Mum discovers 'cheap Center Parcs' with pool, hot tub and no pre-booking
With summer on the horizon, many families are looking for affordable UK staycations. One mum has shared her 'cheap Center Parcs' alternative that's perfect for a last-minute getaway.
As the summer season approaches and school holidays beckon, families are scouting for their annual retreats. With an eye on simplicity and budget, UK staycations are becoming increasingly popular over foreign jaunts.
Center Parcs, beloved by adults and children alike with its numerous UK locations, is renowned for its wide range of activities. However, those planning extended stays or travelling with larger groups are on the lookout for more cost-effective alternatives.
Louise, a mother of two children aged nine and six, has suggested a thrifty substitute that she claims offers a similar experience without the hefty price tag, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
"If you're looking for a cheap Center Parcs alternative, then this could be right up your street. We spent three nights here for just under 500 quid, or £40 per person per night," Louise explained in her 'Bored with Kids' TikTok video.
She's referring to Sherwood Castle Retreat in Newark, Nottinghamshire. In clips from her video, Louise noted: "It is heavily influenced by its location near Sherwood Forest and by the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. There are loads of original props from the movie here, including the actual reception."
The mum offered viewers a virtual tour of their woodland lodge, highlighting the kitchen and dining area, a snug living room complete with TV and children's bunk beds, not to mention a quaint log burner.
She excitedly shared, "The woodland lodges have hot tubs, and are pretty similar to the Center Parcs ones with the layout," and included, "We even had a log burner here, which was lovely at night."
She continued, detailing the resort's amenities: "Plus you have tennis, bowling, and swimming available before five pm. You can actually book out the whole pool for yourselves if you wanted. They even have a little animal farm here too. Although you probably don't wanna be staying too close to it as they have two massive cockerels and these woke us up before five am every morning."
Despite many highlights, she indicated drawbacks such as the absence of Wi-Fi and underwhelming play park and mini golf options. Louise concluded her video by saying, "However, it is less than half the price of the cheapest Center Parcs lodge, it's in a beautiful location, and there are loads of lovely places to visit nearby".
Her video has stirred discussions among viewers, with one reminiscing warmly, "We stayed there, it was amazing."
The reviews were positive, with several viewers expressing gratitude to Louise for uncovering the gem, echoing sentiments like, "This place looks great and brilliant price."
Sherwood Castle Holiday Forest is a stunning retreat set within 40 acres of enchanting woodland in the legendary Robin Hood Country, positioned near Rufford, Nottinghamshire.
It's just two miles south of Ollerton and around 20 miles north of Nottingham.
The forest resort offers guests a selection of seven types of spacious, self-catering pine lodges, which can accommodate from two to eight visitors.
Some lodges even boast the luxury of hot tub baths for the ultimate relaxation amongst the trees.
These traditional wooden lodges sit quietly in the dense, green woodland, allowing visitors to rise each morning to the tranquil sounds of nature.
Every lodge provides guests with cosy fireplaces, TV entertainment, well-stocked kitchens, and private bathrooms complete with complimentary toiletries.
The accommodation options include various layouts, with some featuring both double and bunk bedrooms, making them ideal for family stays.
Facilities and Things to Do
An array of amenities awaits visitors on-site, including:
A bowling alley, minimarket, and children's playground
Swimming pool and leisure hall
Woodland trails, outdoor activities, an animal corner, bug hotel and bird feeding viewing wall
Archery center
Games room and family rooms
For enthusiasts of the "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" film, the park holds an added allure with original movie props displayed for an authentic touch. Leveraging its famed connection to the tales of Robin Hood, the holiday park ensures a captivating and unique stay amid this ancient and storied forest setting.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Louise Thompson says this ‘most flattering' dress gets ‘so many compliments'
Louise Thompson has recently been sharing her favourite Free People pieces - and it included this 'most flattering' maxi dress that she owns in multiple shades One who always shares her latest fashion find, Louise Thompson, has once again been pointing fans in the direction of a must-have maxi dress that she loves so much that she bought it in different shades. The "beauty" of a dress that Louise was raving about this week is the Dixie Maxi from Free People. Boasting a flowy design and lightweight material, Louise's maxi dress comes in a whopping ten shades to choose from. That said, it's worth noting that some sizes in some colours may have sold out, thanks to this gem's popularity, so you may want to act fast. Touted as "romantic and ethereal", this maxi from Free People's free-est collection is a true versatile staple. Boasting a billowy fit throughout that cinches at the waist for a flattering but unrestricted silhouette, this number features an elegant V-neckline that seamlessly merges casual style with formal flourishes. Also offering a smocked panelling bodice that promises a flattering and comfortable fit that complements any body type, this dress features exaggerated sleeves that add to its fairytale charm and loose-flowing vibes - a feature Louise has loved in various other outfits. Elevated with embroidered lace piecing at the skirt, this dress can be your perfect companion from everyday activities to sunset walks on the beach. Timelessly complemented by a sleek heel or simple flats, this piece promises endless ways to wear. The dress is available in sizes XS to XL and retails for £108. This beauty comes in a range of hues, including Louise's favourites: rust orange, blue, and ivory. Shades of pink, green, beige, and red are also available. That said, some size options are sold out in some colours, so you'll need to hurry to get yours before it's gone. Louise raved about the dress on her social media, telling fans it gets her "so many compliments" and is one of "the most flattering" dresses she has. Others who have bought Louise's beloved dress can't stop raving about it. One thrilled customer says: "I got so many compliments while walking around Santorini. It is so perfect with the coverage for the sun, light enough for the hot weather. I feel like a goddess in this dress." Another buyer beams: "This is my new favorite dress! It's extremely comfortable, flattering and has big pockets. I'm a C cup and don't need a bra with it and am 5'8" and it comes to my ankles. I'm buying two more in other colors. Way to knock this one out of the park FP!" And a third shopper shares: "Purchased this one for my teen daughter. Its truly a beautiful dress. She looks like a little woodland fairy every time she wears it. Its light weight and has very generous, deep pockets. I legit watched her put 2 oranges in one pocket to carry around as snacks. She is a size 2 and the Small was a perfect fit." More love comes from this customer who writes: "I have been eyeing this dress for a while after seeing one of my favorite tiktokers wearing it in her videos. I finally pulled the trigger and bought it. Shipping was extremely fast. It is so gorgeous the material is so nice and high quality. According to the size chart I should be a small but I read reviews and followed the advice to size down, and I'm so glad I did it fits great! I feel like a cottage core princess and will be ordering in other colors as well!" And another chimes in: "Wore this dress this past weekend and I got some many compliments, wasn't too long on me & I'm 5'3 usually maxi dresses from free people is long on me , but this one fixed perfectly I ended up getting it in a xs . I pair it with some platform sandal's." If you're looking for similar styles, Next has this White Long-Sleeve Embroidery Midi 100% Cotton Dress for £80. Meanwhile, Boohoo is offering this Floral-Printed Dobby Long-Sleeve Maxi Dress for £31.50, and ASOS has this pleated dobby chiffon wrap button-detail maxi dress in bright green for £32.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
BBC star 'will be absent from another series of beloved show as replaced named'
BBC viewers are awaiting another series of long-running consumer show Rip Off Britain and it's now been reported that Angela Rippon will be absent from the show once again BBC star Angela Rippon will reportedly be absent from another series of a long-running show that they had fronted for more than a decade. They are said to be taking an extended break, but it has been teased that they could return in the future. Angela, 80, was an original co-host on Rip Off Britain when it launched in 2009. She's primarily presented the show, which provides advice to consumers on various topics, alongside Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville. Last year, it was announced that Angela would be stepping down from the role. Former BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin replaced her in the presenting line-up, with her debut beside Gloria and Julia having aired earlier this year. It's now been reported that Angela will be absent once again from the upcoming eighteenth series. Louise, who joined the show in its sixteenth series and then returned for the seventeenth, is said to be taking her place in the line-up. The Daily Mail reports that Angela is on a break from Rip Off Britain, having previously decided to step back to pursue other projects. A source, however, told the outlet that the door is being "kept open" for her potential return, though. The source said that she is focusing on her Let's Dance campaign, which she launched after competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. They said: "Angela won't be coming back for the next series as she extends her sabbatical to focus on her initiative to get people dancing across the country in a bid to improve the population's health and wellbeing." They added that Angela is still part of the Rip Off Britain "family" though. They said: "She is very much still part of the Rip Off Britain family and the door is being kept open by BBC bosses for a return later down the line - and Angela is adamant she will be returning when her schedule allows." The source continued: "The programme is filmed in blocks with a mix of studio and solo scenes on location which makes the shooting schedule more complex as producers juggle each star's personal schedules." They added that Louise is set to return in the vacancy left by Angela after being "a hit with viewers". Louise had shared her excitement about joining the long-running show when her involvement was announced in December last year. She said in a statement released at the time that she was "delighted" to be joining the BBC One show. She said: "I'm delighted to be joining the incredible team at Rip Off Britain. I've always admired the show for really making a difference, for shining a spotlight on the issues that matter most to people and empowering viewers with the knowledge to tackle everyday challenges and stand up for their rights. "From uncovering scams to giving audiences the advice they need to safeguard their money, we'll do our best to promote the stories that expose the latest consumer issues and help to make a real difference. It's going to be an exciting series!" At the time, commissioning editor for daytime, Rachel Platt, said about the new presenter: "Louise is a great addition to the Rip Off Britain team. She brings both the journalistic rigour needed to hold organisations to account and the warmth and empathy to get to the heart of real stories."
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Louise Thompson could only spend five minutes a day with newborn while on ‘terrifying' suicide watch, reveals fiance
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOUISE Thompson's fiancé Ryan Libbey has revealed devastating details of her battle with postpartum depression. Former Made In Chelsea star Louise, 35, was placed on suicide watch as she grappled with her mental health following a traumatic 36-hour labour that nearly killed her. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Louise Thompson had severe postpartum depression after giving birth to son Leo in 2021 Credit: Instagram 4 She was on suicide watch for a period time and had mentally 'checked out' Credit: Instagram She struggled to form a relationship with her newborn son, Leo, in the early period of motherhood, so much so that if she spent five minutes with him that was deemed a success. The complicated labour left Leo in great distress and he suffered respiratory issues linked to meconium, a bowel obstruction in newborns. Personal trainer Ryan, 34, told Giovanna Fletcher's Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast: "We even had a crisis-management team come very regularly, which—to be really honest with you—was a suicide watch because she was so mentally checked out. "Which is absolutely terrifying, and I don't think I've quite processed that one. I think that was something that I wanted to reframe straight away. "It's really, really sad to know that Louise was hurting like that and she couldn't—and I suppose, I suppose I didn't really understand what was happening." He continued: "I could understand that she was in shock and that she was completely reduced to a version of herself that was... she was just surrendering to the whole thing. "She'd lost the fight, and I could understand it because she would have been exhausted and her body would have been looking and feeling so different. "And to lie on the sofa with a vacant look on your face for days and weeks, I could understand that, but I couldn't understand that we were in the place of potential: she wants to end her life, and she doesn't really recognise or care for the baby in the room. At the time, I couldn't quite understand that." To make matters worse the couple felt like they'd been forgotten by hospital staff and left to fend for themselves. When they did receive visits from doctors Ryan claimed it was anything but sensitive and they felt rushed to push forward with parenthood with little regard for the trauma they'd been through. Louise Thompson's fiance reveals harrowing moment she was 'ten minutes from death' haemorrhaging blood 'like someone turned a hose on' In a candid admission, Ryan said he even felt resentment towards Louise due to the baby dream he'd harboured not playing out as he expected combined with an awareness that Leo craved his mum. There was no let up in the months that followed as Louise suffered two terrifying haemorrhages at home which Ryan likened to a 'murder scene'. The second major bleed followed a procedure to reinstate the integrity of the womb. He said: "I arrived at home to see her being loaded into an ambulance outside the house. I went down to the downstairs bathroom where it happened, and it was yet again just a murder scene." Louise's body and mental fortitude was tested again when she had her entire large intestine removed after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. She was fitted with a stoma bag, which causes the colon and rectum to become inflamed. Fortunately, Louise has now got a handle on her wellbeing, though she doesn't pretend everything is perfect. The setbacks only make her more of an inspirational figure and she documented her incredible story in last year's Lucky: Learning to Live Again. 4 Louise with Leo in happier times Credit: Instagram 4 The former Made In Chelsea star released a book documenting her ordeal Credit: Getty
