Center Parcs Weekend Family Break
by Suzanne Baum
26 February 2008
For those of you who have not visited Center Parcs before, you could be forgiven for thinking it is like a middle-class Butlins holiday camp. But having just returned from our fourth visit in five years, I can assure you that this couldn't be further from the truth. So much change has in fact taken place at the holiday village in recent years that Center Parcs has completely rid its 'tacky' image and is now a top favourite amongst families looking for a short break. Our visit to Eleveden Forest in Suffolk - one of four villages in England - was one of the nicest holidays I have ever had.
As soon as we entered the village (an easy 90-minute drive from our London home), a sense of calm overtook us. Whether it has something to do with seeing the back of the car for four days (no cars are allowed on site) or the picturesque woodland that provides the backdrop to Center Parcs, it seemed a far cry from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. From past experience we knew it pays to plan ahead at Center Parcs as even though there is a staggering amount of activities on offer, they do get full up very quickly. So with our weekend already mapped out for us, thanks to a great pre-booking brochure that arrived a fortnight before our visit, we knew we had a couple of hours to explore our surroundings before the scheduled roller-blading session we had opted for.
Our three-bedroomed home for the next few days was one of the new Woodland Lodges, that have recently undergone a makeover by designer Tara Bernerd. The accommodation had certainly improved a lot since our last visit and the contemporary furniture, wooded floor and cladding outside, added to the comfort of the villa. Even the stylish beds seemed to be new and the feather duvets and pillows were bliss. Having opted to self-cater, the welcome pack left in the kitchen was a sweet touch-especially as it contained all the necessities I had forgotten. However, for those of you who prefer to dine out, there is an array of eateries to choose from-including a brand new Starbucks coffee shop that was struggling to cope with the huge customer demand!
The peaceful paths and tracks that surround each lodge are cleverly laid out-so much so that you feel a real sense of seclusion from other families. Used to the confines of our local park, my five and six-year-old sons were thrilled to have free rein of their bikes, with me happily relaxed in the knowledge there would be no collisions with cars. Our five-minute cycle to the Village Square- the main hub of the area- took us on a very picturesque route. It is here where the sports arena and most of the activities take place, with the boating lake, country club, spa and nature club all within close proximity.
With my husband in charge of our kids, who seemed to be spending more time on their bottoms than roller skates, I decided to take a peek at the Aqua Sana spa. One of the most luxurious I have ever seen, the spa offers a huge selection of pampering treatments and is the perfect place to unwind. With my much-needed facial booked in for the following day, the cycle ride back to our lodge in the spitting rain failed to dampen my mood. After all, with the kids cosily nestled up inside the trailer at the back of my husband's bike, I didn't have to worry about them catching cold or worse-moaning their legs were tired or they were wet!
After a peaceful night's sleep, it was a real novelty to be woken up by a family of ducks who had gathered at the glass window of our lodge. And this to me is what makes Center Parcs so special- the chance to enjoy nature at its best-something the kids usually take for granted. Although we were lucky enough to have sunshine for most of our stay, there is plenty to do if the weather is bad.
The village glass-roofed tropical swimming paradise area is extremely popular and after a morning spent bowling and playing badminton, provided a fun place to cool down. As for the next couple of days, each seemed to blend into the other with a blur of activities for both the kids and ourselves. The highlight for the boys was a two-hour virtual fashion workshop where they learnt how to design their own T-shirts. We used the time to play tennis and take a much-needed cycle ride to burn off the excessive amount of calories we seemed to have taken in. Blame it on the fresh air, or perhaps the unusual amount of sport I was doing, but both my husband and I were constantly famished.
On the subject of food, Center Parcs is rumoured to be about to spend 12m refurbishing its restaurants-the only thing that lets the village down. Once this has taken place, it is bound to attract even more eager customers to its villages, making it the ultimate family getaway. Although it does not come cheap (our lodge for a three-night weekend break was £562.50), trust me though it is worth every penny..and more.
Suzanne Baum
February 2008
Useful information about Center Parcs:
Suzanne and family stayed in a new 3 bedroom Woodland lodge in Eleveden Forest in Suffolk
See Take the Family's Center Parcs destination guide.
Find out more about Center Parcs.
Other feature articles by Suzanne
