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Never been to one before and a bit apprehensive, anxious and worried about it, but looks like we might be going. Very soon.
Broad age range of children, won't be able to take the bikes unfortunately, as much as I would want to.
What do I need to know?
It's good. Everything you need to enjoy yourself is on hand. Bear in mind it's not actually in the Lake District, so you'll have to drive for half an hour or so to get to Keswick.
What do I need to know?
They're not shy about charging you for food, drink and fun activities.
Prepare to get bent over.
I really like CP, the only problem with it is it can be a bit pricey but we tend to go off peak when the prices are sensible whenever we get a chance, usually when the kids schools have inset days either side of weekends.
the only thing to be wary of is the activities are PAYG so can easily get very spendy. We're very strict with the kids on the paid activities and give them only one or two activities a day depending on their price so that keeps things under control and there is plenty of stuff to do that is 'free' so you're not going to be bored.
There is a supermarket on site, but again not the cheapest, we take most of our food and drink with us and only use the supermarket for the odd things that we need on a day to day basis or for stuff we've forgotten.
No point taking your own bikes...not much 'proper' cycling to do on site and you'll be paranoid when you leave the bikes locked up...there has been a history of bikes being nicked at some locations. There tends not to be particularly great riding in the vicinity of the CP and defeats the point of paying to stay there if all you're going to do is spend hours away on off site rides. We just tend to rent the bikes while where there, but some CP sites are pretty compact so no bikes needed as everything is well within walking distance. The only one I've been to where the bike is handy as its quite spread out is the one at Longleat, though I've not been to the Lake District one. But even at Longleat there is a land train to get you about if you don't have a bike.
But other than that you'll have a blast, the kids will love it.
I went years ago with my Wife before we had our daughter, to the Whinfell site.
We only went because they had a good deal on a 2-bed apartment that was cheaper than any local B&B or other accommodation.
It was a mixed bag (bearing in mind this was probably a decade ago & it's probably been done up since then).
The site was nice & peaceful, there is tons to do and it's generally a nice place to be. There's a supermarket onsite that isn't that much more expensive than going to a Tesco or somewhere. It is more expensive, but not horrendously so.
There are lots of paid activities, but you can also keep well entertained without that.
The pool is really the epi-centre of the place and if you all like splashing around & going on slides you'll probably spend a lot of the time in there.
Have a look at the activities and if you are thinking of doing them, get them booked up in advance before they sell out. We did the falconry experience which was amazing, although with a large brood I can see that the cost of activities will quickly add-up.
The only downsides for us at the time were that a lot of the facilities were starting to feel a bt neglected. But, I would be amazed if they haven't been given a once over since we were last there; we've been to the Woburn one recently (the newest one) and it had a lot more places to eat and generally go to than I remember there being at the Whinfell one. But - I imagine that would be something they would have chased through all of their sites.
Remember that you don't HAVE to stay on site! They want you to feel like you don't have to leave for the whole week, but if you fancy a day trip out, then just go.
I don't think that there's anything there you should be anxious about, although I can understand why you might be.
As it's a family place, just be aware that the place will be crawling with families everywhere; as in, Mum & Dad with kids......I don't know how to paint it any other way.
When we went, my Wife had not long had a miscarriage & it was quite emotional seeing little kids running about the place; hence why I mention the emotional aspect of things.
Overall, it's a peaceful environment to spend some time in - you can do as little or as much as you want to & it really is nice to wander around the place and not have to worry about cars everywhere! just watch out for all the cyclists wobbling around.
An easy but expensive holiday in a lodge.
Prepare to get bent over.
Steady on old chap!
My wife (and two children) keep talking about wanting to go but I keep persuading them its a bonkers idea as it is very expensive and you are pretty much a captive audience for their tills - I would much rather do something else. So on Saturday we are going to Norfolk for two nights on the Broads in a cabin cruiser then a further three nights in a posh glamping pod somewhere else in Norfolk and it is costing us about 40% less than a half term break with Center Parks.
Steady on old chap!
Good advice there 😉
It is Centre Parcs after all
The Gang bangs generally don't get going until after 10, don't forget lube, whips, nipple clamps and baby wipes 👍
Been a regular there for years. It was getting a bit tired but big investment over the past 5 years has seen big improvements. Bikes only necessary if staying a long way from village centre, otherwise walking is fine. Activities are expensive but kids are equally happy spending time in the pool for free, Take food with you to keep costs down. Pizza factory in Bella Italia is a good activity for younger kids as they get to eat their creations.
I don't get the CP hate. It is easy safe holiday, Older kids can disappear in the pool without you worrying. Lodges are clean and comfortable. Kids love it and that is the main thing
I don’t get the CP hate.
My pet hate is the vast price increases over school holidays. I suspect many other people feel the same.
I've been to the Whinfell Centre Parcs a couple of times. First time I went geared for being outdoors, everyone else is in jeans and trainers! It's convenient with a young family, cars are parked away from the lodges once you've dropped your kit off. It has a few different restaurants and has a takeaway that does different cuisines.
Both lodges I've stopped in have been tidy, cooker was very poor though, took ages to cook some pizzas. On our first trip my nephew tripped and chipped his teeth on the coffee table- that was quickly pushed out of the way.
You'll enjoy it, it's not real outdoors but it's good family time.
Is nobody going to mention mumsnet????
My pet hate is the vast price increases over school holidays.
It's incredible to think only Centre Parcs do that.
My pet hate is the vast price increases over school holidays. I suspect many other people feel the same
True but this is not unique to CP. No point in having high prices at off peak periods so you drop prices to stimulate demand. There is not constant demand through the year so prices wont be constant through the year. Same with any holiday, airline ticket pricing etc. Off peak a long weekend can be had for under £300 for a family of 4 (well could be the last time we did it a few years ago), which I think is excellent value given the quality of CP and its facilities. Unfortunately that will almost triple during school holidays but then you can always hop over the water to the French or Dutch CP's which have different school holidays and take advantage of the off peak pricing there during UK holidays.
I accept that other companies do similar things and supply and demand is a driving factor, but I have never witnessed the same three-fold increases that they impose elsewhere (even tour operators don't charge such premiums).
The only downsides for us at the time were that a lot of the facilities were starting to feel a bt neglected. But, I would be amazed if they haven’t been given a once over since we were last there
Just been in the last few weeks - didn't notice any part looking run down at the moment. Worth booking an updated lodge (or upgraded or whatever they call the ones that have just been done up) though, as they are nice places to stay.
cooker was very poor though, took ages to cook some pizzas
That's a bit odd, we did a pizza night the other week with no issue. The ovens aren't big, but have seemed fine to me.
Other things. As mentioned above, worth taking all your supplies with you and only using the onsite shop for top-ups. If you fancy eating out on the first night book as early as you can or you might struggle to get somewhere.
Make the most of the main pool area (included in the price).
I was massively anti-CP, but it does make for an good, easy, family holiday with plenty of things to keep you occupied
I’m at the Lake District one now. Third year in a row and it is great for kids. My eldest (5) is happy enough just running about in the trees. You’ll be fine mate and the kids will love it. As others have said look at activities now and pre-book any that you fancy. Bikes are definitely not necessary at this site.
This year has been a shit show though unfortunately. My BiL, son and me have all contracted a vomiting bug of some description. BiL ended up in hospital last night and I’m typing this whilst laid in bed. Two days wasted and going home tomorrow 😕
The staff here have been bloody awesome though. Calling in to see if we are okay, taking bedding and clothing away to wash for us etc. Not looking forward to driving a couple of hours tomorrow
Love it , also going very soon as in tomorrow, I take bikes as its a great way to get from digs to activities in short time, we go every year as a whole family, kids, grandkid , its the most chilled few days I have year in year out, can be expensive but you can self cater if you like, son in law loves a barby so he sorts Saturday night, the other meals we wing and see what we want at the time, same with activities , we book on site weather dependant lovely place and not a car in sight, all the busy times usually gone but we are happy to fit in as time doesn't really mean anything for the few das you are there, last year was weird people bagging seats in the sports bar for CL final mid afternoon sat in full kit with flags and all, great atmosphere in the evening though!!
Not been for a while but we always enjoyed it. Do what you want to pay for and let the kids flume (for free) until they can flume no more.
Drac
Subscriber
An easy but expensive holiday in a lodge.
Depends if you have kids under school age or not. We our trying to max out on cheap Center Parcs holidays before our daughter gets to school 🙂
We went twice last year - first one in late May was £299 for Mon-Fri with just the three of us at Woburn and then late September was the same price, but we got a bigger lodge and my sis-in-law & her fella came along.
In September, we are going again (to Sherwood) with my parents & the in-laws. It's costing us £599 for Mon-Fri; so £200 per couple.
Seems pretty reasonable to me. But when we have to go in the holidays - screw that....!
Blencathra's your nearest mountain, just 20 mins along the road to Scales. Small mountain so an easy afternoon, early morning or evening hike to get away from the kids for a few hours. Go up via halls fell or doddick fell imo 👍
Depends if you have kids under school age or not. We our trying to max out on cheap Center Parcs holidays before our daughter gets to school
Yeah we use to go before ours started school too, it was still cheaper at other places than cetnre Parcs.
You won't have much money left when you leave.
We've been a few times when the kids were younger. Someone on here once described it as being full of aspirational middle managers and tattoos. That sort of sums it up for me.
sneak of the reservation and ride up great dun fell!
it does make for an good, easy, family holiday with plenty of things to keep you occupied
This. It is reassuringly expensive but the removal or cars, the quiet and constant access to the pool make up for it. We take our own stuff for the BBQ. I've worked out how to store my 29er and Junior's 403 both in the store cupboard together. We go to Woburn where there's a relatively rough bridleway all the way around the site and last time we rode to the safari park together.
Once you've booked you do get offers through email for some activities, wait for those.
Just take your own stuff like BBQ supplied, a few bottles of wine and turn off your phone off for a few days. I managed to fall asleep sitting in the tropical zone in April, whilst the rest of my family happily spent two hours in the pool not realising I was missing despite the fact they must have walked past me 50 times.
We've been to Longleat CP on average annually since 2007, typically between late March and late May midweek, outside school hols when prices are cheaper eg. we booked a 3-bedroom "modernised" villa late March for ~£430.
On-site shop is expensive, but we noticed that there were a few Co-Op brands dotted around the store this year at more reasonable prices. If you can, buy at least the non-fresh beforehand to save money, we sometimes jump off the train at Warminster and head to Lidl that is literally a stones throw away before getting a taxi (from outside train station) up to Longleat.
Take away food stores aren't cheap either, to save money head back to your villa. Restaurants are worth doing at least once during your stay, as is the pancake house, as treats.
You can easily spend £30+ per bike hire for the midweek, but there are decent hybrid/MTB options, I hired a GT Zasker this last time. No issues taking it off site, I went out daily to climb a few cat4 hills literally on the doorstep of the campus, often including the testing (on a non-road bike at least) https://www.strava.com/segments/16290817 in the Longleat Estate by the safari.
Swimming is inclusive of accommodation charge, tends to be much quieter during the evenings during midweek, lots of slides for adults/kids; couple of hot tubs and a freezing plunge pool.
There's at least one free kids playground area at Longleat, not much more I can write about as we don't have kids!
Activity prices vary between day and evening, can quickly add up if you like to do one thing after another. Worth taking your own rackets and balls/shuttlecocks to avoid hire fees, they have free snooker cues but they are awful compared to a typical one you might own at home.
Longleat has a lovely campus, undulating terrain, plus there is no hard sell by the staff... Which is great as both of us are quite reserved and had bad experiences in the Canary Islands back around 2005/6.
Keep thinking of trying the Lakes CP, but Longleat is less than 2 hours door to door.
Echo much of what's been said having been to Whinfell three times in the last few years, we really like it. Have not felt the need to spend tons on activities as the kids have been happy with the free stuff and the not very spendy stuff (various activities in the sports hall are reasonable, as is the bowling. Never really come across anything I thought was outrageous and I'm tight!).
Take plenty of your own food as eating out all the time can get expensive although no more so than if you ate out anywhere else. The kitchens have fridges etc so food will keep. The supermarket is expensive for some things but not really eye-wateringly so. Take some throw away bbq's as you will have space outside to use them.
You certainly don't need to worry, you'll have a great time and the kids will love the pool and probably spend most of their time there!
Aye, take yer own food, the food isn't the best anyway so it's not as if yer missing out.
The kids will love the pool, it's awesome, have a great time mate. I so wanted to hate CP, but it's brilliant.
We went to the Sherwood one 3 years ago with our then 6 month old. Didn't like it, pointless to go as a couple with a baby.
This week we've been at the Elvedon with our now 3.5 year old and the new baby. Completely different, loved it. The site and the weather was much better but above all there was lots for the older one to do.
I don't really like swimming pools but I must say it was amazing.
We're now in the tradition of going to Sherwood every December for the Winter Wonderland.
It's expensive, but you also get the joy of turning the thermostat up full in the lodge and sitting there in your shorts knowing that it's not costing you anything extra and the heating is switched off at home 🙂
We try to avoid the paid activites as with 3 kids it can soon get very expensive. Most of the time is spent in the pool or just chilling out in the lodge.
The pool at Whinfell is great for kids, loads of slides!
It's worth noting (based on the people saying 'take your own food') that Whinfell CP is all of about 15mins from Penrith, where there's at least a big Morrisons and an Aldi that I can remember...
Thanks for all the replies, really appreciate them all. Haven't told them where we are going but told them we are going on holiday. Cue lots of excitement and jumping up and down. Followed by can we take our bikes. If I can get the bikes in the back of the car, are they able to be stored in the lodges?
I lock ours up outside through day and just take them into lodge at night. No problem doing this.
Officially not, there is a rack outside each lodge, I've always put ours in the lodge hallway overnight without any problem.
A Yaris with four people and bikes! Pictures please of tiny faces pressed up against chainrings etc...
No longer have the gnusmobile, picked up the gnastra yesterday. A bit more roomy lol.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/new-car-looming-whos-next-for-the-gnusmobile/
We've always stored the bikes, be it hire bikes or our own, in the lodge store room (which at Longleat is directly inside the lodge door). Couldn't say if four family bikes would fit, two adult bikes definitely do with ease.
Forgot to write the other day that CP now include e-bikes as an option to hire. They're a bit more expensive and when we hired one it was strictly not allowed off campus (whereas they are fine about the Mongoose MTB hybrid and the GT Zasker), but it was a way of us both trying an e-bike for the first time (Raleigh Modus, weighed something silly like ~24Kg but it goes like stink with the motor assist).
Which kind of ties in with something else I meant to write the other day, yes you can pay of fortune doing lots of relatively "normal" activities like badminton and bowling... But they are a great way to do something a bit out of the ordinary, such as ride a Segway or feel the power of a Golden/Russian eagle hybrid sitting on your outstretched gloved hand during the birds of prey exhibition.
Enjoy!