Entertaining the kids during half term can be a costly affair, so one bargain-hunting holidaymaker decided to take her little ones abroad and was surprised at the savings
Half term has crept up on us once again – and just like that, the first chunk of the year has whizzed by, signalling a well-deserved break for both pupils and their teachers.
While the kids might be over the moon, parents often find school holidays a bit of a headache, especially during the winter months when the weather can throw a spanner in the works.
For those who have the means to whisk their little ones away, one mum explained why she believed a trip to Center Parcs abroad is the key to an idyllic family retreat.
Though the UK boasts five Center Parcs locations across Cumbria, Nottinghamshire, Wiltshire, Suffolk and Bedfordshire, there are also enticing options nestled in the Netherlands, Franc, and Germany.
During last year’s May half term, mum-of-four Daisy Woods, known on Instagram as @muddlethroughmummy and crowned Parenting Creator of the Year, ventured to Center Parcs Park De Haan for the first time. She’s now offering a glimpse into their adventure, revealing that the family shelled out £1,116.28 for a six-night stay.
When Daisy weighed this against the cost of staying at a UK Center Parcs, she was astounded: “Center Parcs in Longleat wanted £2,500+ for just 4 nights!”
She pointed out that Belgium doesn’t observe a May half term, which likely played a part in the more affordable pricing. Nestled on a picturesque lake and merely one kilometre from one of Belgium’s longest beaches lies the tranquil resort, with the splendid city of Bruges just a breezy 30-minute jaunt away.
Daisy shared her family’s travel choice, saying: “Our return ferry crossing with DFDS Ferries from Dover to Calais cost £240 and then had a 1hr15 drive straight to De Haan, which was really easy.”
To make their journey smoother, they opted for a stay at the Best Western Plus Dover Marina hotel and spa, although Daisy mentioned: “But, you definitely don’t have to,” acknowledging that this was an optional luxury.
Her post quickly gathered attention with several chipping in with their experiences. One said: “We’ve been to the Belgium one three times,” while another expressed: “We did this park back in 2022, it is beautiful and the beach is nearby too!” A third enthusiastic traveller remarked: “We have been going here for years! Brilliant place.”
Someone also weighed in on a similar experience in France, noting: “We are at the one in France and it is so much cheaper and so much better than the UK one and we flew we have done bed and breakfast and it still has come under £1,000 for the week so definitely worth it and the accommodation is amazing.”
Another concurred, adding: “We went to the one in France as it was a lot cheaper than UK prices and you really felt like you had a proper holiday.”
Another parent chimed in with their experience, advising caution: “We did the same thing years ago when our children were young. We went to the Netherlands. However check facilities carefully because not all CPs are identical in Europe! In the UK you know what to expect but there were two in the Netherlands quite close geographically but wide apart in facilities!”
How to get to Center Parcs Belgium from the UK
You can drive and take the ferry like Daisy and her family, or you hop on a train from London St Pancras International to Brussels, then Lierre, Lommel, Lommel Station and Lommel Soeverein.
For those partial to the skies, flights to and from these locales are your ticket to holiday bliss:
- London City Airport to Rotterdam The Hague Airport, then take a car or private transfer to the resort
- Heathrow Airport to Brussels National Airport, then take a car or private transfer to the resort
- London Stansted Airport to Eindhoven Airport, then take a car or private transfer to the resort
