‘I found my favourite place for a UK holiday, and learned the secret to keeping it cheap’

"Now THIS is a break"

04:38, 16 Nov 2025

I now consider myself a bit of a Center Parcs superfan, but it's been a journey to get there.

My siblings and I never went as children, so there's no misty-eyed nostalgia about it from me. Until recently, I'd only been in my capacity as 'Fun Uncle' much later in life.

It was always a great family break, but I couldn't help thinking that I didn't quite get what the hype was all about.

That is until we had kids ourselves, and everything changed.

Now it is without a doubt my favourite place to go on holiday in the UK.

In the midst of juggling a (lively) three-year-old and his baby brother, finding ways to meaningfully relax as parents while also keeping the little ones stimulated is something of an ongoing challenge.

So I guess this is where Center Parcs comes in. You mainly hear three things from parents about it when the holiday parks giant is raised in conversation:

One: "It's just so easy with kids" (and it is).

Two: "The pools are awesome" (and they are).

Three: "It's expensive isn't it?"

I'm not sure I agree on that third point.

If you spend your days there doing all the activities back-to-back, then yes the costs are going to spiral.

But the 'secret hack' with Center Parcs is that the pools are all so good - and the playgrounds are pretty spectacular too - that you don't really need to do any of the extra activities to have a great time.

That was certainly our takeaway from our recent trip to Whinfell Forest Center Parcs, which is a not-too-taxing two-hour journey from Manchester.

The trudge up the motorway might be a chore at first. But then you're confronted with the gorgeous Lake District mountains, and if that glorious sight doesn't get you in the mood for a holiday, then I don't know what will.

Check-in time isn't until 4pm but we arrive at lunchtime, park up the car and take a wander around the woods. For a child/family-orientated holiday park (which in my head I would immediately associate with off-the-chain drama and undiluted chaos) it's staggering how tranquil and at peace you can feel here as a young family.

The woodlands are gorgeous, the lake that anchors it all is stunning, there are red squirrels and rabbits loitering in every other bush and there is not a car in sight.

Meanwhile the prospect of a trip to the pool has my 'three-nager' son on uncharacteristically good behaviour.

Before we check-in, we spend three hours having just the best time in the pool area.

One great touch is that there aren't any clocks there, and it's so easy to just let time slip away. No phones, no work emails, just good old fashioned wholesome fun.

The rapids, slides and child area provide endless enjoyment for little ones (and parents), and the wave machine alarm instils pure joy in my son who knows the pandemonium and disarray which is about to descend on us all.

Maybe there is some recency bias creeping in, but I think Whinfell Forest might just take the crown for the best Center Parcs pool area.

The main swimming area may not be as big as some of them, but it is probably among the most varied. There are so many little break-out zones and mini-features, especially in the children's area, that you're never short of things to do.

But while the activities are not essential, they are a tremendous amount of fun.

Our son absolutely loved the Off-Road Explorers session, where he got behind the wheel of what is essentially a mini-Land Rover Discovery.

He managed to only crash it twice, and shout out to Jonny running the session, who was not only absolutely lovely but also showed some quite remarkable pace in running across the race course to get our vehicle back on track when disaster struck.

And while the big kid is off on these adventures, our baby is delighted to be in the carrier strolling through the woods and doing a stunning lakeside walk.

Grabbing a coffee and reading my book while they sleep was an unexpected bonus, and I couldn't help thinking to myself: "Now THIS is a break".

Even with the kids this happy and stimulated throughout the day though, every parent cherishes the not-very-feasible idea of a trip to the pub in the evening.

This is where Center Parcs really does step up, though.

The child play areas in every pub are fantastic, and an easy way to make sure everyone is having a good time.

Our meal at the Lakeside Inn got a 10 out of 10 for keeping the children occupied alone, however I also retain fond memories of the sticky toffee pudding, which was a delightful indulgence.

That even goes for the baby, with Ella's Kitchen pouches available for free on request (a very nice touch).

Speaking of indulgences, on alternate days we took turns for one of us to take the kids out, and the other to do a three-hour session at the Aqua Sana Forest Spa.

This really was a port in a storm, with the relaxing atmosphere and quiet, calm surroundings being a lovely way to do a mini-recharge before diving back head-first into adventures with the kids.

And on the drive back, with both the kids asleep within seconds (they'd had a good week...) we remarked on how, for this time in our lives, Center Parcs is our favourite place to go on holiday.

Does that make me sound a bit boring?

Absolutely.

Am I thrilled that I'm going back in a few weeks for Christmas[1]?

Most definitely.

Travel factfile

John Shammas was a guest at Whinfell Forest Center Parcs, where a four-night off peak stay starts from GBP379.

The Off-Road Explorers activity costs GBP24 and a three-hour spa session costs GBP65.

Find out more here.[2]

Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, Whinfell Forest, Penrith CA10 2DW

References

1. ^ Christmas (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ here. (www.centerparcs.co.uk)