Is Centre Parcs worth the money?

[Leah Reeve]

I know this question will start a lot of agruements so I apologise!

My husband and I are arguing over holidays next year. We have two boys under four so it has to be in this country!  I like my comfort, John likes spending no money.  We tried Butlins and weren't happy with the standard.  I understand Centre Parcs have a high standard but it is so expensive to go there.  Is it worth it?

[puttycake1]

My sister-in-law and husband have a five and three year old, and they enjoyed it, and thought it was value for money, but I can't say from personal experience - can't afford it!

[Jules001]

we have been loads of times to the Elveden Forest CP. Haven't been for a couple of years now, but I think it is expensive to go there and the cost doesn't stop when you get there. You have to pay extra for practically everything, basically the only things that are free are the swimming pool, cycling (if you take your own bikes) walks and some play areas. There are also other temptations for kids as they have a toy shop plus a fabby sweet shop. When you say you like your comfort, what do you mean. We stay in a Comfort Villa and they are practical, but by no means luxurious . The cost would also depend on what your boys like to do and whether they would want to do something all the time, as it can work out very expensive. To give you an example, I have a current brochure here and the cost of say a Family Nature Walk lasting 2 hours is �5..50 per adult and �3.50 per child and a badminton court hire for 45 mins costs �6.20 and that doesn't include hire of rackets or shuttlecocks. We generally eat out every night, plus tennis, badminton, ten pin bowling, archery and a class for me plus clay pigeon shooting for hubby intermingled with free stuff like cycling, swimming and just chilling reading etc we generally don't get much change from about �600-700 (if I remember correctly) for a week and that is on top of the cost of the accommodation. (BTW we have 2 teenagers) We take the view that as long as we have a good holiday we don't worry too much about the cost, obviously we like to get value for money and do what we can to achieve this and this is a tried and trusted holiday for us. If it helps, you can agree a budget and do what you need to to in order to stick to it. If you know the boys are particularly attracted to something which you would find expensive, it is fairly easy to find a detour so that they don't find out about them ;) hope this helps

[mycatis]

Go to Butlins. Seriously it is great, ignore all those cheesy Hi-De-Hi ideas you might have. I love Butlins, and practically everything there is free, swimming, fun fair kids clubs etc  It's great!!

[sunflower68]

Hear hear Mycatis, have to totally agree there.  Save the rest of the cash to spend over Christmas.

[Leah Reeve]

Thanks Guys, esp Jules.  That was great information!

The kids are young so not demanding in a money spending way but an extra �600 is still a lot of money.  When I said I like my comfort, I meant, I like a clean and tidy home with furniture not falling to bits.  I was disappointed in Butlins because there was a LOT of mould in the bathroom and the lounge carpet and settee were damp!

[Mrs_Pegasus]

I would recommend Haven (also own British Holidays).  They not only do caravans but some great chalets.  The entertainment was good in the early evening and the day time activities keep the kids occupied for a couple of hours before heading for the beach.  If you dont fancy the idea of doing all the cooking the food is OK in the 'funworks' areas and some of situated close to towns so you could eat elsewhere.

Have used them for a number of years and can never grumble.  Again I looked at Butlins but found the prices too high.

Have also priced up Centre Parks but it was too pricey and found there wasnt all that much entertainment put on for the children.  I have also been there for a weekend with friends and it was great but we didnt have children to entertain.

[mycatis]

If you want try Haven, for the love of God don't go to the one at Ayr (in Scotland, it used to be a Bulins) I spent the worst week of my life there. If it hadn't been for the fact that it was the only holiday I could take my son on that year I would have come home after 2 days, shudder!

[kat3az]

We have been 5 times to elevden and find it very cheap. We go Monday to Friday for about �280.00 Dont go all week too expensive. We even go in an executive for that price with spa bath. Two teenagers for children - cycle all the time. Las time we went we picked up four bikes in the car park so didn;'t have to pay! Spent all week cycling and swimming and only paid extra for ten pin and climbing. Eat in and it turned out much cheaper than camping that we had done previously. You don't have loads of shops to go in and spend money and if it rains you swim which costs nothing. Butlins is CXXX and Haven. We go twice a year and can't falt it. Wildlife is great. We had a swan in our lounge last time and squirrels on the doorstep