I Visited Center Parcs in Belgium — Here’s Why I Booked a Return Trip Right Away

We’ve all come across the jokes about Center Parcs. To find out when the school holidays start, simply look for the time when the prices go up twofold. Center Parcs website.

The problem is, even though it's somewhere you might need a mortgage holiday or the sale of a kidney just to go there, it remains truly fantastic for young families.

Alternatives exist in the UK. I paid a visit. Sherwood Castle Holiday Forest Last year, it was a decent 6 out of 10 establishment with quite peculiar characteristics, although it remained far from being comparable to Center Parcs itself.

• A charming Irish infant moniker with an exquisite significance was bestowed upon merely two infants in the previous year.
• Salmon can be cooked in 5 minutes and its flavor will improve notably by incorporating just one key ingredient into the marinade.

Center Parcs near Europe isn’t far from another Center Parcs location. Both were established by the Dutch entrepreneur Piet Derksen, though the UK branch split off in 2001. Currently, this company operates 26 vacation villages across various European countries including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, and Denmark.

As expected, there are numerous similarities with the UK Center Parcs, but one aspect that stands out significantly is the pricing.

It’s more affordable. Much more so. Consequently, it’s gaining popularity among British people who aren’t bothered by driving on the opposite side of the road.

My relatives, along with my in-laws and cousins, went to visit De Haan park. near Ostend, in Belgium , over Easter, I stayed for a week in a place that accommodates 12 people.

The price was slightly less than £3,000 for 7 days. For comparison, visiting the Center Parcs would be Sherwood Forest For seven nights during this May half-term, it would cost us £4,800.

It’s much simpler and more affordable to head to Sherwood Forest these days compared to visiting Belgium, though you won’t be cutting costs by anywhere near £2,000.

The main query, however, is whether it’s worthwhile putting in additional effort? To put it briefly, absolutely. The trip turns out to be quite effortless. Calais is just an 80-minute drive away. Along rather basic routes that seem to have seen maintenance only up until the conclusion of World War II, unlike our own well-kept streets.

The park resembles a UK Center Parcs establishment. Though perhaps slightly less refined, De Haan boasts an excellent water park featuring rapids, two slides, a wave machine, a lazy river, and two Jacuzzis.

Our lodging was excellent. True, there wasn’t an oven, however, we had plush foam mattresses, a sauna, and spacious refrigerators at our disposal.

There are numerous activities available, great restaurants that won’t break the bank, along with a handy supermarket.

Additionally, likely crucially so, you’re just a 15-minute stroll away (passing through a massive slide in a wooded park) from a fantastic beach. To be honest, in April, we weren’t really keen on battling the breeze for an entire afternoon; however, during summertime, it would undoubtedly be delightful.

You’re just a brief stroll from a tram stop that offers an affordable and quick ride into Ostend, a charming small city featuring excellent eateries, stores, and attractions to explore.

Having experienced numerous Eurocamp-style holidays before, I find Centre Parcs to be quite a significant upgrade, offering plenty of small perks like an Aldi on the doorstep.

We were so impressed that we've extended our summer vacation by three more days at another Center Parcs location in the Netherlands.

If you're not keen on driving, this route is the simplest one I’ve encountered in mainland Europe. And for those concerned about the language barrier, fear not—everyone here speaks English far more fluently than I do.

I've always cherished the feeling of excitement that accompanies exploring new places, and such holidays offer all of that along with an abundance of convenience and comfort simultaneously.

Have I also pointed out that it’s much more affordable?