Parc life has all you need for a fun-time family stay away
Getting into a two-person inflatable raft, in a swimming costume, is one of the most ungainly things you can possibly do, writes Claire Spreadbury after taking her kids to the family-friendly retreat in Longleat Forest.
But as I straddle the figure of eight-shaped rubber ring, gripping on to the handles and waiting for the green light of the Typhoon, I can’t say I really care.
We’re all here for a bit of family fun, and trying out Center Parcs’ newest water ride is making me feel a bit giddy. So what’s it like? I’m not much of a water-slide fan any more, but the Typhoon, I have to say, is great.
It’s family friendly, fast and quick, with a bit of splashing, but not too scary.
To add to the fun factor, you can choose your own lighting theme – from treetops to rainbow – by pressing a button at the top, then swooshing down the tunnel. But wait, there’s more ... For those needing something a little more exciting, the Tropical Cyclone has also just landed here at Longleat Forest.
Up to four of you can go on a raft at any one time and there are mega drops and adrenaline pumping twists and turns. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but is a whole heap of fun.
The rides are the latest addition to the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, where even on a rainy day in the school holidays, it never feels too busy.
There are lots of different areas, so you can head to the main pool for squeals galore as you jump over the surf from the wave machine, splash about in a shallow kids’ play area, hang out in the outdoor spa pool, and slide down flumes of every size and variety.
Oh, and be sure to drift down the lazy river at least 17 times, like us, and try out the fun rapids. What else is there to do? What isn’t there to do? The great thing about Center Parcs is there’s an abundance of activities going on and you can choose how much, or how few, you fancy doing.
We try out Den Building and Decorating – one of the newer family activities.
Unlike the usual sofa and sheets affair that goes on at home, we head out into the woods where three thin logs have been tied together to start us off.
We have a massive pile of twigs, branches and logs, a tarpaulin, some leaves, and four pairs of hands ready to get dirty.
We work together to make a small, pyramid-shaped den.
At the end, all the families go round inspecting the different dens, and one person from each clan has to sit inside while the waterproofing test takes place, and then we have to dismantle the whole thing.
It costs £46.50 (however big your party) and lasts for an hour and a half.
We had a really good time getting stuck in, but there are oodles of other activities too, from sports and quad biking, to ten-pin bowling and photography lessons. They all cost extra. Adults also get to have fun. The Aqua Sana spa can be used by day guests, as well as anyone staying at Center Parcs. The spa itself consists of 25 ‘experiences’, from the Indian blossom steam room and the hydro pool, to the Tyrolese sauna and reflexology footbaths.
A three-hour session costs £39 per person.
You can time spa sessions to coincide with kids’ club sessions too.
Of all the Center Parcs locations, Longleat always feels the most sprawling, so hiring a bike is an ideal way to get about. How about the food and drink? In line with the spend as much or as little as you like ethos that seems to apply everywhere at Center Parcs, the modern wooden lodges are fully decked out with everything you need to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner all week long. But if you fancy eating out, there are a whole host of restaurants to choose from, and even a takeaway, too.
A weekend break at Longleat Forest for a Woodland Lodge (sleeps up to four) starts from £499.
For further information on Center Parcs and to book, visit centerparcs.co.uk