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we are looking to book our trip for April May next year. We have been Sherwood 3 or 4 times over the last few years and it’s been great. But we fancied a change plus I’d heard Sherwood was getting quite a big refurb at the mo, has anyone been in the last few months? Is that the case?
There will be 4 kids going under 4 years old. So we have ruled out longleat due to the hills
wobern is more pricy so ruled that out.
Elveden has been mentioned as having a good size pool and nice layout. But looking on the maps there don’t look to be as many outside play areas as the Sherwood one?
anyone else been to multiple sites and have any comments?
i went to elvedon a few years ago, in february.
As a result, when we do centre parcs, we now go to holland. Much nicer, half the price, more exciting trip over etc
As a result, when we do centre parcs, we now go to holland.
That was going to be my suggestion, although having four kids under four adds a degree of complication! You have my respect for even getting out of the house, TBH.
Go to a european one. We have been to Erperheide in Belgium two years in a row now plus others in Germany.
Much more to do; swimming with underwater aquariums, huge softplay, free petting zoo, loads of small play parks and you get a free voucher for an activity for every person going. Activities are also a lot cheaper (think a half days pony trek was only €12)
Erperheide is only 3 hrs drive from Calais.
The best bit was the cost. We paid less for 7 days, the crossing, passports for 2 kids, fuel and food than the UK centre parcs wanted for 4 nights!
We'll not go back to a UK one again because they are rubbish in comparison to the continental ones.
We're going to port Zeeland in October half term for around 1/3rd of the price of a UK break, even with ferries and extra fuel its way cheaper.
We've done elveden and Longleat in the UK, elveden had the added interest of big jets regularly passing over, cool for the kids, slightly wearing for the noise in the end. Longleat was good and we used the land train to get around which offset some of the hills.
Luckily it’s two families so we do manage to leave the house, just lol! We are going outside of school holidays. So price isn’t really that bad at all. Depending on the week it it’s between £650-£700 for the 4 bed villa. So split between us and the other family it’s not a crazy amount. Plus we are doing a summer holiday to Portugal, so this is are ‘easy’ holiday in the uk.
I will look at going into EU for the future but next year will be a uk site
Only ever done Whinfell and Sherwwood.
Used to do Whinfell mainly then tried Sherwood. Found Sherwood better. Layout etc.
Last time we did Whinfell again and Sherwood still preferred for us.
The rest are too far for us really.
it’s between £650-£700 for the 4 bed villa
We paid €360 for a 4 bed villa for 6 nights in Belgium. Definately worth going abroad in the future.
Binners that was good lol
We went to Sherwood four or so years ago and have been to Whinfell three times in the last couple of years. Much prefer Whinfell as the main arcade is under one roof so even if the weather is against you it's not a disaster. Seemed much more modern as well although if Sherwood is having a make over that may not be valid any more.
We paid £600ish for four days in a house that fit four children and four adults. May twice, September once. Really enjoyed it but will probably not be back as number one has started school so prices will rocket.
While our daughter is not at school, Center Parcs is not really that expensive.
We went in May this year & again about 3 weeks ago to Woburn. It was £399 for Mon-Fri in a 3 bedroom lodge.
It's been years since we went to Whinfell, but I preferred the Woburn site. The Whinfell site is bigger I think, but the facilities seemed pretty tired; obviously if the site has been refurbed since we went this might not be relevant.
Woburn is pretty new, so still feels fresh although it's not a very big site & the pool area is OK, without being fantastic. I seem to remember the Whinfell pool area being more expansive.
We looked at going to one of the Holland 'center parcs' and while the cost of the accommodation was lower, by the time we had factored in the cost of getting over the channel & the extra fuel cost it worked out quite a bit more expensive. For us Woburn, Sherwood & Elveden are <1.5hrs away, so there is also a massive convenience factor to take into account.
Once the sproglet is at school and we have to go in school holidays I think it will be too expensive to bother with.
+1 Erpeheide
Went in Feb half term 2 years ago. Had a ‘pony cottage’ where you got a pony to groom and ride all week. Indoor pool great. Loads to do. Loved it. We’re in Kent so not a big deal to get over. Miles cheaper than the UK when we went.
Been to Whinfell and Sherwood...For us and time, Sherwood is 350 quid cheaper so the extra 50 quid on fuel is fine. Getting a big refurbished at pool area to make it bigger.
Daughter is right between age groups of activities so I think we'll try Europe next summer...a far longer drive from Scotland but should be good.
Daughter is right between age groups of activities so I think we’ll try Europe next summer…a far longer drive from Scotland but should be good.
Eh? Drive to North Shields, eat, drink, sleep, wake up outside Amsterdam. Plenty of center parcs within a 2 hour drive or so on the other side.
We’ve done them all and even though it is the longest trip for us, Elveden is our favourite.
Whinfell is a lovely setting but the pool wasn’t interesting enough for the kids when they got older, but would be good for your ages.
Sherwood is just too large a site in our view.
Woburn looked like an out of town shopping complex and the pool was small.
Havent been to Longleat for years but it is the prettiest site.
Elveden has the benefit of a great, specifically designated toddler and young kids pool/activity centre/climbing/splash area which would be great for the under fours and really good water rides for the older ones. The plug hole drop thing is brilliant.
Never been to any of the continental ones.
Also look at Landalparks, we stayed on one in Belgium last week of August. Lovely place
Children all under 4? Butlins is the correct answer!
The rapids are rubbish at Whinfell 🙂
My sister/BIL have been to Centre Parcs in Belgium twice this year. They reckon it's much better and cheaper than UK sites.
BIL said it was about a 170 mile drive each way, from West Yorkshire, via Hull-Rotterdam.
Longford Forest opens next year if you fancy a trip to Ireland. Woburn will be 5 years old next June. It's still looking pretty sharp and the standards are high.
trouble with ireland is the car ferry is crazy-expensive - £300ish return - cheaper for 4 people to fly with luggage and hire a car
Yup, Europe can be done, just takes longer, but still worth a visit.