Center Parcs – Sherwood Forest

As you are probably aware, my family are fans of Center Parcs. Having visited Whinfell Forest many times I couldn’t even count and now visiting Sherwood Forest for the third time. We really do love it. It is definitely a place I recommend to visit for some real good family time, and especially when you can get a good deal (because we all know it can definitely get pricey).

This visit was Richs first time to Sherwood Forest, and Dexters first Center Parcs trip. It felt like a milestone for me, after years and years, since ’97 of my Mum and Dad taking me and my brother every year, to then be bringing our little boy. Itwas a surreal moment. I know that when we decide to visit Whinfell next, that will be special.

On this visit to Sherwood we went along with our good friends, Danny and Leonie. If you are on a budget, a way to keep the price down is obviously to A: go out of school holidays (we visited at the start of October) and B: share with family or friends and split the cost. For a Monday to Friday stay for 4 nights in a two bedroom lodge cost £500, so £250 per couple was a no brainer.

Check-in and arrival

Check-in ran a lot more smoother than I remember. It always felt like a life time, and we would be sat at the kiosk chatting to the check-in staff for too long. When you check-in, you check-in inside of your car, so you give in your booking details, receive a key wrist band, a map and told anything you need to know. We literally pulled up, and were their for no more than two minutes, we even didn’t queue to get to that point. You check in from 12pm, so we thought we would risk turning up at 12 assuming everyone would have the same idea, but nope. We were parked up and smelling that sweet pine smell in no more than 10 minutes.

Once we were out of that car, you’re hit with the freshest of fresh air, and the smell of all of the pine trees – that just gets me, and sends me straight down memory lane. Once you have checked in, you are free to do whatever, then check in to your lodge is 4pm. We had swimming booked for 1pm, so before that I wanted to give Rich a quick run around to show him everything as he didn’t know what to expect in comparison to Whinfell Forest.

Accomodation

Accommodation is simple and exactly what we needed. So for four adults and a one year old. We had two double rooms (one with a double bed, and one with two single beds), a kitchen with all equipment we needed (oven, microwave, hob, kettle, toaster, the lot), bathroom with a shower/bath, toilet and sink, another toilet in the utility cupboard, a living room with a large corner sofa, a TV and log pit, and then a small dining room with a table. Oh and we had French doors that gave us some outdoor space to have a barbeque and outdoor seating.

As well as all that, the accommodation has a hoover, and your basic cleaning facilities, so you can really feel at home during your stay. We had a cot in the room too, and for as long as I remember, all accommodation includes cots, so you don’t have to worry about that with young children.

Village Square

The shopping village is where you will find yourself wandering around alot of the time. It consists of shops, a supermarket, restaurants, bowling and the Subtropical Swimming paradise. Exactly the same shops and restaurant as other Center Parcs locations. The only difference for me is that the area is outdoors, whereas Whinfell Forest is within an indoor complex.

Shopping consists of the Parc Market, which has everything you could possible need while you’re self catered; Treats for all of your sugary goods; Just Kids for those expensive toys that your children ask for and The Store Room has all furniture and treats for the adults.

Food wise, you have plenty of options: Starbucks, Hucks American Bar and Grill, Rajinda Pradesh, Bella Italia and Cafe Rouge. This time around, it was quite difficult to get into restaurants because you have to book in advance, so you couldn’t be spontaneous to just go for some food. So on our first day we had tea booked at Hucks, which is a lovely American themed and child friendly restaurant. Then throughout of our week stay between the four of us, we dipped in and out of Starbucks.

Opposite Starbucks, is a sheltered seating area – where I assume you can just go and sit in whenever you feel like. I had never thought about it, but if I was raining and restaurants where booked up, there isn’t anywhere to take shelter, so this is an amazing idea.

Subtropical Swimming Paradise

The Subtropical Paradise is the one activity included in your stay that is free of charge. Prior to Covid you could do swimming as much, and for as long as you wanted. But now with Covid, and eased restrictions. We were able to go swimming 4 out of the 5 days of our stay, and stay for maximum 4 hours – which was perfect for us. Before you start swimming, you are handed a coloured wristband to allocate your time bracket.

The changing area is great, it is all family friendly, that way you aren’t split up as a family. There are family changing rooms, fitted with a baby change area for bigger families, or ones with babies. Or just your typical changing room. Showers are all along the walkway that leads you in and out of the Subtropical Paradise – plenty of showers for you to jump in before and after swimming. Also, if you need to dry your hair, fear not. There are mirrored areas with hair dryers. To store you’re belongings, there are hundreds of lockers of different sizes along the perimeter walls of the changing areas – no pennies needed. Instead you just tap your key wristband that you use for accommodation to simply lock and unlock your locker.

Swimming at Center Parcs has always been my favourite activity to do. Maybe because we have always visited in the cooler months, and it is something like 29 degrees in there. But mainly for the fact that it is suitable for everyone, you can go in the main wave pool, baby/ kids zones, water slides, lounge areas, cafes, outdoor pools, water rapids…so much fun to be had.

The children’s area is pretty impressive here, split into two sections, one being more for bigger kids, and the other is targeted to babies/ toddlers. Themed like a pirates ship, there are water fountains, you can tip a massive bucket of water, slide down a few different slides (Dexters favourite!). If you are visiting with a baby like we did, it is so perfect, sensory overload for them. Dexter was in awe of the water, found it so fascinating, especially when it was bubbling out of the fountain…mind-blown!

The main pool that you walk out on, is great for everything. It’s the first place I think everyone goes. And make sure you listen out for wave siren, because it turns into a wave pool for a couple of minutes, with dare-devils in the deep end, and families with young children in the shallow end. Either way, everyone seems to have a laugh, even babies!

Dotted around the pools, you can find Jacuzzi’s – most of the time are always pretty full.

Jardin De Sports

You will probably find yourself hanging around here a lot. It is the sports building whether you are playing or watching sport, this is the place to be.

Walking into the centre there is a Fun Zone, with activities for babies, toddlers and young children. Sensory classes, art classes, sports classes you name it. They even have a baby sitting service, say if you and your partner or friend wanted an evening or afternoon at the Aqua Sauna Spa, your child can be left in safe hands.

You will find another Starbucks here over-looking the courts, a Joules shop, Sports Cafe that sells typical pub food and drink, arcade area, soft play, pool and snooker tables and loads of courts to play on like soft tennis, badminton, roller blading and more. This to me is what Center Parcs is all about – trying to cram in as many activities as possible.

**Please note that all activities apart from swimming, costs. Prices vary for any activity you intend to do – but if you are hiring a court, that will include equipment.**

The Beach

There is a little beach located near to the village square, that is right at the lake – it is a lovely well-used beach. We didn’t ever see it empty, even in the Autumn months. It regularly gets raked and is always clean. There is also a barrior going across the lake, so you can be assured that your children will be safe knowing they cant actually go into the lake.

Next to the beach is The Pancake House, we visited for dinner on one of our days. And all enjoyed some sharing Nacho platters and delicious American pancakes for our dinner, after we had all been for a splash in the pools.

Water activities

Having a one year old, we try to open him up to as many activities as we can so hopefully he will be an adventurous little boy. When I saw that over 1’s could go on a peddalo boat, we had to do it. Adults didn’t have to wear a life jacket, but the baby did – so trying to put on a life jacket on a one year old is…fun!

The lake is pretty big, and there are lots of water activities you can get involved in – all different boats to try out too!

Play areas

At the back of the Village square, you can find two areas of wooden play areas, and they are brilliant, more for young children rather than babies and toddlers – but on a whole great for everyone.

There is also another play area next to the Jardin Des Sports, separated into two areas, one for toddles and one for kids.

Dexter absolutely LOVED running around all of them. We got to them early so Dexter could have it to himself. Moments like this are priceless, teaching him how to run on different terrain, master steps and slides. Letting him run around exploring by himself was my highlight of our holiday, he thought it was the best thing (after Toy Story of course).

Go Ape

We didn’t have a go at this – our friends Danny and Leonie did and it looked like they had loads of fun! All of the years of going to Center Parcs, I’ve still never done this. So when the baby is old enough we can do it as a family.

This Go Ape here was pretty impressive, climbing high amongst the trees, and then it ends with a zip line across the lake – I would definitely be in it for the zip line!

The lake and Country Club

The lake is pretty huge. We walked around it a few times, it is a great walk for all of the scenic Center Parcs views. Our main reason to walk around the lake was to have a noisy at the Country Club. We didn’t go in because it wasn’t really our vibe, as it is more of a ‘finished golf’ kinda vibe. But it is a lovely area to visit.

You can also find The Foresters Inn pub in this area too, but was closed for maintenance for our stay. It is a pub where you’ll find yourself tucking into a carvery, home-comfort meals.

Forest

As a whole the forest is very clean and clear of any mess. Even as dogs are allowed to stay here, you don’t come across dog mess anywhere – there are dedicated dog areas that are fenced areas to let you dog off the lead.

One things we noticed was the area of the forest over near the Country Club felt way more posh that the other side. Accommodation seems larger, and the layouts felt like American neighbourhoods almost. We found roads with treehouses on to stay in, they looked incredible, and all of the houses looked larger – they would accommodate for larger or multiple families. Very noticeable, it was nice to walk around, it felt like we were the only people there and it was super quiet, it was a great way to let the baby have a good nap.

When you’re in Center Parcs you need to make sure you put time aside to just wonder the woods, and explore for any hidden gems. The air is so fresh, and walking around whether it is morning or night, it never gets too busy, it is so peaceful.