Center Parcs boss reveals what to expect from brand new holiday park in the UK – and future village locations
The site will be located in the Scottish Borders, north of Hawick and will feature 700 lodges, as well as the brand's iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Aqua Sana Forest Spa.
6
6
6
With a planning application submitted this week for the site, Center Parcs CEO Colin McKinlay spoke with The Sun about details of the Scottish village and how it was "staring us in the face as the logical place to put the next Center Parcs".
McKinlay shared: "Our plans in the Scottish Borders [are] to build a Center Parcs with all the same facilities that we see in our other villages in England.
"It will have the iconic pool, activities, a spa, about 700 lodges ... all of the facilities people are used to seeing at the other villages."
Unlike other UK villages that have lakes, the Scottish site will have two lochs.
McKinlay added: "We've taken a typical size of one of those lakes and we've almost divided it into two."
And these lakes will have "gentle" water sport activities, including things such as pedalos and kayaking.
"Nice and gentle but family-oriented activities," said McKinlay.
Setting the Scottish village apart from other villages in the UK, there will also be a Heritage Centre.
"We're conscious that in the Scottish Borders there's a huge amount of natural heritage and history here," McKinlay shared.
"To recognise that, one of the things we'll have on this village is a heritage centre.
The new Center Parcs holiday resort that has opened in Europe
As for the layout of the village, the CEO added that whilst it will take many attributes from other UK sites, "each time we build a new village, we like to make it a little bit more special".
A woodcraft workshop will also allow families to carve models together and a permanent Santa's Grotto will let guests meet Santa each winter.
And the CEO shared that the park will have around 100 different activities that people can do, such as Action Challenge and a TAG Challenge Arena.
But activities don't stop there - with the plans also revealing that Crazi Bugz, off-road explorers and laser combat could feature.
The Scottish Borders village is also likely to have between 10 and 14 different restaurant and bar experiences.
Whilst McKinlay expressed this hasn't been finalised yet, he did share that they will have areas "promoting the nuances of Scottish food".
6
Plans show a Pancake House and cafe are already proposed for the village.
"We're hoping for a determination of that planning application by the end of the calendar year, hopefully," he stated.
"I would be very hopeful to be able to open in spring, summer of 2029 - which means that we would aim to go on sale probably nine months prior to that."
In regard to the rest of the UK, the CEO added: "I wouldn't rule out other Center Parcs in other locations in the UK.
"I believe there are opportunities beyond that [Scotland], probably elsewhere in England - possibly in the south east."
6
A number of new initiatives are being rolled out across the UK too, from premium restaurants to new leisure activities such as a forest gliding experience.
The holiday company is also celebrating the highest ever guest satisfaction scores in the past 12 months, in its 38-year history.
The Scottish Borders Center Parcs project is expected to cost between £350 and £400million.
In total, it is anticipated the new village will also create 1,200 permanent jobs and attract more than 350,000 visitors each year.
CENTER Parcs has opened a new treetop experience at one of their holiday parks in the UK - the first of its kind for the resort.
Opening at Longleat on July 1, Adventure Nets allows families to "bounce, balance, leap and climb through the stunning redwood canopy", according to Center Parcs.
The attraction features a number of treehouses that are connected by suspended nets, seven metres in the air.
Visitors can crawl through tunnels, cross rope bridges and enjoy a trampoline area at the attraction too.
Families on the course can also use TAG Active technology which allows guests to 'tag' beacons around the course and play TAG games such as treasure hunts in their hour-session.
There is also a new European Center Parcs resort that is quiet in August – and much cheaper than in the UK.
Plus, the first look at Center Parcs' plans for new UK resort in Scotland.
6
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
2 hours ago
- Times
Edinburgh Airport vows to spruce up arrivals hall after complaints
Edinburgh Airport has pledged to look at sprucing up its arrivals hall after travellers moaned that it looked like 'corrugated iron and wire'. The transport hub, one of Scotland's main gateways for international tourists, has this summer been peppered with complaints about its supposedly drab interior and 'unacceptable' delays at immigration controls. Its managers stress they are handling more passengers than ever before — a record of 62,458 people was hit on July 11 — and investing heavily. The airport expects to spend about £90 million this year on various capital projects, up from £52 million in 2024, with the sum forecast to rise to £120 million next year. Some of that money will be put towards plans to continue to overhaul the terminal as passenger numbers rise.
Times
2 hours ago
- Times
Sunken German fleet and Swedish sailing ship given protected status
Just as Scotland was reeling from the last Jacobite rebellion the flagship of the Swedish East India Company approached Shetland in a blizzard. The great Drottningen af Sverige was on her way to China to pick up tea and silk for the lucrative European market. She never made it, sinking off Lerwick in January 1745 as her captain tried to find shelter in Bressay Sound. Sailors on the ship, called Queen of Sweden in English, had already seen a sister vessel, the Stockholm, go down in the same high winds. Both crews somehow survived. The wreck of the Drottningen was partially salvaged as early as 1746 but she and her cargo remain one of the most important maritime history sites in British waters. So much so that the Scottish government on Monday declared the Drottningen to be one of Scotland's newest Historic Marine Protected Areas or MPAs.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Popular UK holiday park shuts for good after 47 years as gutted tourists say ‘such a shame'
HOL NO Popular UK holiday park shuts for good after 47 years as gutted tourists say 'such a shame' A POPULAR UK holiday park has shut its gates for good after nearly half a century – leaving loyal visitors heartbroken. The shock closure has sparked an outpouring of sadness, with regulars calling it 'such a shame'. Advertisement 4 It was often fully booked, especially during big city events Credit: 4 The shock closure has sparked an outpouring of sadness, with regulars calling it 'such a shame' Credit: Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club site, on Bristol's harbourside, closed for the final time today. For 47 years it has been a firm favourite for tourists, offering 56 pitches in a prime waterfront spot beside the Floating Harbour. Guests enjoyed unbeatable views of the colourful Cliftonwood terraces and were just steps from top attractions like the SS Great Britain. It was often fully booked, especially during big city events. Advertisement But the land, owned by Bristol City Council, is being handed over to Goram Homes, the council's own housing developer, to build 166 flats. The move has proved hugely controversial among the caravanning community. This weekend saw the site packed for Bristol's balloon fiesta. By mid-morning today, only one or two caravans were left before the gates were shut for the last time. Advertisement In a statement, the Caravan Club said: 'Following a number of lease extensions, sadly the site will permanently close on 11 August 2025. "Thank you to everyone who has stayed with us at Baltic Wharf Club Campsite. Award-winning holiday park in St Ives "Our nearest alternative campsites are Cheddar Club Campsite and Bath Chew Valley Affiliated Club Campsite.' Many holidaymakers took to the club's website to share their disappointment. Advertisement One wrote: 'So sad that Baltic Wharf is finally closing. "We have many happy memories from visiting here, not just because Bristol is such an amazing city… it's such a shame that this site is closing.' 4 By mid-morning today, only one or two caravans were left before the gates were shut for the last time Credit: 4 The move has proved hugely controversial among the caravanning community Credit: Advertisement Another added: 'Sad times… the best place to cycle and get around, so sad this site has to close when it's nearly always full. "We will never visit Bristol again. We loved Baltic Wharf. Thanks for the best times.' With the caravans now gone, work to clear the site is due to start in the coming weeks. Goram Homes, working with the Hill Group, says the new development will feature cafes, shops and landscaped public spaces, opening up the area 'for the first time' to the wider public. Stephen Baker, Goram Homes' managing director, said: 'We cannot ignore the housing crisis… a significant portion of any profit we make will go back to the council, to be reinvested into the city or the development of more new homes.' Advertisement The closure now leaves Bristol without a main city centre caravan site, casting doubt over the future of caravan holidays in the area. For many, it's the end of an era and a goodbye to one of Britain's most unique urban camping spots. This follows a growing trend across the UK, with popular campsites and holiday parks shutting their gates as developers target prime locations for housing, luxury lodges, or commercial use. Advertisement In North Wales, a seaside park recently made way for high-end apartments, leaving regulars without a spot they'd booked for decades. In Cornwall, a cliff-top campsite closed after being sold to a luxury lodge operator, pricing out many returning families.
