Before this rollercoaster of a year we’ve had, who’d have thought trips down to the local stretch of green would be the height of adventure?! Whether for a brisk jog between a gap in the clouds, or a distanced weekend stroll with family and friends, I think we’ve all developed a newfound appreciation for nature and the simple pleasures of fresh air and good company, set against the gorgeous backdrop of nature’s cycling seasons.
Center Parcs in the UK have long been popular destinations for forest holidays, giving families who want to get away the chance to rediscover a sense of both peace and adventure, nestled deep in the forest. Luckily for those looking to deepen their love affair with the Great Outdoors, there are a wealth of lush, family friendly holiday parks around the UK which, like Center Parcs, provide the same opportunities for relaxation and regeneration in nature, but at a lower cost.
These alternatives to Center Parcs offer nature-lovers, both green and seasoned (pun intended!), the opportunity to get away from everyday routines and responsibilities, reconnect with nature, and explore some of the country’s most breathtaking atmospheres and landscapes. You won’t have to sacrifice comfort for adventure though as these resorts boast a wide range of both contemporary and rustic accommodation styles and amazing amenities, like a heated indoor swimming pool or steam room for some added indulgence. Playgrounds and clubs will give the kids the chance to play out their forest fantasies while you enjoy the soothing forest atmosphere. Opt for a week of regenerative bliss and choose one of these rural resorts for an unforgettable forest holiday.
Here’s our list of Holiday Parks, from Wales to Scotland and everywhere in between, providing the very best that nature has to offer, whether that’s enjoying a tranquil, lakeside morning coffee, hiking across the Highlands, or spending the evening stargazing within the warm embrace of a hot tub, there’s no shortage of activities and settings where you can enjoy the best of Britain, all year round.
- Parkdean White Acres (Cornwall)
- Parkdean St. Minver (Cornwall)
- Parkdean Fallbarrow (Cumbria)
- Parkdean Tummel Valley (Scotland)
- Park Holidays UK Carlton Meres (Suffolk)
- Parkdean Lower Hyde (Isle of Wight)
- Haven Kiln Park (Wales)
Parkdean Resorts White Acres
Holiday park location: Newquay, Cornwall
Great for: Spacious and cosy lakeside holiday retreat close to the beach
This holiday park is another great alternative to Center Parcs and is ideal for families who fancy a week immersed in nature on holiday. Covering an expansive 184 acres of land, guests will be able to enjoy the soft, rolling hills of Cornwall’s countryside in every direction. The site also boasts no less than 13 fishing lakes to choose from, perfect for everything from a quiet moment with a cuppa and a good read, or a family fishing trip – become one with the serenity and peace of White Acre’s lilting landscapes.
For holiday-goers seeking some extra R&R, opt for a stay in one of the lakeside lodges. On top of the amazing views stretching just outside your door, the lodges are kitted out with cosy, rustic furnishings for an authentic rural experience, complete with double glazing and central heating to keep you toasty any time of year. For the warmer seasons, make the most of the furnished outdoor veranda and enjoy your meals al fresco, or kick back with a good drink. If you’d prefer cheaper but no less comfortable accommodation, go for an extra-wide caravan for a more economic price, spacious enough for the whole family and pet friendly to boot.
And if you feel like a change of scene and breathing some fresh salty air, White Acres is only five miles from Newquay and the gorgeous beaches nearby. Take a relaxing trip down to the secluded Lusty Glaze cove, or head to Fistral Beach and soak up the bustling seaside atmosphere and even have a go at some water sports!
Facilities: White Acres is an angler’s haven with 13 fishing lakes to choose from. There’s an indoor soft play area and games room and sports facilities to keep the kids active and safe, and an indoor swimming pool complete with spa treatments such as the steamy spa bath and sauna/steam room. A restaurant and entertainment venue and amusement arcade round out the family friendly venues where you can enjoy each other’s company at the end of a long day.
Parkdean Resorts St. Minver
Holiday park location: North Rock, Cornwall
Great for: A rural retreat with countryside charm
Parkdean St Minver is another Cornwall offering, perfectly situated for a range of rural scenery. Like Center Parcs, the site is set amongst ancient woodland, providing peace and seclusion from everyday life. However, historic trees aren’t all there is to enjoy!
Like the rest of Cornwall, you don’t have to travel far for some fresh coastal air. St. Minver is a stone’s throw from three stunning beaches – within just 10 minutes, find yourselves shored up on the golden sands of Daymer Bay, Polzeath or Rock Beach, or enjoy the quaint country charm of St. Minver village.
St. Minver is also the perfect setting for letting your imagination run wild. Take a woodland walk along the verdant wildlife trail to look out for badgers and other characters, creating your one woodland adventure, or keep the kids inspired in the outdoor adventure playground, or through a book borrowed from the Little Lending Library.
With both the Atlantic coast and ancient Cornish woodland around you, St. Minver is the perfect resort for anyone wanting their forest holidays with added coastal charm (not like Center Parcs!).
Facilities: Make the most of the outdoors with nature trails, sports and play areas for the kids, as well as scenic picnic spots for al fresco dining. For some time out, take a dip in the heated indoor pool, or steam away your stresses in the poolside sauna. The site also offers a range of accommodation types for all party sizes, from lodges to caravans, including pet friendly options. Choose between a cosy chalet, intimate lodge or comfortable caravan with no concessions on homeliness made.
Parkdean Resorts Fallbarrow
Holiday park location: Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria
Great for: Lakeside luxury and tranquillity
Nestled among the breathtaking scenery of Cumbria’s Lake District, on the banks of Lake Windermere. This site boasts an immersive and tranquil forest atmosphere, similar to Center Parcs, but this time surrounded by one of England’s most magical and unspoiled landscapes – Fallbarrow Resort is the ideal spot for an inspiring and scenic week surrounded by outstanding natural beauty, a special choice for more relaxing holidays.
This site offers a range of accommodation options. A contemporary and spacious caravan will ensure a comfortable stay for all the family, while those seeking a more unique experience can opt for one of the luxury lodges or refurbished cottages, each with fully kitted kitchens for whipping up intimate family meals. What’s more, the cottages offer the ultimate indulgence with their own private hot tubs, which are also available with some lodges. What better way to fully immerse yourself in nature than with an evening soak under a canopy of trees and stars?
If you find yourself fancying a sojourn back to civilisation, take a short stroll down to Bowness-on-Windermere, where you can enjoy all the shops, restaurants and amenities you could want in this popular town. Lake Windermere is a prime location for a range of water-borne activities, all of which can be accessed from town. Amp up the adrenaline with sailing and watersports or, if you prefer a more leisurely pace, rent a boat or join one of the regular Windermere cruises for panoramic views. Either way, you won’t want to miss out on finding your own patch of tranquillity atop Windermere’s peaceful waters.
Facilities: Fallbarrow hosts a selection of spots to drink in the stunning surroundings – enjoy a picnic with an unbeatable view, or head to the marina if you want to watch the world drift by. Kids can choose their own adventures over the school holidays in the soft play areas and playground, complete with climbing nets and slides, or smash the high scores in the amusement arcade.
Parkdean Resorts Tummel Valley
Holiday park location: Pitlochry, Perthshire
Great for: Enjoying the best in natural beauty and creature comforts
Set in the heart of Scotland and the Perthshire Highlands region, Tummel Valley is a family friendly resort ideal for families looking to spend a week balancing outdoor exploration with the luxuries of indoor relaxation, ideal for school holidays! Discover for yourself why the Scottish Highlands is considered one of the most beautiful regions in the world. There’s no shortage of outdoor activities to help you get familiar with the local environment – navigate between woodland walks and hiking trails, riverside spots and breezy hills, all waiting to be discovered! Befriend the local wildlife, sharing the environment with red deers and rabbits, for example, or combine your time in the fresh air with a leisurely game of mini golf or a fishing expedition. Tummel Valley is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and all its hidden treasures!
If you fancy taking it easy and kicking back, take a relaxing dip in the indoor heated pool, or sequester yourself in the sauna until you emerge restored and reset, ready for the next woodland adventure! Or if you can’t bear to tear yourself away from a warm soak for too long, like Center Parcs, Tummel Valley hosts a selection of luxury lodges complete with indulgent outdoor hot tubs, allowing you to melt away your cares as often as you like.
The kids will also have plenty of outlets for the energising atmosphere of the Highlands. Let them play out their fantasies in the adventure playground, or splash about in the indoor pool. There’s plenty to keep both the kids and grown ups active and entertained on family holiday here.
Facilities: Tummel Valley contains all the access to amenities you might need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Visit the convenience store or launderette to stay stocked up, or if you like to take it easy on holiday, let someone else do the cooking with a selection of dining options – the only choice you have to make is whether to eat in or out!
Park Holidays UK Carlton Meres
Holiday park location: Carlton, Suffolk
Great for: An action packed resort perfect for active families and avid anglers
Carlton Meres in Suffolk is a great alternative to the active atmosphere of Center Parcs, making it a perfect selection for family holidays, especially those craving some action, angling and coastal exploration.
The park is a perfect location from which to enjoy the surrounds of East Anglia and Suffolk’s Heritage Coast Region, a 50-mile stretch of designated outstanding natural beauty, and the picturesque seaside towns dotted along it, including Aldeburgh and Southwold. Take advantage of the bike hire facilities and explore this unspoiled stretch of British coastline, or find a nice quiet beach to spend the day in.
Carlton Meres is also an angler’s dream! The fishing lake is well stocked, boasting a range of fish to catch, including carp weighing in at up to a whopping 40lbs! What’s more, the nearby town of Walberswick is home to the renowned “British Open Crabbing Championship”, promising a passionate fishing community and, of course, top-notch seafood.
You don’t have to leave the grounds for action and adventure though! Carlton Meres is spoiled for activities to keep the family entertained. Take a lap around the indoor and outdoor pools, or work up a sweat at the gym – Carlton Meres has a range of places to make the most of the invigorating effect of the local atmosphere. Why not spend a fun afternoon on the adventure golf course, and put your competitive spirit to the test.
Facilities: All accommodation on-site offers ample space for a family of four and boasts superfast WiFi, allowing you to plan your time and make the most of your surroundings, or even just keep up with the latest footy results. An arcade, evening entertainment venue and restaurant provide convivial places to socialise, be entertained and make memories.
Parkdean Resorts Lower Hyde
Holiday park location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Great for: Comfortable park accommodation with some added flair and coastal panorama
There’s an amazing range of accommodation to choose from at Lower Hyde, all with their own unique perks. This site offers more than just the standard – but no less enticing – array of accommodation spots, from the extra-wide, contemporarily furnished caravan plots to the more bespoke lodge and chalet dwellings; additionally, Lower Hyde also boasts a unique glamping experience. Don’t be fooled – these family friendly Safari tents are roomy enough to accommodate a family of six, including your beloved pooch. They also come with an outdoor deck area where you can live your Thornberry dream and become one with the jungle (well, in this case, woodland). For those who aren’t quite ready to go native, the luxury lodge picks, kitted out with all the glamour of a cosy hot tub, might be more your calling. Either way, Lower Hyde really does have it all.
Like all the Parkdean getaways here, Lower Hyde is equally well-situated to the coast and the expansive beaches nearby, making it an aquatic alternative to Center Parcs. Sandown and Shanklin beaches are a stone’s throw away, as well as a whole selection of other lovely beaches to explore, an undeniable perk of island life. Grab a bike hire and find the perfect plot for your sandcastle extravaganza. The hydrotherapy doesn’t just stop at the beach though – Lower Hyde boasts an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, water slide included! And if you want to sail further afield and discover more distant seas, take a trip down to Lower Hyde’s sister site, Languard, where you can have a dip in their swimming pool, or use their other facilities.
Facilities: Lower Hyde offers a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy caravan to luxurious lodges, to suit your needs, and the resort is equipped with a swimming pool, multi-sports courts and an adventure playground to stay active in. For some light entertainment at the end of an active day, head to the amusement arcade or entertainment venue for an evening of bright lights and laughs. And of course, head down to the Barnhouse Bar & Restaurant to indulge in some quality meals with the whole family – you just have to arrange the company.
Haven Kiln Park
Holiday park location: Pembrokeshire, South Wales
Great for: A fun family holiday by the Welsh coast
Nestled along the rugged and expansive coastline of South Wales, Haven Kiln Park would make a perfect getaway for the school holidays and, as a bonus, you’re never far from a beach! A great alternative to Center Parcs, this site is packed with outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy for a week of fun-filled memories, while also offering ample opportunity to enjoy the serenity of both land and sea.
Like all good Center Parcs alternatives, Kiln Park is chock-full of energetic and creative activities to keep all of the family stimulated. Grown ups and kids alike can see if their archery skills are enough to rival Robin Hood with some archery coaching, or leap as high as possible on the adrenaline-raising bungee trampoline. Similarly, those looking for more contemplative activities can have a hand at creating some sand art, or decorating pottery.
When it’s time to come back together, indulge in some family friendly competition on the crazy golf course, or take a dip in either one of the indoor and outdoor swimming pools – whether that’s taking a relaxing lap around the pool, or creating a big splash with the water slides.
In terms of accommodation, this site is kitted out with a range of options comfortable enough for a family of four, dog included. From Standard to Prestige accommodation, comfort and cosiness is not spared. If you fancy an added touch of luxury, why not opt for a Prestige accommodation caravan, complete with outdoor decking to unwind with a view and an aid of your choice, be it a good book or a glass of wine, and drink in the natural beauty of Wales.
And if you’re eager to make the most of the great outdoors, this resort is of course set in the gorgeous Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, meaning you’re never far from invigorating coastal walks and idyllic sandy beaches. Both forest and sea meet in this untouched corner of the UK, so you can really feel like you’ve found your own natural retreat from civilisation, making it a great alternative to Center Parcs holidays for the range of vistas at the touch of your fingertips.
Facilities: This site hosts no less than 4 different food and drink venues to choose from, as well as Millie’s Cookies for a sweet treat after a long day. The Harbor Lights restaurant boasts both a beautifully furnished nautical indoor space and a spacious terrace for meals in the sun. There’s no shortage of places you and the kids can enjoy yourselves in, whether that’s the arcade and entertainment venue, or the sports courts and swimming pools on site. Make boredom a stranger, and take the family down to South Wales for an activity-filled escape!
Did You Find Your Alternative To Center Parcs?
Wherever you choose to stay, these holiday parks around the UK offer a great alternative to Center Parcs with a wide, family friendly selection of forest holidays set amongst Britain’s most beautiful landscapes. Between these parks, stretching from Wales and the Isle of Wight to the Highlands of Scotland, holiday-goers can find an exciting selection of family friendly activities for grown ups and kids alike, accommodation and atmospheres to spend a rejuvenating week in nature, whether your idea of bliss leans more towards strapping on your hiking boots and covering trails to find your next picturesque woodland scene, or kicking back in a sauna or hot tub and breathing fresh country air, there really is something for everyone here.
The best alternatives to Center Parcs, these holiday parks provide the same access to the tranquillity of the forest (as well as other natural landscapes), excitement of invigorating family activities, and opportunities to fully disconnect and recharge away from the hustle of everyday life, which is all we really ask of our holidays – good company and plenty of activities and new sights to discover. The added magic of Britain’s woodland settings ensures that everyone will be energised, entertained and inspired by the truly breathtaking natural wonders the UK has to offer. Leave your local park behind for a week (it’s not going anywhere, we promise) and set off on a family adventure to any one of these lush, verdant and uplifting holiday parks! For more information visit our main site.