Posh camping!! (Center Parcs Whinfell Forest)

Member Name: monaebrook

Product:	Center Parcs Whinfell Forest
Date:	10/09/09 (102 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The time you spend as a family is priceless - no pressures just chillin!

Disadvantages: Some activities can be expensive!

As a family we have been visiting Center Parcs Whinfell Forest since before it became part of the Center Parcs chain and it was called Oasis!

Our original reason for visiting was for somewhere to take our (at that time) 2 year old twin girls for a family break which did not involve

A. travelling too far
B. being away for too long
C. staying in a caravan!!!

and Center Parcs (or Oasis at the time!) appeared to hit every button!

That very first visit convinced us that we had made the right decision. There is just so much to do at Center Parcs that I defy anyone to ever get bored!

We now visit at least once a year, usually either in April or October (sometimes both!) and each time we go there is something new to try. I do accept that some of the activities outside of the swimming pool can be expensive, however there is no need at all to do any activities for which you would need to pay extra.

Listed below are my suggestions for how to do a 'cheap' visit to Center Parcs and then a 'blow the budget' visit.

Cheap Visit

1. Make as much use of the swimming pool as you can bear. It is open from 10 o' clock in the morning until 8 or 9 o'clock at night and is wonderfully warm. You can also just take a book and chill at the side of the pool for a few hours whilst the rest of your family splash about if that it more your thing.
2. Go for a walk in the beautiful woods. We have spent countless hours spotting wildlife and for young children, if you take pens and paper with you, it is a fab idea to 'spot' the wildlife and then go back to the lodge and draw pictures of it. Similarly, find some pine cones, branches etc and then you can make many a craft picture outside of the lodge. We have spent time making faces out of these and seeing who can make the best expression out of a pine cone and some branches!
3. There are a number of outdoor play areas which are free to use. The very best one has to be the adventure playground which can be great fun for all the family. It has loads of different things to climb on and run through and the zip wire type thingy is great!
4. People watch at the sports plaza. This is the place where people go to play all sorts of different sports and it can be really fun to watch all the competitive Dads as they play badminton, football, go roller blading etc for the first time in years!!
5. Take all your own food with you and have a barbeque. Each lodge has its own set up out the back and if you get the weather it is a nice place to chill and have some barbequed food!
6. Take your bikes with you and get fit by cycling around everywhere. There are some fabulous trails and it can be really good fun cycling in the rain - you will be surprised at how much enjoyment can be gotten out of trying to splash mud everywhere!
7. If you like to jog and/or keep fit there are some great 'trim trails' dotted around the place which can make a really good change from the usual routine.
8. We also like to spend some time making pizzas, baking etc if the weather is bad. Take your ingredients with you and all muck in!!

Blow the Budget Visit

1. Book a session in the aqua sana spa. There are literally loads of different treatments to try and if you can't decide then you can just book a two or three hour slot where you can simpy try out all the different steam rooms etc.
2. Take a ride in the horse and carriage around the park. There are no cars allowed in Center Parcs so it is delightful to be ferried around in a horse and carriage.
3. Try out paintballing, quad biking, driving a mini tank etc. These fun packed activities are all really good fun. But watch out - the paintballing can hurt!
4. Have a game or two of ten pin bowling. Flashing lights, thumping music and balls to throw are all available to be had!
5. Have a dance session - out next trip (due to go in October) we have booked to have a go at cheerleading!
6. Book a meal out in one of the lovely restaurants. Each restaurant has a different type of food so you can have your pick!
7. Upgrade your lodge to one with a hot tub or a spa or a sauna!
8. Try the different activities in the outdoor area - such as tree trails, climbing wall, zip wire etc. Guaranteed to give you an adrenaline rush!

As you can see there is no reason why Center Parcs has to be expensive - but then again you can spend a fortune if you choose!

After each of our visits we have came away exhasuted and happy - all the glorious fresh air for one thing is a real treat!

There appear to be people who love this place and return time and time again, you can spot them as they are the ones who get all the tables at the restauarnats, bookings for sporting activities etc. If I was to give you one overriding tip it would be this - book as much as you can before you arrive! There are so many different activities that the website has a planner which allows you to plan your days and lets you know what activities are on when. It is much better than arrving and trying to book things and finding them already full!

We are due to go this October and love it so much that we have already booked for next October!!

Summary: Fabulous place for fabulous holidays!