Three Center Parcs breaks left this writer questioning the appeal
The writer recounts three Center Parcs holidays and argues that the experience is overpriced, contrived and less enjoyable than its image of wholesome family fun suggests. The article uses a sarcastic, personal account to question the appeal of the chain as it receives permission to build its first Scottish village near Hawick.
The writer describes cramped lodges, busy activities that must be booked well in advance, themed restaurants and expensive drinks, including beer at almost £8 a pint. One four-night stay with a hot tub and sauna cost about £2,000; the writer says Center Parcs opened its first UK resort at Sherwood Forest in 1987 and now has five UK resorts.
- The writer calls Center Parcs an overpriced, contrived family break.
- One four-night lodge stay cost about £2,000.
- The chain has permission for its first Scottish village near Hawick.
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Center Parcs is a holiday company with five villages in the UK, where guests stay in lodges and can book activities such as swimming, cycling and outdoor pursuits. Its first UK village, Sherwood Forest, opened in 1987.
The villages are designed to offer a self-contained family break, with accommodation, activities, shops and themed restaurants on site. Prices vary by lodge and season, and some activities need to be booked ahead.
The company has permission to build its first Scottish village near Hawick. The plan brings attention to how the resort may fit into the area and what visitors can expect from a Center Parcs holiday.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Center Parcs may offer families a convenient, self-contained break with woodland surroundings, organised activities and facilities suited to a range of ages. The high price can reflect the cost of providing those amenities and a managed holiday setting, while advance bookings help cope with demand and make popular activities available to guests.
The case against
The writer’s account raises a reasonable concern that the polished image of wholesome family fun may not match the experience: cramped accommodation, crowded activities and themed venues can feel contrived, while costly food and extras add substantially to the bill. If guests pay a premium but still face booking pressure and limited spontaneity, they may find the experience poor value compared with other kinds of holiday.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “A half-term Center Parcs break isn’t the middle-class boast you think it is… despite what Mumsnet says: Smug, gurning berks on hired bikes. Ghastly themed restaurants. And hours of forced family fun. Inside my THREE holidays at the pine-filled purgatory”.