Anyone have any views on Center Parcs?

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Anyone have any views on Center Parcs?
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Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 1:50 pm Post subject: Anyone have any views on Center Parcs?
We're thinking of taking Jack and his best mate Joe there this year for a week's holiday. Never having had the 'Center Parcs experience' (gosh that spelling irritates me) we wondered whether any Downsizers had been and what they thought of it. I've heard generally good things about them - but also that it's quite expensive.

Penny Outskirts

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 23385
Location: Planet, not on the....

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:05 pm Post subject:

Very expensive to do any of the activities, the food shop is not too bad, but we always took our own.

The swimming pool is fantastic, especially at night. Swimming outside under the stars in November is quite lovely.

I used to go when Matt was little, but we went a few years ago and it was much more commercial than previously. Don't think I'd go again now they're all older, but when they were younger, they enjoyed it.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:29 pm Post subject:
I've never been, but strongly held opinions with no supporting evidence are what built the internet... They seem expensive to me. And I reckon you and Gervase would probably want to kill someone by the end of a week at one.

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:36 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

They seem expensive to me.

Agreed.

sean wrote:

And I reckon you and Gervase would probably want to kill someone by the end of a week at one.

Possibly. But I could keep telling myself a) It's not a cruise - I can *escape* to an extent by going out for a walk away from these people; and b) The holiday is for the boys, not us.

I think.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28115
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:41 pm Post subject:
We love them, especially the pool and spa. They are a very relaxing experience, the restaurants are pretty good as those sorts of things go, you can self cater very well if you bring your own supplies. It is expensive, a spa pass costs a bomb, but it is ever so good

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35934
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:41 pm Post subject:

I believe, from friends who have gone, that one of the Good Things about them is that there are lots of things for ones reasonably independent children to do for periods of time; whilst one can sit in a corner and sleep/read/drink oneself insensible should one desire to. They liked it for that reason - stuff to do as a family, stuff for adults to have a bit of space too.

I'd pay to come with you, personally, just to watch Gervase enjoying people watching

Dr Rob

Joined: 04 Sep 2008
Posts: 273
Location: Moylgrove, nr Cardigan, Pembs

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:43 pm Post subject:
We're not coming with you

Gervase

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 8655

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:44 pm Post subject:
Are firearms permitted?

snowball
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 6240
Location: swindon

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:44 pm Post subject:
You can quite often get special offers for the accommodation. Cater for yourself, the restaurants are a little pricey. A lot of the activities are a little pricey, but the swimming pool is free, and that is fantastic. We quite like going for the peace and quiet of the chalets and the general environment. But then again, we live in an urban setting.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28115
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:45 pm Post subject:
Yep there is often a code "CPWEB" you can type in and see specials, that make a LOT of difference to the price.

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:46 pm Post subject:

Dr Rob wrote:

We're not coming with you

Well I know that.

We're all going to France for a 'grown up' holiday afterwards.

snowball
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 6240
Location: swindon

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:47 pm Post subject:
I don't think that they are too expensive if you go in a group, or with 2 or 3 families.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:47 pm Post subject:

I've been to sherwood a few times - it was lovely. Go in the winter, and if at all possible, not in the school holidays. It keeps the costs and the crowds down. The 'dome' with all the swimming bits it is not too bad, as it's all divided up into bits, so you don't feel like you're in a huge aquarium with millions of people. Loads of swimming stuff, loungers, free sunbeds and jacuzzis. The chalets are basic, but clean and warm, and all have their own patio bit. Cars are not allowed except on arrival/departure days, so you get around by bike or on foot. It's quite big - set in forests and lakes etc etc etc, so there is plenty of space to get away from the noise and bustle. It's a great holiday with people you like, or a bit of peace and quiet. You will need to take something to entertain yourself with if you don't want to swim all day, all week (I have very fond memories of an impromptu murder mystery party) You can probably wave both lads off to pools all day, and enjoy the peace and quiet reading or whatever for a week. The shop is basic, and I don't recall the restaurants being great, so you might want to take supplies.

It's is a lovely holiday, if you like peace and quiet, seclusion or (of course) swimming. Or was, twenty years ago. No idea how much it's changed. Great for kids.

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:47 pm Post subject:

Chez wrote:

I'd pay to come with you, personally, just to watch Gervase enjoying people watching

You forgot to add the *s around *enjoying* in that sentence Chez...

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 09 2:48 pm Post subject:

jema wrote:

Yep there is often a code "CPWEB" you can type in and see specials, that make a LOT of difference to the price.

Really? Or are you taking the wotsits out of me again?

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