New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Hi all,

I've been to the one in Elveden Forest, which I thought was good, but feel like a change.

Any comments/experiences?

Thanks,

ns04

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

What was the one that suffered fire damage a few yeas ago?

Phil

Sherwood IMHO the 1st and best

alot bigger than Eleveden although haven't been since the fire at Eleveden

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

No mate, it was Elveden that suffered the fire. I liked the place, but thought the surroundings could have been better, no doubt a consequence of the fire.
Just fancied trying somewhere else and Sherwood looked very nice. Longleat looked good too, especially the rapids- I'm fond of larking about in water.

Ns04

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

The rapids at Longleat are fantastic, and so so warm too, had the time of my life there.

Also lovely bike rides if your into that.

+Doc+

Sherwood is great, a lot easier to navigate than Longleat.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

But what are the rapids like??

Ns04

motorsportnicko

Sherwood is excellent, been there the last 6 years.

watto52

I drove thru it when i was a courier. Looks ok. Not really been holi bobbing there tho.

EP82

Sherwood is great, i've been 5+ times and am there for 5 nights on the 18th of sep

watto52

Dont forget to go into nottingham tho. A great city and great people. Apart from Dazza01


Oh, and the ex wife

GIG

Sherwood is excellent.

We've not been to the Elveden site though, so can't compare.

GIG

GIG

http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/village...todo/index.jsp

Have a look at their site...

GIG

fitzscoob

My only gripe with centre parcs is that by the time you go there, and do a few things you could have had a week abroad for less.

I still like the place though.

Steve vRS

That's true but when you have a young child, it's a good if expensive holiday as everything is child friendly.

My biggest gripe though is the other parents who seem to forget they have children with them. My little lad is just 3 and we watch him playing on the soft-plays of water slides like a hawk to check he's behaving himself. Other parents though didn't seem to care and so I ended up marshaling their children to stop them pushing in front of my lad or generally being little chav hooligans.

Steve

PS Sherwood is better than the Cumbrian one as well in the summer but I bet in the winter the undercover village is nice at Oasis Whinfell.

Nigel H

A bit off thread...I've been to both Elveden and Longleat. I couldn't see much difference TBH.

For my money they're FAR too expensive, we stayed at a Marriott with it's own pool that was much quieter and more enjoyable for half the price of Center Parcs

Yer pays yer money yer takes yer choice

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Yep, but you're paying for the convenience of a self contained "all at your doorstep" holiday. You could "go" abroad for the same amount, but most likely wouldn't "do" half as much, without also having to stump out extra. I was a bit sceptical at first to be honest, thinking it would be nothing more than Butlins (which in my experience are horrific) in the woods. However, I had a great time. It wasn't cheap, but I enoyed the whole thing and was entertained the whole time without having to go abroad.

ns04

Coffin Dodger

Chav central, just Butlins but attempting to go up market a bit.

+Doc+

The most overused word about "chav"

NeilT

got back from the Nottingham one last week.

Great week away, kids love it and plenty to do, albeit expensive for what it is.

Been to the one in Cumbria and Elvedene also a few times, all much the same really.

Didnt see any 'chavs' either.

Neil

EP82

Have you ever been?

The majority of people that go are families and young families, can't remember bumping into a chav at sherwood any time i've been there. Ofcourse you get the odd rowdy kid in the swimming pool or whatever but the pool is so big it's not difficult to have a quiet and enjoyable time in there.

I also find it's as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it, I go with my g/f we use the spa, etc which is fantastic. If anything it's just a relaxing time away from home, no need to worry about driving a car for a week, your mobile will only work in some places so it's not ringing all the time, etc.

Sure you could go away to benidorm or some other european **** hole for cheaper, but it's not the same, besides we use center parcs as something to break the year up, a secondary holiday so to speak. Although this year it will be our fourth holiday so it's not as if we need it.

Just my 2p

Roll on next Monday

Sport160

Have you tried the ones in Europe, IMHO they are better then the UK ones for a number of reasons

1) Depending upon when you go they are quieter (not an issue if you haven't got school age kids) as half terms are all different dates. (doesn't apply to easter or christmas obviously)

2) They are slightly cheaper, although travel costs can even things out depending upon where you are travelling from.

3) Europeans are far less nanny state about letting kids use the rapids, slides etc, its up to you what they can do.

4) Good beer

5) They all tend to have other features over and above the pool dome, for example a 2nd dome done out as a pirate ship or jungle dome, an indoor ski slope (real snow not mats) and waterski loop, or a huge indoor soft playarea

6) Good beer

7) Continental Sauna if thats your thing

We go with friends every year and have tried 2 in Holland and 2 in Belgium, will be booking for next year tonight.