Explore the best Center Parcs in Europe for families

Rated 4* on Tripadvisor with over 2,271 reviews, this Center Parcs in Belgium has been recently renovated and comes highly recommended by parents as one of the best Center Parcs in Europe. It's nestled in lush greenery and tranquil lakes near Lommel, Belgium, and promises a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation for families with young children with activities that reflect this natural playground.

One of the main attractions at De Vossemeren is the Aquafun water park, though it's worth bearing in mind that this is only suitable for children over 8. The Aqua Mundo is another water park, with a tropical setting, wave pool, a wild water rapids ride, and dedicated children's pools with water play structures, ensuring endless splash-filled fun for the little ones.

Discovery Bay, an indoor play area for over 5's simulates an exotic island and offers the chance for little ones to play on pirate ships, cross rope bridges, and uncover hidden treasures, while a fun program of children's activities includes mini-golf, pony rides, and creative workshops. The resort is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, perfect for gentle family walks or bike rides.

From Hotel Rooms to VIP Cottages, there's an accommodation option to suit all, from 2-10 guests. The Cottages are ideal for families, boasting kitchens and outside space. If you don't want to cook, there are six restaurants on site. You could also get a take-away delivered, or even the ingredients to make your own. And if you're travelling with a baby, each of the restaurants has baby feeding facilities where you'll find free jars of Olvarit baby food, a microwave oven and a bottle warmer.

While reviews vary on the accommodation and seem to be better for the higher room categories, the activities come highly recommended, especially those included in the price. "We loved the free nature activities - cooking and bush skills. We did badminton, mini golf and climbing. The farm activities were great - our girls loved donkey care, meet the alpacas and the small creatures. Animals looked well cared for and lovely staff. It was very muddy though! So take wellies!"

Getting to De Vossemeren: De Vossemeren is near Lommel so travelling there involves taking a ferry or the Eurotunnel to Calais, then driving for around three hours to the resort. Alternatively, you can fly or take the Eurostar to Brussels, hire a car and drive 1.5 hours or take a train to Lommel followed by a short taxi ride.

Located in the picturesque province of Limburg in The Netherlands, Center Parcs Het Meerdal is a retreat designed with families in mind. Surrounded by lush forests and serene lakes, this resort offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, creating a memorable getaway for parents and young children alike.

At the heart of Het Meerdal is the Aqua Mundo water park, a tropical paradise featuring thrilling slides, a wave pool, and dedicated areas for toddlers and young children to splash and play safely. The park’s Jungle Dome provides an indoor adventure with exotic plants, rope bridges, and play areas that spark the imagination and curiosity of young explorers.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Het Meerdal boasts extensive biking and hiking trails that wind through the beautiful natural landscapes, perfect for family outings and wildlife spotting. The resort also offers an array of activities such as mini-golf, pony rides, and animal encounters at the children’s farm.

The accommodation at Het Meerdal caters to families of all sizes and each cottage is well-equipped with the amenities you'd need for a family break, including kitchens, coffee machines, high chairs and private terraces.

Dining options at Het Meerdal are plentiful, with family-friendly restaurants offering everything from all-you-can-eat buffet to Italian. You can also order takeaways to your cottage or shop in the onsite supermarket and cook in the cottage.

While reviews on the accommodation are mixed, guests praised the activities, saying "Aqua Mundo is also great, with slides and the wild water course. There are a wide range of extra activities to book ranging from bikes to zip lines and boat hire." Reviewers do mention the mosquitos can be a problem so it's worth packing some bug spray!

Getting to Het Meerdal: From the UK, drive to Dover or Folkestone, take a ferry or the Eurotunnel to Calais, and then drive approximately three hours to the resort. Alternatively, you can fly from the UK to Eindhoven Airport, which is about a 45-minute drive from Het Meerdal. Another option is to take the Eurostar to Brussels, then drive about 1.5 hours to the resort.

Center Parcs Park Bostalsee is the highest rated Center Parcs in Germany on Tripadvisor, with 4*. The park is set on the shores of the beautiful Bostalsee Lake, surrounded by forests and hills, making it an ideal destination for families seeking both adventure and relaxation.

The park offers a variety of accommodations to suit different needs, from cosy Comfort cottages to luxurious VIP cottages with private saunas. Each unit includes a kitchen, living area, and private terrace so you can cook and eat in the cottage or explore the family-friendly restaurants that include Il Giardino for Italian dishes, Market Restaurant for hearty meals, and The Grill for buffet dining.

As with all the best Center Parcs in Europe, the activities at Park Bostalsee are plentiful but do check in advance as some activities are included while others come at an extra cost. The Aqua Mundo indoor water park features exciting slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river and for an extra charge, families can also enjoy water sports like paddleboarding and sailing on the lake. There are extensive biking and hiking trails to explore while the Adventure Academy offers activities such as archery and mini-golf.

As with the other Center Parcs in Europe, the water parks and activities were well-reviewed, with one saying "The house was in a very good condition and we had enough space. Everybody was friendly and also the general part like bowling, billiard and playgrounds had been in good conditions. 
We can absolutely recommend this place."

Getting to Park Bostalsee: To reach Center Parcs Park Bostalsee from the UK, take the Eurotunnel or a ferry to Calais, then drive approximately 5 hours to the park. Alternatively, fly from the UK to Frankfurt or Luxembourg, hire a car and drive about 1.5 hours to the park.

The best Center Parcs in France according to Tripadvisor reviewers, Le Bois aux Daims is set in the Vienne region, with rich forests and wildlife, for a unique nature experience. Biking and hiking trails let you explore this landscape on foot or bike, while activities such as discovering forest creatures and kids' safari let little ones get even closer to nature.

Accommodation options range from Comfort cottages to VIP cottages, with the higher room categories boasting private saunas or hot tubs. For a truly memorable stay, the Treehouses are likely to get the thumbs up from kids of all ages!

As with the other European Center Parcs, the Aqua Mundo water park is a big selling point, with slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. Outdoor activities abound, with opportunities for kayaking and zip-lining while the BALUBA Indoor Play World is a good option for a rainy day (or if you just need a sit down!)

There are various onsite restaurants, from The Jungle Circus Restaurant to Restaurant des Bois, and a pizzeria to a bakery with fresh pastries and bread. An on-site supermarket lets you pick up what you need to cook in your cottage.

Reviews of the accommodation are varied but the Treehouse was a popular choice, with one saying "We stayed in one of the fantastic tree houses (867) the location was a perfect 4 minute walk to the centre yet felt secluded with amazing water views! The tree house was brilliant very well presented quirky spacious with excellent outside terrace that was a sun trap in the afternoon!"

Getting to Le Bois aux Daims: Le Bois aux Daims can be reached by Eurotunnel or a ferry to Calais, and a drive of around 6 hours. Alternatively, travel by Eurostar from London to Paris, transfer to a TGV train to Poitiers, and then it's a 45 minute drive.