Best 4 days you can imagine for ££££££££££££££ (Center Parcs Whinfell Forest)

Member Name: hillcrestsan

Product:	Center Parcs Whinfell Forest
Date:	05/01/08 (232 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliantly concieved . Great accomodation

Disadvantages: money money money money

There is probably no way I can give justice to this place in less that a thousand words. I'll give it a go.

In one sentence: If you can afford it - go!
Why?
Because there is no where that quite reaches the standards this place hits. Not that I've ever seen. I've been 3 times in 5 years.

Oasis is a 'community' of hundreds of holiday chalets surrounding a central 'hub' of activity. The homes are dotted around a large pine forest punctuated by numerous activity centres.
The list of activities you can join in are exhaustive in the extreme and I can't even begin to remember them all, for the full list check http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/villages/whinfell/tod o/index.jsp

These activities take place in the main butterfly centre, a huge, attractively build dome housing bars, restaurants, shops, a cinema, nightclub and the huge pool, flanked on one side by a lake on which to do water sports (in boats, not porn).
Dotted around the forest are other centres for indoor sports, trekking, paint balling, quad-biking - the list just goes on and on.

Accomodation is in a wide variety of chalets. Not butlins type chalets - modern, attractive, spacious chalets with absolutely spectacular facilities. These will accommodate anything from small families to large parties of 8. The kitchens have all mod-cons and are big and well-stocked - no need to bring your own pans. The living room and dining room have ample space and the bedrooms are certainly big enough. Bring as many cats as you need to swing. There are loads of loos and bathrooms in the larger houses - our last one (upgraded) had the biggest bath I've ever seen with a whirlpool. Shoved 3 kids in at the same time with room to swim around - seriously. The whole thing is top-notch with TV and DVD as well as limited cable telly. Each group of 8-10 chalets is in its own little cul-de-sac in the forest.
One of the reasons I love this place is that it is so safe the kids can have a bit of independence. There are no cars allowed after the changeover days (Friday and Monday) and they can cycle to their hearts content in relative safe from being mown down.

Now this does not come cheap. Prices vary through the year of course but a large chalet in the summer is going to set you back £1500. And that's for 4 days, 3 nights. This is an astronomical amount to pay.
I wish I could say it was cheap after that but I can't. Activities are expensive. I think the last time we went it cost about £7 to book a badminton court for 40mins - not an hour!! Paint balling about £30 per hour. I can't remember anymore as my mind has blocked the pain, but let me assure you, you will look twice to check you eyes are not tricking you. If you eat out you are paying pretty much posh pub prices for nasty pub food. Having said that the more posh indian and chinese restaurants are quite tasty. At a price. That is why the kitchens are so good in the chalets - there is a well stocked supermarket for home coking. Oh and you can order take-away pizza!
Bike hire is, I think the only reasonable cost. You'll get 4 bikes for 4 days for about £40 if I remember. Or you can bring your own.

So what's free. Well the pool is and it's a good pool. Very good. All manner of slides and rapids to cater for all ages. The kids loved it and I'm talking from a 1 year-old through 6 and 7 right up to 15. They never got bored and spend hours there - just as well because every minute in there saves me a fortune - until they see the poolside bars.
That's me done. There is never a moment here that you can't fill. The scenery and site are beautiful in themselves. It gives a wonderful sense of freedom and I genuinely feel happy the moment I set foot in there. The atmosphere is brill. The true winners will be the kids. It's like a paradise and they love it.

So, save up. A lot. I mean loads (family of 4, seriously budget £2000 - £2600 for 4 days in the summer including carefree spending, £1800 if you want to scrimp a bit) and you'll have a great time. Safe, fun and different.

originally posted on ciao by myself - dhillcrest

Summary: I love it. Credit card company loves it too