Last updated: May 2026
If, like us, you grew up with semi-regular trips to Center Parcs, you’ll know the memories to be made in the forest lodges or on the swimming rapids. But if you’ve priced it up recently, you’ll also know that it costs significantly more than it did when we were kids, and the pricing formula hasn’t got any kinder, with everything trebling during school holidays. The good news is that there’s plenty of Center Parcs alternatives out there to consider for your next break.
We want to carry on those annual forest break memories for R, but at current prices it’s just not feasible during term time. If you have pre-school aged children you can still sneak in during September and get a reasonable deal (that’s actually what we’re doing this year) but you’re rolling the dice on the weather.
For the rest of the year, it’s worth knowing what else is out there. I’ve done the research (and some of the staying) to pull together the best Center Parcs alternatives for families, covering everything from the closest like-for-like swaps to better-value options that might just become your new annual tradition. So, whether you’re looking for somewhere similar to Centre Parcs or a holiday park with the same woodland lodge formula, this list will have somewhere for you.
Recommended holiday parks like Center Parcs
We’ve spoken to friends and family – and included some of our favourite stays – and compiled our list of Center Parcs alternatives for you. I’ve also looked at the current cost to visit each (for 2 adults, 1 child and 1 under 2) over October 2026 UK half term, to give you a sense of pricing, although I’d hope some bargains can be had well out of peak season.
And if you’re looking for even cheaper accommodation, you can take a DIY approach and book one of my favourite family-friendly Airbnbs or grab a hotel bargain, but add up the cost of local activities to make sure you don’t end up paying more for your stay. I’ve compared all the main holiday rental platforms for families, from Airbnb to Sykes to Booking.com, including which gives you the best family filters and fewest hidden fees.
The best Center Parcs alternatives for your family at a glance
- Most like Center Parcs: Bluestone National Park Resort has woodland lodges, subtropical pool, activities included in the price. It’s almost got a little village vibe.
- Best value: Tattershall Lakes by Away Resorts offers lakeside lodges and caravans at a fraction of the Center Parcs price, with watersports thrown in. Save even more with the code ‘LBABROAD15‘ which gives you up to 15% off at Away Resorts.
- Best value abroad: the European version of the park = the same formula, often at a significantly lower price, with 28 park locations across France, Belgium and more. Save £50 off bookings over £500 with the code ‘LITTLEBRITSCPE‘.
- Best DIY option: Book a family-friendly holiday rental and build your own itinerary – great for families who prefer flexibility over a structured programme. See which platform gives the best value.
If it’s activities you’re looking for but you’re happy to combine it with a more classic abroad trip, these European kids clubs go far beyond what you think of when we say kids club. No need to feel guilty here for dropping them off!
Center Parcs prices October 2026: alternatives
| Lodge location | Dates (2026) | Number of nights | Cost |
| Center Parcs | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £1429 cheapest at Whinfell Forest |
| Tattershall Lakes | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £904 for 2 bed lodge but caravans start at £428. Save even more with the code ‘LBABROAD15‘ which gives you up to 15% off at Away Resorts. |
| Center Parcs in Europe | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | From £534 or £863 for 2 bed cottage in Zandvoort, £839 in Erperheide. Save £50 on self drive holiday bookings over £500 with the code ‘LITTLEBRITSCPE’ at MagicBreaks. |
| Bluestone | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £1100 for 2 bed lodge |
| Parkdean Resorts | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £323 for 2 bed static caravan, £179 for a safari tent or £519 for a lodge |
| Ribby Hall | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £757 for 2 bed cottage |
| PGL | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £837 in one larger room or £1007 for two rooms |
| Burnbake Forest | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £895 for 2 bed lodge |
| Blackwood Forest | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £1420 for 2 bed lodge |
| Keldy Forest | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £935 for 2 bed cabin |
| Darwin Forest | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £919 for 2 bed cabin |
| Port Lympne Safari Park | 26th-30th October | 4 nights, Mon-Fri | £1236 for a pod, £1670 for an en-suite pod, and more for a lodge or hotel room |
| Calcot & Spa | Between 26th and 30th October | 1 night | £861 per night but check out their kids package (from £549) for midweek stays outside of school holidays |
The most similar to Center Parcs experience
If what you love about Center Parcs is the formula (woodland or waterside setting, lodge accommodation, a pool you can use whatever the weather, and enough on-site activities to fill a few days without leaving), then these are the options that come closest to replicating it. Some are cheaper, some are comparable in price, but all offer that same self-contained family break feeling.
1. Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire
If you’re after the closest thing to Center Parcs in terms of sheer activity volume (but at a noticeably better price) Tattershall Lakes is the first place to look. Set across 365 acres of Lincolnshire countryside and built around eight lakes, it has an impressive range of things to keep families busy, whatever the weather.
This resort blends lodge comfort with a holiday park vibe and the water offering is the real draw. There’s an outside lido, an indoor pool with a splash pad for little ones, and a full lakeside activity centre with paddleboards, kayaks and canoes. For older or bolder family members, jet skiing, wakeboarding and water skiing are all available on the lakes. There’s also a zip line and high ropes course for those who want to burn some energy on dry land. For families with babies and toddlers specifically, the indoor splash pad is a big tick – it means you’re not at the mercy of British summer weather for the main water activity. There’s plenty of dry activities for little ones including ‘messy play’ and pottery workshops.
Accommodation runs from caravans up to lodges with hot tubs, which are popular and book up fast. There are several on-site restaurants and bars, including the Propeller Bar and Kitchen for family meals and a rooftop bar and cocktail bar if you’re lucky to be travelling with family babysitters.
What makes it stand out against Center Parcs is the value. When I last checked, a two-bed lodge over October half term 2026 comes in around £904, with caravans starting significantly lower – compared to £1,429 at the cheapest Center Parcs location for the same dates. You’re not getting a subtropical dome, but you are getting lakes, activities, hot tubs and entertainment at a considerably lower outlay.
Worth knowing: Away Resorts has 26 parks across the UK, including coastal options in Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and Wales (and some friends went to Sandy Balls in Hampshire and rated it), so if Lincolnshire isn’t the right geography for you, it’s worth browsing their full portfolio for something closer to home.
👉 Check availability and prices at Tattershall Lakes. Plus save even more with the code ‘LBABROAD15‘ which gives you up to 15% off at Away Resorts.
2. Center Parcs locations in Europe
MagicBreaks offers a similar but often cheaper experience to the UK resorts, which lends itself very well to a self-drive holiday from the UK. Friends tell me that Erperheide in Belgium and Zandvoort are both standout for young children – the Zandvoort location even has a beach, as well as offers a quick trip into the city of Amsterdam. The popular Villages Nature Paris near Disneyland is well worth checking out too, and MagicBreaks can sort your passes for the park out too.
Offering much of the same activities, you’ll find tropical swimming paradises and everything from high ropes to water sports. You’ll save significantly on the accommodation – although you’ll need to factor in travel time and costs. We find travelling on the Eurotunnel really easy and many locations are simple drives from Calais. But if you’re looking for something a bit closer, there’s 28 parks to choose from, with several in northern France. I’ve written a guide to 6 of the best Center Parcs Europe for families with young children.
👉 Take a look at MagicBreaks deals. You can save £50 on bookings over £500 with the code ‘LITTLEBRITSCPE’.
For a similar European option, we stayed at Marina Strandbag in the Netherlands and it surprised us. The Europarcs lodge was lovely, the setting was peaceful, and it came in cheaper than an equivalent Airbnb for the same dates, which felt like a real win. It doesn’t have the full Center Parcs activity programme, but if you’re happy to self-direct your days and explore the surrounding area, it’s a really solid option. Worth a look if you want the lodge-in-nature feel without the price tag.
3. Bluestone National Park resort, Wales
Often referred to as ‘the Welsh Center Parcs’, Bluestone offers a near-identical experience: lodges in lush woodland, a large subtropical swimming complex, adventure activities, soft play, a spa, and family-friendly restaurants. Importantly, most of the activities are included in the price, unlike Center Parcs. What’s more, it’s located in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, meaning easy access to stunning beaches – like Tenby, a short 20 minute drive away. It’s also got a real villagey feel, and is much more compact than Center Parcs – though bear in mind it is hillier, so the golf buggies that come included with the premium lodges are pretty much a must.
It’s particularly well suited to families with under-7s. The Blue Lagoon water park is warm and well designed for little ones, the play areas and entertainment are all geared towards younger children, and having activities included in the price means no on-the-day decisions about what’s worth paying for with a toddler in tow.
In terms of accommodation, there’s a range of options to suit different budgets. Our experience booking the top end lodge left us a bit torn – the furniture and roll top bath was gorgeous but the walls were a bit shabby and felt like they needed a bit of a clean in places. Like Center Parcs, you can’t drive around except on arrival and departure days.
Despite this, the activities really are well worth it. With multiple play areas, the fantastic Blue Lagoon indoor water park that’s well suited to toddlers and smaller kids, and plenty of outdoor activities, we weren’t bored. There’s also a nice-looking spa for adults – it doesn’t quite look like Center Parcs’ Aqua Sana but it has won at the Good Spa Guide Awards 2025 so I may be wrong (we didn’t try it).
We also like this Welsh Center Parcs alternatives’ ‘late availability’ deals, and their price guarantee, which allows you to claim for a price match should their publicly available price drop between you booking and visiting.
UK holiday parks cheaper than Center Parcs
Not every Center Parcs alternative needs to replicate the full experience. Sometimes you just want a good-value family break with enough happening to keep everyone busy. These options are meaningfully cheaper than Center Parcs (in some cases significantly so).
4. Parkdean Resorts
With over 50 parks across the UK, Parkdean Resorts is one of the most accessible Center Parcs alternatives for families. Parks are well-spread geographically (Cornwall, Devon, Scotland, Norfolk, the North East), so there’s likely one within a reasonable drive wherever you want to base yourself.
Fallbarrow near Lake Windemere and Warmwell in Dorset are often cited as similar to Center Parcs thanks to the mix of forest setting and water views. Accommodation ranges from caravans to lodges with hot tubs, and most parks have indoor heated pools, kids’ clubs, and on-site entertainment. It’s a solid choice if Center Parcs is over budget.
👉 Take a look at Parkdean deals
5. Ribby Hall Village, Lancashire
A five-star holiday village near Blackpool with indoor and outdoor pools, a full spa, a wide range of bookable activities, and accommodation ranging from lodges to cottages. It has the full-service Center Parcs feel but witha less corporate atmosphere. The location puts it within easy reach of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales for days out, and it comes up consistently in reader recommendations as one of the better-kept secrets on the UK lodge holiday circuit.
6. PGL family adventures in Devon or Lincolnshire
Offering something a little different but combining family time and outdoor activities in equal measure, PGL is worth considering – and something I did a few times growing up. While the accommodation is more basic (think adjoining rooms rather than lodges), your day follows a schedule of activities starting with breakfast in their dining room, followed by one or two activities, then lunch, and then a couple more activities in the afternoon. The activities you can choose from include anything from raft building to abseiling to canoeing, and the evenings are filled with entertainment from quizzes to campfire fun, and there’s even children-only evening activities to give the grown ups a break. Children and infants under 5 are also free, offering a decent saving – although will have to opt out of many of the activities, so it’s a good idea to bring a grandparent along to offer some childcare rotation if you can!
7. Go DIY with a holiday rental
Sometimes the best value is simply finding a great house, cottage or lodge with space for kids to run around. If that sounds like you, a self-catered holiday rental can be a brilliant alternative to Center Parcs, particularly for families with very young children who don’t need a packed activities schedule.
The key is knowing where to book. I’ve compared all the main holiday rental platforms for families – from Airbnb and Vrbo to Sykes and Booking.com – including which has the best family filters, which hides fees until checkout, and which tends to have the best UK cottage stock.
If you’re specifically after UK options, my roundup of baby and toddler-friendly Airbnbs and holiday homes is a good starting point, with properties filtered for travel cots, stair gates, highchairs and enclosed gardens. Pair a well-chosen rental with a National Trust day out or a local beach and you can put together a brilliant family break for significantly less than the structured resort options above.
Boutique lodge breaks similar to Center Parcs
These are the options we’d choose if the Center Parcs format has started to feel a bit too busy, too managed, or just too samey. Smaller, more considered, and independently run often with better-designed lodges, more space, and a slower pace.
A quick note of transparency: while we’ve personally stayed at and researched the main options above in depth, the boutique lodges below are drawn from consistent reader recommendations and family travel communities rather than our own stays. We’ll update these as we visit them, but they keep coming up for good reason.
8. Burnbake Luxury Forest Lodges, Dorset
Tucked into woodland near Corfe Castle on the Jurassic Coast, Burnbake is timber-built, well-spaced, and every lodge comes with a private hot tub, fire pit, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking into the trees. There’s no subtropical dome and no organised activity schedule, but instead you get a woodland playground for the kids, a snack shack open in summer, and direct access to some of Dorset’s best beaches and walks.
9. Darwin Forest, Peak District
A 47-acre woodland in Derbyshire with an indoor pool, soft play, spa, restaurant, and a solid activity range (archery, snorkelling, mini golf, bike hire) – so it ticks the Center Parcs convenience boxes, but it’s family-run and noticeably less crowded. Higher-category lodges come with hot tubs as standard. Location-wise it’s hard to beat: Chatsworth House, the Heights of Abraham, and Alton Towers are all within easy reach, so great for trips with slightly older kids.
10. Blackwood Forest Lodges, Hampshire
A quieter, more understated option in the South Downs that is favoured by families who’ve outgrown the busier park format. Contemporary lodges with generous decks, forest trails, ranger sessions for children, and a noticeably calmer atmosphere. Well placed for London and the south coast, and from everything we’ve read it genuinely feels like a proper escape. Better suited to families with slightly older children who’ll get themselves outside independently.
11. Keldy Forest Cabins, North Yorkshire
Deep in the North York Moors, Keldy comes up in reader recommendations whenever the conversation turns to somewhere more remote with an off-grid feeling. Cabins are rustic but comfortable, the setting is wild, and it suits families who want a digital detox alongside their holiday. No big facilities or swimming complex, but Forest Holidays run it well and the sense of space is real.
Luxury alternatives to Center Parcs
For families where the adults want the holiday to feel genuinely special, with spa access, exceptional food, or an experience that’s hard to find anywhere else. These options sit in a different category entirely, and the price reflects that, but so does the experience.
12. Port Lympne Safari Park, Kent
A different take on the Center Parcs break, Port Lympne is a animal-tastic stay with ‘good’ at its heart. Supporting animal conservation work, you can stay in one of the safari tents or lodges at Port Lympne and wake up to giraffes and tigers outside your window – no need to go to Africa!
With activities on offer including a safari experience or animal feeding, you can get close to some amazing animals and have a truly unforgettable experience at the Port Lympne Reserve. Plus, you get free access to the Dinosaur Forest (with over 100 lifesize, realistic dinosaurs to meet) and the nearby Howletts Wild Animal Park included in all stays.
13. Calcot & Spa, Tetbury
While a less obvious Center Parcs alternative, for those happy to splurge and craving a chance to relax while the kids play, Calcot & Spa is a luxury country hotel with a family-oriented lens. During school holidays they organise everything from den building to arts and crafts to scavenger hunts – and children over 5 can be left to give the adults some time to themselves! And year-round you can enjoy activities like disc golf or tennis, or using the inclusive bikes and exploring their 220-acre backyard. Plus there’s plenty of other fun to be had by exploring the rest of the Cotswolds.
Their Ofsted-registered crèche, The Playbarn, is run by nannies and takes newborn upwards for up to 4 hours per day as standard, with dedicated areas for older kids. So you can relax in the spa or by the pool, while your child is off enjoying themselves. The attention to detail is clear, with Tonies story boxes for in room bedtime story time, and a children’s tea served at 5pm.
Related UK family holidays
You might find my destination guides for Devon, Norfolk and the Cotswolds offer more holiday park inspiration. If you’re interested in basing yourself near a city, I’ve summarised 12 of the UK’s best family-friendly city breaks. And if you’re willing to take a short flight – we also found Jersey very family-friendly and loved our road trip around Ireland.
Best Center Parcs alternatives if you’re travelling with a baby or toddler
Most options on this list are great for young children, but a few stand out specifically if you’re travelling with a baby or toddler. At that age the priorities shift – you want a safe, enclosed environment, indoor water that isn’t weather-dependent, and somewhere that doesn’t make you feel like you’re the only family there with a nap schedule.
- Tattershall Lakes earns its place here for the indoor splash pad, which means water fun regardless of what the British weather is doing, plus messy play and pottery sessions for little ones. The lodge and caravan range also suits families who need a proper kitchen and room to spread out.
- Bluestone, Wales is our top pick for under-7s specifically. The Blue Lagoon water park is warm and well designed for small children, the entertainment and play areas are all geared towards younger kids, and having most activities included in the price means no awkward on-the-day decisions. It’s a more compact resort than Center Parcs, which actually works in your favour at this age.
- Center Parcs Europe (particularly Erperheide in Belgium and Zandvoort in the Netherlands) offers the familiar subtropical pool format, often at a meaningful saving on the UK price, and both are easy drives from the Eurotunnel.
The best Center Parcs alternatives
There’s no single perfect swap for Center Parcs, but the good news is that with a little flexibility you can often get more for your money, and something a bit different never hurts, right?
For the best value like-for-like, Away Resort’s Tattershall Lakes is our top pick: lakes, lodges, hot tubs, water sports and on-site entertainment at a price that consistently undercuts Center Parcs, especially over school holidays. If you want the woodland lodge feel with a subtropical pool thrown in, MagicBreak’s European offering or Bluestone in Wales is the closest comparison and sits in a stunning National Park setting to boot. If cost is the most important factor, you can’t beat Parkdean Resorts.
On the Bluestone vs Center Parcs question specifically: if you have children under 7, Bluestone arguably has the edge. The pool is better suited to little ones, the resort is compact and easy to navigate, and having activities included removes a lot of the on-the-day friction that comes with younger kids. For families with older children, Center Parcs still pips it overall – there’s more biking, more activities for bigger kids, and the pool at Center Parcs is stronger. Both are brilliant though, and it really does come down to age and priorities. We’re heading back to Center Parcs ourselves in September with R, who’ll be 20 months, so it’ll be interesting to see how the two compare at that age – watch this space.
I personally can’t help but be really intrigued by Port Lympne, which offers a safari experience like nothing else I’ve seen in the UK. And if it’s something different you’re looking for, PGL adds a cheaper and just-as-fun active break, while Calcot & Spa brings luxury and peace for the adults – although you’ll pay for it.
By looking slightly further afield (or thinking outside the dome), you can get more for your money – and maybe even start a new family tradition!
Let us know if you’ve found a great Center Parcs alternative in the comments.
Allie, Jack & R x
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Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales is the most like-for-like alternative, with woodland lodges, a subtropical swimming complex, and a full activities programme. Unlike Center Parcs, most activities are included in the price rather than charged as extras – which can make a meaningful difference to the overall cost. Away Resorts’ Tattershall Lakes is another strong contender, particularly if you like the idea of a lakeside setting with watersports rather than woodland walks.
Tattershall Lakes has an outdoor lido and splash zones, plus an indoor splash area for younger children and it’s one of the better-value options on this list. Bluestone has a large indoor water complex with a wave pool, lazy river and flumes. PGL includes swimming as part of its activity schedule. If an indoor subtropical-style pool is your non-negotiable, Bluestone is the closest match to Center Parcs.
Tattershall Lakes by Away Resorts is the best value option on this list, with caravans starting significantly cheaper than Center Parcs, particularly mid-week or outside of peak school holidays. Away Resorts also run Sandyballs in the New Forest, which offers a similar lodge-and-activities formula in a beautiful woodland setting if you’re based further south. They have 26 holiday parks in the UK.
Yes, and they’re often more interesting than Center Parcs at the top end. Calcot & Spa in the Cotswolds offers a genuinely luxurious country house experience with an Ofsted-registered crèche, spa, and organised children’s activities during school holidays. Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent is another standout, where you can wake up to giraffes outside your lodge window. Neither comes cheap, but both offer something Center Parcs simply can’t.
Often, yes, particularly during peak UK school holidays. Erperheide in Belgium and Zandvoort in the Netherlands both come in cheaper than the UK resorts for comparable dates, and both are easy drives from Calais via the Eurotunnel. Factor in travel costs, but for a longer break the saving can be substantial.
The closest like-for-like is Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales, which follows the same formula almost exactly: woodland lodges, a large subtropical swimming complex, soft play, spa, and on-site restaurants, with most activities included in the price rather than charged as extras. Bluestone consistently comes up as the UK’s best Centre Parcs equivalent.
For a lakeside version of the same self-contained resort experience, Tattershall Lakes by Away Resorts is the strongest contender, with lodges, hot tubs, an indoor splash area, and a full watersports lake, at a noticeably lower price than Centre Parcs, particularly over school holidays.
If you want the woodland lodge feel with more geographic spread, Parkdean Resorts has 50+ parks across the UK, with Fallbarrow in the Lake District and Warmwell in Dorset most often cited as similar in atmosphere to a Centre Parcs village.
