There is nothing better than holidaying in the great outdoors, particularly if the weather is nice. Fortunately the sun shone all weekend when Suzanne and Lewis Cohen took their kids to Centre Parcs.
Finding a weekend break
With fond memories of past visits to Centre Parcs, the kids were just as excited as we were at the prospect of another trip to the Elveden Forest. Although there are other destinations, we chose this one because of its easy 40-minute journey from our North London home.
What’s more, it is not too hilly which made it easier for our four and five year old boys to ride their bicycles without too much of a struggle.
Although there is plenty of other UK breaks available, we chose Centre Parcs because we fancied an action-packed break rather than one spent lazying around a swimming pool.
The journey
The good thing about Centre Parcs is that it has resorts based throughout England (and abroad), so you don’t have to travel too far to get to one.
Our short journey was easy but if you don’t have a car it is possible to reach all the holiday villages by rail. (Thetford station is the closest to Elveden Forest).
The village
On arrival at Centre Parcs you are allowed to drive straight up to your villa to unload your belongings which gives you a great view of the surrounding forest area. Driving from the motorway into the sudden peacefulness of the countryside instantly made us feel calmer.
Being a car-free zone you leave your vehicle in the parking lot before
collecting your bicycles which the majority of guests use to get around
the village. As well as our four bikes we opted for a trailer attached
to my husband’s bike to pull along my youngest at night. As for the village
itself, it is huge but once you have found your bearings with the map
it is easy to get around.
The central point is the enormous swimming pool area where the shopping
mall and restaurants can be found. Close by is the sports area where all
the bookings for the activities take place. Although the village does
have a hotel most people opt to stay in a villa which are dotted all over
the village.
Ours, which had two bedrooms and a kitchen and lounge area, was very
comfortable.
Children’s facilities and entertainment
On booking your stay you receive a booklet full of all the activities
on offer at Centre Parcs which you can pre-book before arrival. There
is a lot for children to do so we planned our days carefully, ensuring
the boys had enough time to use the covered swimming pool and its amazing
collection of water slides.
The kids took part in an art and music workshop and also had a go at
mini-archery, whilst my husband enjoyed a watercolour lesson which he
loved. We all enjoyed playing crazy golf and going for aboat ride on the
huge lake.
My husband and I played tennis and badminton whilst our kids were in
the Time Out Club, which takes children from three months up to 14 years
old. Making the most of the three-hour session we had booked them in for,
we even had some time to relax in the stunning spa.
Food
This is the only downside to the village and having visited before, I
thought it would be a safer bet to self-cater this time. There are several
restaurants but I found most of them to be more on the fast-food side
of things.
Fortunately when we visited it was hot so we bought a BBQ from the shopping
village and cooked most of the food oursleves. For basics, the on-site
supermarket is very well stocked.
Overall
Centre Parcs has shed its ‘naff’ image and is certainly worth a visit
if you want an activity-based break. With the rooms currently being upgraded
there is even more reason to visit.
A three-night stay in a two-bedroom villa in the summer season costs
from around £590.
Find out more:
www.centerparcs.co.uk
Where to next?
- More Travellers’ Tales – read the ups and downs of families’ holiday
experiences - A family guide to camping
- Is a holiday home abroad, for you?
Loading ...
