A trip to Longleat Forest proves an absolute scream for mum Claire Spreadbury
The look on my nine-year-old’s face changes about 35 seconds after the light goes green. Not that I can tell. My eyes are squeezed firmly shut, my hands are gripping the handles so tight my knuckles are bright white, and the scream which seems to be coming from the depth of my soul is so loud, it’s scaring poor Poppy.
We’re at opposite ends of an inflatable square hurtling down the Tropical Cyclone water ride at Center Parcs in Longleat Forest, Wiltshire, and it features a scream-inducing drop. It is brilliant fun, but as scary as a Florida rollercoaster, especially if you haven’t been on one for a while.
There are five UK Center Parcs locations (with another on the way) and the set-up is a winning combination for many families – self-catering accommodation, masses to do, and everything you need on your doorstep.
Of all the times to try it, now is a bit of a no-brainer. It is expensive, but so is pretty much every other holiday you can book at the moment. The price of UK breaks has sky-rocketed, and availability is slim. And although lots of us prefer to book meals and activities as and when we feel like it, that’s just not how life is working right now.
Post-lockdown, if you want to eat out, have a family day somewhere special, or just go for a nice National Trust walk, you have to book. Organised fun is just part of life in 2021.
Accommodation here is varied. You can pick a fairly basic lodge for you and yours, or hire a huge space with friends or family – a great way to catch up with anyone you might not have seen over lockdown. And it is worth spending a bit more on a fancier set-up. If you have a games room or hot tub, you’re likely to spend less on activities, and it is lovely staying somewhere just a little bit decadent.
Swimming is probably what Center Parcs is most known for. The Subtropical Paradise