See our Center Parcs video entry here!
My little Boo turned Big 2 three weeks ago and to celebrate I booked a week's break to Center Parcs Longleat. I booked the hol ages in advance (I am annoyingly forward thinking) and had booked up pretty much every activity on offer for her age group! I reserved bikes for us, with a seat on DaddyBear's bike for Boo (she'd never been on a bike before!). I paid an extra £49 to be in the centre, and chose a Woodland Lodge opposite the Plaza and Pool. I kept this all a secret from my husband so to surprise at Christmas (and so that I could book just what I liked without having to check with him!)
I was so excited about it in the lead up, and when we arrived I was not disappointed! The forest itself is absolutely beautiful! You are surrounded by trees and it feels truly magical. Our Lodge was very modern, clean and had everything we needed for a short break! Boo ran around (donned in her new swim vest, obviously!) squealing with excitement and helped set up her cot (provided in the Lodge, and not a travel cot!!) We went swimming that evening, and every evening after! It was wonderful to have the pool right on our doorstep and we all loved the heated outdoor pool where we could swim beneath the stars! Like I said; magical!
This challenge asks you to 'describe your family's perfect day at Center Parcs', and never has there been an easier task for me! All the days we had there were truly perfect! Being in such a glorious setting, with so many activities on your doorstep was just wonderful! It makes holidaying with a little one an absolute pleasure! DaddyBear and I have taken Boo on several self-catering holidays in this country and always find it quite stressful, settling her in, finding things to do, fitting them around her routine and driving to and from them. Where as at Center Parcs you can choose the activities that suit you, hang out in the pool whenever you want, eat at many different restaurants, or eat in, and it's ALL on your doorstep!
My absolute favourite day there was a busy but brilliant on! We got up early and caught the Land Train (from the stop just opposite our Lodge! Very Handy!) Boo 'chugga chugga' and 'choo choo' ing all the way! And travelled to the Jardin Des Sports for some 18 months - 3 years football coaching! I think it's so great that they offer fun activities like this for the little ones and not just the big kids! Boo loved running around, collecting coloured cones in the warm up, and then enjoyed carrying the ball around for the rest of the session! It was great, relaxed fun!
We then popped into the Sports cafe for a coffee while Boo burned of some more steam in the soft play area they have (which is really well designed, clean and great fun!). After a quick breather we were off to the Time Out Club for some painting fun! I stayed with Boo while DaddyBear had a stroll around the beautiful lake. She did more painting than she's ever done in her life (she's a very active child and won't sit still to paint for long!) and we have some of them up proudly on display in her playroom now, and will treasure them forever.
We walked back through the beautiful forest to our place for some lunch and a nap and then headed off again, this time on our bikes to Owl Infants. Boo is animal obsessed and absolutely loved seeing all the different owls! The ladies running this session are the owners of the owls and obviously have a real passion for falconry, which is fantastic to teach children all about them with genuine enthusiasm!
We cycled back to the Plaza and went for a quick swim, and some flume fun (Boo is a total daredevil!) and then dried ourselves off and headed to The Pancake House for a Pancake Buffet (AMAZING!) and Magic Show! Now remember Boo is only 2, I wasn't sure how well her attention span would last having sat through dinner and then an hour and a half show, but she loved it! The meal was perfect because there was so much choice it was easy to keep her happy with different things and when the show started with Nutty Noah she was completely enraptured! Literally did not take her eyes off him the entire time! He was very funny and had all the adults entertained too (particularly DaddyBear who has a very loud, embarrassing laugh!). On our walk home Boo could not stop talking about 'the magic man' and all the funny things he had done!We dragged our weary bodies to bed and slept blissfully, having had one of the very best days of our lives.
I know this post sounds a bit OTT in it's love for Center Parcs, but I promise you I am not easily pleased and do not take to places very easily. This post is 100% genuinely from the heart.
To prove it I shall let you all in on a little secret- I've booked to go back again next year! As a 'surprise' for DaddyBear's 30th Birthday!!! But shhh, it's a secret!
MummyBear
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