Europe Centre Parcs / Eurocamp resorts 3 hours from Calais

[chip*]

Hi,

Just thinking of some potential holidays (either half term or even next summer) maybe in a CP or EC resort which are ideal resorts for my 5 & 7 kids. I previously read from several posters that CP are better value on the mainland, so I will welcome any feedback or suggestions. Thanks

Requirements

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Pref max 3 (4 at a push) hours drive from Calais
France/Belgium/Holland etc..not fussed with country
Pool/Slide/Splash park/Playground
Kids clubs
other kiddie on-site activities


Nice to have

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Day trip opportunities e.g. beach/seaside town, amusement parks, zoo etc..
Decent on-site restaurant

[Somebody]

A few years ago now we went to Sunparks Kempense Meren in Belgium when the kids were young which is within 3 hours drive from Calais. Stopped off in Bruges which was pretty quaint.

[hiccy18]

Not been, default for family members going to Euro Disney though:

https://www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/france/paris/...

[ecsrobin]

https://www.centerparcs.de/de-de/deutschland/fp_HE...

Center parcs Nurburgring also an hour from phantasialand which has some brilliant rides.

[rix]

Went to Efteling earlier this year (both me and daughter like a theme park) and stayed here https://www.europarcs.com/holiday-parks/the-nether... which was a random find as was looking for a hotel / apartment.

Efteing was great but was really impressed with this park too, to the point that I'd actively seek out another europarc place. I've stayed in eurocamp places before but this was much nicer!

Was about 3 hours from Calais but did involve the Antwerp traffic!

[rix]

hiccy18 said:

Not been, default for family members going to Euro Disney though:

https://www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/france/paris/...

Yep I've been here, was ok but seems to have gone down hill a bit. Wouldn't particularly recommend.

[HiAsAKite]

ecsrobin said:

https://www.centerparcs.de/de-de/deutschland/fp_HE...

Center parcs Nurburgring also an hour from phantasialand which has some brilliant rides.

We did this one a few years back.

About 20minutes from the ring, 1 hour 30 from Spa, good place to go with kids.. lots to see nearby, but it is probably closer to 5-6 hours from Calais..


Worth it though...

[Kermit power]

It's maybe a bit further from Calais than you want, but this Center Parcs was great!

https://www.centerparcs.fr/fr-fr/france/fp_TF_vaca...

[ecsrobin]

HiAsAKite said:

We did this one a few years back.

About 20minutes from the ring, 1 hour 30 from Spa, good place to go with kids.. lots to see nearby, but it is probably closer to 5-6 hours from Calais..


Worth it though...

Just under 5 hours on a good run but think it’s worth it.

[chip*]

rix said:

Went to Efteling earlier this year (both me and daughter like a theme park) and stayed here https://www.europarcs.com/holiday-parks/the-nether... which was a random find as was looking for a hotel / apartment.

Efteing was great but was really impressed with this park too, to the point that I'd actively seek out another europarc place. I've stayed in eurocamp places before but this was much nicer!

Was about 3 hours from Calais but did involve the Antwerp traffic!

Thanks, never heard of Europarcs before, but I will add this company onto my list of options!

[chip*]

ecsrobin said:

https://www.centerparcs.de/de-de/deutschland/fp_HE...

Center parcs Nurburgring also an hour from phantasialand which has some brilliant rides.

Looks fab, but my two complains with 2 hours journey, but this looks a great venue for a few years time / when my kids are older and hopefully handle longer car journey.

[gtidriver]

We did the German Centre Parcs a few years ago, and even with the Eurotunnel and fuel our like-for-like break was 1/4 the price of the Longleat one.

[HiAsAKite]

ecsrobin said:

HiAsAKite said:

We did this one a few years back.

About 20minutes from the ring, 1 hour 30 from Spa, good place to go with kids.. lots to see nearby, but it is probably closer to 5-6 hours from Calais..


Worth it though...

Just under 5 hours on a good run but think it’s worth it.

Completely agree.
The key is to make the journey there and back part of the holiday too... with interesting stop offs/overnights for the kids

[muscatdxb]

chip* said:

Looks fab, but my two complains with 2 hours journey, but this looks a great venue for a few years time / when my kids are older and hopefully handle longer car journey.

Euro driving hits differently. We’ve been covering all corners of France since ours were 5 years old and they’ve been fine. I would never attempt a 12 hour drive with them in the UK though.

[chopper602]

If you like the seaside the Center Parc at Zandvoort is Ok - went on an October half term a few years ago, before they'd started using the grand prix circuit for F1 again - it's right next door. The weather was 'typical' but the pool etc was great.
Also done the one near Nurburgring and another near Bostalsee (this one had just been finished and some of the paint was still wet!).
The latter is good if you've missed leg day at the gym - hundreds of big steps up to the accommodation from the pool.

[M31EOD]

We went to this Eurocamp in May: https://www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/france/britta...

Very good indoor pool and other activities. Nice clean resort.

[chip*]

Thanks for all the above info.
I did some more digging around, and I found this place:

https://www.parcdolhain.fr/

Only 1.5 hour from Calais with basic accommodation, but has lots of outdoor activities and an hour to the Dennelly theme park.

Looking at the reviews, attendee is almost locals (refreshing to get away from the usual UK Centreparc / Eurocamp audience ), so I may give this place a try on the May 25 half term. Will report back if I do go.

[zbc]

Or you could even try Plopsaland - just for the name. But actually worth a look depending on quite what you are looking for

[popegregory]

chip* said:

Thanks for all the above info.
I did some more digging around, and I found this place:

https://www.parcdolhain.fr/

Only 1.5 hour from Calais with basic accommodation, but has lots of outdoor activities and an hour to the Dennelly theme park.

Looking at the reviews, attendee is almost locals (refreshing to get away from the usual UK Centreparc / Eurocamp audience ), so I may give this place a try on the May 25 half term. Will report back if I do go.

Did you? We’re looking at these for next year potentially.

[rix]

Just as an update to this thread on EU theme park type road trips, me and my 16 year old daughter did a driving trip to Walabi Belgium (just beyond Brussels) followed by Plopsaland Belgium (45 mins north of Calais). Both parks were brilliant, but Wallabi Belgium in particular was really good

Having done Europapark and Efteling last year, it feels like phantasialand and maybe Wallabi Holland are those theme parks most deserving of a trip into Europe later this year or next - any more ideas?