Center Parcs

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 29 Jan 2007, 11:49

I've never been that keen on the concept of Center Parcs, but once you have a kid you find yourself doing all sorts of things you once vowed you'd never do. We normally have a very nice, peaceful Easter break in the Cowal peninsula, but the Center Parcs ad has grabbed the attention of my son. Having looked into the cost of a weekend break over Easter at Whinfell Forest I was horrified at the price and it prompted me to look into the price of Center Parcs in Holland and Belgium. Despite the additional cost of a ferry trip from Rosyth or Newcastle, the price of a continental booking would work out similar to one in the UK, plus it would be a bit more of an adventure.

Has anyone stayed in any of the parks in Holland or Belgium and if so what did you make of it?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 29 Jan 2007, 12:00

I've not been to CP Holland or Belguim, however I have been to Sherwood Forrest two or three times and the one in the Lake District once.

What can I say?

We undoubtedely had a great time, we went with at least one other family each time. Its safe, pretty clean and not Butlins. As you have already identified it is expensive and not only the cost of booking. Eating out etc is pricey and as you are "captive" the tab runs up big time. The last time I was there one had to make one's own bed, which I thought was a bit OTT for the price.

Bernie and Matthew will love it and you probably will too, particularly if you do introduce the continental aspect. One thing I will say is if you go to the lake district its crawling with Porty punters. Which can be good or not so good. I always thought the former.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 29 Jan 2007, 13:43

Have you thought about Auchrannie? My sis has been there a few times with her family and they throughly enjoyed - nieces 10 and 13.

www.auchrannie.co.uk

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 29 Jan 2007, 14:33

Yes I've been to Auchrannie before Sandra and enjoyed it, but you can't hire a lodge for only a weekend at Easter; it has to be a full week

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 29 Jan 2007, 18:07

We have been to Whinfell Forest on several occasions, usually off-peak when it is a bit cheaper and not quite so busy. It's fine for a short break and there are excellent sports and leisure facilities but I agree that the prices they charge for school holidays are outrageous. I would also warn you that the food is crap and the service abysmal in my experience, wherever you choose to eat. There is a small supermarket on site or load up a cool box before you leave.

Depends what you want I suppose. Whinfell is an easy drive and, as Porty says, Matthew will probably love it. But if you want an adventure then I would head for a Center Park in Holland.

My tip is a Forest Holiday in either Strathyre or Keldy in the North Yorks, but again they are going to stick it on you for school hols.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 29 Jan 2007, 18:42

We've been to Strathyre too and it is somewhere we'll most certainly return to, but this Easter Matthew wants some indoor options in case the weather proves miserable.

Ed · Post by Ed » 30 Jan 2007, 10:22

Wife, son and I (along with my parents), went to Whinfell off peak last year. We thought it was great, son loved:

pedalos
swimming pool
wee cars pushed around in
patio doors

There was lots of kids club activities (book in advance) and the restaurants were fine. Italian was nice as we got a seat next to play area.

All Jack did for 5 days was run about like a loon, go to bed and sleep for 12 hours, repeat!

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 30 Jan 2007, 12:55

Ed wrote: son loved:

patio doors

All Jack did for 5 days was run about like a loon, go to bed and sleep for 12 hours, repeat!

What more can a parent want?

Mate of Marya · Post by **Mate of Marya** » 01 Feb 2007, 08:28

Marya wrote:I've never been that keen on the concept of Center Parcs, but once you have a kid you find yourself doing all sorts of things you once vowed you'd never do. We normally have a very nice, peaceful Easter break in the Cowal peninsula, but the Center Parcs ad has grabbed the attention of my son. Having looked into the cost of a weekend break over Easter at Whinfell Forest I was horrified at the price and it prompted me to look into the price of Center Parcs in Holland and Belgium. Despite the additional cost of a ferry trip from Rosyth or Newcastle, the price of a continental booking would work out similar to one in the UK, plus it would be a bit more of an adventure.

Has anyone stayed in any of the parks in Holland or Belgium and if so what did you make of it?

Try staying in a Dungalow at Duinrell Holiday Park in Wassenaar, Holland.
Not a centre parc but plenty to do for children.
Cheap flights to Amsterdam with easyjet.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Feb 2007, 16:08

Thanks MoM but we've already settled for a Center parc and ferry trip. I was chuffed to discover that if I booked the ferry through RBS membership services I could get it Â£80 cheaper than booking it direct. I've never bothered going through them before and always assumed the best deal would be by booking direct.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

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