Centre Parcs - Has it lost it's sheen?

From England, 8 posts

I have visited centre parcs 3 times to date and I feel that standards are slipping.



Has anybody got any tips ideas to make the next stay more enjoyable?

3 posts

Originally posted by choonz on 14 May 2006 7:08 PM
I have visited centre parcs 3 times to date and I feel that standards are slipping.





Has anybody got any tips ideas to make the next stay more enjoyable?



When I went on my first time to centre parc I was dependant on the staff and I felt the same way that the standards are slipping but the next time I went I went with some friends and we did everything by ourselves. Try to be a bit adventeurous and see how long you can go with doing anything you want without even asking the staff about it.

From Bristol, UK, 261 posts

They are letting in too many working class people. They don't even wear Berghaus fleeces, for flips sake!

From South West UK, 2002 posts

I've never been. What do they do there?! And where are they?! Is this something I have been missing out on, or what?!

From Bristol, UK, 261 posts

Center Parcs is like a middle class Butlins. I will elaborate later. Have to go out now. Toodle pip Fraulein Oberst.

From South West UK, 2002 posts

Oh. What does Obhurst mean?!

From South West UK, 2002 posts

I mean Oberst! Can't speak German!

From Bristol, UK, 261 posts

It means Colonel. Anyway, let me fill you in on Center Parcs.



I visited the Sherwood Forest one, although the nearest on to me is Longleat, Wiltshire.



You can take part in activities such as Falconry, Archery, Sailing, Abseiling, Horse riding, Snooker, Squash, Badminton. As I said before, a sort of Butlins for the middle class, where the emphasis is on doing something, rather than getting bladdered while watching someone else doing something. I enjoyed the few days I spent there, taking part in falconry & archery. You can spectate on most activities, even if you don't want a go yourself. There was also some sort of beauty spa type affair.



What I found strange was that a lot of people there seemed to think they were out mountaineering or hiking. They wore Berghaus fleeces, waterproofs, hiking boots and rucksacks just to walk from one side of the resort to the other (about 1 mile!). They would stop off for a hot drink from their thermos and get out some sarnies like it was some sort of expedition.



The food was ok, a bit pricey but good quality. The chalet was good with a small lake outside, complete with ducks that ran up to you to be fed.



I went to Butlins at Minehead a couple of weeks ago. That has improved a lot, and half-board was a bargain. More my kind of style, stuffing my face and a good drink. Center Parcs is OK if you're with your family, but Butlins is better with a crew of mates.



Adios amigo

From South West UK, 2002 posts

Centre Parcs sounds really nice! Have you been to the Longleat one? That would be closer for me, living in Devon. Been to Butlins Minehead few times with kids, not recently, last time was about 5 years ago and thought it was not as good as it used to be. I will have to look into this Centre Parcs thing. Let me know what Longleat is like if you have been there please Sir Major Darky?!

And thanks, glad I stopped by to ask!!

From Bristol, UK, 261 posts

Hello Colonel,

People I know who've been to Longleat Center Parcs say it's great. We went to the Sherwood Forest one because we were holidaying with relatives from up north. Living just east of Bristol, I would have preferred the 30 mile drive to Longleat.



Butlins Minehead was a bit better than last time I went 6 years ago. A lot of greedy pigs were taking advantage of the half-board, which was fairly good tucker for the money. The accommodation was a bit grubby though. I think they rely on you being too drunk to notice or care. They're starting to offer similar activities to Center Parcs, but provided by outside companies.



Must go, I'm on emergency call-out again.



Major Darky