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Center Parcs has become synonymous with family holidays across the UK, and after experiencing Center Parcs Elveden Forest firsthand, I can understand why families return year after year to these woodland villages.
Why We Chose Center Parcs Elveden Forest
After years of caravan holidays, we wanted to mix it up a little bit for our first trip with a baby, as well as taking a well-earned chance to bond as a blended family. Center Parcs came highly recommended for families, and Elveden Forest ticked all the boxes with child-friendly activities, baby facilities, and the famous Subtropical Swimming Paradise (Honestly, the swimming pool was the biggest draw for us).
Center Parcs UK operates several forest villages, including Sherwood Forest, Whinfell Forest, Woburn Forest, and Longleat Forest, but Elveden Forest’s location (2.5 hours away), along with its reputation for young kids and baby-friendly facilities made it our top choice for our first Center Parcs holiday.
Booking & Arrival
- Smooth, easy online booking with guest services support
- Helpful staff on arrival
- Car park access and lodge check-in were straightforward
- Free welcome pack information about all the forest activities
The booking process couldn’t have been simpler, and the prices shown during off-peak periods offered excellent value compared to school holidays. As first-time visitors, the queue to get in with our car and the chaos of the car park seemed a little overwhelming to start with, but there’s actually plenty of space if you patiently follow the one-way system.
Everything was clearly signposted and we quickly found our way to where we needed to be.
Family-Friendly Lodges at Elveden Forest
We stayed in Lodge 538 (Maple area) — close to the centre, quiet, and surrounded by woodland. The family lodge was fully equipped with a cot, high chairs, and spacious living areas, perfect for travelling with a baby and older kids.
Our accommodation featured everything needed for a comfortable break: a well-appointed kitchen for preparing our own food, comfortable seating areas to relax, and bedrooms that provided peace after busy days exploring the forest.
We’d recommend bringing your own toys to keep the kids entertained. If you’re not sure, check out the best toys for 10 year olds or best travel toys for toddlers for some handy tips!
Wildlife highlight: A deer came right up to our patio and fed from the girls’ hands — a magical moment none of us will forget. This lovely little encounter with nature perfectly captures what makes Center Parcs villages so special, although the bold squirrel who ventured into our lodge trying to find scraps became something of an annoyance as the week progressed!
Executive lodges and various lodge options are available for those seeking luxury accommodation with additional amenities like sauna or hot tub access. I’d love to try these, but honestly, the basic accommodation is of a good standard and has everything you could need.
Is Center Parcs Elveden Forest Baby-Friendly?
Yes, massively.
- The baby sensory class was a standout. Millie, our 7-month-old, lit up throughout. The lady running it was warm, engaging and brilliant with babies
- The pool had multiple baby-safe splash zones and family changing rooms
- Ella’s Kitchen baby food stations were dotted around the park
- The lodge was warm and safe, and the forest paths across Center Parcs Elveden Forest were ideal for naps in the pram
Millie loved Baby Sensory!
What we brought to make life easier:
- Baby carrier
- Thermos for bottles
- Baby bouncer
- Cushions for lodge floor play
- Plenty of toys (though we definitely overpacked!)
Young kids are clearly at the heart of Center Parcs Elveden Forest’s design, with every village tailored to make family holidays stress-free for guests with children of all ages.
Subtropical Swimming Paradise: The Highlight
This pool complex is worth the hype and stands as the crown jewel of any Center Parcs resort.
- Our baby loved the shallow water areas
- The older girls couldn’t get enough of the slides and rapids
- Evie overcame her fear of the Cyclone slide — a proud parenting moment and one of her top memories
- The wild water rapids provided thrills for older children
- Outdoor pools complement the main complex during warmer months
- Plunge pool was great fun for the kids to ‘challenge’ each other
The tropical cyclone ride became a firm favourite, whilst the changing rooms were spacious and well-maintained throughout our stay.
One of my highlights of the week was taking Evie overcoming her fear of the Cyclone ride. On our first day, she went to the top, panicked and wanted to come back down again. After some words of encouragement, she ventured back up again a few days later and, though she was scared, she absolutely loved it.
Tip: Booking a cabana can help with naps, but we found it a bit pricey for what you get. We had a cabana for two days, the Bamboo room right in the middle of the pool. Though the drinks fridge was nice, the TV was hard to hear because of the background pool noise and we agreed we’d probably have been better off just getting there earlier and securing one of the more secluded seating areas instead.
Aqua Sana Spa Experience
I booked Rosie into the Aqua Sana Spa on our first day for a full-body massage, which she thoroughly deserved.
She enjoyed the experience and, for future visits, we could really see how the Aqua Sana offers parents a chance to truly relax whilst children enjoy supervised activities.
Many guests rave about the forest bathing experiences and thermal pools that make Aqua Sana a destination in itself, which I can absolutely believe.
Family Activities We Tried
✅ Pottery Painting
- Great experience
- Billing error turned into a brilliant customer service moment. The staff resolved it so we only paid for the pottery, which was appreciated.
- Fun for all ages
❌ Teddy Bear Making
- £29 per child felt expensive for a short, underwhelming session
- Not much choice or personalisation
- The girls were happy with their teddies, but said they wouldn’t want to do it again
✅ Soft Play & Outdoor Park
- Millie loved the soft play area
- The big girls spent hours in the playground. It was clean, well-equipped, and safe with equipment for lots of different abilities and age groups
✅ The Disco
- Sunday DJ was fantastic
- Evie won a prize for dancing the hardest (to Pink Pony Club)
- Full of joyful, unfiltered family fun
❌ Electric Boats
- Technically baby-friendly, but the heat, life jackets, and boredom factor meant it didn’t work for us
- More enjoyable for adults or older kids
Other Activities We’d Like to Try:
- Aerial adventure courses for older children
- Games room with pool table and arcade games
- Leisure bowl for family bowling sessions
- Nature walks to discover woodland wildlife
- Cycling with bike locks provided at the village
Food & Restaurants at Center Parcs Elveden Forest
Bella Italia
- We went on our first night, and everybody loved their food
- Service from the waitress was excellent; she engaged brilliantly with the kids
Las Iguanas
- We went twice. The service was excellent and Bruno the robot waiter kept the kids entertained
- Great drink options and family-friendly atmosphere (Rosie and I had Pina Coladas, which is a must on holiday, right?)
The Pancake House
- Tasty, but not great value for what you get
- Great staff, as always
- We felt it work better as a check-out day breakfast option
Other Dining Options:
- Huck’s American Bar and Grill offers, as you can imagine, American-style food
- Sports Bar provides a relaxed atmosphere for parents
- Sweet Shop delights children with traditional treats
- Forester’s Inn serves hearty pub meals
The variety of restaurants ensures all guests find something to their taste, though booking early is essential during peak periods like half term.
What We Missed (But Plan to Do Next Time)
- High ropes course
- Cupcake decorating
- Bowling alley
- Kids’ interactive wall
- Lake activities and boat rides
- Two wheels cycling adventures around the forest
Is Center Parcs Worth the Cost?
We’ve stayed at Parkdean and similar caravan parks in the past — and yes, Center Parcs is more expensive. But the quality, service, and overall experience were levels above.
What We’d Skip Next Time:
- Teddy Bear Making
- Cabanas (helpful for naps, but not essential)
- Arcade (great games, but overpriced at £12 for 10 tokens)
What We’d Book Earlier:
- Dinner at Huck’s. It was fully booked during our visit
- First night restaurant reservations after all that travel.
To save money, consider bringing your own food for some meals and booking activities selectively based on your children’s interests.
What We’d Pack Differently Next Time
- Glowsticks for the disco
- Forest craft kits to enjoy near the house.
- HDMI cable or downloaded shows for the lodge TV
- Fewer toys, more interactive activities
- DVDs as backup in case of Wi-Fi dropouts
Baby Packing List for Center Parcs
Must-haves for a baby at Center Parcs Elveden Forest:
- Baby carrier
- Thermos & pre-measured formula
- Bouncer
- Changing mat
- Sleepsack
- Blackout blind
- Teething toys
- Cushions for floor play
- Pram (paths are mostly smooth)
- Audible subscription (for nap walks!)
- Plenty of wipes
- High-factor sun cream & sunhat
Accommodation Options Across Center Parcs Villages
Center Parcs Europe offers various lodge types across their UK villages:
- Standard lodges perfect for families
- Executive lodges with premium amenities
- Waterside Lodges
- Treehouses
- Some locations offer hotel rooms as an alternative
From what I can tell, each village maintains the same high standards, whether you’re staying at Longford Forest or any of the other Center Parcs UK locations.
Final Verdict: Would We Go Again?
Without hesitation. Center Parcs Elveden Forest gave us family memories we’ll treasure forever. It delivered on its promise of a holiday that balances rest, fun, and genuine connection…even with a baby in tow.
The forest setting provides the perfect middle ground between adventure and relaxation, where children can discover nature whilst parents find moments of peace. The village atmosphere creates a unique break from everyday life that keeps families returning year after year.
If you’re planning your first family holiday with a baby, this is the place. Just be prepared for the cost – so much here is an added extra and naturally comes at an extra price, but just know that in our experience, it was worth every penny.
Whether you choose Elveden Forest or explore other Center Parcs parks like Sherwood Forest or Whinfell Forest, you’re guaranteed a memorable family holiday in these magical woodland villages.
In fact, we’ll definitely be back again next year if we can.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does Elveden Center Parcs have a lazy river?
Yes, Center Parcs Elveden Forest features a lazy river as part of its Subtropical Swimming Paradise. It’s a relaxing highlight for families, and children love floating through the lush indoor setting.
Is Center Parcs Elveden Forest good for babies?
Yes, it’s fantastic for babies. There are baby changing stations, baby sensory classes, shallow pool areas, Ella’s Kitchen baby food stations, and high chairs and cots in the lodges. It’s a very family- and baby-friendly environment.
How much is Center Parcs for a week with a family?
Prices vary greatly depending on the season, size of your lodge, and how early you book. We visited during term time and saved significantly, but you can expect to pay more during school holidays. Check the prices shown during booking for the best deals, and consider that Center Parcs does offer discounts for repeat visitors.
Are restaurants at Center Parcs Elveden family-friendly?
Absolutely. We especially enjoyed Las Iguanas for both the food and family-friendly service. They even had a robot waiter, which the kids loved. Other options include Huck’s, the Pancake House, Bella Italia, and more — though it’s wise to book early.
