Family Firsts and Adventure Fun at Center Parcs @centerparcsuk #cpfamilybreaks @tots100 #nottinghamshire

As a Center Parcs family blogger we were invited to try a weekend at one of their parks. We have been to Sherwood Forest a couple of times before (if only for the divine Aqua Sana!) and knew without doubt this was the one we wanted to revisit. It is only around 30 minutes from us but feels like a million miles away.

We love an inset (or insect as our 5yo calls them) day and having two together with a weekend sandwiched in the middle, in glorious June was a treat too good to miss. Isn’t it great when the stars collide like this and things just fall into place!?

Forests are a magical place and there is certainly something in the air at Sherwood Forest that just makes you feel so relaxed you can literally hear your muscles breathe a sigh of relief and your cares and stresses float away. I just love it!

Our accommodation was in a three bedroomed Woodland Lodge situated on the edge of the park. Previously when we have visited we have been closer to the water and had incredibly tame ducks and geese visiting us so it was a lovely change to have more of a woodland position with squirrel and rabbit visitors! One friendly squirrel even took a little visit into our open patio doors. I hasten to add this was when the kids were out (it kept a safe distance until things were a little quieter without them!).

The lodge itself was stylish, comfortable and practical. We had one double and two twin bedrooms with wardrobe storage space and very comfortable beds. There was one bathroom with shower and a fully equipped kitchen including dishwasher and microwave. We particularly loved the huge chalk board in the living area and the relaxing corner sofa in the lounge area.

Obviously a holiday at Center Parcs isn’t just about chilling out in the lodge. There are stacks of activities to try and places to explore. It is the perfect place to try out something you have never done before and have some fun as a family away from the day to day distractions.

Outside of the changeover days (Friday and Monday) cars must be parked in the main car park and are permitted from driving around the park making it a safe place to ride bikes and walk around without the noise and rush of every day life. This has to be one of my favourite things about Center Parcs!

We don’t often go on family bike rides so our Center Parcs break provided the perfect opportunity to try out this “first”. I have to say it was brilliant and we loved zipping about on the bikes. The boys were very security conscious and loved locking up their “wheels”.

You can see from our video at the top of this blog post we had a brilliant time trying out some of the activities! There are so many to choose from and when the boys are a bit older we will have even more choice!

• Junior Quad Bikes – this is for 6-11 year olds and offers a fully supervised opportunity to fulfil any dreams of riding a real quad bike. Perfect for an adventure loving child!

• Segways – these are suitable for 12+ and great fun. It is surprisingly easy to get the hang of the technique and a lovely way to explore the park.

• Aqua jet skis – these took place in a separate pool away from the main Swimming Paradise and are aimed at 3-7 year olds. Great fun and thoroughly recommended for any water baby!

• Climbing Wall – this 20ft indoor wall was located in the sports hall. I can’t help singing “Spiderman, Spiderman does whatever a spider can..” when I watch it.

 

As well as the activities that are available Center Parcs have some brilliant adventure parks for children of all ages. They are largely made from natural materials and so fit in with the ambience and are a great place to hang out.

 

Yet another highlight of our holiday was a family meal (along with my sister and niece!) to Rajinda Pradesh, the delicious Indian Restaurant in the village.

The boys do enjoy Indian food that I cook but it is clearly not in the same league as that from a restaurant. Rajinda Pradesh offer a kids banquet consisting of starter of onion bahji or chicken tikka, a main of korma or tikka massala with rice and naan bread and dessert. It was the perfect introduction to restaurant food for little ones. They loved it!

The adults too had a delicious meal (with cocktails!) and it was a brilliant way to unwind and have family fun without the washing up afterwards! I particuarly enjoyed my deconstructed lemon meringue pie. Yummy!

 

To top off an amazing family weekend Noah won a sweetie hamper from the Treats shops for a colouring competition – well done Noah!

 

Thank you so much to Lizzie at Center Parcs, all the Shiny Red Team and Tots 100 for giving us this awesome opportunity to have a fabulous weekend.

 

Disclosure: We were chosen as Center Parcs Family Bloggers. If you would like to join the team, click here for more details of the monthly challenges.

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