Alternatives to Center Parcs
If you've always dreamed of experiencing Center Parcs but don't fancy the crowds, expensive accommodation and activity costs, you're not alone. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to Center Parcs in the UK offering the same nature-meets-comfort package with so much to do, see and explore.
- Why look for alternatives?
- Which companies to consider?
- Where to find Center Parcs
- Something slightly different
- Looking further afield in the UK
- Alternatives in mainland Europe
Why look for alternatives to Center parcs?
While Center Parcs can draw in the crowds for its family-friendly activities, indoor water park and beautiful woodlands, it's notoriously expensive, particularly during school holidays and bank holidays, when prices more than double.
You'll also have to pay extra for many of the activities, including hiring bikes and accessing the spa. Add this all up and the price of a week at Center Parcs with the family can be more expensive than a fortnight abroad.
Center Parcs' accommodation can get booked up very quickly and once you're there, it can be extremely busy, causing overcrowding on pathways and inside its famous Subtropical Swimming Paradise.
If you're visiting Center Parcs to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the congestion can feel disappointing. Plus, depending on where you live in the UK, you may find it tricky to access one of the Center Parcs villages since it only offers a choice of five locations.
The good news is that there are so many alternatives to Center Parcs where you can experience the beauty of nature alongside fun-filled activities and the feeling of getting away from it all. And the best part? Many of the places we recommend here can be significantly cheaper than a break at Center Parcs. Let's explore...
Which companies should you consider instead?
With so many beautiful beaches and woodlands across the UK, it's no surprise that there are many top-rated holiday village companies making use of them all.
Whether you fancy a pet-friendly log cabin with a private hot tub in the forest or a spacious caravan with easy access to the seaside, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to self-catering staycations in the UK. Discover some of the best alternative companies to Center Parcs below.
Away Resorts
With over 20 holiday parks across the UK, including in Cornwall and Scotland, Away Resorts provides comfortable and convenient accommodation that's typically more affordable than Center Parcs.
Whether you're planning a romantic retreat, family break or a hot tub holiday, you're sure to enjoy the many caravans, lodges and cottages on offer from Away Resorts.
Not only does it provide the perfect base for exploring the wonderful surroundings, but there's also a great selection of activities, events and entertainment on offer, including watersports, high ropes courses, archery, summer festivals, theatre shows, linked bingo and karaoke.
Bluestone National Park
If you're looking for luxury accommodation in nature that isn't oversubscribed like Center Parcs, Bluestone National Park provides a great alternative.
Situated within 500 acres of rolling countryside with 186 miles of coast path and over 50 beaches surrounding it, the national park resort is nestled in the heart of Pembrokeshire, just two minutes from the A40.
As well as the surrounding beautiful scenery, guests at Bluestone National Park have the chance to participate in many different family-friendly activities, including ziplining, mountain biking, bowling, archery, swimming, kayaking and messy play. There are also on-site restaurants, themed events and a relaxing spa with award-winning therapists.
Forest Holidays
Situated across 13 different forest locations including Cheshire, Hampshire and North Yorkshire, Forest Holidays provides relaxing staycations with plenty of things to see and do, including cycling, archery and axe-throwing.
Like Center Parcs, Forest Holidays is pet-friendly and suitable for all age groups, however, a four-night stay at a Forest Holidays location will cost farless than a Monday-to-Friday booking at Center Parcs, making it a much cheaper alternative to the big-name brand.
Plus, it's more peaceful, and the on-site private hot tubs provide the perfect place to relax and soak your feet after a woodland stroll or bike ride.
Haven Holidays
Haven Holidays provides family-friendly holiday parks in some of the UK's most scenic spots, including Devon, Northumberland and the Lake District. There's a wide variety of accommodation types to choose from, including lodges, caravans, apartments, chalets and glamping, each one providing the perfect base for exploring the brand's 38 parks and their idyllic surroundings.
Just like Center Parcs, there's a variety of activities available for children and adults, including watersports, ranger activities, active sports and creative activities.
Whether you're planning a stay for four nights, seven nights, 10 nights or a fortnight, Haven Holidays is significantly cheaper than Center Parcs. Shorter two-night stays are also available.
Parkdean Resorts
As the UK's largest holiday park operator, Parkdean Resorts is already a household name with 66 locations across the country, including in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Scotland and Wales.
A winner of multiple British Travel Awards, Parkdean Resorts has plenty up its sleeve for guests when they're not exploring the nearby beaches, lakeside retreats or the surrounding countryside.
There are arcades, playgrounds, swimming pools, gyms, spas, bars, restaurants, and so much more, with selected parks also equipped with additional features such as a ski centre and a marina with boat launching facilities. Flexible booking with low deposits is also available across its complete collection of resorts.
Where will you find Center Parcs in the UK?
Center Parcs has five different locations across England; each one offers a variety of accommodation types, activities and dining options:
- Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire
- Whinfell Forest, Cumbria
- Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
- Elveden Forest, Suffolk
- Longleat Forest, Wiltshire
Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire
Located in Bedfordshire, Woburn Forest is just over an hour's drive from London, making it a popular Center Parcs site for those visiting from the city.
However, there are many other alternative holiday parks where you can stay that provide access to Bedfordshire's beautiful scenery and its many attractions without breaking the bank.
Some of the must-dos in and around Bedfordshire include Whipsnade Zoo, Woburn Safari Park* and Wrest Park*. There are also farms, museums, golf courses, spas and of course, Woburn Forest, home to beautiful woodland and fantastic walking and cycling trails.
Discover some of the alternative holiday park providers you can stay with in the Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire area below:
Whinfell Forest, Cumbria
Tucked into the much-loved Lake District, Center Parcs in Whinfell Forest is great for those looking for a scenic and comfortable stay in the heart of nature. However, there are many alternative places to stay in the Cumbria and Lake District area that don't come with the busy crowds and expensive nightly rates of Center Parcs.
Discover some of the alternative places to stay in Whinfell Forest, Cumbria, where you can explore its scenic landscapes, beautiful lakes, woodland trails and historic castles below:
| Provider | Holiday park | Postcode |
|---|---|---|
 |
Borwick Lakes - South Lakeland Leisure Village Borwick Lane, Borwick, Carnforth, Cumbria |
LA6 1BH |
 |
Fallbarrow Holiday Park Windermere, Lake District, Cumbia |
LA23 3DL |
|
Fell End Holiday Park Slackhead Road, Hale, Milnthorpe, Cumbria |
LA7 7BS |
|
Gatebeck Holiday Park Kendal, Lake District, Cumbria |
LA8 0HL |
|
Hall More Holiday Park & Fishery Hale, Milnthorpe, Cumbria |
LA7 7BP |
 |
Lakeland Leisure Park Moor Lane, Flookburgh, Cumbia |
LA11 7LT |
|
Limefitt Holiday Park Windermere, Lake District, Cumbria |
LA23 1PA |
|
Lowther Holiday Park Eamont Bridge, Penrith, Cumbria |
CA10 2JB |
|
The Yealands - South Lakeland Leisure Village Borwick Lane, Borwick, Carnforth, Cumbria |
LA6 1BH |
|
White Cross Bay Holiday Park Windermere, Lake District, Cumbria |
LA23 1LF |
Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
Famed for being the alleged home of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, Sherwood Forest attracts visitors from far and wide thanks to its diverse wildlife, rich history, activity centres and the legendary Major Oak, one of the oldest and largest oak trees in Britain. It's no surprise, then, that Center Parcs chose this location for its original UK village.
However, those wanting to explore Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, needn't be put off by the price tags of Center Parcs as there are many more affordable, action-packed accommodation options available in and around the area.
Explore some of the best alternative accommodation options in the Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire area below:
| Provider | Holiday park | Postcode |
|---|---|---|
 |
Sherwood Forest Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire |
NG21 9JH |
 |
Clumber Park Lodges Worksop, Nottinghamshire |
S80 3BQ |
Elveden Forest, Suffolk
With its inviting surroundings and flat terrain, Center Parcs in Elveden Forest, Suffolk, draws in nature lovers and keen cyclists. But there's no need to pay a fortune on Center Parcs prices to enjoy the forest's wonderful scenery and all it has to offer nearby, including spas, museums, quaint country pubs, bowling facilities and a Go Ape adventure park.
Discover some of the great alternatives to Center Parcs in Elveden Forest, Suffolk below:
| Provider | Holiday park | Postcode |
|---|---|---|
 |
Broadland Sands Lowestoft, Suffolk |
NR32 5LQ |
|
Carlton Meres Saxmundham, Suffolk |
IP17 2QP |
|
Felixstowe Beach Felixstowe, Suffolk |
IP11 2HA |
|
Kessingland Beach Holiday Park Kessingland, Suffolk |
NR33 7RW |
|
Pakefield Pakefield, Suffolk |
NR33 7BQ |
|
Suffolk Sands Felixstowe, Suffolk |
IP11 2TS |
Longleat Forest, Wiltshire
Longleat Forest in Wiltshire is huge, spanning over 4,000 acres and boasting large, ancient, semi-natural woodland, all the while attracting active visitors who love the great outdoors.
Fortunately, you don't need to pay Center Parcs prices to explore everything the area has to offer, including Longleat Safari Park and the world-famous prehistoric monument, Stonehenge*. Explore some of the cheaper and quieter accommodation options below:
| Provider | Holiday park | Postcode |
|---|---|---|
 |
Sandy Glade Holiday Park Burnham-on-Sea, Wiltshire |
TA8 2QX |
Something slightly different
Fancy something a little out of the ordinary? Many holiday companies around the UK provide a great selection of alternative breaks that differ from the Center Parcs' range of activities in the outdoors but still provide the same enjoyment, relaxation and memories that last a lifetime.
PGL Travel
Providing adventure holidays since 1957, PGL Travel serves up a wide variety of activities and educational experiences across various locations in the UK and France. Some of the many things you can do on a PGL Travel break include abseiling, kayaking, zip wiring, forest walks and archery.
One of the great things about PGL is that, unlike Center Parcs, all activities are included in the price. What's more, there's flexible booking, loyal customer discounts, and you can pay a low deposit from just £50pp and spread the rest of your payments over time.
National Trust Holidays
Those who love the great outdoors are sure to appreciate the holiday cottages, hotels, camping locations, bothies and bunkhouses on offer from National Trust Holidays, with accommodation available by the coast, in the countryside and at National Trust places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In addition to the scenery and surroundings, guests experiencing a National Trust holiday can also access National Trust places* for free during their stay and explore the local environment through guided walks and bike rides. There are also kids-go-free deals available, with dogs also welcome in over 300 of its holiday cottages.
About National Trust Holidays >>
Feather Down
For families with children who love farm animals, Feather Down provides the perfect place to enjoy quality time on a small-scale farm. Providing a fun-filled off-grid experience for visitors of all ages, it offers 22 different locations across the UK, including Kent, Devon, Somerset, Norfolk and Essex, with an additional 46 sites across Europe.
As well as the opportunity to tour the farm and meet an array of different animals, Feather Down also provides the chance to participate in cooking outdoors, take in spectacular views, gaze at the stars away from light pollution and hire bikes to explore the grounds.
Looking further afield in the UK
Got the urge to travel further and explore different parts of the UK? Many holiday parks across the UK provide alternative experiences in tucked-away areas you may not have previously visited. Here's a quick overview of some of the different holiday providers offering comfortable accommodation off the beaten path.
Wood Leisure
Wood Leisure provides a selection of six award-winning holiday parks around Scotland, with each site offering the perfect base for exploring the surroundings, discovering the local wildlife and visiting nearby attractions.
Accommodation is available for every type of budget, party size and holiday size; there's even luxury camping and lodges with hot tubs available. And with the Wood Leisure app, you can enjoy your own digital concierge service that provides top tips on what to do and see and where to eat and drink, as well as an overview of the park and any local events taking place.
Pure Leisure
Another great holiday park provider with locations across the North, as well as in Wales and Norfolk, is Pure Leisure. With different accommodation types on offer, including camping pods, glamping pods, caravans, lodges and cottages, guests have the perfect base for exploring the great outdoors and the surrounding countryside. Dogs are welcome, too.
What's more, Pure Leisure (unlike Center Parcs) offers any-day arrivals and low-deposit booking options. Some locations also offer leisure facilities such as indoor heated swimming pools and air-conditioned gyms.
Why not consider alternatives in Europe?
If your heart's set on a memorable adventure but you quite fancy a break from the UK, there are many alternative holiday parks in and around mainland Europe. And thanks to the various easy ferry crossings available, as well as the convenience of Le Tunnel (the Channel Tunnel), you can get to lots of these with your own vehicle.
Eurocamp
Suitable for families, groups, couples, individuals and even dogs, Eurocamp has been a popular outdoor holiday company for over 50 years with a collection of more than 400 parks offering spacious accommodation, a choice of dining options and multiple facilities and activities to enjoy.
With parks to explore in France, Italy, Spain, Croatia and the Netherlands, it's a great (and affordable) option for those looking to enjoy the picturesque outdoors in some of the most stunning locations in Europe, be it by the coast, on an island or close to a ferry port or airport for convenience and easy access.
There are also parks with waterparks and kids' clubs on site, and guests have the option to choose the day they arrive and how long to stay; two perks that Center Parcs is unable to offer.
EuroParcs
With over 50 holiday parks dotted around some of the most inviting spots in Europe, including in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, EuroParcs promises an unforgettable break in the middle of nature with each site located close to forests, by the mountains or next to the water.
Guests can choose to rent a house, glamp or camp. And just like Center Parcs, there are many activities for the whole family to enjoy, including swimming, hiking, fishing and children's entertainment. Restaurants, bars, watersports activities, mini golf courses and beach clubs are available, too.
Pierre & Vacances
If beaches and mountain views are on your holiday checklist, it won't be hard for Pierre & Vacances to tempt you with its self-catering accommodation in various spots around Europe, including in France, Greece, Italy, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
Offering low deposits and flexible stays, Pierre & Vacances provides activities for the whole family to enjoy with tailored packages available at its many residences, holiday villages and aparthotels.
Some of the many activities you can take part in include family games, kids' clubs, sporting tournaments, children's workshops and spa therapies with ski services such as lift passes, ski rental and ski schools also available at selected locations.
So let's sum things up: there's no need to pay a fortune, endure overcrowding and stress about booking your accommodation months in advance to experience the peace and tranquillity of nature, thanks to the many amazing (and more affordable) alternatives to Center Parcs, be it in the UK or across Europe.
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