Center Parcs experience
Back in April I was lucky enough to be selected to become a wildcard for the 2013/14 Center Parcs Family Blogger club! You can enter too if you take a look at the blogger challenges here.
As a family we have been so excited about our holiday to Center Parcs. We couldn’t wait to get there. Here is our Center Parcs experience……
Center Parcs experience
Center Parcs Longleat is set in a very peaceful, beautiful environment embedded in the forest. During our stay we were surrounded by nature, which means we couldn’t prevent the feeling of tranquility and happiness, great for stress reduction. It is quite hilly though, so if you go be prepared for a bit of exercise too. However, there is a land train which regularly drives around the village if you prefer.
We stayed in a woodland lodge, which was very spacious, clean and had good facilities. We cooked meals quite comfortably, alternatively we could even have used the BBQ. Our lodge was amongst the trees of the forest, hence we were able to relax in the evening and watch the wildlife outside. The best part was seeing a deer with its baby right outside our lodge, the most relaxing entertainment we could have asked for.
One great thing about Center Parcs was that during our stay (apart from arrival and departure days), there were no cars in the village, which makes it fantastic for children to run around safely and ride bikes without the worry of traffic. We each hired bikes for the duration of our stay. It was very easy to hire the bikes, there were loads to choose from depending on your ability and age. There were even trailers for little ones.
At first my son was a bit wobbly on his bike, he is not quite confident on two wheels yet and hubby hasn’t been on a bike for 25 yrs, so we went for a gently ride around the quiet roads until everyone settled into it, then we were off. The kids absolutely loved riding their bikes. It was great to see BB gain confidence as well as Pinky and Boo, looking very cute on their little bikes, enjoying their cycling experience that we don’t normally get to do as a whole family. We even went for a bike ride after dinner, which made a lovely evening activity together.
There is so much to do at Center Parcs, with loads of activities to choose from, take a look here. There are activities suitable for all ages, from toddlers through to the older adults. I would recommend you take a good look at the activities before your holiday if you go and book them in advance to be sure of a place and also budget. My children all chose to try mini jet skis and they really loved it! They all rode round on their skis in the water independently giggling away. Hubby chose to do aqua jetting. He said it was good fun being pulled along under the water. I didn’t have any activities booked, but after watching everyone else having fun learning something new, my family persuaded me to choose something, so I booked a segway experience as it’s something I’ve never tried before. This was also great fun and I would recommend it. All our activities I will write about in a separate post.
Apart from the organised activities, there is still loads to do. The children loved the playground, especially the zip wire. They even took to standing on it at the end! We spent quite a lot of time in the playground, on the slides, climbing, swinging etc. We also had fun on the beach at the lake. The kids loved playing in the sand and water, watching the pedalos, eating ice cream and getting wet!
The other fantastic thing to do there, is swimming. The swimming pool is amazing! It is the best pool I’ve been in. There are family changing rooms and don’t forget to take £1 for the lockers (which you get back). There is lots to do in the pool and the toddler area is perfect for small children with slides and even a sand pit. The big pool has waves every half an hour, a lazy river to float around, there is a jacuzi, water shutes and slides for bigger people and an outdoor pool which is just like a bath it’s so warm! We had a lot of fun in that pool. We even borrowed buoyancy aids. It felt like they really have thought of everything.
We enjoyed a couple of meals out during our stay. We had a wonderful Fathers day meal at the Grand Cafe. The food was delicious and the staff were very friendly and helpful, they even came to help me serve my children, as I don’t have enough hands to help 3 small children at the same time. We also had a meal at the American Diner which has a kids buffet that the children loved and also a children’s play area, so they could go off and play whilst waiting. I must admit, you probably need to budget for meals out as they can be quite pricey, but they are worth it.
All in all, we had the most amazing holiday at Longleat Center Parcs. According to my son:
“Center Parcs is the best place in the world”!
Well, you can’t really beat that quote can you? I asked BB to write down the 5 best things about Center Parcs, here is his answer…..
- The jet skis
- The swimming
- The lodge house
- Riding the bikes
- The forest
My top 5 tips for your 1st stay at Center Parcs:
- PLAN – I think the key is to plan your holiday. Check out the activities and book them before you get there. Plan your budget and meals. There are lots of great places to eat out, or there is a good shop for you to buy food to cook in your lodge too.
- SWIMMING POOL – If you go to Center Parcs, the swimming pool is a must. It is fantastic for all swimming abilities and ages, there is something for everyone.
- BIKES – Hire bikes or bring your own, it is the best way to get around as the village is quite large, the roads are quiet, though you do need to be careful of other people and it is fun.
- EXPLORE – Take a walk or ride around the village, through the forest, around the lake, it is all beautiful, quiet and relaxing. You find all sorts of interesting things when you explore the area.
- TRY SOMETHING NEW – Center Parcs has so many fantastic opportunities to offer, I would recommend having a go at something you’ve never done before, it’s great!
This was the best holiday we have had as a family. It gave us good quality family time together from the moment we got up to the moment we went to bed!
Here’s where you can find out more about Visiting Center Parcs.
Aw Everyone looks like they had a brilliant time! I hope to take Mini to center parcs next summer. Your kids are gorgeous by the way!
Thank you very much. Center Parcs is definitely a fantastic place for a family holiday
What a fab review! I’m a big fan of Center Parcs, I can’t wait to enjoy it with our little man x
Thank you, it’s so great for families x
Looks like you had a great time and I love the look of those jet skis too!
Thanks, my kids loved those jet skis, didn’t want to get off!
It sounds and looks like you had an amazing time….Fab photos!
We had the best time!
Oh I am SO jealous, we would love to go to Center Parcs, it really does look amazing! Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
It was the most amazing holiday!
Fab review. We love Centre Parcs, such a great family orientated place. We’re hoping to go before the year is out. #TriedTested x
I hope you have a good time, it is such a fantastic place!
So pleased you had such a brilliant time – looks fab!
Thank you, it really was amazing!
I love your video. Center Parcs is the perfect place for families and your video shows it too x
Thank you very much
It looks like you had a wonderful time – I’ve never been to Center Parcs but I’m increasingly tempted.
Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested x
We had the best time, it is well worth trying
This is great Karen! So glad you had a good time xxxx
Thank you x
Looks like you had a fantastic time, will link it up later, thanks
We had ana amazing time!
Looks like you had a fab time. We went once. Would love to go again #TriedTested
It really was an amazing holiday, we would love to go back too
Looks so much fun! Wish we can visit this place =) #pocolo
It is the best
Looks great. N would love the activities – although quite often it looks like he’s a bit old for the younger activities, but not quite old enough for the ones he’d probably love to do.
One great thing about centre parks is that there are so many activities to choose from with a whole range of age suitability, I think everyone would find something they’d love to do.
So well done on winning a place. It looks like you had a wonderful time. We are off to Longleat for the second time in August – Ross’ parents are taking us there to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and we can’t wait!! Thank you for linking to PoCoLo
x
Oh fantastic, I hope you have a good time, it is a great place for a family holiday!