Family fun at Center Parcs
THERE are no stresses, just the welcome strain of working your way through a huge array of adult and child-friendly activities. A Center Parcs stay is a revelation, says actor Robert Lindsay.
THE problem with being a parent is kids! I know I’m sounding like that cantankerous father Ben Harper, whom I play in BBC comedy My Family, but I have to model him on someone. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, but come on – I’ve got a life, they’ve got a life, we all have. So let’s try to meet halfway.
We found the perfect happy medium at Center Parcs. I had a short break in my filming schedule that coincided with half-term for Sam, eight, and five-year-old Jamie, so we decided to give one a go. My 19-year-old daughter had been with friends years ago and really enjoyed it. Elveden Forest in Suffolk wasn’t the nearest Parc to the family home in London but we like to have a bit of a drive when we’re going away.
The overwhelming positive for me as we arrived was the lack of cars. I hate cars, even though I drive one. At the Parc they have a big parking area concealed by bushes. Vehicles disappear for the duration of your stay, while you use bikes to get around. No traffic! What a stress-beater.
Our “executive” lodge was one that has been restyled by award-winning designer Tara Bernerd. It was a home away from home, with cool furnishings and wall-mounted plasma TV, a nice forest view and even a sauna. The kids went crazy when they saw where we were staying; there was bags of space, an open fire and even a table that converted into a pool table.
The first thing my wife Rosie and I did was go for a massage in the spa lodge, which was fantastic. We then did an exploration, locating the huge main arena, housing everything from indoor swimming pool to cinema, where we picked up our bikes for the stay. The arena proved to be about a 10-minute gentle cycle away from our lodge.
Our stay was from a Thursday to a Sunday. In the mornings, we’d wander down to the shop to buy our food for breakfast, the only meal of the day we’d eat at the lodge. Then we’d depart for our different activities. The boys would go to archery or quad-biking, for example, while I went fishing (I had to be taught again, it’s been so long!). We’d then all get together to do something like sailing, which I love, on the Parc’s lake.
The instructors were amazing. I don’t know where they find them but they are superb. We’d either leave the boys with them, or stay and wait while they did their activities. There was always something for the adults to do as well, such as table tennis, rather than just hanging around.
You’ll never have experienced such active days. Also on offer were such things as abseiling, rollerblading, badminton and bowling. After lunch we’d have a siesta, then more activities, then bike home for a sauna and shower, before dressing for dinner – well, for a bike ride then dinner! There are just so many ways to busy yourself at Center Parcs and work up an appetite for a meal you’ll feel you’ve really earned.
The restaurants cater for every taste. There were ones with their own wine lists and ones with child-friendly zones, so the brats – sorry, children – could have fun while you can pretend to be an adult for a while. I love Sunday brunch, from my time working in America, and there was a great restaurant for this, stocked with every Sunday newspaper.
One night we were given a cabaret – well, actually more of a full-blown show with a professional West End feel to it. Our food continued to be served as it played out. after dessert, there was a lovely nightcap for the two grown-ups, while the boys sat enthralled by the show.
I’ve always felt that this country hasn’t really developed the mentality to deal with children and adults together, unlike such countries as France and Spain but Center Parcs has it spot-on.
It was an invigorating break, one that restored my confidence in holidaying in Britain with my children. Just a word of advice – if you’re visiting during the school holidays, make sure you book activities in advance.
Will we go back? We use it all the time now – for a weekend break, or just to have a change of scene and get away from the domestic stresses and enjoy being with the kids!
INFORMATION
Center Parcs (08448 266266/www.centerparcs.co.uk) offers a three-night weekend break in a four-bedroomed Executive Lodge at Elveden Forest, Suffolk, from £855 per party (up to eight sharing).
Spa treatments from £15. All activities are bookable through the resort; price upon inquiry.
Suffolk Tourism: 01473 694416/www.choosesuffolk.com.
