When I think of family holidays, I think of Center Parcs. We have been visiting Center Parcs for many, many years, and I can’t think of a better place for families to chill out, have fun and try some new activities. A week here has always been a week of freedom for our family. Now our kids are older, our annual holiday is still the highlight of the year with much discussion surrounding which village we should visit – or return to – next time.
We started off visiting the UK Center Parcs villages, which were great when there were only three or four of us, and we weren’t restricted to school holidays. We loved Longleat and Sherwood Forest in particular. But as our family grew, so did the prices. This was when we discovered the Center Parcs villages in France, Belgium and Netherlands. What a difference! At half the price of the UK villages, we could stay for a week in the school holidays without it breaking the bank. Discovering these villages has been a game changer for our family holidays ever since. There are also villages in Germany, but we haven’t ventured that far yet.
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Aqua Mundo
So, what’s so great about Center Parcs? Well, the first thing is the fabulous swimming pool, or Aqua Mundo, as it’s called. This is not just any old swimming pool. This is the best swimming pool you or your kids have ever swum in. With outdoor rapids, wave pool, water slides, lazy river, fish tanks under the water . . . I cannot imagine a child having more fun anywhere. With great children’s sections for the smaller members of the family, and so many fun areas for the older ones, you will probably find yourselves back in the pool most days of your holiday.
Activities at Center Parcs
Center Parcs offers kids – and adults – the opportunity to try a huge number of activities. From water sports on the lake to archery to climbing walls and zip wires, there is a serious amount of fun to be had. Activities have to be paid for, but we find that the prices are pretty reasonable compared with those in the UK. They can be booked once you arrive at the village, although booking them in advance guarantees you’ll get on the ones you want. The European villages all have a free farm where kids can go in and stroke the animals, and most offer pony rides for the little ones.
Bikes at Center Parcs
I absolutely love riding my bike at Center Parcs. It truly fills me with joy. In the European villages, most people ride a bike, and you’ll find it so much quicker to get around the village than walking. Taking your own bikes is a really great idea as they are expensive to hire at the villages. There are places to lock them up outside the pool, the restaurants and all the activity locations. Remember to bring bike locks with you. For those who are less mobile, it is possible to hire an electric buggy. Book this in advance as they’re very popular.
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Accommodation at Center Parcs
Accommodation at Center Parcs is mostly in self-catering cottages, and there is a lot of choice. Cottages can accommodate anything from four people through to twelve people in some villages, which is perfect for big families. There are various types of cottage with different levels of comfort and facilities, so pick whichever one suits your budget or your requirements. Families holidaying with grandparents or other family members/friends might prefer to book cottages close to each other rather than staying in the same one. For those who have visited the UK villages, don’t expect the cottages in the European villages to be quite as plush. Some of the older cottages can look a bit tatty, and the areas outside aren’t always very well maintained. However, there is generally a more relaxed feeling to the villages, which we love.
What’s Included in the Cottages at Center Parcs?
The kitchens in the cottages are basic, even in the more expensive ones. There’s a hob, combi microwave oven, toaster and kettle. Most villas have a dishwasher, but check carefully before you book. Nobody wants to spend their holiday washing up! There will be an odd assortment of pots, pans and utensils plus plates, bowls, etc. There is usually no oven, which is a complete nuisance in my book, and I have never been able to figure out how to use the microwave as an oven.
All cottages have a patio area with a table, chairs and a couple of loungers. This is the perfect place for a BBQ. The higher end cottages even have a kind of chiminea which is fun to use. Instead of using a disposable BBQ, take a mini BBQ that doesn’t take up much space in the car. These are much better for the environment, and are pretty handy for holidays.
Check out my list of the top ten items you’ll want to take with you to Center Parcs.
Where to Eat at Center Parcs
Although the villas are self-catering, there are several restaurants, cafés and bars onsite. The villages have different restaurants depending on which country you’re in, but there tends to be an Italian, a buffet restaurant and a burger bar. Most villages have a poolside burger or snack bar as well. The restaurants tend to be quite pricey. It’s a good idea to mix it up and do a bit of self-catering and eat out a couple of times if you don’t want to cook every night. When making your booking, you will usually be given the opportunity to add a variety of dining options to your package. This doesn’t save you much money, but does mean that those meals have been paid for before your holiday starts.
Each village has an onsite supermarket which stocks a good variety of essentials including a bakery selling fresh bread, pastries and the like. We often take the car offsite, and do a big shop at a nearby supermarket. The onsite shop would suffice if you don’t want to do this. In Belgium, we’ve found that the prices in the local supermarkets are very similar to the onsite shop. In France and Netherlands, buying groceries offsite is often cheaper.
Are All Center Parcs Villages Created Equal?
Are all Center Parcs villages created equal? The answer to that question is a resounding No. While some have an excellent pool and loads of activities, others don’t quite hit the mark. The Center Parcs website used to give each village a rating which made it easy to see which villages had better facilities than others. However, they’ve done away with that canny system, making it difficult for the unitiated to figure out which villages to book and which to avoid. So, how do you know which villages are the best? Well, that’s where this little guide comes in handy. Below are all the villages that achieve the highest rating, and are worth booking. That’s not to say you wouldn’t enjoy a holiday at any of the others, but the villages listed here are the best of the best.
Villages in Belgium:
Villages in France:
- Le Bois aux Daims
- Le Lac d’Ailette
- Les Bois-Francs
- Les Hauts de Bruyères
- Les Landes de Gascogne
- Les Trois Forêts
- Villages Nature Paris
Villages in Germany:
Villages in Netherlands:
Not sure how to get there? Read my guide on travelling to Center Parcs in Europe.
