26/09/05
Center Parcs
The family Hicks have just returned from a week at Center Parcs Longleat. While it does have the feel of a Harvester restaurant thats overgrown and taken the ‘Forest Theme’ just that little bit too far, it was a damn good break. As we had taken 3 weeks off to go Australia back in January, we needed a smaller thing for a week that would be small-person friendly. Less travel, more fresh air.
Being able to have a holiday without needing to use a car is very good thing™. We spent the week on hired bicycles with Samantha & Daniel in a trailer on the back of Leigh’s bike. I have no idea how she managed to pull all that weight up hills – I just couldn’t do it! It was exhilarating to be cycling around the forest – a big change from the usual routine of sitting in front of a computer screen.
Being on holiday with kids and no babysitters means that evenings are spent IN. However, we had a very nice pad for the week, and having time to just watch telly was a real treat. We watched the whole series of Long Way Round, and I now want to get a motorbike!
While the setting was beautiful, and the weather on the warm and sunny side of Autumn, the main ‘plaza’ piped Robbie Williams and Dido. That should describe the intended demographic nicely. The other minus was the lack of imagination with childrens menus, with food being a little overpriced generally. No matter, we got a good break, and some fresh air and excercise.
One more thing about Center Parcs – does the logo look familiar? They’ve had it for longer, so I may have to change logos soon!
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Zach said 964 days ago:
Haha @ Logo.I haven’t been to Center Parcs for ages. Only went on day trips personally to see people who were staying there.
Good fun though.
Dan said 964 days ago:
I was in Center Parcs ‘Oasis Whinfell’ in the lake district a few weeks ago. I’ve got to agree, it’s a great break. I also thought of your logo when I saw theirs :PJon said 964 days ago:
I went to Longleat Center Parcs back in ‘95 with a group of ex Uni friends. It was December and it was actually freezing with snow on the ground. There was something very masochistic about jumping in the plunge pool (outside) that just seemed the thing to do! I guess its probably changed there alot but the chalet’s were pretty cool and with a roaring fire and a xmas dinner very cozy indeed!Glad you enjoyed it Jon!
Robin said 964 days ago:
I did some work on the investor relations centre on Center Parcs’ site – they’ve got the best style guide of any client I’ve worked for. Never been to one though.Paul Brownsmith said 964 days ago:
The family and I are off to Longleat next week, and am very much looking forward to it. Glad to hear its a nice break, from what I can see on the website there is plenty to do. The rides and the walks will be very nice.mAce said 964 days ago:
Centre Parcs have always appealed to us too, but we have never actually made it there. God I need a break too, I’ll broach the subject with Mrs M later.On the logo front, I agree, but it also reminds me of the recent Apple re-invention.
Ian Brown said 964 days ago:
I enjoyed myself when I went there. I’ve not been to Longleat, I’ve been to Sherwood Forest and Elverdeen. Sherwood was the worst of the two. Maybe I chose a bad time to go, but there were a lot of people you wouldn’t expect to find there, especially at the prices they charge.Although, it’s odd having to ride everywhere and having such limited access to technology. It’s enjoyable though :).
paul haine said 964 days ago:
Long Way Around is great – I recommend reading the book as well which goes into a lot more detail.Euan said 964 days ago:
Sounds as though you had a good break. I’ve been a couple of times when i was a kid and I thoroughly enjoy both my visits.Andrey said 963 days ago:
Do you always go to places which have logo similar to yours :)It’s probably nice way to plan family vacations. Kids look for green logos, if daddy likes it we will go there. :)
Peter J Lambert said 963 days ago:
I’ve been going to Sherwood every January for the last 17 (I think) years. When I was a kid I used to spend the entire time in the pool, with maybe a few hours out for the roller rink. Not so much now. I hardly went in the pool this year. More time was spent in the bar.I’ve grown up with the place and whilst I can see that it’s very tacky and also a bit delapidated, I still love my holidays there.
2006 will be the first time I’ve been with the little’n though.
Jason Granger said 963 days ago:
I’d say your logo’s a bit… cleaner, I guess, than the Center Parcs logo (no jagged pixely places, like on the Center Parcs site), but I think a new logo would be a nice change to the site.Richard Earney said 963 days ago:
But did you climb up Cley Hill near Horningsham? You get a real view that is quite awe inspiring!Simon Cox said 960 days ago:
Did a mates stag do there about 15 years ago and we had so much fun we went back for 10 consecutive years – longer than the marrige lasted. Every year we would roll up with new drinking games and all sorts of sillynes. We hardly used the facilities and kept out of everyones ways. And when I look back I wonder what Centre Parcs is really like for a break!Jenny said 956 days ago:
I’ve been visiting Center Parcs since I was 7 so, like some other people who have commented, I’ve grown up with it. It’s definitely changed a lot. I’ve never been to Longleat, but would love to try it. I’m off to Sherwood again on Friday so we’ll see if those “people you wouldn’t expect to find there” are still there!