Just got back from De Eemhof, Netherlands + cheap, villa was half the price of a comparable one in UK, travelling peak season. Even with ferry costs (paid for in tesco vouchers) still cheaper than UK break. +Buffets good, plenty of choice both am and pm. +Aqua mundo good, various pools and slides etc. +children's activities (4+) ok, more available for active over 8s + good English from almost all staff, and tolerant of my bad dutch - shabby; villa outside looked like a council bungalow, and not well cared for inside (VIP villa) - smoking everywhere, inc in children's play areas in restaurants and our babysitter!! - less facilities than comparable villa in UK, no dvd player etc. - lots of add ons to pay for: bowling, clubs, pedalos. - wifi very limited - badly timed eg couldn't see an adult film whilst kids were in clubs due to timings. We'd go again, but lower our standards. VIP vila has sauna which is perfect for drying towels after swimming. If in other villas, bring 2 or 3 sets if you want to swim twice a day. Plan for day trips in addition to activities (under an hour to Amsterdam), 1 1/2 hours from Hook of Holland & ferry. Take sat nav for an easy trip.

I absolutely love centre parcs, when i arrive there i get this Warm welcoming feeling. There is so much to do, and there is always a good atmoshpere. Personally i think Elveden FOrest is the best parc, even before the fire. The villa's are very comfy, tucked away in small rows of other villa's, and you are always are guaranteed a good view. But the only problem is the price, yes it its cheap for the villa, but the Bars and restaurants and shop charge so much. also when it comes to leaving, you dont, its hard to leave without feelin a bit sad. I am only 12! HA! I highly reccomend it!

wonderful fab great what else can i say!

wonderful fab great what else can i say!

Just come back from 2nd year at De Kempervennen in Holland. Both years we've had a bit dodgy weather but lots of activities to do anyway. We stayed with another family in a Deluxe 8 person villa. All clean and everything working. As it rained quite often it did seem a little damp, couldn't get towels dry very easily. Kempervennen has a cable water skiiing and a snow dome so we all learnt to ski. All four children 8,8, 10 and 12 learnt to water ski. You do have to pay extra for these. A week pass for skiing i think was around 45 euros. As said before well worth going out for somthing to eat at a local restaurant same kind of price as eating at centre parcs but quality of food and quantity much better. The food at Centre Parcs we've found to be a bit like a Wacky Warehouse. Kids and adults had a great time and less than half the price of staying in an equivalent UK Centre Park.

We must be one of the very few family's that HATED IT! so much so we left early, we went to Elveden Forest and have to say if you like crowds of package stlye holidymakers,motorway service station food, queue's for everything, nowhere to get away from the hoards, subtropical did you say? more like any municipal swimming pool hideously overcrowded, take a good look at the TV advertising, a lone woman in a hot tub all to herself, biking in the forest with nobody around, the lake with just a couple of boats! sorry, Benidorm under a dome.

We have just come back from Sherwood Forest center parcs and it was fantastic I agree it is a little expensive but it doesn't matter when you enjoy your holiday. Which me my husband and two children did. My children dont want to go abroad anymore they would rather go to center parcs. the holiday can be as expensive of inexpensive as you like. We are even thinking of booking the xmas week there, I cant wait !

Im thinking of going to centre parcs with my 7 yr old daughter do you have to pay for the childrens activities? Are there any free ones that the kids can do?

You pay for everything apart from, the swimming pool which will keep any kiddie amused for hours walking is free as is the playground i`ve been taking my kids for 12 years now and it helps when they pay their own way!!

?600 for a break (swimming included, what a bonus !!!!), for anyone in thier right mind to want to pay this , go to Ireland instead.