Center Parcs - what is it really like?

[Lochie]

My husband and I are looking at a 3 or 4 day break over new year as we can't get any time off for a summer holiday this year....we want to stay in the UK and therefore I'm trying to find a cottage with indoor pool or holiday venue with activities suitable for a 2 year old boy.

I've started thinking about Center Parcs as it ticks all the boxes for our son, but was just wondering:

1) If anyone can give feedback on what its like, I don't usually like going to places purely built for holiday makers but this time as we will have a 2 year old realise that he is the major feature here, and therefore perhaps it'll make a great choice?

2) Can anyone recommend the best one to go to and is there much of a difference in the lodges you stay in? There is a massive difference in price e.g. 3 nights in executive lodge over new year is ?1k - seems loads! Also really want some peace and quiet, is there any chance of getting that? (obviously don't expect peace in the communual areas but don't want to be woken up in bed at 4am on new years day either by dad ravers!)

Thanks in advance

[Ondine]

Love center parcs and been loads of times. We usually go to longleat. We were there for a 5 day stay this past new year and it was lovely. The houses are cleverly grouped in clusters of 4-5 so that you really don't see much at all of your neighbours. We tend to go for the woodland lodges, which are about mid-price and there are loads of them in all areas of the park. it's worth studying the map carefully to try and work out where you want to be. Eg how long a walk/ cycle to the pool. We tend to go for ones on the outer perimeter so you get lots of visits from the deer there, which my kids love.

[Pickle]

We went to Elvedon Forest a couple of years ago when our children were around 2.5 and 14 months - I had prepared myself for it to be the most horrific holiday of my life but absolutely loved it.

We had a Woodland Lodge (one of the refurbished ones), it was perfect. Far enough away from the centre of the park to be quiet, lots of wildlife came to visit, and the kids loved the trips in to the pool/restaurants on the back of our bikes. It was great to be on a holiday where children were completely catered for, and we all loved the pool. It's good to go when they're young and don't expect to do lots of activities that cost money!

Mr Pickle and I used the babysitting service one evening which was great, and we also booked treatments at the spa.

I'm not sure what it would be like peak season - we were there during school term time which meant it was quiet. Certainly for us it was a winner, I even came home feeling relaxed which is unheard of with two small children!

[Cora]

Great value if you go out of school holidays and mid-week. We always go December/January and have a fantastic time. We've only ever stayed in the cheapest but paid the extra to be as close as possible. I like it for visiting the spa a couple of times on my own and using the time-out clubs can give you two a bit of time together.

[ratty]

Sherwood Forest. Woodland Lodge. Late November. Perfect.

[Lochie]

Brilliant, am definitely keen to book now. All thoughts of Agadoo style holiday camps firmly been put out of my mind! Sounds lovely. Thanks alot x

[snowboarder]

Has anyone been to any of the center parc-a- likes? Was thinking about a couple of days at the fabulously named Sandy Balls in the new forest in June - combining a trip to peppa pig world (oh how holidays have changed!!). Anyone been?

(sorry to change subject a bit)

[bumpy]

Haven't been myself but friends highly recommend this place in Wales

http://www.bluestonewales.com

[bluesuperted]

Anna_r raves about said hilariously named Sandy Balls Snowboarder!

[Alan Medic]

I've been a few times over a period of a good few years for an annual family reunion (adults). The only negative I would say is that I've noticed that the villa's are not as well cared for as they have been in the past. Last year I complained about the dangerous shower (the water would suddenly get scalding hot) and the patio furniture which looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a long time.

My only other complaint would have to be that the one we booked burned down and I had to rearrange a break at short notice for people flying in from various places. We ended up in a caravan park in Clacton.

[Moos]

Can't help you with Sandy Balls itself, but it's very close to where I grew up and it's a lovely part of the Forest. Couple of nice little market towns nearby, and lots of common land to rum around on.

And, yes, we used to snigger when we drove past. Every time..

Oh, and if you want to eat out at all you could consider the Three Lions in Fordingbridge or the old tea rooms in Gorley (now a restaurant and B&B ) for nice food.

[anna_r]

Yes we used to go to sandy balls all the time growin up and adored it. We are taking our two for a long weekend in two weeks so will report back then...it's had a bit of a makeover since we used to go. We always stayed in one of their woodland lodges which is what we're doing this time. Right inthe new forest, beautiful surroundings, loads for kids to do, nice pool, plannin on hiring bikes from their cycle shop. Can't wait x

[snowboarder]

Cool - I think we're going to give it a go! The place in Wales looks lovely but so far away!

[BB100]

There was another thread about Center Parcs on here a while ago which had lots of detailed info posted. It would be worth your while doing a search for it.

[samstopit]

We've been to Sandy B's a couple of times as I grew up near there and my family live nearby. Some of the chalets are much nicer than others, I'd recommend shelling out extra for the newer ones. The restaurant looks tacky but is actually very good. The pool is great and there is a ball pit too which my kids love. The kids play ground is really good. Marwell zoo is nearby, would definitely recommend it. I haven't been to the Peppa Pig park but I expect we will succumb eventually!

And it's a lovely part of the country. I used to laugh as a child when holiday makers cooed and pointed at the new forest ponies - now I have two little London kids who scream 'PONY!' every time we pass one.