Woodland heaven (Center Parcs)

Member Name: degsy70

Product:	Center Parcs
Date:	05/02/09 (372 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great activities, wonderful setting

Disadvantages: Pricey activities and food

It was a typical September day, torrential downpours, poor lighting, cold winds...someone had the bright idea of going and living in some woods for 3 days and paying for the privilege! I'm delighted to say that our stay at Longleat was a fantastic weekend.
I was expecting my first challenge to be to hang gliding or bear wrestling but it turned out to be 'hunt the parking space'. After sometime I found a spot which fortunately was near our cabin. Be warned though that if you move you lose..I had to venture out to local village on the Saturday and ended up having to park about a mile away in a staff car park on my return.
We offloaded the bags (luggage not wives) and headed down to the bike centre. We had pre-booked bikes which were reasonably priced (about £15 each for the 3 days (fri to Mon am) and got locks and helmets. Bikes are a must have unless your accommodation is very close the main plaza.
The log cabin we got slept 8 and was spot on. Very modern interior and had everything we needed.
On the first evening I treated myself to a massage at the Spa (I had driven from Yorkshire!). It cost £30 and I can tell you it was the best massage I have ever had, she used her elbows! We then went to the local shop which is just like walking into a Sainsburys local, very well stocked and priced.
Swimming was the first port of call on the Sat morning, it is a free activity and there is ample to do including water slides, wave machines, rapids etc. Changing rooms all well maintained and clean. We had then booked in for a game of heart attack (I mean squash). Apologies for not publishing all the prices but it's such a mix and match of pre-booked/pre-paid that it was hard to keep stock.
Wee interlude - be aware that if you do not book in advance it is highly unlikely that you will get to do the activities you want. We tried to do roller skating, badminton, high wire and more but all fully booked.
On the Sat night we chose to order a takeaway from the on-site Chinese. There are many takeaways available, pizza, Indian etc, all can be delivered to your cabin. The Chinese was very disappointing and terribly overpriced, we ordered what we thought would be enough for 6 adults but weren't aware that the portions were in paper cup sizes. The aromatic duck was anorexic. The meal was £65 and a rip off, you have been warned!
The Sunday was more swimming and then the kids were sent off for cookery lessons which they really enjoyed. We booked ten pin bowling in the evening which cost £40 for all 8 of us. You get given a time to start and then get 45 minutes. Very annoying if you are reaching the end of your game and suddenly it's time up and the lights are turned off. We headed off for dinner at Cafe Rouge where we enjoyed a nice meal. It's Cafe Rouge, they're all the same!
On the Sunday afternoon we had been watching some poor chap shaking like a wet dog on a trip wire about 15 meters up in the air, he was tree trekking. My other half found it hilarious and said it would be easy, I promptly booked us for the following morning (if I recall it was about £20 each). Morning arrived and it was horrendous weather, we assumed it would be called off but we were wrong. Strapped in to the infertility inducing harness I found myself clambering from slippery wooden step to spider net with slight trepidation. My girlfriend on the other hand was sobbing and asking to go back after the first obstacle (she'll kill me if she ever reads this!) but alas she battled on. It's an awesome activity and I dare anyone to not feel slightly nervous crossing the Indiana Bridge!
It was well worth staying until the Monday morning as it was far less chaotic checking out.

To summarise - strongly advise pre-booking activities. Bring your own games (we brought a Wii although it took ages to get it connected up) to save money, cook your own dinners when possible (bring a bbq) and make sure you get a bike (cardiac hill is great going downhill!)

At one point I found myself cycling in the rain thinking, what a fantastic place. I don't think I'd have as good a time if it had been summer.

Summary: Will be going back asap