Center Parcs in Europe

[Moodyman]

Been to a couple of the UK Center Parcs and the kids loved them - particularly the range of activities.

But I hear the Continental ones are better and offer better value for money.

Has anyone been abroad and how would you rate them?

I was thinking The Netherlands - drive to the East Coast and catch a ferry to Rotterdam/Amsterdam.

Thanks

 

[mr_cellophane]

I have been to most of the Dutch ones when they were cheaper at UK Bank Holidays. The fire in Suffolk changed that as lots of English people changed to the continent and discovered what better value they were.

Best IMHO in order
Het Heijderbos - for the Jungle Dome. The furthest from the UK and full of Germans as you can almost see the border from the site. One explained to me that if they get sick they can just pop back in to Germany for health care. We combined this with a couple of days in Delft then took the incredibly uncomfortable high speed ferry back to Harwich. It is also not far from the Warner Brothers theme park http://www.moviepark...3/Default.aspx. There is also horse riding on site with lovely little ponys. Most CP this is off site.

De Kempervennen - For the Montana ski centre. This is where my family caught the skiing bug, which is why we don't go to CPs any more.

De Vossemeren - nothing special

Het Meerdal - Where I learnt that scuba diving wasn't fo me.

Erperheide - For younger kids, under 10

Park De Haan - Wasn't a CP when we went but very easy to find and only a very good pool area and long slides. The villas weren't up to CP standard, but this was well over 10 years ago.

I think those are all the ones I have been to, but obviously they have changed a bit over the years. I have never been to any of the French ones as they didn't appear to have the facilities the Dutch and Belgium ones did.

 

[Bimble]

We love Center Parcs too, and have always used Sherwood.

Never thought about going outside of the UK though so might look into this.

Thanks.

Did you drive there or fly?

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I really like Centre Parcs too, although I have only just been to Whinfell Forest because I only live around 30 miles away. Never thought about trying abroad though. I may do it when my daughter is a little older, I just could not suffer the tantrums travelling that far at the moment.

 

[Moodyman]

Thanks for the input guys. The comment about the 'Dutch chavs', re-enforces what I read on the internet.

That...the UK CP are better as the high prices keep out the less well-off whereas the lower EU prices means that a lot of riff-raff get in.

 

[User169]

KÊK UÌT, HÈ?!

 

[Dave Davenport]

We've been to the one at Zandvoort on the north sea coast, was nice but much smaller and with fewer facilities than the UK ones. Having said that, it's in a nice area, the beach and local town are 2 mins by bike and you can get a train into Amsterdam in half an hour.

 

[Dave Davenport]

One thing if you do go to Zandvoort though; Don't try to ride down the flight of steps between the beach and park whilst you've got another bike balanced across your handlebars and you've had rather a lot of beer.

 

[Dave Davenport]

Wise words!

The benefit of hindsight!

 

[Piemaster]

We've been to Port Zelande and de Eemenhof (sp?).
Port Zelande is actually the shortest distance I've ever driven for a holiday, its only around 30 miles from North sea Ferries terminal and I live a mile from the uk side one. Few minutes on a bike to what are massive sandy beaches (kite buggies available). You could rent keel dayboats very reasonably for sailing and pretty much any other watersports you fancy. Not much else nearby though.
De Eeemenhof. More attractions nearby and a train into Amsterdam was relatively painless.

Prices have crept up and I didn't notice a great deal of difference if you factor in the ferry fares, But then take the ferry as an extra couple of days holiday and I also find it much less stressful and relaxing than flying.

There was a chav factor, but no more so than the uk resorts. The dutch are generallly very laid back and friendly. English speaking is pretty much a given. Food can be cheap enough in the resort depending on childrens ages. eg first visit - 2 adults (over 12s), one child - 1/2 price, and one under five ate for free. 2nd visit - one child and 3 adults which with price rises doubled the bill.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I have only ever been to Sherwood Forest when I used to attend the TCT (Teenage Cancer Trust) Conference every 18 months.
Great fun with copious amounts of alcobooze, seeing as it was always seen as being one big party to us young folk, but I still managed to zoom about the place on the hire bikes - when I was sober I have to add!

 

[John Ponting]

My only CP so far was De Eemhof in Holland and I really enjoyed it. We were there as part of a large international group (of MG owners) and just mixed in with everybody else who was there at the same time. Restaurant breakfasts were not cheap but 'eat all you want' and we all used it as a 'what is planned for today' session.

This year we have booked an 8 person bungalow at Les Hauts de Bruyères in the Loire valley area for whole family including 3 grandsons.

 

[mr_cellophane]

At one of the ones I went to I spent Sunday afternoon watching the Grand Prix in the Sports Bar with a load of Germans wearing Ferrari caps and cheering Shuemakker. When he lost to Couthard, I discreetly drank up and left.