The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Park yourself in Ireland’s forests
Claire Spreadbury heads to Longford Forest to see how one of the most exciting new family escapes is shaping up
M y legs have turned to jelly as I cling to a rope for dear life. My hands are shaking and my brain is wondering why on earth I thought tree trekking with my husband and kids was going to be a good idea. But as I sit back in the harness and zip-wire my way to the end, my heart knows we made some proper family memories in the last 45 minutes.
For my kids to see me equally as scared (OK, more scared) than them, but feeling the fear and doing it anyway, is big, heart-pumping, bonding stuff. And once I get to the bottom and free my body from all the ropes, I’m proud of myself too.
Having adventures together is one of the main reasons families come to Center Parcs. There’s indoor and outdoor fun as well as total relaxation and accommodation in lovely wooden lodges that blend into the forest perfectly.
For me and my family, it’s one of our absolute favourite places. So when we heard about Longford Forest – the latest addition that’s only just opened in Ireland, we couldn’t wait to come and see it. a bit less cover. There are some nice touches with water features as well, artsy installations around the crazy golf course and beautiful wild flower growth, injecting even more colour into the outside space.
Restaurants-wise, there are two exclusive eateries in Longford. The main one is Cara’s Kitchen and Bar, which uses local produce and offers all the family favourites for between €12-€30 (£10-£27), kids main meals from €6 (£5.50). The space is light and airy, with lots of glass and funky wicker lampshades, the staff are really attentive, but the thing we like most is the injection of live music – something synonymous with Ireland. Come 9pm on Saturday night, local musician KTG is tuning up and playing some cover songs, and we can’t get enough of it.
Other new and exclusive additions include The Coffee House, serving a Java Republic caffeine fix, and a host of massages and facials. Aqua Sana Longford offers treatments by VOYA – a family-run Irish brand, which produces organic and sustainable cosmetics, using seaweed handpicked off the west coast of Ireland.
The VOYA Men’s Revive and Refresh Face and Body is only available here, and focuses on relieving muscle tension, while reducing signs of tiredness. My other half James felt the tension disappear as his legs were pummelled during an invigorating massage, with tailored strokes across his back and shoulders.
I find the best way to arrive for a treatment is to be completely stressed. As a busy, working mum, this is easy for me, but as I stroll to the spa, Rosie, 10, and Poppy, 7, pedal off on their
I find the best way to arrive for a spa treatment is to be completely stressed. As a busy mum, this is easy for me