
Center Parcs reviewed - a weekend as relaxing or exciting as you want it to be
If you were going to design a perfect, relaxing family holiday - this would probably be it. A cabin in the woods, an open fire, no traffic. Birds and animals coming up to your window every day, dappled sunlight glinting off the lakes.
There's a spa just a few minutes from your door, and enough places to eat so you won't have to cook for days. They have got this down to a fine art.
We first visited Center Parcs Longleat 16 years ago and we've been back a few times - enjoying each and every break
Our children have grown up with it, so we've seen them enjoy everything from children's clubs to junior activities - and this time they got to come to the spa with us and even go on a quad biking safari.
The joy of Center Parcs is that it is a holiday you personalise, putting together whatever you want - as relaxing or active as you like, as social or isolated as you want.
We took a long weekend break, turning up on Friday morning to make the most of the facilities. After grabbing a coffee in the Plaza we headed to the pool - the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. On a warm day, the outdoor part of the pool is a very pleasant place to be - and there are plenty of slides, rides and rapids for those who want a bit more adventure.
We were surprised that neither the Plaza nor the pool seemed too busy. In previous years, crossover days have been hectic - you could queue to get a changing cubicle.
But despite it being a bank holiday weekend everything was very efficient and calm. After our swim we picked up our bikes from the cycle centre - a great way to get around the park with the layout specifically designed so it is accessible for all ages and abilities.
We then headed to the Pancake House in the village centre for a delicious lunch out in the sunshine, overlooking the forest.
We got into our lodge in the afternoon, at the far end of the park from the entrance, but right next to a land-train stop, and - as mentioned - those bikes come in handy.
The lodges are fully equipped with everything you need. Facilities vary depending on what you book, but you should get a full kitchen with all mod cons - from microwave and dishwasher to coffee machine and in some cases a wine fridge.
It's worth ordering a grocery delivery so you have all the supplies you need. And you can always head out to the Parc Market to top up on essentials and treats. If you want to keep the cost down, there is a Morrisons not far from the park so stock up before heading in.
You could spend your whole weekend in the lodge. Throw open the patio doors and soak in the fauna and flora - brilliant sunshine or showers and storms are all fantastic through the filter of the forest.
But there is also far too much to do in the park not to take advantage. On Saturday, we spent three hours enjoying all the Aqua Sana spa has to offer. Room after room of heat, steam, soothing sound and scents. There are cosy places where you can curl up and sleep, or steam and sauna rooms, each themed to something different - volcanic heat, woodland campfire, Nordic vibes, etc. There is a pool at the heart of the spa, hot tubs out back and two floors of spaces where you will find something to relax and recharge you.
The down side of the spa being such a great attraction and being open to people who aren't staying at the park is that for us, it was busy. It's not really a problem with so many rooms to choose from, but the signs reminding people that the spaces are supposed to be quiet and relaxing seem to have disappeared, so you may need to move from room to room to find somewhere where groups aren't chattering through the experience.
But when you find a quiet spot - it is everything.
After the spa, we headed down to the lake for a quiet outdoor lunch on the beach. Then we went into the sports centre for games and coffee.
In the evening, we headed out to a restaurant. There are plenty of places to choose from - chain names to unique cuisine. Go French, South American, USA, Gastropub, Italian, Chinese, Indian etc etc etc.
We ate at Las Iguanas, a familiar name and a great selection for a family with different tastes. It was a delicious meal and a fun atmosphere in the heart of the park.
Sunday was that quad biking safari I mentioned. You get all the gear, a detailed lesson in safety and how to operate the bikes, then you head off around a course for 45 minutes of high(ish) speed fun.
The course leaders are great at keeping an eye on everyone and will split the group into those who want to go a bit faster, and those who want to take it a little easier. The course has plenty of hills, turns, banks and challenges so you can drift and slide - or enjoy a more sedate experience.
Great fun, and the course leaders really knew what they were doing and kept everyone safe and happy.
The afternoon was more swimming, and shopping in the various stores. Then for dinner we ordered in - each picking from a different restaurant and it all arrived together, hot and delicious - pizza, chinese and Indian all at the same time.
As I've said, there are hundreds of activities and events to choose from. But for us, some of the best times were just sitting quietly on the lodge with the door open, absorbing the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. Squirrels, deer, birds, rabbits and hedgehogs come up to explore and see if you're willing to throw them a few seeds or peanuts
Sunday night we headed out to the sports bar for a fun family quiz and a few drinks. Inexpensive and a great family activity
It may be that the bedrooms are perfect for relaxing, or just that we tired ourselves out - but we all slept well in the comfortable lodge..
On Monday, the last day, we headed out of the lodge by 10 a.m. You get to explore the park for the rest of the day — enjoy activities from sports and escape rooms to swimming, arts and crafts, horse riding, Segways, or nature trails. There is a handy app that lets you find out what's on and book your places. It will also remind you when you need to be somewhere and even give you directions to get there.
When we left, we headed across the road for a few hours enjoying Longleat Safari Park - a great way to end a family weekend packed with fun, relaxation, adventure and most of all memories.
Center Parcs Longleat is this month launching Adventure Nets - Navigate through a series of suspended nets, tunnels, a ball zone and treehouses in an activity for thrill-seekers. Exclusive to Center Parcs, the Adventure Nets course also includes TAG Active technology, where you'll use a wristband to 'tag' beacons around the course and score points. You can choose whether you play competitve, timed TAG games or just explore and play during your session.
The cheapest Center Parcs breaks are mid-week, term-time stays in basic woodland lodges or apartments—especially outside school holidays. You could find a Woodland Lodge at £25 per person per night based on six people staying together at Longleat, with even cheaper breaks available at Sherwood Forest.
There are also one-bedroom apartments which generally offer lower prices - from £200 total for four nights.
Even in peak season, such as July, and with a family of four you can secure a three-bed Woodland Lodge in some parcs from £800 - £55 per person per night. 3-bedroom 'New Style' Woodland lodges offer the best value compared to Executive or Exclusive options.
Center Parcs offers a range of prices, depending on the facilities you want in your accommodation. Full details, prices and booking options available here.

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North Wales Live
7 days ago
- North Wales Live
Center Parcs reviewed - a weekend as relaxing or exciting as you want it to be
If you were going to design a perfect, relaxing family holiday - this would probably be it. A cabin in the woods, an open fire, no traffic. Birds and animals coming up to your window every day, dappled sunlight glinting off the lakes. There's a spa just a few minutes from your door, and enough places to eat so you won't have to cook for days. They have got this down to a fine art. We first visited Center Parcs Longleat 16 years ago and we've been back a few times - enjoying each and every break Our children have grown up with it, so we've seen them enjoy everything from children's clubs to junior activities - and this time they got to come to the spa with us and even go on a quad biking safari. The joy of Center Parcs is that it is a holiday you personalise, putting together whatever you want - as relaxing or active as you like, as social or isolated as you want. We took a long weekend break, turning up on Friday morning to make the most of the facilities. After grabbing a coffee in the Plaza we headed to the pool - the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. On a warm day, the outdoor part of the pool is a very pleasant place to be - and there are plenty of slides, rides and rapids for those who want a bit more adventure. We were surprised that neither the Plaza nor the pool seemed too busy. In previous years, crossover days have been hectic - you could queue to get a changing cubicle. But despite it being a bank holiday weekend everything was very efficient and calm. After our swim we picked up our bikes from the cycle centre - a great way to get around the park with the layout specifically designed so it is accessible for all ages and abilities. We then headed to the Pancake House in the village centre for a delicious lunch out in the sunshine, overlooking the forest. We got into our lodge in the afternoon, at the far end of the park from the entrance, but right next to a land-train stop, and - as mentioned - those bikes come in handy. The lodges are fully equipped with everything you need. Facilities vary depending on what you book, but you should get a full kitchen with all mod cons - from microwave and dishwasher to coffee machine and in some cases a wine fridge. It's worth ordering a grocery delivery so you have all the supplies you need. And you can always head out to the Parc Market to top up on essentials and treats. If you want to keep the cost down, there is a Morrisons not far from the park so stock up before heading in. You could spend your whole weekend in the lodge. Throw open the patio doors and soak in the fauna and flora - brilliant sunshine or showers and storms are all fantastic through the filter of the forest. But there is also far too much to do in the park not to take advantage. On Saturday, we spent three hours enjoying all the Aqua Sana spa has to offer. Room after room of heat, steam, soothing sound and scents. There are cosy places where you can curl up and sleep, or steam and sauna rooms, each themed to something different - volcanic heat, woodland campfire, Nordic vibes, etc. There is a pool at the heart of the spa, hot tubs out back and two floors of spaces where you will find something to relax and recharge you. The down side of the spa being such a great attraction and being open to people who aren't staying at the park is that for us, it was busy. It's not really a problem with so many rooms to choose from, but the signs reminding people that the spaces are supposed to be quiet and relaxing seem to have disappeared, so you may need to move from room to room to find somewhere where groups aren't chattering through the experience. But when you find a quiet spot - it is everything. After the spa, we headed down to the lake for a quiet outdoor lunch on the beach. Then we went into the sports centre for games and coffee. In the evening, we headed out to a restaurant. There are plenty of places to choose from - chain names to unique cuisine. Go French, South American, USA, Gastropub, Italian, Chinese, Indian etc etc etc. We ate at Las Iguanas, a familiar name and a great selection for a family with different tastes. It was a delicious meal and a fun atmosphere in the heart of the park. Sunday was that quad biking safari I mentioned. You get all the gear, a detailed lesson in safety and how to operate the bikes, then you head off around a course for 45 minutes of high(ish) speed fun. The course leaders are great at keeping an eye on everyone and will split the group into those who want to go a bit faster, and those who want to take it a little easier. The course has plenty of hills, turns, banks and challenges so you can drift and slide - or enjoy a more sedate experience. Great fun, and the course leaders really knew what they were doing and kept everyone safe and happy. The afternoon was more swimming, and shopping in the various stores. Then for dinner we ordered in - each picking from a different restaurant and it all arrived together, hot and delicious - pizza, chinese and Indian all at the same time. As I've said, there are hundreds of activities and events to choose from. But for us, some of the best times were just sitting quietly on the lodge with the door open, absorbing the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. Squirrels, deer, birds, rabbits and hedgehogs come up to explore and see if you're willing to throw them a few seeds or peanuts Sunday night we headed out to the sports bar for a fun family quiz and a few drinks. Inexpensive and a great family activity It may be that the bedrooms are perfect for relaxing, or just that we tired ourselves out - but we all slept well in the comfortable lodge.. On Monday, the last day, we headed out of the lodge by 10 a.m. You get to explore the park for the rest of the day — enjoy activities from sports and escape rooms to swimming, arts and crafts, horse riding, Segways, or nature trails. There is a handy app that lets you find out what's on and book your places. It will also remind you when you need to be somewhere and even give you directions to get there. When we left, we headed across the road for a few hours enjoying Longleat Safari Park - a great way to end a family weekend packed with fun, relaxation, adventure and most of all memories. Center Parcs Longleat is this month launching Adventure Nets - Navigate through a series of suspended nets, tunnels, a ball zone and treehouses in an activity for thrill-seekers. Exclusive to Center Parcs, the Adventure Nets course also includes TAG Active technology, where you'll use a wristband to 'tag' beacons around the course and score points. You can choose whether you play competitve, timed TAG games or just explore and play during your session. The cheapest Center Parcs breaks are mid-week, term-time stays in basic woodland lodges or apartments—especially outside school holidays. You could find a Woodland Lodge at £25 per person per night based on six people staying together at Longleat, with even cheaper breaks available at Sherwood Forest. There are also one-bedroom apartments which generally offer lower prices - from £200 total for four nights. Even in peak season, such as July, and with a family of four you can secure a three-bed Woodland Lodge in some parcs from £800 - £55 per person per night. 3-bedroom 'New Style' Woodland lodges offer the best value compared to Executive or Exclusive options. Center Parcs offers a range of prices, depending on the facilities you want in your accommodation. Full details, prices and booking options available here.


Wales Online
7 days ago
- Wales Online
Center Parcs reviewed - a weekend as relaxing or exciting as you want it to be
Center Parcs reviewed - a weekend as relaxing or exciting as you want it to be The parcs offer a slice of calm in the heart of the UK and Ireland, with six locations to choose from If you were going to design a perfect, relaxing family holiday - this would probably be it. A cabin in the woods, an open fire, no traffic. Birds and animals coming up to your window every day, dappled sunlight glinting off the lakes. There's a spa just a few minutes from your door, and enough places to eat so you won't have to cook for days. They have got this down to a fine art. We first visited Center Parcs Longleat 16 years ago and we've been back a few times - enjoying each and every break Our children have grown up with it, so we've seen them enjoy everything from children's clubs to junior activities - and this time they got to come to the spa with us and even go on a quad biking safari. The joy of Center Parcs is that it is a holiday you personalise, putting together whatever you want - as relaxing or active as you like, as social or isolated as you want. Article continues below We took a long weekend break, turning up on Friday morning to make the most of the facilities. After grabbing a coffee in the Plaza we headed to the pool - the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. On a warm day, the outdoor part of the pool is a very pleasant place to be - and there are plenty of slides, rides and rapids for those who want a bit more adventure. We were surprised that neither the Plaza nor the pool seemed too busy. In previous years, crossover days have been hectic - you could queue to get a changing cubicle. But despite it being a bank holiday weekend everything was very efficient and calm. After our swim we picked up our bikes from the cycle centre - a great way to get around the park with the layout specifically designed so it is accessible for all ages and abilities. We then headed to the Pancake House in the village centre for a delicious lunch out in the sunshine, overlooking the forest. We got into our lodge in the afternoon, at the far end of the park from the entrance, but right next to a land-train stop, and - as mentioned - those bikes come in handy. The lodges are fully equipped with everything you need. Facilities vary depending on what you book, but you should get a full kitchen with all mod cons - from microwave and dishwasher to coffee machine and in some cases a wine fridge. It's worth ordering a grocery delivery so you have all the supplies you need. And you can always head out to the Parc Market to top up on essentials and treats. If you want to keep the cost down, there is a Morrisons not far from the park so stock up before heading in. You could spend your whole weekend in the lodge. Throw open the patio doors and soak in the fauna and flora - brilliant sunshine or showers and storms are all fantastic through the filter of the forest. But there is also far too much to do in the park not to take advantage. On Saturday, we spent three hours enjoying all the Aqua Sana spa has to offer. Room after room of heat, steam, soothing sound and scents. There are cosy places where you can curl up and sleep, or steam and sauna rooms, each themed to something different - volcanic heat, woodland campfire, Nordic vibes, etc. There is a pool at the heart of the spa, hot tubs out back and two floors of spaces where you will find something to relax and recharge you. The down side of the spa being such a great attraction and being open to people who aren't staying at the park is that for us, it was busy. It's not really a problem with so many rooms to choose from, but the signs reminding people that the spaces are supposed to be quiet and relaxing seem to have disappeared, so you may need to move from room to room to find somewhere where groups aren't chattering through the experience. But when you find a quiet spot - it is everything. After the spa, we headed down to the lake for a quiet outdoor lunch on the beach. Then we went into the sports centre for games and coffee. In the evening, we headed out to a restaurant. There are plenty of places to choose from - chain names to unique cuisine. Go French, South American, USA, Gastropub, Italian, Chinese, Indian etc etc etc. We ate at Las Iguanas, a familiar name and a great selection for a family with different tastes. It was a delicious meal and a fun atmosphere in the heart of the park. Sunday was that quad biking safari I mentioned. You get all the gear, a detailed lesson in safety and how to operate the bikes, then you head off around a course for 45 minutes of high(ish) speed fun. The course leaders are great at keeping an eye on everyone and will split the group into those who want to go a bit faster, and those who want to take it a little easier. The course has plenty of hills, turns, banks and challenges so you can drift and slide - or enjoy a more sedate experience. Great fun, and the course leaders really knew what they were doing and kept everyone safe and happy. The afternoon was more swimming, and shopping in the various stores. Then for dinner we ordered in - each picking from a different restaurant and it all arrived together, hot and delicious - pizza, chinese and Indian all at the same time. As I've said, there are hundreds of activities and events to choose from. But for us, some of the best times were just sitting quietly on the lodge with the door open, absorbing the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. Squirrels, deer, birds, rabbits and hedgehogs come up to explore and see if you're willing to throw them a few seeds or peanuts Sunday night we headed out to the sports bar for a fun family quiz and a few drinks. Inexpensive and a great family activity It may be that the bedrooms are perfect for relaxing, or just that we tired ourselves out - but we all slept well in the comfortable lodge.. On Monday, the last day, we headed out of the lodge by 10 a.m. You get to explore the park for the rest of the day — enjoy activities from sports and escape rooms to swimming, arts and crafts, horse riding, Segways, or nature trails. There is a handy app that lets you find out what's on and book your places. It will also remind you when you need to be somewhere and even give you directions to get there. When we left, we headed across the road for a few hours enjoying Longleat Safari Park - a great way to end a family weekend packed with fun, relaxation, adventure and most of all memories. Center Parcs Longleat is this month launching Adventure Nets - Navigate through a series of suspended nets, tunnels, a ball zone and treehouses in an activity for thrill-seekers. Exclusive to Center Parcs, the Adventure Nets course also includes TAG Active technology, where you'll use a wristband to 'tag' beacons around the course and score points. You can choose whether you play competitve, timed TAG games or just explore and play during your session. The cheapest Center Parcs breaks are mid-week, term-time stays in basic woodland lodges or apartments—especially outside school holidays. You could find a Woodland Lodge at £25 per person per night based on six people staying together at Longleat, with even cheaper breaks available at Sherwood Forest. There are also one-bedroom apartments which generally offer lower prices - from £200 total for four nights. Even in peak season, such as July, and with a family of four you can secure a three-bed Woodland Lodge in some parcs from £800 - £55 per person per night. 3-bedroom 'New Style' Woodland lodges offer the best value compared to Executive or Exclusive options. Article continues below Center Parcs offers a range of prices, depending on the facilities you want in your accommodation. Full details, prices and booking options available here.


Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'I compared Center Parcs to Butlins and there's really only one obvious verdict'
Within the first six months of 2025 I have visited Center Parcs' Longleat Forest and Butlin's Minehead parks - and the contrasts couldn't be more stark Two of the leading UK holiday brands have a lot to offer, but it's exactly what they serve up to unassuming holidaymakers that makes them worlds apart. When I told my husband I wanted to compare Center Parcs with Butlin's, he told me it was impossible to compare apples with pears. In other words, their concepts are very different. But after a long-weekend at Center Parcs Longleat Forest in March, and then an additional four days at Butlin's in Minehead, there's a lot to be said for both and what they bring to the table in terms of staycations. Butlin's serves the British seaside culture, whereas Center Parcs plunges its guests into the middle of the countryside where urban life feels a million miles away. So yes, of course, they are going to be different and have their own appeals. And they don't promise to be like each other, either. Rocking up at Center Parcs in March, the wooden-clad lodges, towering trees, and abundant cyclists told me that this park is for the adventuring family. The ones who like to explore, walk, cycle and stay as active as possible. Let's be honest, you often need a holiday to recover from an action-packed stay at Center Parcs. Then, in the height of spring arriving at Minehead's Butlin's, the sea breeze, the far-away buzz of fairground rides and loud laughter of children told me this break was all about the simple concept of making children feel as included and entertained as possible. It's kids first and adults a close second. For anyone who hasn't yet been to either and could be looking to book a break to Butlin's or Center Parcs, I've done all the hard comparisons for you. Center Parcs vs. Butlins: Budgets The first obvious thing to mention is Center Parcs is way more expensive than Butlin's. Not only have I been to Longleat, but also to its Elveden Forest branch in Suffolk where the branding and concept is identical. You'd easily spend well over £600 for a basic family lodge at any of its locations, whereas Butlin's could set you back just over £100 for a basic apartment at either Minehead, Skegness or Bognor Regis. Butlin's offers smaller apartments, hotel-like rooms or self-catering complexes which all vary in cost. Center Parcs also has some variety but its price point starts much higher, with some of its luxurious lodges coming with hot-tubs, saunas and enclosed gardens. It also has designated lodges for people with dogs, which comes at an additional cost. But it's not just the price of staying over you'd need to be aware of. At Butlin's shows are free, as are the indoor and outdoor fairgrounds, something I found incredibly good value for money. We paid an additional £15 per person for VIP wristbands which enabled us to queue jump and get seated first for the performances. Swimming is also free and the indoor and outdoor pools can be used as often as you'd like. At Center Parcs swimming is also free, but any other activity such as quad biking, pottery painting, seeing owls, and hiring bikes come at an extra cost. But you are not pressured into buying into any of this - you can visit a Center Parcs site and bring your own bikes, explore the on-site parks and walking trails and not spend much money at all. If you are wanting to immerse yourself in the full CP experience, it is going to cost you. So to conclude - a budget-friendly break is far simpler to complete at Butlin's than it is at Center Parcs, but it's not impossible at either. Center Parcs vs. Butlins: Entertainment day and night One striking similarity at both parks is, by around 10pm, most of the noise and buzz dies down. After-all these are family-orientated complexes. Butlin's does, however, offer big weekenders for adults and these types of events go on well into the night. Guests are reminded of others who are in bed much earlier, and are asked to keep the noise down as they filter back to their accommodation. There's no doubt entertainment is Butlin's middle name, with organised shows, character meet-and-greets and fairground attractions taking centre stage. Center Parcs holds things like quiz nights and has a bustling sports bar at each site which is where adults are seen spending much time. But its concept is less-imposing, and with the site way more sprawled out, I've never heard noise after-dark. If you're looking for an upbeat break where bed-times don't matter, Butlin's should be your first choice. If you want to shut the noise away on your terms, it's Center Parcs all the way. Center Parcs vs Butlin's: Things to do Both holiday parks have more than enough to do - but I'd say Center Parcs has more of a variety than Butlin's. This is because there's a lot of activities for families and adults. Butlin's is very child-orientated if you are there for a standard week's holiday. By the end of our fourth day I was more than ready to come home and felt as though we had done everything the park had to offer. With Center Parcs, unless you have an unlimited bank account and an infinite amount of time, you'll never get around all the activities in a single stay. This means you can keep returning and there will always be something new to do next time. But much of the activities are outdoors based, so if you've picked an unfortunate week weather wise, wellies and waterproofs are essential. Plus, the sites are varied. At Longleat there's a little road train which takes guests across the park due to its sheer size, but there's nothing like this at Elveden as it's much smaller and not so hilly. Some of CP's sites also house some incredible spas, which are so sought after that people living nearby visit these alone. Of course, treatments and visiting all costs. Butlin's main event tents are dominated by arcade machines, which obviously require cash to operate. They also have a bowling alley and other small scale games for the family to participate in. At Center Parcs, they also have designated areas with arcade-like entertainment, pre-booked smaller scale activities such as teddy bear designing, hair braiding and face painting along with 10-pin bowling. Both sites have great outdoor parks for children, with Butlin's recently spending millions on a new interactive playground, with lights and sounds, for kids at Minehead. Center Parcs has wooden, rustic playgrounds - equally as fun - with around the same amount of facilities. Center Parcs vs. Butlin's: Eating arrangements At Butlin's you can pay for a half-board eating plan which requires you to go to one or two of its on-site restaurants and pick from a buffet-style choice. This obviously means you can fill up at breakfast time, have a light snack at lunch and be ready for dinner. It's by far the cheapest option on site, with food court dining priced at £24.95 per adult, per day, and under £7 per child, per day. Premium dining is only a fraction more expensive at £32.95 per day for an adult and just under £10 for a child. There's also fish and chips and Costa coffee outlets for anyone wanting to eat on-the-go. There are a number of restaurants scattered around the park for anyone wanting to eat-out and experience table service. We brought some of our own food, and our apartment was set up with a microwave and oven if we wanted to cook our own, but we didn't need to bother. Center Parcs offers no such dining plans. We nearly always do a food shop before arriving and cook our own dinners in the apartment. Center Parcs houses big name restaurants such as Bella Italia, Pret-a-Manger and Las Iguanas to name a few. It also allows you to pre-book takeaways from their on-site restaurants delivered directly to your lodge. My verdict My husband was right - directly comparing both parks is no easy feat. They both have their pros and cons, but ultimately, for me, Center Parcs wins my vote. I found the parks more modern, clean, and varied. And I came away with the ability to have stayed longer had the option been there. My four-year-old also fell in love with the pools, which had various flumes and areas designated for children. We never go over-board when it comes to shelling out on endless activities, and I like the fact you don't need to feel obliged to do so. Center Parcs had way more for adults to do, with kids in mind too. Butlin's was without a doubt a great break for my little one who was buzzing at the shows, the fairground rides and the arcade amusements. She loved the football ground, and the swimming. But as the pool's flumes were too big for her to go on, she wasn't itching to go back. I was also more than ready to go on our last day. If you're looking for a budget break by the sea, Butlin's is where it's at. But if you're into the countryside and could walk and cycle for hours away from civilisation, Center Parcs is the holiday for you.