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Center Parcs |
Specialist Reports Holiday by Accommodation Holiday Villages UK Villages Center Parcs
Started in the ‘60s in the Netherlands and imported to the UK in the '80s, the company now reports the centres always 90% full. Given that a site like Elveden can take 3,500 people, outside the central facilities, they don't feel as crowded as you would expect. In 400 acres of ground the 700 villas and apartments are arranged to feel relatively secluded, not least because wandering off the paths is forbidden. This may help encourage the wildlife that visitors report visiting them, for example at breakfast, hoping for the odd snack. The fact that you have to unload your car and then return it to the car park means that arrival is not well suited to single parents with young children. WhereIn the UK at Longleat, Elveden and Sherwood plus the Oasis property at Whinfell just outside the Lake District National Park. AccommodationOf various standards from two to four-bedroom villas to executive villas of up to three bedrooms. All have live fires fuelled by smokeless logs. Executive villas come with maid service. A microwave, hair dryer, hydrobath and phone. FacilitiesSubtropical Swimming Paradise including rapids and slides plus hot spa pools in the cooler outdoor air - rainforest temperatures with pools plus cafes, shops and restaurants. The food is rarely rated highly but parents do appreciate the provision of Lego tables and chalk boards. ActivitiesMost indoor sports including squash, tennis, short tennis, at Elveden Forest a 10-pin bowling alley, outdoors eg tennis, golf. Bikes are available for hire, along with kiddie trailers.
EntertainmentOne event a day such as Sunday jazz brunches, family cabaret in the evenings. For ChildrenChildren's play areas in most restaurants plus Lego tables and chalk boards. Wooden adventure playground with safety net (newly built), kiddy trailer to attach to the back of hire bikes. Baby Dolphins classes introduce very young children to swimming. Restaurants are geared for families with children's menus. Baby Dolphins in the pool is for those with under 3s only. In the pool waistcoats with floats are available for pre swimmers - useful for example in the gentler tunnels and whirlpools. Child EntertainmentNone. EquipmentCots and high chairs free. ChildcareThere is a kindergarten for 3+ with face-painting, badge-making etc, £4.60 for two hours. A creche will open at Elveden in the new year for babies. Babysitting at £3.60 per hour before midnight, £4 after. Children's ActivitiesJunior Surf, Sail and Skim instruction or daily Junior Sports Hour twice a week, £2.50. Nature Trails for 7+, accompanied if under 12, with rangers by bike or foot, £6 each. Sample PriceA week in August in a two bedroom property £773. Reader ReportJust in case there is anyone out there with children who hasn't been to Center Parcs, it's difficult to think of anywhere easier for a family holiday. We recently spent a long weekend at the Sherwood Village in the Nottinghamshire forest of the same name. Ten years ago it was Center Parcs' first venture in England and now it's sparkling after a major revamp.
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