays caravan sites.

BOBS wrote: »

I was looking at Centre Parc for our family holidays in July .... came across Ribby Hall Village near Blackpool which seems to be like Centreparc but a good bit cheaper ......has any one been to this ??? Would love to hear any views..