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Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Telegraph
I stayed at every Center Parcs in Britain – here's my rating of each one
Since the first UK Center Parcs opened its doors back in 1987, they've held a certain intrigue. Questions such as 'what exactly is a sub-tropical swimming paradise?' and 'could I do the high ropes course without sustaining an injury and/or becoming a site-wide laughing stock' circle the minds of curious adults. Most kids, meanwhile, cannot think of anything more exciting than zip wiring across a lake or zooming down the Tropical Cyclone water slide. But with prices reaching £1,649 for a four-night stay in the most basic two-bedroom lodge during the school summer holidays, visiting is a big commitment. With that in mind, it pays to know which site has the best lodges, the best activities and the best food – so I've been to all of them to find out. Here is my verdict of every Center Parcs site in England (a new Scottish one is slated to open by the end of the decade), uncovering the good, the bad and the ugly… Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire 'We were greeted by hedgehogs and Muntjac deer' The setting Despite this one being in an unpromising location between Watford and Milton Keynes, we were greeted by strolling hedgehogs and incredible, star-spangled skies while friendly Muntjac deer popped up on the patio on day two. And while some Center Parcs regulars complain about this site's hills (which make it difficult for novice cyclists), they add interest, with different lodge areas hidden along winding paths. As the smallest of the Center Parcs, this one's good for toddlers or trailing grandparents too and means you never have to schlep too far from the car park. It's also the best for those without a car, with Flitwick station ten minutes' away by complimentary shuttle service. Outside the gates, Woburn Safari Park is worth a stop-off, but stately home Woburn Abbey is closed for refurbishment until 2026. 7/10 The lodges Our Executive Lodge (in the Oak Area) was cosy and clean, with a large living room. Meanwhile, the lane outside was filled with birdsong. Elsewhere onsite, whimsical treehouses are the most luxurious of Woburn's options. 7/10 The activities This one had the smallest Aerial Adventure course, made up for by a bizarre activity called The Drop Jump, in which participants scale a 10-metre tower before leaping down onto a giant inflatable mattress (only available at Woburn and Elveden Forests). Beside it, the tiniest of the Center Parcs lakes is the sort you might find in a London park rather than the Great Outdoors, but that's better for little ones on pedalos. Our favourite activity was Escape The Forest, a trail of escape rooms featuring riddles and magic potions. Staff in these were fantastic with my cautious ten-year old. Meanwhile, the recent addition of Puttify (a kind of fusion of pinball and golf under UV lights) is good for teens and there are new digital challenges at the Immersive Gamebox. 8/10 The Subtropical Swimming Paradise It may have a smaller pool than some of the others, but this one was perhaps the cleanest and best maintained: my daredevil kids liked its Wild Water Rapids best too, because they were relatively quiet and so allowed swimmers to work up more speed. Meanwhile, the toddler area was perfect for little ones. However, points are lost for a lack of outdoor areas. 7/10 The food Center Parcs isn't known for gourmet offerings but Amalfi, with its terrace strung with fairy lights overlooking the lake, is as good as dining gets at the sites (though expensive; lasagne costs £18). Elsewhere, the relative newness of Woburn Forest means restaurants feel less tired than at some other outposts. 7/10 For adults There's the opportunity to stay in luxury next to the excellent spa at the Lakeside Hotel. It means that, if you're planning a weekend of massages and wandering around in robes, this is the one to make for – though those seeking more challenging outdoor adventures might feel underwhelmed. 7/10 The final verdict Clean, easy-to-get around and relatively new, Woburn is a homogenised slice of forest that's good for young families and quick couples getaways. 43/60 Elveden Forest, Suffolk 'There's a constant roar from the nearby A11' The setting An hour and a half from central London in a pretty part of the country where Suffolk meets Norfolk. Restless sorts can rejoice: there's plenty to do offsite here, including a pub and farm shop just outside the gates and the trails of Thetford Forest next door. Just don't imagine it feels entirely bucolic – there's a constant roar from the nearby A11 and the store and restaurant areas have the air of out-of-town designer shopping outlets. As expected in this part of the country, the terrain is flat, making it a popular park for cyclists. The lake is the largest of the offerings too (though not the most picturesque). Meanwhile, Elveden Forest comes with Center Parcs trademark wildlife – Muntjac deer and squirrels – but also reports of rats (we didn't see any, but something managed to get into a kitchen cupboard and nibble our sealed food overnight). 5/10 The lodges Our 'New Style' Executive Lodge felt rather old, with rotting window frames, a broken bath plug and a dirty loo. In fact, lots of areas seemed slightly unkempt, possibly because it was the end of winter. Unlike in some of the other parks, it's worth upgrading if possible – to the better decorated Woodland or Executive Plus options or, for a special occasion, to one of three luxurious three-bedroom overwater villas set over Elveden's gargantuan lake (they're currently booking for February 2026 at £4,498 for a week's stay). 5/10 The activities Highlights for smaller kids include adventure golf on an island in the lake and a pottery parlour in an unexpectedly tranquil part of the park. The Aerial Adventure course is Center Parcs's best, with its zipwire vying for first place with Whinfell Forest (see below) as the most exciting (though might be challenging for younger kids). 8/10 The Subtropical Swimming Paradise Elveden has the biggest 'dome' with a good area for little ones and lots of seating amid the greenery for accompanying grandparents (though one slide was closed during our visit and there was a nasty nappy smell in the changing rooms). The Wild Water Rapids and slides proved a hit with my kids. 7/10 For adults The spa is a big draw and it's great, though extremely busy. Set in a welcomingly sleepy part of the site, it has excellent therapists while the spa restaurant Vitalé (which serves salads, wraps and platters) is a nice place to pass the time. As is the Foresters' Inn at the Country Club next door, where outdoor seating comes with a pleasing perfume of escaping aromatherapy oils. This is also the only site with a (nine-hole) golf course too. 7/10 The food Many of the restaurants across Center Parcs now have robot waiters, and they're great at Elveden's Café Rouge which is mostly on one level so they can move around the tables easily. Elsewhere, there are the same chains as at other sites (including Huck's American Bar and Grill, Starbucks and Las Iguanas) and we found meals tastier than in some other outposts. 7/10 The final verdict This one's popular and it shows. It felt very busy and some areas felt slightly run down, while the forest was a little sparse. However, the service and the spa were both very good. 39/60 Longleat, Wiltshire 'This was our overall winner, with something for everyone' The setting Longleat's outdoor areas are beautiful. Carefully-tended, they come with manicured terraces zigzagging towards the lake and an azalea boardwalk that blooms in spring. Pine-fringed paths to the lodges are better maintained than at Elveden or Woburn and the spa's setting, along a lamppost-lined avenue, makes it look rather plush. Note that winding paths down steep hills could make this one tricky for pushchairs and the elderly. However, my kids loved the land train – unique to Longleat – which circles round the site, stopping beside the lodges and the attractions. There's proper forest too: look out for giant redwoods and scampering deer. Trees soar round the lake, making it pleasant to boat around, and the lakeside beach is pretty. Outside the gates, Longleat Safari Park is a must-do, while Bath is half an hour's drive away. 9/10 The lodges We suffered because of the site's hills: our view was blocked by screening due to a sheer drop beyond the patio area, though it was a short walk to all the attractions. However, the lodge was clean, well-maintained and hidden away. For better vistas, try one of the New Style Executive Apartments or splash out on a two-storey Exclusive Lodge with a balcony. 7/10 The Subtropical Swimming Paradise Open until 9pm, balmily warm and glowing blue by night, the outdoor part of the pool and wild rapids are great fun in the dark, making this Subtropical Swimming Paradise our favourite. However, by day, it was slightly chaotic, with big groups thronging the Wild Water Rapids. 7/10 The activities Varied, with something to suit every kind of family. Kids can go for pony rides or tackle an inflatable obstacle course on the water in summer while Longleat's Aerial Adventure is among the most fun, with a brilliant view. Meanwhile, its playgrounds have a fairy-tale feel. By summer 2024, there will also be Adventure Nets, a kind of Gladiators-inspired playground in the sky, complete with Tag challenges. 9/10 For adults The sprawling layout and well-tended grounds means there are plenty of pleasant, private corners, while the Aqua Sana spa is great for a girls getaway. Active types will appreciate the pristine The Sports Plaza for pickleball and squash, and the site is big enough for proper strolls. 8/10 The food Unlike in the newer sites, many of the restaurants here are under the balmy dome – much better for escapes in the colder months. Soaring greenery and fairy lights strung high above the tables give them a holiday feel too (Las Iguanas is especially fun and has a soft play). 7/10 The final verdict Well maintained and combining fun activities for both adults and children with a proper forest feel, this was our overall winner. 47/60 Whinfell Forest, Cumbria 'Nights were blissfully silent, save for the dawn chorus wake-up call' The setting Converted from its original incarnation as Oasis Holiday Village back in 2001, Whinfell has a slightly different feel to the other Parcs. At the edge of the Lake District, it's a red squirrel stronghold, where the rare creatures skitter from tree to tree, bunnies hop on the forest floor and pheasants stroll along the paths. Large and peaceful, it feels more like being immersed in real forest than the other settings and, even during Easter weekend, wasn't overcrowded. Nights were blissfully silent, save for the dawn chorus wake-up call. You will, however, need some puff to tackle its hills by bike. Outside the gates, there are country pubs for delicious dinners (try the excellent George and Dragon at Clifton), as well as waterfalls, castles and the Bronze Age stone circle Long Meg and Her Daughters. 9/10 The lodges Most of the lodges look old-fashioned from the outside, but ours was the cleanest of any we stayed in and very well-maintained. Guests in the Lake Beck area can access their accommodation via a winding walk through deserted woodland, spotting wildlife along the way (though there's also a bike and walking path for easy access). Or book the Lakeside Lodges (between numbers 70 and 90), some of which have dining pontoons over the water for balmy summer nights. The pricey Treehouses, meanwhile, have the best setting across any of the parks, gazing out into the forest canopy. 8/10 The activities Sports Plaza, a feature of every Center Parcs with indoor games, was excellent here with excellent climbing walls (try the family football challenge, which involves kicking a velcro ball at an outsized dartboard). Aerial Adventure is good too, though wallflowers may baulk at having to pull themselves to the exit point above the lakeside promenade. Kids should bring their pocket money as Whinfell has the best of the chain's Just Kids toy shops (all of which are rather good). But our favourite activity was the early morning red squirrel family adventure. Wandering through the forest, our guide helped us spot them in the trees, pointing out evidence of them, as well as badgers and moles. We found some non-paid activities too, including a kids' disco from 6pm until 8pm. 8/10 The Subtropical Swimming Paradise Larger than some of the others, this was deemed 'hard to navigate' by my kids, who found it difficult to find the outdoor areas. The activity pool was closed for maintenance (reopening in July 2025), there were no outdoor river rapids and the Canyon Run slide felt in need of refurbishment. However, the al-fresco lazy river was a hit – and a definite suntrap. 6/10 The food The Lakeside Inn wins for location, on the banks of the lake with a lovely waterside terrace, but we found that the food in the chain restaurants we tried wasn't quite as good as at Longleat, Woburn or Elveden. However, its ParcMarket was the most well-stocked of the lot, with plenty of local produce. 5/10 For adults The sprawling Sports Café has comfy sofas facing outsized screens which were great for watching the F1 Grand Prix (until we got turfed out for Family Quiz Night). Elsewhere, the spa has a different feel to those in the other Center Parcs, with Indian-inspired accents and pillars. There's a golf driving range, yoga and even outdoor bowls too, while it's a great base for hikers and bikers. 8/10 The final verdict We liked the individual feel of this one, as well as its fairy-tale forest setting. 43/60 Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire 'This site feels more like a traditional holiday park than the others' The setting If you're looking for your own Kellerman's, this is as close as it gets: plentiful staff wander Center Parcs's oldest site greeting guests, there's a genteel Country Club complete with tennis courts and it's a very short walk from the car park to a busy Village Square, followed immediately by a playground looking onto the lake. Coupled with some particularly modular-looking lodges, it makes this site feel more like a traditional holiday park than the others – especially as you can see buildings across the water and the only wildlife we spotted were exceptionally glossy grey squirrels. The feeling is exacerbated by a lack of the pedestrian and cycling trails which are a feature of the other outposts – there was a lot of walking on the tarmac to get to our lodge (Pine 637) from the village square. Immediately beyond the Center Parcs gates, you can watch the neighbours (large and happy-looking pigs) having their morning feed while there's plenty for ramblers and cyclists in the wider area, notably Sherwood Pines with its good value cafe and jogging and mountain bike trails. A short drive away, kids can trace the path of Robin Hood and Maid Marion through Sherwood Forest, which also puts on regular outdoor movie showings during the summer. 6/10 The lodges The most pre-fab looking of the lot, the lodges are well spaced, but still rather overlooked in some cases. A scattering of mini-lakes around the site mean that many face water too, though ours came with crumbling window frames and a peeling exterior. If you can book it (there's only one), the Woodland Explorer Lodge should be a hit with the kids thanks to its themed cabin bedroom featuring an upstairs play area, cargo nets and two bubble windows looking out onto the forest. 6/10 The Subtropical Swimming Paradise This site felt particularly busy and that was reflected in the pool area. Guests are divided on whether Sherwood's exhilarating rapids are terrifying or terrific (the latter gets our vote). Elsewhere, the main pool is larger than at some other outposts. 6/10 The activities There's the broadest range of things to do here, including exclusive activities such as Crazy Pool and putting, as well as the usual Aerial Adventure and Jardin des Sports. You can even hire a five-a-side pitch for a family tournament. But the real draw for Gladiator and Ninja Warrior -loving tweens and teens is the TAG Challenge Arena, where guests compete across an exciting indoor obstacle course. 9/10 The food Near the car park, the main restaurant area has a slight motorway services aura. But the Dozing Duck, hidden away by the Country Club, is a lovely spot, with a lantern-festooned dining room and a large terrace. The usually no-nonsense Hucks feels strangely romantic here too, by the lake and with an incredible view of the sunset over the water – with the added bonus that you can banish kids to its soft play. Just don't rely on the ParcMarket for a food shop; when we visited, the shelves reserved for Cook ready meals were unstocked and the bakery was fairly empty. 7/10 For adults Sherwood felt very busy with young families on our visit – not ideal for romantic escapes or boozy trips with friends. However, the spa has a brilliant USP: a treetop sauna marooned high in the forest canopy, with views of birds flying past at eye level. Hot tubs under the trees are lovely too, though staff weren't as friendly as at the other branches. Active types will love the floodlit tennis courts for night-time battles. 6/10 The final verdict Sherwood Forest has some strong features and unique activities, but we felt it lacked the wow factor of Longleat or Whinfell. 40/60
Powys County Times
13-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Deer seen swimming across Elan Valley reservoir in Powys
A COUPLE have described the 'incredible' moment they captured a deer swimming across a reservoir in Powys. Tom Jones and his partner Ellen Lloyd were out for a walk with their dogs at the remote Claerwen reservoir, in the Elan Valley, on Sunday, May 11, when they witnessed the special occurrence. Tom and Ellen were driving back towards Rhayader after an afternoon spent in the sunshine, when they stopped to record the deer, who they spotted gliding through the waters of the Claerwen – the largest of the Elan Valley's network of stunning dams. 'It was crazy to see up close,' said Tom, 35, who runs the family-owned Hafod Hardware shop in Rhayader town centre. 'We've seen a couple near Nantgwyllt Church over the last year or too. Before that, I hadn't seen a deer in the Elan Valley in over 30 years. 'It seems like their numbers are increasing and sightings are becoming more commonplace. But to see it swimming across the reservoir was incredible. 'At first I thought it was two geese, but then I realised what it was and Ellen was already recording with her phone so we started filming.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hafod Hardware (@hafodhardware) Tom posted the footage to Hafod Hardware' s Instagram page, with the video showing the deer wading confidently towards the shore of the reservoir, before bounding up the grassy bank, across the road in front of their car. The deer then leaps confidently up the hill on the other side, pausing briefly and turning around to acknowledge the couple, before prancing off. According to the Elan Valley Estate's website, there are only occasional records of deer on the estate, with the one Tom and Ellen spotting possibly one of three species that have been recorded infrequently – these being Red, Roe and Muntjac Deer. 'I've had a few records of deer crossing the Claerwen reservoir over the years,' said Sorcha Lewis, a local farmer and resident Elan Valley photographer, commenting on the post. 'There was a Roe deer also crossing Caban Coch reservoir a few weeks back, seen by the foresters in the Gro. 'I've seen foxes, badgers, stoats and deer cross the reservoir here at Penygarreg. One person suggested as well as getting from A to B, it could actually be something to help with discomfort of lice or ticks.' There are three Red deer records in the area, according to the Elan Valley website. 'One dating back to 1900s, one male who turned up at Ciloerwynt, Claerwen Valley, in the farmyard in the 1980s where there is a photo to confirm this record,' reads a section on the site. The deer pauses briefly and turns around to acknowledge the couple, before prancing off. (Image: Tom Jones/Ellen Lloyd) Tom and Ellen pictured with Tom's grandmother Pauline, who Tom runs the Hafod Hardware shop with. The shop recently celebrated 130 years in business. Also pictured are Frodo and Dobby the cat. (Image: Matt Jones) 'A further report was also from the Claerwen of a few large deer about eight years ago though not confirmed. 'A dead Muntjac deer was recorded along Henfron track in the 1990s though there have been no records since. 'There have been reported sightings by farmers of Muntjac between the valley and Rhayader. 'In 2018, a local natural history group captured a Muntjac deer on a trail camera which confirms they are close by. 'It is hoped the local mammal group, by placing out trail cameras on the estate, may find some further confirmed records. 'The third deer species seen is the Roe deer and over the last few years there have been a number of sightings. A Doe was discovered by a farmer with twin fawns in the Gro and a male and a female have been recorded from around Penygarreg. 'The occasional male has also been heard barking in the autumn rutting season.'
