As an ex-tour operator I’ve done my fair share of hotel inspections. We’re talking hundreds of visits to hotels of all standards across the world. So when I say that our recent family trip to Center Parcs Elveden Forest was possibly the most relaxing family holiday we’ve ever had, you know it’s had some competition!
While I’ve been lucky enough to stay in some incredible hotels and Airbnbs around the world, and once owned a caravan on a Haven holiday park, I can’t remember the last time we had a holiday that was as relaxing from day one as Center Parcs.
It’s hard to pinpoint when my shoulders fully dropped and I fell into that rarely seen ‘chilled mum’ mode. It could have been while cycling through the forest or watching my children quite literally jump with joy at the sight of the water slides. It could have been while the therapist kneaded knots out of my shoulders that would have made a sailor proud, or opening the curtains to see muntjac, ducks and squirrels on the patio. Whenever it was, and whatever it was that sealed the deal, it’s safe to say that the whole stay somehow achieved that fine balance of keeping the kids happy while also letting their stressed-out parents slip into second gear.
With most holidays, I find I need at least a few days to switch off and can then relax and enjoy it before I start overthinking the packing, departure and travelling home. We were only at Center Parcs for 3 nights, but it felt like much longer. I think my sister-in-law hit the nail on the head when she said that a Center Parcs holiday is just ‘pure holiday’. There’s no need to think, plan or rush anywhere. Yes, you need to book activities and restaurants in advance, but once that’s done, your only decision is when to hit the pool, when to eat, and whether to cycle or walk to your next destination.
It was also the most time we’ve spent together as ‘quality’ family time. Perhaps because the TV channels in the lodge are limited, or because there’s just so much to keep them away from screens, but we actually hung out as a family and the kids didn’t ask for their iPad once during the 4 days, and trust me, that’s a record!
So if you’re considering a trip to Center Parcs Elveden, here’s my honest take on our recent trip, including everything you need to know as a first time visitor to make your trip even easier.
Accommodation
The Center Parcs Elveden accommodation blends beautifully into the forest. Think forest hideaway with nature on your doorstep, often literally. We were in a 2-bedroom New Style Executive Lodge which is connected to others, so while they aren’t particularly private, we didn’t feel overlooked. There’s a small patio with a table, chairs and a BBQ – we didn’t use them as it was October but every morning we could open the curtains and say hello to the ducks, squirrels and coots. I suspect this might be what kept the kids off their screens – from the moment they woke up there was something to look at or experience. Unfortunately, that did also include a rat on one occasion, but I guess that's part of the price you pay for staying in a forest!
The lodges are very well-equipped, with all the utensils and crockery you could need, from a cheese grater to champagne glasses. There's even a wine fridge which was a pleasant surprise. We’d preordered a Family Grocery Pack which took a lot of the thinking and planning out of the arrival, but I would say that you could probably take everything you need - keep reading to find out my top tips for the items you’ll need to pack for a stress-free stay.
If you're travelling with small children, you'll find a cot and a highchair, and there's even a stepstool in the bathroom. You will need to bring your own bed linens for the cot and there's no surface spray so if you'll be using the highchair, you'll want to pack that.
If there’s one thing I’d change about the lodge, it’s the lighting – the living area was ‘big light’ or nothing so it was hard to create a cosier atmosphere in the evenings. A couple of lamps would make all the difference.
I managed to enjoy how spotlessly clean and tidy the lodge was for about 2 minutes before my kids descended but, like the rest of the village, we were all impressed with how clean and well maintained it was. Obviously, it’s in the middle of a forest so it’s not pristine – the windows and doors are a little tired – but that’s to be expected when you’re surrounded by nature. And any signs of mildew or slightly peeling paint were forgotten as soon as we opened the curtains each morning to be greeted by the muntjac or coots who were wandering outside. Even when it was dark, the kids discovered a channel on the TV that showed a live feed from the Center Parcs' Hide so they could carry on watching the wildlife on that.
The chalkboard is also an excellent addition - when they weren't watching the animals or out and about, the kids were drawing and writing on the wall. We're now trying to decide which wall we can turn into a chalkboard at home!
Getting around
We’d hired bikes for our stay which was a great way of seeing more of the forest but you can also just walk (though it’s quite a walk from one end of Center Parcs Elveden to the other so it would depend where your accommodation was). The bikes are £33 for kids and £44 for adults for a 3 night stay, so you’d save money by bringing your own if possible. If your little one isn't on two wheels just yet, you can also hire child seats for 12-47 month olds from £22.50, and bike trailers which are suitable from 6 months+ from £44. At certain locations you can also hire balance bikes for 3-5 year olds so they can start practising their cycling skills. Bike locks and helmets are included, though I'd recommend trying to get your bikes early - we didn't collect ours until day two and there weren't any helmets left in my son's size.
Once everyone has taken their car back to the main car park, the village is largely car-free and this definitely adds to the stress-free nature of the holiday. I didn’t have to panic about my children cycling around and because it felt so safe, my son was allowed a couple of solo bike trips which, as a tween trying to gain some independence, he loved. When we go again, I suspect we’d try to bring our own bikes to cut down on costs but hiring them definitely made life easier!
Subtropical Swimming Paradise
Let’s be honest, if you’re thinking of booking Center Parcs, it’s probably because you’ve heard about the pool. As someone who’s not a fan of swimming pools – cold water, grimy changing rooms etc – I didn’t have high hopes for this part. But I hold my hands up, I was wrong. I knew the kids and my husband would love it - they’re all water babies - but I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it half as much as I did!
But the Subtropical Swimming Paradise isn’t your average leisure centre pool. It’s warm, clean and there’s so much to do. The changing rooms are incredibly clean thanks to their clever design – you walk into a family changing room from one side, lock it, and when you’re ready, just walk out the other side where the lockers are, pop your stuff in, use your wristband to lock it, and then head to the pool. This has the benefit of keeping the dirt from shoes away from where you’d be walking barefoot, and funnels everyone in the right direction.
We visited at half term so I was expecting the pool to be busy, but while there were queues for some slides, they were never too long. The only exception was the Tropical Cyclone but that’s worth the longer wait (even for a scaredy cat like me!). We found it quieter around 5/6pm when most people were eating. The only time we found it overly busy was on the last day after we’d checked out. On this day there would have been people there who were checking in, as well as people who’d checked out but were maxing out their stay so it was a lot busier than during the main days of our stay.
Many of the slides and rides have height restrictions, though smaller children can go down on their grown-up's lap for some. In general, 1.2m seems to be the cut off point. If your tot is smaller they can also go in the Venture Cove section which is a fantastic area of pirate-style water fun.
As it’s so large, we did all stick together and I’d say this ‘enforced’ family time was an unforeseen bonus. I can’t remember the last time we spent so long together and while this is going to sound like an exaggeration, I think it’s brought us closer together as a family. Admittedly, it would have been nice if we could have achieved that without going down the rapids (my son’s favourite) 57,000 times, but in this case the end certainly justified the means!
Activities
The Center Parcs Elveden activities are many and varied, almost to the point of giving us decision paralysis. Along with the immense list of options, we all know how fickle kids can be so deciding a couple of months in advance was tough. We settled on Aerial Adventure – I knew my husband and 10 year old son would love it, I hoped my 7 year old daughter would, and I was fully expecting to hate it. Again, I was wrong. We all loved it! The climb takes you fairly high up into the trees so it’s certainly not for the fainthearted, but the safety briefing was excellent and, as with all the staff we met at Center Parcs, the people who strapped us into the harnesses were superb so I never felt unsafe. The highlight for us all was the zip wire at the end – a long ride across the lake with incredible views from the 12m high launch platform. Was I terrified? Yes. Would I do it again? Also yes. I think we all came away from that activity feeling a sense of pride in ourselves and it was something we were able to talk about as a family for hours afterwards. At £50, the jury is still out on whether it's value for money - I voted yes simply for the sense of achievement I got. Arguably, it's slightly cheaper to do Go Ape in Thetford Forest but my daughter wouldn't have been able to join us so we'd have missed doing it as a family adventure.
While this activity is only suitable for anyone over 1.22cm, if you have younger children, they aren’t left out – there’s a Mini Trek circuit for 2-5 year olds where they can be harnessed up and let loose on a series of bridges and obstacles above the ground.
While we only booked the Aerial Adventure before arrival, we were able to book a badminton court while we were there and spent a fun 45 minutes attempting to get something resembling a match. I checked various other activities while we were there and it was possible to book on, as long as you were flexible about timings, so while it’s definitely best to book in advance, there are still options while you’re there.
Aqua Sana Forest Spa
The spa at Center Parcs Elveden is a dream. It’s set across two levels and is built around the outside pool so you get an incredible sense of light and space, while the birdsong and connection to the forest outside creates a zen-like vibe.
Just like the rest of the village, it’s spotlessly clean and well-thought-out. The changing rooms are spacious and never felt overly busy like some other spas I’ve visited, and there are plenty of towels and robes if you need to swap wet ones over. Just like in the pool, your wristband works the lockers so you don’t have to think about bringing change or carrying a key (just another example of how Center Parcs takes a lot of the thinking out of your day, which is bliss for mums suffering from mental load fatigue).
My husband visited in the morning at 9.15am and found it was very quiet but was starting to get busier when he left at 11am. I was there from 1.30-4.30pm and it was busy but not uncomfortably so. There are 25 different ‘experience’ rooms so there’s always space to go in, and in some I was the only person. Top tip – the Nordic sauna on the upper floor is a must for stressed-out mums. It’s hot, there are wooden beds, and views out over the trees. Take a book and soak in the peace - you’ll leave feeling like a new woman! At £69 for three hours I’d say it’s something to add to the Christmas list. Yes, it’s expensive, but if you need a break (and what mum doesn’t?), a chance to relax with a magazine, and a spot of sauna and steam room relaxation, you will leave here feeling lighter and brighter.
The spa also offers free Wellbeing Sessions – my husband took part in a Sleep Session where the therapist talked the group through tactics to help them sleep and got them to relax with a meditative session. I was lucky enough to have an Elemis Brighten and Glow spa treatment which was much needed – the tension I carry in my shoulders was kneaded away and my lovely therapist brought the glow back to my perimenopausal skin. A cup of fennel tea in the Relaxation lounge and a slow bike ride back through the forest as the sun set was the icing on the cake.
Food & Drink
Before we arrived, we booked Café Rouge, but while we were there we also booked The Pancake House – so while it is best to book in advance, you should be able to get last minute bookings if you’re flexible about timings. There are plenty of Elveden Center Parcs restaurants to choose from – Las Iguanas, Hucks American Bar and Grill, Bella Italia, Forester’s Inn, Rajinda Pradesh, Starbucks and the Sports Bar – so whatever your taste, you’ll find an option.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for The Pancake House – I knew the kids would love it (Oreo ice cream pancakes... what’s not to love when you’re 7?) but I wasn’t sure it would be great for parents. Again, I was wrong. My husband and I both had the Savoury French Toast which was superb – crispy bacon, a moreish onion confit, fried egg, pea shoots, and a sausage that even my picky husband was impressed with. At £10.95 you could certainly get cheaper breakfasts but this one was a cut above most Full English breakfasts. The kids menu is definitely an affordable option - £3.95 for two large pancakes, a dollop of ice cream and lashings of chocolate sauce. To be honest, my kids could have shared one and it would have been even better value.
For parents of little kids, the soft play in the restaurant will let you enjoy a meal in peace while your little ones run off some steam. Mine were too tall to go in (you have to be under 125cm), much to their disappointment, but this does mean it’s great for smaller kids.
Café Rouge was equally great – delicious steaks and a lovely atmosphere, though I did speak to a couple who felt their steak was overly seasoned so bear that in mind (we’re probably guilty of liking a salty steak so it didn’t bother us!). All the staff were delightful, and as there are so many kids there it didn’t feel as though we were the odd ones out.
I don’t know if it’s the Center Parcs-effect but the kids didn’t ask for a screen at all – we did the word-searches on the Children’s Menus, and they learnt about French landmarks. Again, there’s a soft play if your kids are smaller so you might even be able to squeeze in a glass of wine and a whole conversation with your partner.
Shops
From a brilliant toy shop to a gift shop, a sweet shop to Starbucks and Joules, there’s pretty much everything you could need at Center Parcs Elveden. The quality is excellent – these aren’t your usual tacky holiday shops. Kids can stock up on Lego or board games, and the pic n’mix was a firm favourite and at £5 for a good sized pot it wasn’t as extortionate as many pic n’mixes. Another example of how easy Center Parcs makes a holiday is postcards. I always buy postcards but then either can’t find anywhere to buy stamps or find a post box. Here, you can buy stamps in the shop and the post box is right outside. It sounds minor, but it’s the small details like this that built up to make a stress-free holiday. Not having to think too hard or plan too much lightened the mental load for a couple of days.
Center Parcs App
The Center Parcs app is a great way of booking activities and restaurants, when it works. Mine kept glitching so I’d have to call and book – the lady I spoke to said that it can be difficult on Apple products so I’d need to clear cookies for it to work properly. This is a shame, because when it works, it’s a great way of seeing your itinerary at a glance and adding bookings. It also sends you notifications when your booking is coming up – yet another example of how Center Parcs really is a hassle-free holiday!
Center Parcs Winter Wonderland
We visited at the end of October so they were setting up for Winter Wonderland. I’ll admit, I may have come close to booking a return trip for a Center Parcs Elveden Christmas! You could see hints that it would be a pretty magical experience, from the lights that are strung up through the trees, to the Christmas tree lined grotto. I’m definitely adding the Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs to my wish list for a trip at 'twixmas'.
Center Parcs Elveden Forest - an honest review
I’ll admit that I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Center Parcs Elveden as much as I did. Give me a plane ticket and a backpack and I’m happy. But activity centres and onsite entertainment generally make me think of ‘organised fun’.
So when I say that Center Parcs is one of the best holidays we’ve had as a family, I mean it. That’s despite the fact that it’s ‘organised’ and you really should book your activities well ahead of time. But just like the forest setting, the wooden-clad lodges and the lakes, everything feels natural. You might need to be at your activity at a certain time, but a leisurely bike ride there means you arrive feeling relaxed. There’s nothing you have to do, or see, or tick off a list if you don't want to. Enjoy the wildlife, wander down to the lake and watch the carp splashing around, take a stroll up to the village and pop into the shops. There’s no constraints on your time, no demands. Grab a cup of coffee and wander out to the playground where the kids can run wild, or spend hours in the pool. As holidays go, this one is as stress-free as they come.
It’s also unadulterated family time. Perhaps it’s the forest setting, or the calming feeling of being completely immersed in nature. It could be the lack of devices or that there’s so much to see and do. Whatever the reason, I can’t remember the last time we spent so much quality time together as a family. Combine that with the stress-free, mental-load easing experience, and you can see why I’m already looking at booking our next trip to Center Parcs.
Top tips to make your visit to Center Parcs as smooth as possible
Max out your stay
While you can’t access your accommodation until 4pm, you can arrive on the site from 10am. So when you’re packing, set aside a day bag of swim stuff or whatever you’ll need. Then you can park your car in the car park and head straight to the pool or a restaurant and max out your stay.
This also applies to your departure. Center Parcs’ checkout is at 10am but once your car is in the car park you can head back and enjoy the facilities. We did find the pool was incredibly busy because there are two sets of people – those leaving and those arriving – but having the freedom to stay on site and enjoy the facilities is a great option for making the most out of your holiday.
Park strategically
We arrived at 2pm on Friday and there was only a short queue at check in but when we left at 11.30am on Monday there was a large queue of people arriving. You drive up and check in and then park in the main car park. After 4pm you can collect your car and take it to your lodge to unpack so if you can, park nearest the exit to the lodges. My husband didn’t and ended up sat in a queue to get out of the car park.
What to pack for Center Parcs
The lodge doesn’t come with any food so you’ll need to bring everything you might need, from salt to milk. If you do forget anything, the onsite Parc Market is excellent, whether you’re after fruit and veg, ready meals or baby essentials. In terms of cleaning, Center Parcs provides 3 dishwasher tabs, a surface cloth, a sponge and a toilet roll and soap in each bathroom but you’ll need surface spray, extra toilet roll, and might need to bring a few dishwasher tabs. There’s a hoover and dustpan and brush, a small drying rack and a broom in the utility cupboard.
If you don’t want to eat out every night, plan ahead and you’ll be thanking your past self. We premade a Bolognese and a Curry so we could just heat them up and have two-nights worth of meals. Then all you need are the snacks and lunches.
The rooms both had a hairdryer, and towels are provided for the rooms. You can either bring your own towels for the pool or hire towels for £2 per towel per day. I’d suggest bringing two if you’re planning to go swimming a couple of times a day – we couldn’t get the towel rails in the bathrooms to work without putting the heating on across the whole lodge so the towels were damp on a couple of occasions. We had packed two sets of swim stuff each which made it easier.
Speaking of the pool, flip flops make it easier to get changed. You could bring swim aids but if you forget, there are basic swim vests available at the entrance to the pool which are free. And you can buy swim vests, nappies and pool toys there as well so don't worry if you forget something.
Spending so much time in the water also turned my hair to straw and my daughter's sensitive skin got very itchy so don't forget to pack your conditioner and products for sensitive skin.
Keep a note of your parking space
Make a note of your parking location, or download what/three/words to help you find it - after a few days of completely switching off you may find you've forgotten where you parked! You can also get your bearings beforehand with the map, and they're also dotted around the site in case you do get lost.
Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.