center parcs questions

[Mike]

They seem very coy about the cost of extras. Can anyone give us an idea of the price of activities, bike hire etc?

Ta.:smile:

[rusty30]

They are coy about a lot of things -i.e no photos of the "villas" coz they are horrid worn out, cold and damp "huts" that they charge an arm and a leg for.

When we went, Bike hire, JUST for DH was £50 for the 3 days (weekend) - we didnt bother. DD did horse riding - £25. Badminton court £6 for 30 mins. Bungee trampoline £8 for about 10 minutes. The only thing that was free was the pool -but that was SO packed because it was free it was virtually unusable.

To be honest we found the whole place one big rip off and have never been back - however I seem to be the ONLY person in the whole of the UK who thinks so (everyone else raves about it) so I guess I must be fussy :D .

Save yer cash for somewhere decent!

[BevS97]

Well, I'm in agreement with Rusty. I have been a couple of times, the last time with a group of women and we shared the cost of the villa so it was quite a cheap weekend. We did all go in the spa for the morning, that cost £40 and was fabulous. In fact, we are going back and staying in the luxury villas and doing the spa again, but when you are dividing the cost of the villa by 8 then it is much more affordable.

I didn't find the villas to be cold or damp, but they aren't luxurious (unless presumably you upgrade to one of the more expensive ones which is what we are trying next time), they are very basic, I have seen posher caravans in terms of furnishings etc.

However, when I went with the family I found all the activities to be quite pricey - in fact we did very few of them as they were mounting up so quickly.
We mostly rode bikes and went in the pool, I can't really remember agreeing to pay for anything else!

We've never been back as a family as it always seems to come out so expensive when I get a quote that I start thinking we could go to DLP instead.

[Mike]

Thanks ladies. We also found a couple of forums that offered the same conclusions.... back to the drawing board!:(

[John]

Abseiling 2 hours £18
Climbing 2 hour £17
High ropes 2 hours £18
Quad biking 1 hour £40
Archery 1 hour £14
Paintball 1 hr 25 mins £26 plus £7 per hundred shots
Horse riding x country 1.5 hours £37
Golf drifing range £3 per 50 balls
Windsurfing tuition 1 hours £22
Sailing dinghy hire £13 per half hour
Badminton £7 for 45 mins
10 pin bowling for 4 people £19 for 45 mins
Cinema £4
Adult mountain bike hire:
per day £12
Per w/end £23
Midweek £21
Week £30

It is pretty expensive if you go on school hols, out of season it can be a cheap w/end if you dont go daft with the extras. Accomodation is basic, but ok.

[Leann]

I am in agreement with Allie ,spent almost a £1,000 on a midweek break peak season in 2005 for a 4 bed villa ,it was awful ,we were upgraded but even so i was very disappointed
the following weekend we all went last min ,camping in Anglesey and had a blast :)

food at Cp wasnt too madly overpriced but the quality was rubbish ,

Ribby Hall in Lancashire is well worth a look ,we have had some great trips there :grin:

[grottyrotty]

We have been to Whinfell Forest twice (3rd time on Mon).

Yes it is very pricey in school hols - where isn't?

And yes, the activities are expensive. We've never booked onto any activities before, we only use the pool - which I personally think is great. At peak times it is full, but we go out of peak times if we can.

The bowling is the same price that we'd pay at home.

We have also been to a couple of Haven sites, and to Butlins in Skegness. There is no comparison. Yes they are a lot cheaper than CP. But, certainly when we've been to Whinfell Forest in the past, it has been much cleaner; the villas don't stink of smoke; it is no smoking in the entertainment areas; the changing rooms are family friendly and clean; and we've never had hoards of drunken youths roaming around.

Each to his own. We booked this hol as a one off treat, but the prices will prevent us from going again - unless the kids leave home and we can go during term time :D

I will let you know what my latest thoughts are on Whinfell forest next week after my hol.

See you there John! We are in Meadow View (back of beyond :D ) - where are you?

Deb :tinkani:

[jonnno]

We love Center Parcs and have been every year since the kids were tiny. We're not going this year because we're saving up for our once in a lifetime trip to Florida.

I agree that it is expensive but there is not a single second when the kids (or us adults) have said that they are bored. My sister always tries to get the cheapest holiday she can and then comes home and says that it was ok or something was wrong with it. Whenever we have been to Center Parcs we have had no problems/complaints or negatives at all.

So for £ per enjoyable minute the holiday works out as good value, which is what we are hoping for when we go to Florida. It may be costing us more than our usual holiday but the extra expense is worth it if you know you will have a good time.

[Bob_and_Dawn]

They seem very coy about the cost of extras. Can anyone give us an idea of the price of activities, bike hire etc?

Ta.:smile:

Is this a cover up to the Starbucks question ? :D


Dawn

[mobeckwith]

sorry disagree,been about 15 times,been to all parks,like sherwood best,the trick is just coz theres loads to book,doesnt mean you have to book it. we have mostly been monday to friday,2 adult 4 kids usually hire bikes,usually walk or bike through the day,go for lunch then swim from about 4pm till 9 when its quiet and most of the toddlers have gone to bed,and the pool is all light up at night,usually go fo a meal or i will throw a quick buffet together in the villa.its as chilled as you want it to be.if you want it to be cheap get your beer/groceries from netto,or go to m n s and get loads of treaty stuff,still cheaper than eating out.kids have done bowling,bungee etc.didnt think it was overpriced we were on holiday after all. i say try it it can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be. mo

[John]

We have been to Whinfell Forest twice (3rd time on Mon).

Yes it is very pricey in school hols - where isn't?

And yes, the activities are expensive. We've never booked onto any activities before, we only use the pool - which I personally think is great. At peak times it is full, but we go out of peak times if we can.

The bowling is the same price that we'd pay at home.

We have also been to a couple of Haven sites, and to Butlins in Skegness. There is no comparison. Yes they are a lot cheaper than CP. But, certainly when we've been to Whinfell Forest in the past, it has been much cleaner; the villas don't stink of smoke; it is no smoking in the entertainment areas; the changing rooms are family friendly and clean; and we've never had hoards of drunken youths roaming around.

Each to his own. We booked this hol as a one off treat, but the prices will prevent us from going again - unless the kids leave home and we can go during term time :D

I will let you know what my latest thoughts are on Whinfell forest next week after my hol.

See you there John! We are in Meadow View (back of beyond :D ) - where are you?

Deb :tinkani:

Were in Three Oaks which I think is near the front. I wont be doing much I'm afraid, I pulled my back a couple of weeks ago and can still hardly walk. I'm hoping to manage a swim, but that will be about it:(

[essexmick]

i think they are way way over priced, we've been three times as visitors with friends to elvedon forest and one other cant think of the name, every time we've been the night dont have diddly entertainment, at least at camps that you may pay a decent amount you get nightly entertainment. i personally would never pay to stay at any of them, and agree with allie about the villas

[Sue]

Have been on a £99 for 2 midweek break in March to Whinfell Forest - loved it, better accommodation than the other CP's - we did the Hawk Walk (fabulous), walking, clay pigeon shooting, swimming - really relaxing five day break.
Have been as a family to Elvedon twice for Christmas and it was great - a 4-bed villa between 7 of us worked out very reasonable. Lots of extras were put on, evening celebrations etc.
Don't do many of the activities and can see that it could be very expensive. But I'd rather go there than a Haven or Butlins!

[mkingdon]

Is this a cover up to the Starbucks question ? :D


Dawn

My thoughts exactly Dawn!! ;)

Cheaper to go to WDW Mike....we've done centerparcs...and yes, unless you want to breathe in and out or swim, extra charges apply....big ones IMO.

I know there is a small matter of flying there...but at £159 for a 14 day WDW ticket that means a day in WDW would be £11.36. :tounge: :grin:

You know it makes sense :cool2: :D

[grottyrotty]

A hol to WDW for 2 adults & 2 kids (who are 13 & 15 so have to pay adult prices for tickets) during the same dates as we are in Whinfell Forest, works out a lot more expensive than our "expensive" break in CP.

And our kids are taking a friend each with us - costing us no more for travel or accomodation (we had a 3 bedroom villa anyway) - self catered food wont cost much more for 2 extra kids either.

Any activities - the kids are funding themselves (my kids as well).

13yr old DD told me she is looking forward to Whinfell Forest more than she did WDW last year! Why? Coz she is taking her best friend with her!

We had problems with Whinfell accomodatation the 1st time that we went - but it was Oasis then, not CP. Last time (4 years ago) there were no probs with the accomodation. Tomorrow, we'll find out what our latest accomodation is like. Fingers crossed!

John - hope you enjoy your break, in spite of your back. I'll be the one looking really relaxed & chilled coz the kids are now old enough to go off on their own with their mates :D :D :D - at least during daylight hours!

Deb :tinkani:

[paulac]

John - hope you enjoy your break, in spite of your back. I'll be the one looking really relaxed & chilled coz the kids are now old enough to go off on their own with their mates :D :D :D - at least during daylight hours!

Deb :tinkani:

Deb We love centerparcs, like yours, our teenagers do their own thing leaving DH and I to do as much or as little as we want. :D

Mike, I wouldn't discount it. We normally go the week before christmas (school holidays permitting - unfortunately not this year :( ) and have a really chilled out time before the next manic few days. We love to sit at the bistro with a latte, watching the world go (slowly) by, the odd swan stopping to say hello, chicks running past your feet (early summer time) we can stroll through the woods in the dead of night - no worries - no sound - just total peace and quiet.

It is a totally different type of holiday to Florida, where you have to take an extra battery pack with you to get through it. :D Center parcs is were we go to recharge the batteries.

Paula

edited to say Deb, have a lovely relaxing time.

[TangleyTom]

My family LOVE CP.
Been to them all but always go to our fave Sherwood Forest now.

I think you can make it as cheap or expensive as you like. This Jan when we were tightening our belts a bit (Fla trip to pay for and new BIG mortgage) we ate out only a couple of times, reasonable prices. We also had a few meals in the villa. We walked everywhere, never bother hiring bikes but if I was a bike person I think I would bring my own!.
We also did the pool when it wasnt peak times, sooooo much more relaxing. We did bowling, good price. Crazy golf, good price. I always have a treatment in the Aqua Sana, I know its expensive there but I pre plan for this and it is a taste of luxery that I look forward to.

I have been at the week end and NEVER again. It's as if the whole place doubles its capacity and it is NOT a relaxing experience. We always do mid week (Did mid week followed by week end a coulpe of years ago :nonono: ) which is usually cheaper than the week end option. Also we dont go in summer or in school holidays.

It is a yearly holiday that we do every Jan and look forward to SO much. Both DH and I work really hard and both of us find that its a place where we can both relax and really enjoy it with our son.
As with many things tho, each to their own :grin:

Lisa XxX (CP Lover ;) )

[CarrieQ]

Have you thought on the center parcs on the continent? They are so much cheaper for a villa and the activites, bike hire etc is much less than UK. The villas are much the same but for the cost of a bog standard UK one for a weekend you can get a VIP for a week!

We tend to do this most summers as the layout in the parcs are similar and ds is autisic so this helps him feel more secure. The pools are much bigger than UK too!

Carrie

[Rach109]

Abseiling 2 hours £18
Climbing 2 hour £17
High ropes 2 hours £18
Quad biking 1 hour £40
Archery 1 hour £14
Paintball 1 hr 25 mins £26 plus £7 per hundred shots
Horse riding x country 1.5 hours £37
Golf drifing range £3 per 50 balls
Windsurfing tuition 1 hours £22
Sailing dinghy hire £13 per half hour
Badminton £7 for 45 mins
10 pin bowling for 4 people £19 for 45 mins
Cinema £4
Adult mountain bike hire:
per day £12
Per w/end £23
Midweek £21
Week £30

It is pretty expensive if you go on school hols, out of season it can be a cheap w/end if you dont go daft with the extras. Accomodation is basic, but ok.

I agree :)

we went for a week in january ,shared a 3 bed villa with my sister and her family so with a code used,we paid less than £100 each family for a midweek break ( 4 nights)

bike hire we thought wasnt too bad @ £22 for an adult bike for the duration of our stay,and we got a childs bike for free, using the booklet they send to you

IMO theres no need to book tonnes of activities,just having walks,bike rides and using the pool / kids play areas was enough to keep ours occupied :)

although we did do some of the cheaper activities eg football which was something like £3.50 each for an hour and my dad and hubby played badminton

it wasnt empty in january but just enough people when it came to the pool etc,it never felt overcrowded

also we were soooooo lucky with the weather it was cold but dry :smile:

For us it was worth it,but i wouldnt pay to go in the school holidays TBH as its very expensive and wouldnt want it to be hugely crowded

[Rach109]

Have you thought on the center parcs on the continent? They are so much cheaper for a villa and the activites, bike hire etc is much less than UK. The villas are much the same but for the cost of a bog standard UK one for a weekend you can get a VIP for a week!

We tend to do this most summers as the layout in the parcs are similar and ds is autisic so this helps him feel more secure. The pools are much bigger than UK too!

Carrie

do you go to Holland ? I have heard that receommended a few times

Duinrell or something i think its called

[Gazpacho]

we go every year out of season. usually end of november or early dec. i think its the cheapest time to go ! Xmas activities have begun so thats a bonus as a week later the prices treble. Also we have never hired a bike, but have always found a bike each for the four of us. Bikes are simply left around the park. Why CP havnt addressed this I dont know, a simple deposit on return of the bike wold work LOL. If you go every year (twice with a 14 month period) you get loyalty vouchers, which are better than usual free stuff. the vouchers are for £10 and £15 off activites etc and £5 off stuff bought in the shops

[Mike]

TBH it's making DLP look a lot more attractive....

[Gazpacho]

I forgot this bit ! When we were last there the swimming paradise was closed early twice due to staff shortages. We complained saying that the swimming was an integral part of the break and felt we did not get the holiday we expected. We are now in possession of a letter stating ath we are entitled to 75% off our next booking.

[BevS97]

We have been to one in holland as well - it was cheaper, and we enjoyed it, but by the time you get to Holland I'm thinking DLP is a good deal.

[BONZO]

We've been fortunate to go to all of the parcs in the UK - usually for a long weekend in February when the 6 nations Rugby was on.

As mentioned - it can be as cheap or expensive as you make it but certain activities get booked pretty quickly so may lead to disappointment.

I think the main draw with the European Parcs was that their peak times only coincided with european school holidays - not UK School holidays.

These days we prefer to grab a self catering cottage somewhere and do our own thing.

[Disney_time]

Have you thought on the center parcs on the continent? They are so much cheaper for a villa and the activites, bike hire etc is much less than UK. The villas are much the same but for the cost of a bog standard UK one for a weekend you can get a VIP for a week!

We tend to do this most summers as the layout in the parcs are similar and ds is autisic so this helps him feel more secure. The pools are much bigger than UK too!

Carrie

I agree with Carrie. We have been to CP both here and two different ones in Holland. The dutch ones do work out cheaper and are also "that bit more exotic"!

[Jackie]

Well, we just got back from CP at Longleat yesterday - our 14th visit.

We take all of our own bikes - so no hire charges. We swim in the pool every day - no extra charge. The kids use one or other of the adventure playgrounds every day - again no charge.

we shop in the supermarket on site and have the bags delivered for free. The prices are about the same as Waitrose.

We hired two canoes for half an hour - £12

We played badminton for 45 mins - £7

We played tennis for an hour - £8

Ten pin bowling was pricey - £21 per lane per hour, but its about the same as that locally here.

The restaurants are about the same price as Zizzis, or TGI Fridays.

All in all, incl villa hire and meals and activities, I reckon we spent £900 for 3 nights/4 days (but the villa was an 'executive' class with 3 bathrooms).

I agree it would be very pricey if all 5 of us did clay pigeon shooting and zip wires and mud body wraps, but that's not going happen.

If you want evening entertainment, its not the place to be. There's no real noise after dark and I don't think I ever saw anyone drunk there. That's worth money to me.

We all have our own ideas of value for money, and this meets our criteria in every way.

[nattyk]

we have been to longleat a few times (with family and girly weekends) as we have just come back from Florida as our main holiday this year, am looking to book a midweek break in Aug and looking at prices it will cost about £1200, this is a 3 bed executive villa - will take my mum with us to help with the kids and gives my mum a break as well....we normally do a few activities and use the pool...

Was looking at maybe booking a week in Spain but there are 5 of us and the prices are coming up around £3000!!!! and after doing Florida at Easter no way will dh agree to that....so hopefully will get CP Longleat booked in next few weeks..

Not sure about Disneyland in Paris - to me Disney is Orlando!!!

Nat

[BevS97]

See I think £909 is a lot of money for a 4 night break. As soon as you start talk in the region of £1000 I am thinking we can go abroad for that - whether we really can I don't know, but that sort of money has me immediately looking at flights :)
We did 5 nights at DLP last year and I am sure it was only around £500 plus spends.

[joolsleeds]

Which are the CP's in Holland - any recommendations?

Cheers

[BevS97]

We've been to De Kempervennen. It was very nice, very similiar to the UK CPs I've been too but it was cheaper.

[Disney_time]

Which are the CP's in Holland - any recommendations?

Cheers

De emhof is quite near Amsterdam - good for a first time visit, and Kempervennen is near Eindhoven - so near you wouldn't need a car as there is an airport and a station nearby. It has an indoor snow ski slope which is why we went.

[Red5]

...We are now in possession of a letter stating that we are entitled to 75% off our next booking.

Does it give you any reference numbers to quote? Best discount I could find online was here http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/prices_booking/specialoffers/preferred_partners.jsp

[ethanjosh]

Weve been to Whinfell about 7/8 times always found it to be great lovely villas very cosy especially when you buy log for fire at night ;)

Bike Hire around 22-23 for week badminton squash softball etc about £6 per court for 1 hour which i thought was quite reasonable.

You can do walks bike rides(if you take your own) swimming park all cost free and its lovely scenery.

Spa is really nice for some adult only time :)

To eat out is expensive we think but as one off for a treat its not too bad, plus supermarket well stocked and reasonable we usually take food with us if were trying to limit costs.

Real Family enviroment though thats what we love . :wavey:

[colinzy]

Weve been to Whinfell about 7/8 times always found it to be great lovely villas very cosy especially when you buy log for fire at night ;)

Bike Hire around 22-23 for week badminton squash softball etc about £6 per court for 1 hour which i thought was quite reasonable.

You can do walks bike rides(if you take your own) swimming park all cost free and its lovely scenery.

Spa is really nice for some adult only time :)

To eat out is expensive we think but as one off for a treat its not too bad, plus supermarket well stocked and reasonable we usually take food with us if were trying to limit costs.

Real Family enviroment though thats what we love . :wavey:


Family enviroment?????
Not sure you should mention the spa comment then!!:(
I never noticed this when I went, enjoyed it very much (not quite as good as disney tho):)

:wavey:

[lindylou2_2002]

Have you thought on the center parcs on the continent? They are so much cheaper for a villa and the activites, bike hire etc is much less than UK. The villas are much the same but for the cost of a bog standard UK one for a weekend you can get a VIP for a week!

We tend to do this most summers as the layout in the parcs are similar and ds is autisic so this helps him feel more secure. The pools are much bigger than UK too!

Carrie

againn anothe vot for the continental ones. knock spots off of the sherwood one and much cheaper for etter quality.