We had been to Center Parcs several times before, and are both fans. But everything changes with a baby, so would Center Parcs adapt well to suit our new little family.
We went for Gary's 30th Birthday week in January and Ruby was just over 3 months, we chose Sherwood Forest for a few reasons, mainly due to it being the nearest, and we felt comfortable driving that far with Ruby knowing it shouldn't be a problem, but we had also been to Sherwood before so knew our way around and what the terrain would be like for a buggy. However when it came to our arrival day home was covered in a foot or snow and Sherwood Forest wasn't far behind, very beautiful it has to be said, so terrain made little difference with snow on the ground, however first positive the tracks and paths were well gritted and our buggy easily coped although we used the carrier mostly, our preference.
Arrival was easy Ruby had just started crying as we arrived and the lady who welcomed us did it as swiftly as she could to help, which was appreciated :-) we found our villa, an executive 2 bedroom villa in the Pine area, we swiftly unpacked across the snow.
The villa as usual was up to Center Parcs high standard, we had a high chair and a wooden cot, all we needed was cot bedding, firstly the cot was excellent prior to our break I had been trawling through forums trying to find reviews including what the cots were like, we have a travel cot but it took up so much room in the car we decided we would use the one supplied, and it was great, a nice size, easy to assemble, clean and with a nice mattress, I was delighted. The bonus being Ruby loved it too and slept like a log every night, we had her in our room and slightly moving the very easily movable bed allowed enough room for her to be along my side of the bed, which is just what I wanted.
The next most important thing and the next thing I had been worrying about was weather the microwave would fit out Avent steriliser in, and be able to spin it around, it did and was very easy to work and find the right settings.
After setting up home, we went for a stroll up into the village square and the pac mart, and although we had packed all our baby bits we looked at the good range of baby essentials they had on offer. Good to know for next time.
We had a lovely mix of family nights in watching DVDs and painting by numbers (don't ask haha), and a couple spent out at the Sports Cafe, eating burgers (buy one get one free night :-)) ) and playing pool whilst Ruby slept in her buggy by the side. We felt very welcome in the evenings to sit in the Sports Cafe with Ruby on the sofas, with Gary enjoying the football and me enjoying the free wifi. The wildlife was great and Ruby loved seeing the geese right outside. My highlight was our fire on the last night which was lovely after a cold afternoon out in the snow.
Activity wise was were our holiday was different to previous ones, we decided to mainly swim which Ruby enjoyed, tip for younger babies at Sherwood, go up to the outdoor pool but stay in the little piece of it that is actually inside, the water felt a lot warmer than the main pool. Ruby loved swimming outside as she was gazing at the sky and waterfall, our swimming sessions lasted about half an hour in the water and then half an hour either side for changing, maybe a little longer, so defiantly filled our afternoons. The changing facilities were good at Sherwood, although on our next holiday in March to Penrith Center Parcs they were put to shame, an update needed there CPs, excellent electronic lockers and plenty of family changing rooms at Penrith, but by no means were Sherwood's bad, they could just do with a few more changing rooms with baby tables, as at the busy times you may find you need to wait, but get baby wrapped up in your towels and this is a minor thing, but room for improvement.
Like I said we spent some time in the Sports Cafe, playing pool and we did plenty of walks, our holiday felt full, we also spent time relaxing at the villa and watching DVDs the wifi was great for sharing photos with family whilst we were away.
We didn't on this occasion, but we had before and a friend has since with their baby, completed the treasure hunt, great way to win a free activity if you collect the clues the quickest, and if you don't win its a great value afternoon filler.
Our second break to Penrith, Ruby was 5 months, and since we had already been to Sherwood I felt far more organised I didn't pack anywhere near as much, we had an lakeside apartment this time,and didn't know what to expect.
Firstly it was lovely, well done Center Parcs on creating a great value accommodation option, we were villa lovers but the apartment really impressed us and we would not hesitate to re book into one. Great open plan and everything you need with a lovely kitchen, without really knowing your in an apartment not a villa, except for the fire alarm going off once. I understand CPs have to follow fire safety however their smoke detectors are VERY sensitive I set the one in our villa off every night, honestly I burnt noting, and although I never set it off int the apartment I lived in fear it.
So baby furniture in the apartment, we were really pleased after being told on the phone there may not be a cot or high chair, on arrival we had a high chair set up at the table, and after checking the cupboard, a band new travel cot, easy to set up, great size, easy to move around, and again Ruby slept like a log every night.
The location was great, close to all the main bits, a massive plus for Penrith is that there villagesquare is undercover, nice for miserable afternoons. Again we filled our time with trips to the pool, walks and games of pool, we added in a game of badminton- we booked one of the last sessions and took Ruby in the push chair and played with her on the side lines. We also tried the geocache challenge, basically a GPS treasure hunt, when we did this we had Ruby in the carrier, which was great and after about a 5 mile walk, maybe less, we WON, much to our surprise. A great way to explore the parc. So we chose a round of adventure golf as our prize, which was excellent, made even better as we were joined by a red squirrel.
All in all a great holiday, made extra special as it was my birthday this time, and Gary proposed, I couldn't have picked a better place, Center Parcs will always be special to us, a moonlit walk after playing pool at the Jardin de Sports on our last night, stopping at a little group of benches off one of the paths near the nature hut, it was the last thing I was expecting from Gary, to watch him get out two glasses and a bottle of bubbly from the changing bag and a ring from his pocket :-)
Over night it snowed heavily, and we thought we might be stuck to we left before lunch after a cooked breakfast at the Sports Cafe and a quick visit to the Pac Mart to buy much needed baby milk and snacks in case we got stuck we set off on a very snowy long journey home, which much to our relief Ruby slept though, and then slept through the first night home too...bonus :-)
Although we hadn't weaned Ruby yet on either of our holidays, we noticed the great facilities in the restaurants for babies, microwave, bottle warmers and food, and plenty of high chairs and play areas for bigger kids.
Like I said the changing rooms were excellent at Penrith for families, and the furniture in the villa and apartment was also great, I wouldn't even consider packing our travel cot next time. Another great facility at Penrith was the family toilets, which had baby changing, a tv with cartoons on, and different height toilets, something for everyone and great for all stages of family life, I was very impressed :-)
Near both sites are large supermarkets, so if you don't want to cram the car full of food for the whole journey buy close to the parc.
Next time, we defiantly will be getting a baby bike tailer or taking our own, and we will probably use the creche at some point but we weren't ready to leave Ruby on either of these holidays, and our holiday didn't suffer so its only a maybe for next time, however we did have a nosey at the creche at both parcs and they looked lovely, and the babies or children seem to have plenty to do.
There is also a soft play activity for young children I saw this at Penrith and it looked fantastic!
Thanks CP
C
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