Centre Parcs - any good?
Discussion
The other half has done some work for the center parcs group and has spent some time at this park.
Its nice but hilly so the bikes might be a struggle if your not up for it. The pool is free and everything else is pay for. The food etc on the park is expensive (comparable takeaway from there was twice the price as back home).
You can tell the people who go often as they take everthing they need with them in tubs so as not to shop on site. Works best if there is a large group of you to spread the cost. Generally as a family holiday with 3 generations.
Its nice but hilly so the bikes might be a struggle if your not up for it. The pool is free and everything else is pay for. The food etc on the park is expensive (comparable takeaway from there was twice the price as back home).
You can tell the people who go often as they take everthing they need with them in tubs so as not to shop on site. Works best if there is a large group of you to spread the cost. Generally as a family holiday with 3 generations.
)VinceFox said:
They get really funny about you knocking one out in the pool.
Stupid centreparcs, didnt want to go back there anyway.
Apparently on googling just Centre Parcs you don't need to knock one off as you can get anal:Stupid centreparcs, didnt want to go back there anyway.
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/a1385104...
Pommygranite said:
Thanks chaps good info.
Maybe just a week then!
Are they nice or a bit scabby/old/jaded?
Make sure you choose the upgraded cabins (they may all be done by now) - the new ones are significantly better. Maybe just a week then!
Are they nice or a bit scabby/old/jaded?
2 weeks is definitely too long, though. Don't forget that you are allowed to leave the site during your stay! Longleat is moments away and worth a visit.
I love the place and have been to a few. I found it best to spend money on the accommodation as the basic ones are a tad scruffy. The new style woodland lodges are about the best value but if you have money to burn the treehouses are simply amazing!
The supermarket is good and has everything you need but its not cheap, think more Waitrose than Tesco. I tend to just take what I need and cook or eat out.
I think people find it expensive and complain that the activities cost too much. I think the issue is that it's possible to do so much in a short time. For example, an hour's badminton near where I live is £8.50, at centre parcs last time I went it was either £5 for an early session or £7 for the later ones. I think that's good value, the difference is, you can then go laser shooting before climbing and quad biking. I found all the activities reasonable and what I'd expect to pay locally. The problem is If I were to go quad biking at home it would be a full day with traveling taken into consideration. At centre parcs it's all so close it might only take up and hour and half, then you need to do something else.
Last time I went, the kids were happier with the pool, it's still the best pool they've been to and it's free all day every day. Add in some bike rides, visits to the wildlife hides and midnight nature walks we hardly spent anything inside the parc, we could have spent hundreds on activities but I'm not sure the kids would have got any more benefit.
The supermarket is good and has everything you need but its not cheap, think more Waitrose than Tesco. I tend to just take what I need and cook or eat out.
I think people find it expensive and complain that the activities cost too much. I think the issue is that it's possible to do so much in a short time. For example, an hour's badminton near where I live is £8.50, at centre parcs last time I went it was either £5 for an early session or £7 for the later ones. I think that's good value, the difference is, you can then go laser shooting before climbing and quad biking. I found all the activities reasonable and what I'd expect to pay locally. The problem is If I were to go quad biking at home it would be a full day with traveling taken into consideration. At centre parcs it's all so close it might only take up and hour and half, then you need to do something else.
Last time I went, the kids were happier with the pool, it's still the best pool they've been to and it's free all day every day. Add in some bike rides, visits to the wildlife hides and midnight nature walks we hardly spent anything inside the parc, we could have spent hundreds on activities but I'm not sure the kids would have got any more benefit.
Definately worth going but as mentioned not for 2 weeks.
Mon - fri will be ideal.
I've been to Sherwood a few times and the kids had a blast. They were fine with staying in the pool or cycling around and playing outside. Food is expensive in the supermarket so take what you can with you. Meals are expensive but its nice to eat out once or twice.
Mon - fri will be ideal.
I've been to Sherwood a few times and the kids had a blast. They were fine with staying in the pool or cycling around and playing outside. Food is expensive in the supermarket so take what you can with you. Meals are expensive but its nice to eat out once or twice.
There is a Morrisons and a Waitrose in Warminster which is the closest town (couple of miles) there is also plenty of fast food joints Indian/Chinese/Pizza etc if you don't want to eat on site, if your son likes his cars you have Haynes Motor Museum within 30mins drive of CP, within 5mins drive there is also http://warminsteractivitycentre.co.uk/
(I live 5mins away from it so if you need any info let me know)
(I live 5mins away from it so if you need any info let me know)
saleen836 said:
There is a Morrisons and a Waitrose in Warminster which is the closest town (couple of miles) there is also plenty of fast food joints Indian/Chinese/Pizza etc if you don't want to eat on site, if your son likes his cars you have Haynes Motor Museum within 30mins drive of CP, within 5mins drive there is also http://warminsteractivitycentre.co.uk/
It's pretty much a lock-in on site. Unless you've got one of the 8 or so villas with allocated parking (the treehouses and a few other big ones), you have to leave the motor in the car park except on arrival/departure. It could be a fair old walk to get to the car park depending on where your villa is.15peter20 said:
saleen836 said:
There is a Morrisons and a Waitrose in Warminster which is the closest town (couple of miles) there is also plenty of fast food joints Indian/Chinese/Pizza etc if you don't want to eat on site, if your son likes his cars you have Haynes Motor Museum within 30mins drive of CP, within 5mins drive there is also http://warminsteractivitycentre.co.uk/
It's pretty much a lock-in on site. Unless you've got one of the 8 or so villas with allocated parking (the treehouses and a few other big ones), you have to leave the motor in the car park except on arrival/departure. It could be a fair old walk to get to the car park depending on where your villa is.Was out there last night for a meal and there was a fair few spaces in the car park.
swerni said:
Pommygranite said:
VinceFox said:
They get really funny about you knocking one out in the pool.
Stupid centreparcs, didnt want to go back there anyway.
Apparently on googling just Centre Parcs you don't need to knock one off as you can get anal:Stupid centreparcs, didnt want to go back there anyway.
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/a1385104...
Just mailed that to one of the HR manager for the group, she's a mate of mine
Definately worth a one off. There are great things to do. I've been to all four and might take a look at the fifth when it is finished. As said a few days is enough unless you go off-site. It is very hilly and we used a rope to help children get up slopes and to control their descent, although at 8 your lad has probably got the hang of brakes 
The new owners have done a lot of infill development and in my opinion it's not a tranquil woodland it's heaving at times and you can't cycle freely to the centre because of so many people about. The spa is also busy, presumably because they now do day visitors. Also you want to be quick booking your activities as we've found some booked up in the past. The facilities don't seem to have grown at the same pace as the accommodation; you can encounter some pretty long queues at the pool. If Sherwood is doable for you then it's quieter, smaller and flatter.
The new owners have done a lot of infill development and in my opinion it's not a tranquil woodland it's heaving at times and you can't cycle freely to the centre because of so many people about. The spa is also busy, presumably because they now do day visitors. Also you want to be quick booking your activities as we've found some booked up in the past. The facilities don't seem to have grown at the same pace as the accommodation; you can encounter some pretty long queues at the pool. If Sherwood is doable for you then it's quieter, smaller and flatter.swerni said:
spud989 said:
The best thing is that if you now google 'Center Parcs' the fourth (non-sponsored) link down is the mumsnet thread 
you mean, just in case you couldn't find it from the multiple links in the thread Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff