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First Time at Center Parcs? Here’s Everything I Wish I Knew

January is, without a doubt, my favourite time to visit Center Parcs. When the rest of the world feels dark, cold and a bit gloomy, Center Parcs somehow manages to hold onto the magic just a little longer. While the festive season is over everywhere else, the grounds of Center Parcs still glow with their Winter Forest Lights – a sparkling world that turns the woodland into something enchanting…

With its twinkling pathways and illuminated woodland creatures, to the Wishlight Village, where little ones can join cosy winter workshops, Center Parcs in January feels magical. After dark strolls under thousands of lights after an afternoon splashing in the subtropical pool is the perfect ‘pick me up’ after Christmas and sets the tone for a year filled with family fun.

December breaks also look magical with Winter Wonderland in full swing (I often hear it compared to Lapland UK except this of course is spread out across days and not just hours!) but with so much happening everywhere in the run up to Christmas, we prefer to save our forest escape for January, when the sparkle feels like a secret just for us…

No matter when you decide to go, here are our tips to make it the perfect break away.

Start Strong: Your Arrival and Pool Prep

  • Pack a separate swim bag and keep it at the top of the boot. If you arrive before your lodge is ready, you can head straight to the pool with no faff at all.

  • Include: towels, swimwear, goggles, and non-slip shoes – a lifesaver for little ones running around wet floors.

  • Don’t bother bringing floats – Center Parcs has plenty.

  • Want earlier access? You can pay for early check in, but weigh up whether it’s actually worth it for your family. Check in is 3pm so we head to the pool for a few hours first and that works for us! You can even pre book for a food shop to be delivered from the store here!

  • Expect a queue when driving in. It’s fine, but if you’ve got really excited kids, know you might be sitting for around 20 minutes before you even park – car games at the ready!

Sleep Tight: Lodges, Cots and Heating

  • Travel cots provided by Center Parcs can be… basic. We’ve had wooden ones with very firm mattresses so now we always bring our own.

  • You can add bed rails to your booking – just make a note of these. We have had it a few times where they haven’t been in our room as we have checked in though but once we have called up they have arrived. 

  • Lodges in January haven’t felt cold for us – the heating has been good and we’ve always been cosy. (I always get asked this one!)

  • Don’t forget your usual sleep essentials like black out blinds and white noise etc if you have really little ones! It isn’t noisy here at night but if your little one is sleeping at the front of the lodge, there are some pedestrian lights outside that may make the room a tad lighter to what they are used to!

  • Choose your location wisely:

    • It’s not just about the style of lodge – look at the map.

    • Being close to the centre is brilliant for little legs – especially if you are working around nap times!

    • Some parks (like Longleat) have a land train if you stay further out.

    • Bikes are a great option too – you can bring or hire them.

    • Oh, and if you like wildlife, bring a little food for the ducks and squirrels – they’re friendly (sometimes very friendly!) and often knock on the patio door. Even the deer have been doing this lately!
 

Know Your Park: Sherwood vs Whinfell

For northern families choosing between the two: Sherwood wins for us every time. Here’s why…

  • Huge splash zone with pirate ship. Get absolutely soaked here!

  • A shallow pool with small slides and water play – perfect for under 5s.

  • It’s easily the best pool area we’ve used for younger children and we spend most of our holiday here. Remember pool use is included in your stay so use as much as you like!

  • Whinfell is slightly more undercover so if you are going in the winter months and the elements may bother you, Whinfell may be better for you!
 

Make the Most of the Subtropical Paradise

  • Want to elevate a pool day? Hire a beach cabana. They’re pricey, but great for a treat: private seating, a TV and a calm, intimate space away from the buzz.
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  • There are playpens/cots around the pool – brilliant when travelling with a baby! They do get snapped up quickly though so arrive for opening time and grab them fast if you want them!

  • Cocktails and beer can be ordered poolside which always gives that mini-holiday vibe.

  • There’s a Starbucks and fast food spot near the pool too for easy snacks.

  • If you are a repeat visitor be aware that the pool opening times have changed. There doesn’t seem to be any late night swimming anymore – the pool is now open 9am until 8pm. Plan your activities around this – we sometimes book something before pool opening!
  • There’s plenty of lockers here to choose from but if you find you have forgotten the number of yours, there are little screens all over the changing rooms where you can pop your key band against it and it will tell you your number!
  • You can book a ‘baby dolphins’ session for free for young children (those aged 0-3). This is a great way to access the pool with your little ones before it opens fully (get the best seats by the pool too!) I wasn’t overly impressed with the session itself but it was a little quieter and we got the best seats for the morning!
  • You can buy swim floats and balls and toys here so don’t panic if you forget yours!
  • Bring a water proof phone cover for some family shots in the pool or if you want to take your phone in the outdoor area. There’s loungers out there too for warmer months!
  • You can book some pool activities here – they are worth looking at for sure!
 

Baby and Toddler Essentials You May Not Know About

  • Every restaurant has a kids’ menu and if you have a baby, you’re entitled to two Ella’s Kitchen pouches per meal – don’t forget to ask for these!

  • Highchairs are everywhere – including by the pool.

  • The pool area and sports bar have hidden gems like a small soft play, perfect for a drink and play combo. There is also an arcade (tokens can be bought here – £12 for 10 tokens at Sherwood), bowling alley and outdoor park right by the sports bar too. The soft play area is open early (before the sports bar) so head there if you’re up early and want somewhere to play.

  • There is pram / scooter / bike parking everywhere here so pack your wheels of choice for an easy way to get around! Our toddler loves bringing his scooter.
  • Cakes, ice-cream and sweet treats can be purchased in the sweet store here! Not an essential necessarily but what is a holiday without ice-cream?!
  • Not every restaurant here has children’s cutlery – bring some if you need it!
  • Don’t forget your puddle suits and wellington boots for the parks if it has been raining! 

Eating Made Easy (Even When the Oven Isn’t!)

  • The ovens can be… slow and confusing. It sounds daft but we aren’t the only ones who struggle!

  • Stick to hob based meals, grab a takeaway or treat yourselves to dinner out instead. There is plenty to choose from!

  • You can order take aways here or dine out if you fancy a real treat! Our favourite is the Dozing Duck – not only is the menu great and really family friendly but there is a really good indoor play area here and you can also book to play crazy pool or shuffle board! Remember reservations can be made before you arrive (book as soon as activity bookings become available!)
  • If you are booking a lunch out and have a sweet tooth, give the Pancake House a try! We also love the Indian, Rajinda, too! The curries are delicious!
  • There is a Starbucks around every corner for your caffeine fix too!

Practical Extras That Make a Big Difference

  • ‘Flex Your Stay’ is worth considering. You can move your break if something comes up and with kids, something inevitably does. We’ve used it twice!

  • Parks around the village are fantastic. Make time for them – outdoor play in the forest is amazing and the price of activities can be expensive so save money playing here!

  • Always check the village map before choosing a lodge. Shortcuts, walking distances, hills and proximity matter with little legs. You can pay more to be closer if that’s what you want.

  • There is a shop here to buy food essentials but again, it is quite expensive! It is handy for last minute extras or treats (we love the donuts and the cheesecakes!) but bring food if there is room in the car! There’s also games, toys, sticker books and activity books here too if you find you need a bit more to play with back at the lodge.
  • Download the app and use your itinerary to remind you which activities you have booked and where they are!

Activities: Book Smart But Don’t Overbook

  • Activities open for booking a few months before – set a reminder so you get the times you want.

  • Don’t overload your schedule.

    • Activities can add up quickly and sometimes require payment for both child and adult.

    • We usually book just one or two per day and spend the rest of our time in the pool and the parks.

  • There’s truly something for every age but little ones are often happiest with the simple stuff. Mine love the pool and the park the most!

  • Some of our favourite activities over the years have been Off Road Explorers, Mini Jet Skis, Owl Experiences, Family Nature Quest, Mini Captain’s Boat Hire, Family Ball Wall Fun, Tennis and Badminton, Mini Bowl and Football Pool. We didn’t try the curling this time but it looked fun!
  • A little tip if you are from the North West too… the Mini Trek (aged 2-5) here looks great but it is pricey – it is the exact same as the one at Chester Zoo which costs only £5 to use. Similarly, we have tried the sensory classes here before – they are okay – but if you have attended the baby sensory franchise classes at home you will no doubt prefer those classes to the ones here!
  • The boat activities tend not to sell out and the lake always seems fairly quiet – but we do go in colder months. If you wanted to wait and see what the weather was like on the day, you may well be able to book there an then.
  • Some of the tennis courts and football pool pitches end up unoccupied in the morning or later in the evening, you could try bringing your own rackets etc and jumping on if nobody has reserved it!

Don’t Miss These Hidden Gems

  • The Dozing Duck (Sherwood) – A brilliant restaurant with delicious food, a very cool indoor kids’ play area and fun extras like air hockey and table football – ideal for bigger kids and grown ups. It really is a perfect spot for a relaxed meal where everyone’s entertained. The outdoor play area is great here too!

  • Leisure Bowl Disco – A brilliant way to burn off that last bit of energy. Often held on weekend evenings around 8pm but this is worth checking!
  • Soft play by the Sports Bar – Many people don’t know it exists! Great for a relaxed drink while little ones clamber and climb.
  • The beach! We love the little beach at Center Parcs – don’t forget to pack a few beach toys for some down time here and maybe even some food for the ducks!
  • Don’t miss the nature trails and reserves that are located around the park – ideal for a bit of outdoor exploring. Check your map to find exactly where they are!
  • Don’t miss the outdoor area at the swimming pool (give the plunge pools a go if you dare). 
  • If you manage to get some adults’ only time, the spa is worth a visit!

Before You Go...

Center Parcs has become such a special tradition for our family; it’s a cosy escape in the middle of winter and a place where the boys can run wild. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for the tenth, I hope these tips help you make the absolute most of your stay.

If you’d like to see more of our trips – the pools, the parks, the Winter Forest Lights and the hidden gems then come and follow along over on Instagram: @little_family_diaries_

I also have a dedicated Center Parcs highlight (or two!) packed with photos, videos and real time stories from our visits. I’d love to have you there!