Seven simple hacks to save money at Center Parcs
A Center Parcs break offers lots of activities for kids, pretty woodland lodges for parents, and you can even bring your dog. However, the cost of a break at one of its five sites can be high. Here are seven hacks to cutting costs when you head into the woods.
1. Book early
The best way to save the most money is advanced planning. If you book 18 months ahead of your visit (yes that's a very long time, but it's worth the savings), you have more choice of size and style of accommodation, with a woodland lodge, sleeping four, starting from £579 for a weekend break.
2. Take advantage of midweek term-time prices
A four-night mid-week break at the Woburn Forest Center Parcs starts at £399 for a family of four in November 2018, while a three-night weekend break at the same time starts at £599.
Booking a midweek break frees up funds for more activities, and also means the rest of the village will be filled with families that have children of a similar age - so you may even make friends.
3. Bring your own food
From barbecue facilities to modern kitchens, Center Parcs has plenty of space to cook your own food. Eschew the usual high street food chain options on site (you’re not here for Cafe Rouge) and cook at home. If you run out of things, the on-site supermarket ParcMarket has supplies, though they are not as cheap as buying in advance.
4. Do the free stuff
The activities - particularly if you’re looking to outsource the kids - can be great. But don’t get so distracted by football coaching and chocolate baking classes that you forget to enjoy the forest.
Each village has a lake and beach; bring a bucket and spade with you. Take a walk on the trails and spot birds. Collect pine cones and feathers for an impromptu art project.
5. Bring your own beach towels
Access to the Subtropical Swimming Paradise is included in the price of accommodation. But it costs £2 per person to hire a beach towel once you’re there - bring your own from home, instead. Buoyancy jackets (read: life preservers) are available free of charge for small children of various sizes, so there’s no need to bring water wings.
6. Bring your own bikes
Each village has a bicycle rental shop, but at £30 per day per adult and £21 per child, this adds up. Cycling is a lovely way to get around the sprawling car-free villages, but bring your own to save money.
7. Plan carefully: this is not the break for spontaneity
By co-ordinating a spa session with your children’s session in the Activity Den, you can have some adult time. Center Parcs offers two-hour sessions in the spa that align with Activity Den timings; you can save £15 by booking the two-hour spa session instead of the three-hour session.
