I love the concept of Center Parcs: Abandon your car, adopt bicycles and do lots of stuff outdoors with the family. Fabulous. Sign me up please.
Center Parcs kindly asked the Modern Family to try out their park at Longleat Forest. I've outlined our experience below and put together a few tips for packing and getting the most out of your trip. Net is we loved it and would go back again (and again, and again and again).
Longleat Forest open in 1994 and is located in Wiltshire, about 1/2 hour south of Bath. It took us less than two hours to get there, which is a huge plus for a weekend getaway. I was surprised that of the park's nearly 800 units were occupied on the brisk March weekend we visited, but apparently winter breaks are popular because of the off-season prices.We had lots of family time, loys of ourdoor time and really felt like we had a break from our regular routine.
Why we love Center Parcs.
I love it because it gets everyone outdoors and doing stuff. Even if it is raining. The girls loved the subtropical swimming pool (especially the rapids) and exploring the woodlands right outside our back door. They built a "den" out of sticks and leaves. We loved biking everywhere and I loved that the whole family could walk to the village to have dinner and then I didn't have to do the washing up. Hubby loved that he could sneak away and read the Weekend FT while we were in cheerleading class or horseback riding. All in all, it's a very easy and pleasant weekend getaway.
The accommodation.
Our 3-bedroom woodland lodge slept up to six. It was cheerfully decorated in bright colours and the kitchen had all the basics for self catering. The girls especially liked the wall in the kitchen that was a giant chalk board and took turns writing messages to each other.
What we did.
Biked. Everywhere.
Saturday morning the sun was shining, and I was very nearly tempted to shed my winter coat. We biked over to the lake and rented pedal boats. The girls enjoyed being on the water, and we got some nice closeups of a group of fish that swam right up to us.
Then we walked down to Jardin de Sports for our prebooked Family Fun Cheerleading class. It was a 45-minute session that was advertised for over 3s, and I was a bit worried my older girls would think it was babyish. Not so. The class was a highlight of the weekend for my High School Musical-loving seven-year-old. Ready, O-Kay! We learned all the moves: T, Broken T, Arrow; and moved to HSM's "Together". At the end we got into groups and created our own cheer: "Go! Girls! Yeah!! I was very proud for suggesting we got down on our knees for the last bit.
Another highlight was the Horseback Riding Lesson, which was off site at the White Horse Trekking Centre, about 15 minutes away (you need to make your own way there). The girls got 45 minutes of riding instruction by really friendly staff. The facility had all the gear there and the west country setting is beautiful and the girls really enjoyed it.
While the modern family lazed around, I got to go to Aqua Sauna and try the World of Spa, which is 16 spa experiences inspired from around the world. My favourites were the Japanese Salt Sea Bath (think jasmine, mint and steam), the water beds (I nearly fell asleep) and the Meditation Room (again, I almost fell asleep). The Greek Herbal Bath reminded me of, ahem, university (have you ever smelt burning marjoram?)
Of course you can't go to Centre Parcs without experiencing the Subtropical Swimming Pool! I'm not a huge fan of public pools, but this one is clean and well managed. You can easily pass time splashing in the warm water. My oldest especially liked the waterslides, rapids and wave machine. Because the park was full, the pool was full too and it was difficult to find a family changing area, so instead we went into the single sex ones (good for hubby, he went on his own!) Don't forget to bring £1 coins for the lockers and the "body" dryers which blow warms bursts of air on your entire body.
Eating options.
When we arrived there was a grocery pack full of food from the Parc Market, including local sausages and bacon, biscuits, pear juice, croissants and lots of breakfast and snack items. Our plan was to have leisurely breakfasts in the privacy of our lodge, and spend the rest of the day out and about. The items that needed to stay cold were already placed in the refrigerator. Thank you to Dianne who cleaned our lodge.
There are 11 restaurants and bars (including two Starbucks) so there is lots to choose from.
Hucks. This American bar and grill is located in the Plaza.The girls chose the child buffet and had all-you-can-eat access to hot dogs, penne bolognese, chicken nuggets, fish fingers, chips, baked beans, peas and sweet corn. Hubby ordered chicken wings and smoked ribs and I had sizzling fajitas. I felt like I was back in California. I had a (large) glass of fair trade savignion blanc and the girls had fun ordering from the drinks menu: Blueberry lemonade and the black cow (coca-cola, chocolate sauce, and vanilla ice cream). There's a kid's adventure play area adjacent to the restaurant, and several Apple macs with video games to help entertain. We were there for three full hours, which rarely happens with us in restaurants.
Sports Cafe. Located in the Jardin de Sports. This is a pub-like restaurant with burgers, meatball pasta and penne for the kids. I ordered a light lunch of a chicken Caesar wrap and roasted red pepper soup. A great pick-me-up before going to cheerleading class.
Ortega. A tapas bar and cantina. We shared a tapas plate -- potatas bravas, garlic shrimp, mushrooms, chorizo and potatoes, paella. The kids had nuggets, a pizza baguette, cheesy croques, and did start to mention that the kids choices were a bit samey. But then they started trying some of our tapas and we had to order more quesadilla!
What could be improved.
It would be great if there were more signs on the bicycle paths for the directionally impaired such as myself. Also, each morning the fire alarm went of several times while I grilled sausages for breakfast. Hubby turned it into a bit of a comic affair, by standing under the alarm fanning it with a towel.
Things I wished I has taken with me:
- Helmets. Bike hire does not include helmets. If you have some, bring them. (Hire does come with padlocks, and you even get to keep them!)
- Paper towels.Very useful for cleaning and you can recycle them.
- Ground coffee. The units come with a cafetiere!
- £1 coins (for lockers) and body dryers in the Subtropical Swimming Pool.
- Rain gear. Somehow I forget the wellies. Silly me.
A note on emergency services:
My six-year-old bumped her head and developed quite a grapefruit on her forehead. I of course panicked. Luckily the well-organised information binder had a list of helpful numbers, including one for medical questions. A nurse called back within the hour and talked us through what to look for. It turned out to be nothing, but I did feel better getting some professional advice.
Pricing
- We stayed in a 3 Bedroom Woodland Lodge (which sleeps up to 6 people), breaks in this style of accommodation at Longleat Forest start from £499.
- Childs (7 - 14yrs) bike hire - From £12.00 for weekend
- Adult bike hire - From £22.00 for weekend
- Spa Session – £26 - £36 per 3hr session
- Cheerleading, £6
- Horseback riding, £25 for 45 minutes
- Pedal boat for 4 people £10 half hour
Have you ever been to Center Parcs? What do you think about it?
