Center Parcs
Center Parcs
If you're looking for a family holiday in the UK this Summer be sure to check out Center Parcs!
Based in Whinfell Forest (Cumbria), Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire), Elveden Forest, (Suffolk), Woburn Forest (Bedfordshire) and Longleat Forest (Wiltshire) there are plenty of locations to choose from and with over 200 activities to take part in there will be something for the whole family!
Accommodation
Stay in gorgeous lodges surrounded by vast natural forest landscapes, lakes and woodlands or treat yourselves and stay in the incredible treehouses which come with their own outside hot tubs!
Lodges sleep two, four, six or eight guests and come with fully equipped kitchen, open plan living and dining area and private patio area.
Image taken from www.centerparcs.co.uk
Getting around
The best way to travel and see the forest is on bikes using the many cycle paths. Take your own bikes or hire them from the Cycle centre.
Alternatively you can take one of the many shuttles that run around the forests which will take you to and from the main areas such as the swimming pool and indoor activity centers.
Image taken from www.centerparcs.co.uk
Subtropical Swimming Paradise
The subtropical swimming paradise is perfect for the whole family and is included in the price of your stay.
The pools are heated to 29.5°C all year round and the tropical plants dotted around make you feel like you're in a tropical paradise.
The swimming pools are slightly different depending on the location but all include at least one pool for toddlers, as well as water slides, flumes, rapids and whirlpools for bigger kids and adults. Check out the different locations for more details.
The swimming paradise also has it's own cafe and bar which serves hot and cold food all day meaning you can enjoy the whole day there without having to leave to get lunch.
Image taken from www.centerparcs.co.uk
Paid Activities
As well as the included activities such as the swimming paradise and indoor and outdoor playgrounds there are also hundreds of activities that you can pay for. If you are going in the school holidays its best to book these to avoid disappointment. Below is a list of top things to do for different ages:
For babies:
All locations have a creche. You can either stay and play with your little one or leave them with the ofsted registered staff. Activities include play with sand, water and more. They also do a parent accompanied session in sensory play.
There are also plenty of indoor and outdoor play areas dotted around and toddler water playgrounds within the swimming pools.
Image taken from www.centerparcs.co.uk
For children 2-7 years
From bug hunting, pottery painting, pirate and princess adventures, chocolate making and mini fencing your children won't run out of things to do
Image taken from www.centerparcs.co.uk
For children 8-11 years
Segway, junior quad bikes, archery and aerial tree trekking are just a few of things your children can get up to.
Image taken from www.centerparcs.co.uk
Adults
Children don't get to have all the fun at Centre Parcs as there are so many things targeted for adults too! Take part in activities such as the Aerial adventure, quad biking and paddle boarding, join in on a wide range of exercise classes like Zumba, Pilates and Metafit, get competitive with a game of Badminton, Tennis or Squash, or relax in the Aqua Sana spa and indulge in a wide range of treatments.
Image taken from www.centerparcs.co.uk
Dining
In each location there are a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes available such as Bella Italia, Huck's American Bar and Grill, Las Iguanas and the Pancake House.
If you don't want to go out for dinner visit the ParcMarket to pick up your groceries and cook at your lodge or order from their wide takeaway menu and have your dinner delivered to the lodge.
Image taken from www.centerparcs.co.uk
Here at Nature Shop we love going to Center Parcs and we think it makes the perfect family holiday in the UK. Have you been? We'd love to hear what you think! Here are a few photos from our last visit to Longleat Forest:
