March 2019
Center Parcs Whinfell Forest is located in Penrith on the edge of the Lake District – Whinfell Forest, Penrith, CA10 2DW.
Center Parcs is the perfect family break if you are not wanting to travel too far for some good ol’ fmaily time, with indoor and outdoor activities, nightlife and relaxation. If you have young children, there’s plenty of facilities to allow them to learn new activities and interact with others.
Having visited this picturesque forest many, many times throughout my childhood, it hasn’t changed very much, the prices have just increased, rapidly, especially since Center Parcs took over Oasis. Nevertheless, it is still as beautiful as when I was little.
When I used to visit here as a child, it used to have its own Hard Rock Cafe, which is probably where my families obsession with HRC started. It was then sold to Center Parcs in 2001, and removed all commercial companies like Hard Rock and Burger King. Sad times.
If you want to visit Center Parcs, it definitely increases in price through the school holidays. There are a few break options you can take when booking your stay. A weekend break (Friday to Monday), midweek break (Monday to Friday), seven night stay (Monday to Monday) or a spa break.
Whinfell forest is just one of six Center Parcs locations. They all have the same natural, woodland feel, but they all differ ever-so-slightly.
The forest
The forest itself is a red squirrel reserve – so if you see one you are very lucky! You don’t come across them easy.
*photo of map taken from Center Parcs website.
The forest is split up into accommodation areas called: Lake Beck, Foresters Lane, Three Oaks, Beckwood, Bilberry Wood, Seven Pines, Lakeside, Badger Wood, Moorland View, Meadow View, Fell View and Heather Glade. I think over the years I’ve stayed in the majority of them, and loved all locations. This year we were lucky enough to be located in Fell View, which is close to both indoor centres. I kept calling it ‘Fellwood’, much to the dismay of cashiers who were asking for my lodge address upon purchasing something *shakes head*.
One thing I love about the forest is that there are activities of kinds dotted around everywhere – beams, monkey bars, stepping stones, etc. They may only be small, but as kids, my brother and I used to love the challenge.
Center Parcs is a very bike friendly forest. You can hire bikes, but I think most visitors bring their own. The best thing about this is the bike car park. As a young child, nothing made me feel more grown up than trying to find a space, parking up and securing my bike with a lock. All lodges come with bike racks as well, so you have nothing to worry about in terms of leaving your bike outside.
Arrival/ leaving
Once you enter Center Parcs, there are plenty of attendants to direct you to where you need to go before you park up. There is a driveway to the arrival lodges which is where you check in – imagine MacDonald drive-thru but to check in for Center Parcs.
When you book your Center Parcs stay you will get emails regarding guest and vehicle information to fill in, so when checking in you give them your booking reference number and they have all of the details they need from you. It’s super quick, unlike the old days…
When you’ve checked in, you are given a pass for the car park and a wristband to gain access to your lodge. The car park is pretty big so you will definitely find a space. I advise a space in the shade, under the trees if possible.
You are able to get into your lodge from 3.30pm, this means that anytime between 3 and half 3 it can be quite manic as everyone rushes to the car park to drive there cars around to the lodges to unload and then drive back to the car park as cars aren’t supposed to be parked outside, unless given permission. So if you don’t want to be caught in the chaos, you’re best going at 4pm when everyone else is sorted. In the mean time, the moment you are in Center Parcs you are able to start your holiday, so make sure you pack a bag to last you up until you go to your lodge, especially if you want to go swimming.
On your final day, you have to vacate your lodge by 10am, so I advise you pack your bags the night before, go and get the car back to your lodge to load it back up, take it back to the car park, and pack a bag for the rest of your time at Center Parks. Because even though you will have ‘checked out’, you are still able to use the rest of the facilities. I advise doing this early. As with arrivals, everyone starts to do this at around 10am.
Each lodge you can stay in has been designed fantastically to feel foresty. You get enough space, privacy and are open enough to have wildlife visit you on your doorstep. And not only that, your lodges include everything you need from hair dryers to dishwasher powder.
There are a few lodges you can book, and all vary depending on the locations you are staying in. Note that all are self-catering, have brilliant WiFi that works throughout the forest, and a TV with a DVD player – for those cozy nights in.
Woodland lodges can sleep up to eight guests, so you can have a two-story lodge or a single story. They have stylish woodland interiors, which are super cozy and comfy. They’re equipped with a full kitchen, to include a microwave, oven, grill, hob, dishwasher, sink – the works. There’s also a log-burning fireplace and a patio with a BBQ set up.
Executive lodges have a little bit more luxury, including everything in the Woodlands lodges, but with housekeeping services, en-suite bathrooms and shower rooms, luxury linen and a TV in each of the bedrooms. You may even be lucky enough to land a lodge with a sauna and games room included! These lodges again, sleep up to eight guests.
I love the fact that Center Parcs also offers dog-friendly lodges. I’ve never stayed in one of these, and would love to, being a dog owner myself. However, would I trust my one year old beagle in an unfamiliar surrounding, probably not. So, I would definitely recommend making sure your dog is OK with this! Center Parcs is great for dogs, and more dogs visit that you would thing. There are dedicated dog exercise areas around the forest so you can let your dog off the lead, as you are asked to keep your dog on a lead at all times. Lodges are thoroughly deep cleaned before and after stays, so you wouldn’t even realise a dog had previously stayed before your own. Up to two dogs can stay per lodge, and there will just be an added surcharge when selecting accommodation in either a Woodland or Executive lodge.
If you have accessibility needs, Center Parcs has made sure you can easily access everything. There is dedicated parking and ramps to lodges, open-plan living rooms, dinning rooms and kitchens, lowered work tops and dedicated lodges that have electric beds, and walk in/wheel in shower rooms.
Wristbands
Wristbands are a new thing for me. To activate a few things years ago you had your average key card. But we are moving up in the world. Now, you receive a band like Disney’s Magicband – Google it!
The wristbands are used for your accommodation, lockers and even for cashless payments in certain locations for refreshments, activities, restaurants, the spa and bars.
Per party, you will receive a minimum of two, or one per bedroom in your lodge. It’s really simple to use aswell. You just hold up the wider section of the wristband to where a lock would traditionally be on a door, and voila, it opens.
Same goes for the lockers in the changing rooms. Hold your wristband up against the lock button as you press it and it locks. You do the same when wanting to open up the locker. When you walk into the changing rooms, there is a vast selection of lockers, so it can be very easy to forget where your locker is or what number it is. To help you remember, there is a locker reader machine – simply click your wristband against it and it will remind you what number locker you are using.
If you wish to use your wristband to pay for things, you can do this at The Canopy Cafe and Bar, Pool Information Desk, Vitale Cafe Bar and Aqua Sana Spa. All information about paying on your wristband will be found here. You can add payments to the wristband at any payment kiosk of a payment up to £300 – and you can check your balance and see all of your transactions here too.
In the Aqua Sana Spa you can use your wristbands for securing your locker, paying for a treatment, refreshments and products. Please note, if you are sharing a wristband between a few of you, you can ask for a spare wristband at reception to access the lockers, so no need to worry!
Village Center
The Village Center used to be known as the Butterfly Center, due to its butterfly-shaped architecture. It is one of two key communal places you will find yourself in. Between here and the Sports Plaza, you’ll have everything you need.
The Village Center is filled with all kinds of fun, including the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, as well as several places to eat, drink and shop!
Shopping wise, they have the ParcMarket, which is a supermarket that sells all the little bits you might have forgotten to bing with you, like disposable BBQs, freshly-baked goods, alcohol, snacks and meat. It used to be my first pit stop when arriving at Centre Parcs. Me and my little brother used to get over to the supermarket, grab a packet of Toffo’s and an activity pack – which we ultimately wouldn’t use – and go about our day.
Treats was always another favourite of mine. For all sweet tooth people, this is the place you want to go for any sugary goods! Although, I was disappointed when I last visited as I noticed they had replaced the cabinets of rock with…erm…nothing from what I could see.
Just Kids is a kids store that sells some rather pricey items, in my opinion, but there is lots to look at and buy to keep children entertained – from soft toys to LEGO.
The Store Room is my personal favourite. Here you can buy cute and quirky gifts to brighten up your home, or bring back gifts for friends and family. Cath Kidston has a stall in this shop too – which could be why it’s my favourite. But aside to that, you can buy handmade soaps and bathbombs, garden/kitchen decor, bags, ceramics and they even had a few bits of Disney and Harry Potter merchandise. Spirit is a clothes shop for men and women, selling fashionable outdoor wear brands such as Fat Face, Joules, Jack Wills etc – all good clothing for your break at Center Parcs. Time for shade is quite simply a sunglasses shop, selling an array of designer sunglasses. Last of all is Aquatique which is located at the entrance of the Swimming area. You can buy towels, swimwear and swimming accessories.
The Village Center has a range of eateries for you to choose from. There’s Bella Italia – Italian cuisine, Cafe Rouge – French cuisine, Huck’s– American cuisine and Dexter’s Kitchen,which is kind of like Center Parcs’ version of McDonald’s. On the outside of the building, looking out onto the lake, is The Pancake House,where you can get everything from pancakes to omelettes. The service and atmosphere is very Denny’s-like, so if you have been to a Denny’s before you will know exactly what I mean. It’s yummy!
There is also a Starbucks Coffee Shop and a place called Dining In, which is a takeaway! They sell everything from Pizza to Indian, and Asian to American food – including deserts and drinks. Click here for the menu – looking at the menu now, I wish we went here one night! Opposite The Village Center, on the other side of the lake, is a pub called The Lakeside Inn, where you can get all of your favourite pub classics.
We mainly tried to cook our own meals to save some money, we had food in our lodge most nights including a BBQ. But one night, for Rich’s Birthday, we tried Huck’s American Bar and Grill. This used to be Hard Rock Cafe back in the day – and you can tell by the food and atmosphere, they’ve very much tried to keep the Hard Rock vibe. Our food was delicious. Between us we had fajitas, mac’n’ cheese and barbecue ribs – and we licked the plates clean (not literally, that’s minging). Staff were super friendly too!
We also ventured to the Lakeside Inn, which is basically a fancy Toby Carvery. Some of the seating there offers up beautiful views of the lake. We all had a carvery lunch, which was lovely.
Near the entrance to go swimming, you can find a ramp that takes you down to another bar, that has pool tables, an arcade and bowling! This is always perfect to do if the weather has a slight turn!
At the entrance of the Village Center, you’ll find a big outdoor play area, which is all woodland-themed. They haven’t changed it much over the years, it’s just had a revamp. It’s a great play area, always full of kids running about. Above Cafe Rouge, there’s also an indoor play area, so I suppose you can sit down and have a bit to eat while you let your kids tire themselves out.
The lake
The Lake is situated between the Village Center, The Lakeside Inn and Lakeside lodges. It’s beautiful and peaceful, you will find yourself staring at the ducks and swans, and just watching the water ripple.
The Lake hosts a lot of activities, of which you can pretty much just turn up and do. It never seems to be too busy.
There are many water activities on offer, such as electric boats, katakanus, kayaks and pedalos. You can find out more information at The Boathouse alongside the lake.
Center Parcs has a pretty swish Swimming pool area. It’s warm in there, it has loads of plants and trees dotted about so feel like you are in some kind of tropical paradise, no matter the time of day or year.
*The Subtropical Swimming Paradise is located on the left-hand side of this building.
This…is free. Yes you heard me, you can use and abuse it as much as you like, and you’ll want to. It’s perfect for chilling and having loads of fun. Inside, you can find the following:
- Outdoor pool
- Outdoor terrace
- Flumes
- Canyon ride
- Multi slide
- Lagoon pool
- Three spa pools
- Six seater cabana and two eight seaters – You can hire a family cabana for six or eight, and they include a TV, comfy chairs, complimentary soft drinks, towels and safe. They are great for larger families who like to have a meeting point in between activities.
- Wave pool
- Children’s pool with a slide and flume
- Indoor rapids
- The Canopy Cafe Bar – where you can get hot and cold snack and drinks, because swimming definitely makes you peckish.
- Activities such as: Aqua jetting, mini jet skis, mermaid and sharks (where your little ones can pretend they are Ariel – jealous!), snorkeling and swimming lessons for 2 to 4 year olds.
Sports Plaza
The Sports Plaza is very relaxing environment. You can either relax on the sofas with a hot chocolate, or sign yourself up for some activities. Everytime we have visited here, we play pool or snooker – its relaxing!
Inside the Sports Plaza, there is the Sports Cafe with your typical set-up and menu – burgers, steaks, sofas, tables. The Sports Cafe has sports channels on all the time, so you will not miss any of your sporting fixtures. On the outside of the Sports Plaza you can find a lovely smelling Indian restaurant called Rajinda Pradesh. I’ve never tried it, but I’m told it’s lovely. Another Starbucks is located here, next to the Sports Cafe for your caffeine fix. And you can find a lovely sugar filled cafe towards the reception where you can buy some Kelly’s ice cream, Krispy Kreme donuts and more sugary-goodness.
Another shop located in the Sports Plaza is Sportique, it sells what you’d imagine really. Sports wear from Adidas and Puma; trainers, swimwear, etc. So basically, if you’re in the Sports Plaza in the wrong clothing for activities, then voila! You’re sorted!
The Sports Plaza is called ‘Sports Plaza’ for good reason. There’s so much to do here, and everything can be booked at the reception desk. I advise to book activities in advance, online or first thing in the morning, as you will find throughout the day you can be joining a rather long queue. Activities include:
- Aerial adventure
- Archery adventure
- Badminton
- Laser combat
- Laser target
- Squash
- Hawk in the Parc
- Active play for toddlers
- Adventure golf
- Aerial tree trekking
- Archery
- Bollywood dancing
- Boogie bounce
- Clubbercise
- Soft tennis/ tennis
- Football
- Football pool
- Yoga and pilates
- Fencing
- Climbing wall
And so much more, the list goes on.
Outside of the back entrance there is a small to medium size outdoor play area, so there will definitely be something for your young children to enjoy.
The pottery painting studio is located out towards the back entrance of the Sports Plaza. We had so much fun here. They have a drop-in pottery painting session, you don’t need to book. Simply turn up, choose the item you want to paint, pay, sit down at a table that has everything you could possibly need, and paint. It’s as simple as that.
We then collated our pottery the next day after they had been through a kiln and looked all shiny.
We expected to be the oldest in the room. We were SO wrong, definitely one of the youngest. It was so much fun, just experimenting, and trying to think of something to match our house.
Most families bring there own bikes, if they fit in or on their own car. But if you are unable to do this, there is a bike hire centre, and they have a lot of bikes to choose from.
The staff in the cycle centre will make sure you get the most suitable bike, along with accessories such as lights, helmets and protective gear. But be warned, it ain’t cheap!
At the outdoor activity centre, we had a laugh at the driving range, and I kid you not, I could be mistaken for Rory McIlroy. Ha!
You can experience many thrilling activities like quad biking, segwaying, golfing, archery-ing and more. It’s great for your older kids who have pent up energy.
If you click the above link, you will be able to browse all of the different spa packages, there are quite a few to choose from. You can book spa experiences once you arrive in Centre Parcs, but availability will likely be limited. You’re better booking ahead.
Aqua Sana’s are found at every Centre Parcs location. They’re beautiful. Imagine relaxing in a spa in the middle of the forest, when outdoor pools are included, so you are literally swimming in the middle of the forest. It’s like heaven.
The spa itself is incredible. There are many steam/sauna rooms that make you feel like you are in a different country, thanks to the different scents and decor. Each of them has a refreshing shower to use afterwards so you feel ready to move on to your next experience. There are foot baths, ice fountains, water machines, plenty of ‘egg’ shaped chairs with blankets to relax in – and potentially fall asleep on, Jacuzzi’s that have a walkway to go through that has jets water massaging all parts of your body, an outdoor pool, zen garden, and my favourite part… the waterbeds. Oh my! I don’t think we had ever felt so relaxed, those beds work wonders, we both ended up having a nap by mistake…oops!
If you want more on top of your spa there are treatments you can book for both men and women – manicures, pedicures, facials, hot stone therapies, and so much more.
As our trip was over Rich’s birthday, I decided to treat him (and myself) to the Treat for 2 at the spa. It included complimentary towels and robes, use of all of the spa facilities and a light anti-pasti bite to eat with some Prosecco. We had full use of the facilities from 4pm till 9pm. I thought we would be done in an hour, but surprisingly we stayed in there for 3 and a half, so go us!
Outside play areas and activities
Dotted about the forest you will see numbered activities. But as kids, we loved to try and find them all and have a go. They include bars for swinging on, beams to balance on, stepping stones etc. Simple, but for some reason, no matter what age you are, they make you feel young again.
There are also play areas located near both indoor centers – they’re always full of kids playing, and are well-maintained.
Wildlife
You’re in the middle of a forest. So you can expect some wildlife to come and say hello every once and a while. Sadly, over the years, I have seen less and less. In fact, this time round, I only saw Pheasant’s, no squirrels, at all.
Over the years we have encounted all kinds of wildlife; red squirrels jumping through the trees, swans hissing at us by the french doors (actually terrifying), foxes scratching on our front door, rabbits hopping through the fields at the driving range, ducks in the lakes, birds flying about the place, and a few badgers caught on ‘badger cam’ on the TV.
Overall
As a family, this is a great, local place to visit if you want to spend some good quality time together. It’s worth it just for the fresh air, it’s refreshing and never fails to make you feel revitalized.
Below is an example of pricing for all activities available at Center Parcs, most you can book online either before or during your stay.
Click here to watch a quick video of our time at Centre Parcs.
Your Own Set of Wings 
Very informative, love the video at the end.
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Thank you 🙂 x
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