Center Parcs

We recently enjoyed a week at Center Parcs, in Sherwood Forest.

It's a holiday that we've taken almost every year, for the last 8 years.  Each time we arrive, it's like coming home.      The staff are friendly, the accommodation is clean and comfortable, and, most importantly, the environment is safe for children.

Once the car has been unpacked, you park it in the car park, and there it stays until home time.  That means, there is little traffic on the roads (the only vehicles are the Parc vans) and the speed is kept to a minimum, so it's perfectly safe.

There is so much to do, there isn't a minute when you feel bored.  The children love taking part in the many activities that can be pre-booked.  Indeed, most of them are so popular, it's vital they are pre-booked to ensure you can participate.  This year they did Aerial Adventure, paint-balling, falconry, canoeing not to mention cycling and swimming.

If you fancy spoiling yourself, there are also many treatments available in the Aqua Sana - where you can be pampered and massaged to pure relaxation.

We were lucky with the weather this year.  It drizzled for one day, otherwise, the sun shone and we spent much of the time outdoors.  Swimming was always planned for each afternoon, from which we would go for a meal at one of the countless restaurants on-site.  Alternatively, there's a takeaway too, which also delivers (for a fee).

In fact, the phrase 'for a fee' is common at Center Parcs.  Whilst the initial cost includes the use of the Subtropical Swimming Paradise (with it's water chutes, rapids, wave machine etc) everything else costs extra.  It can add up to a small fortune, if you're not careful - but that shouldn't put you off.

When we go, we pack the car with as much of the food we'll need whilst there; including barbecue, so the visit to the Parc Market was mainly for milk and newspapers (and the occasional ice-cream!!)

It's difficult, in a short article, to get across the many benefits of Center Parcs, but it really is a change from the norm, and it's good to relax in familiar surroundings.

I'm working on a short video of our stay.  When it's complete, I'll let you know.