These are some pictures from our break at CentreParcs, and the top tips I wish I had known before we headed off:
Pool Pool Water Slide
1) No cars are allowed, you have to leave your car at the car park, ideally the entire family need to cycle otherwise you are dependent on the train which is not ideal as there is a twenty minute wait . Everything is spread out and impossible to get around efficiently without bikes. The best rooms for those with younger children are 106-118, this is a two minute walk to the central Plaza housing most of the restaurants and the Swimming Dome. It is also where you can grab a Starbucks.
2) Book the restaurants in advance, they charge a non- refundable booking fee but it is worth it not to have to wait with starving little ones. Go to Huck’s – it has an indoor kids soft play area within the restaurant so the adults can relax while the children wear themselves out.
3) There is no Wifi in the rooms, though I heard a rumour that there are some rooms with telephones which do have Wifi, so worth asking for. You can use the free Wifi in the Dome area, my 3G did not work and I could not send a text message all weekend. There is almost no phone coverage so arrange meeting points in advance.
4) Book a Cabana in the pool area, there are no loungers to chill on and it gets very busy, this is an oasis to retreat to. Also allows you to have lunch in the restaurant opposite so don’t have to get everyone out and dressed and has TV and drinks so good place to take a nap.
5) Packing
a. Wellingtons, no heels in a forest and is always damp, and lightweight raincoats
b. No white, my jeans will never be the same again the mud gets everywhere
c. Layers as boiling in the dome no bikinis as danger of wardrobe malfunction on water slides