Center Parcs Convert

So this year I was introduced for the first time ever to the glorious place that is Center Parcs. In all honesty I don’t know why I avoided it for these 31 years, because I did it by choice. I did not want to go to Center Parcs! Never had.

I know. Ridiculous. 

After having now been, I don’t know why I denied myself the sweet sweet joy for so long. I know some people will read this and think how ridiculous it sounds that of all the places in the world my new favourite is Center Parcs, but it really and truly is. 

I absolutely love it.

I always thought of Center Parcs as some sort of a healthy Butlins type of thing, and I don’t know what advert I saw for it but I had the vision of it all being under some sort of weird dome. This advert was on when I was a child so forgive me if the details are a little foggy, and I’ve distorted it somewhat in my adult mind. 

I remember two people cycling along the woods, but underneath a dome. 

I thought it was like that film with Pauly Shore; Bio Dome. It was out in the 90’s about people living under a dome! Maybe I watched that film and then an advert for Center Parcs came on and my wires got crossed, but anyway I digress. I didn’t want to go to Center Parcs.

Flash forward a couple of decades, and a death in the family meant a family trip away. Mum wanted to go to Center Parcs, she raved about it, having been a couple of times before, so I thought Ok fair enough let’s go. Our Nan had passed, Flange was sad, she can choose. Flange = Ange =My Mum to quickly explain the name change.

I was excited about spending a week with my family so where we were was not a bother to me. I was just happy to be with them, play some games, and generally just hang out with my nephew Gingey.

From the moment we hit the car park though I was loving it. Trees, trees, trees, as far as the eye can see. I love the woods, so being surrounded by trees was immediately up my street. It might be obvious to others that this is what Center Parcs is, but I’ll take you back to Bio Dome where I thought it was all fake and crap. 

Yes I know it sounds ridiculous!

It is such a wonderful place to get back to nature, be good to yourself, and get yourself off the technology highway which is so difficult to avoid in this day and age, and being as most of us are addicts, we don’t want to usually escape.

You can choose how cheap or expensive you want to make it. For example we joined in on a few activities which bumped up our spending, but we made sure we did things that you don’t really do in everyday life. We did archery of which some excelled more than others. This didn’t stop me and my sister Laura screaming like fools though when we hit the board, transforming our quiet group into chatty expressive cheerers with us.  

We believe we broke the ice for those around us to become a bit more extrovert than they usually would be.

We decided to hit the lake another day so we booked onto a Katacanoe. That as I found out was a 6 man canoe. I would recommend it as it was only £16 for 40 mins and that between 6 is nothing really. Be aware though there has to be a level of communication, skill, and synchronised team work. All of this we severely lacked which led to us going in various directions and narrowly avoiding some near hits with fellow canoers, paddle boaters etc. I would go as far as to say we were a danger to those around us. 

I even finally went on a pedalo, which is not as fun as it always seemed from shore. Combination of tired legs and sneaking ciders onto the lake meant we floated and enjoyed the sun more than anything else.

We visited the sports hall a few times, which can add up depending on how many activities you do, and for how long. The list of activities is endless, and if you’ve got the cash, join in. Like I said though you can keep it cheap. You’re surrounded by nature trails to fill your boots with. The pool is amazing, and the rapids just make you feel like a child again. As long as you don’t mind some near death collisions, and occasionally landing head first on someone’s ass or in someone’s crotch. I got rapids bingo on that one!

It is just a fantastic place to get back to nature, and get back to yourself. Enjoy your time, and time with loved ones. It really refreshes you, and everyone seems of the same relaxed mind set. Everyone is helpful and friendly, and I think if we could just take the ethos we feel when in Center Parcs and apply it to real life we would all live in a much better world.

I LOVE CENTER PARCS AND I DON’T CARE WHO KNOWS!