Whinfell Forest Review – Everything you NEED to know
You can read my honest Whinfell Forest review below, It was our first visit to the center parcs and I wanted to share my experience as a family of 4 with you (minus any kick offs), what is included in the lodge, what isn’t, things you need to bring with you as well as any other useful information I found out along the way.
The holiday price is a bit more expensive than our usual UK holiday break so I was keen to review the place whilst we were there and let you know my honest thoughts of Whinfell Forest Center parcs as a family holiday.
If you have followed my blog for a while you will know that we are Haven lovers, (we recently did a Presthaven Sands Review) and this is mainly because it is cheap and cheerful and we know exactly what we are getting. We all know that children kicks offs are enivatable during a family break but with Haven being a little cheaper we don’t feel like it has to be the most absolutely idyllic weekend which removes any pressure. I know if we had spent over £800 I would want smiles on faces for the whole weekend (even when sleeping).
We chose Center parcs as we were away for my dads 70th birthday so for us it was all about quality time and good fun, we stayed Friday – Monday and this was not during the school holidays which means it is always a little bit cheaper (still a lot pricier than a Haven weekend though).
Whinfell forest is located in Cumbria near the Lake District so for us it was only 1 hour 30 minutes drive from where I live in sunny Lytham, st Anne’s (a place a most definately recommend for holidays but that is for another blog). I have recently shared my Lakeland Haven review if you are interested in staying near the Lake district but you are unsure where to stay.
Things to do BEFORE visiting the Center parcs
Before heading to center parcs I recommend that you pre book activities that you and your family want to do as well as all the restaurants you would like to go to during your stay as everything gets booked up really quickly. I aksi recommend booking any free activities suych as the subtropical swimming (you can thank me for this later).
Bare in mind on a Friday at 3pm it is very busy, your lodge won’t be ready until 4pm so unless you want to sit in traffic for over an hour and park up in the car park whilst you wait around doing nothing I would recommend getting there later or a lot earlier if you want to make a day of it.
Checking in at Whinfell Forest
We were staying Friday to Monday and we arrived at the park at 3pm there was a large queue. You queue to check in in your car and then you are told to head to the car park area until your lodge is ready at 4pm. I didn’t see any option for early check in, we would have paid extra if we could.
You receive a wristband that unlocks your front door to your lodge and also works with the swimming lockers – GENIUS, for us it meant no lost keys and no spending time looking for the lost keys WIN WIN!!
The WIFI at Whinfell Forest Center Parcs
The WiFi was ok, in certain areas it didn’t work but we stayed at fell view and it seemed good in the lodge.
The lodges at the Center Parcs
We booked the style executive lodge for 4 adults and 2 children. The whole lodge was spacious and the beds were very comfortable, each room had a tv, an en suite and we had a whirlpool bath in the main adult rooms.
My parents stayed downstairs and we stayed upstairs which worked well especially for the random night cries Olivia woke up with that weekend.
There was a cot, 2 high chairs and we just had to bring our own bedding for the cot which was fine, the cot was wooden so could be cleaned but overall the lodges were very clean and “lodgy” (I know that isn’t a word but you get my gist).
There was also a sauna in the upstairs hall way it was good and worked well, we didn’t use it as much as we thought we would though so I don’t know if we would opt for that again.
The executive lodge gives you options of what you would like as additional extras the options include an outdoor hot tub, a games room, whirlpool bath and sauna.
Whats included in the center parcs lodge;
– Toilet paper
– 2 x dishwasher tablets
– 4 x tassimo coffee pods
– Towels
– 4 x Tea bags
What you need to bring to center parcs;
– Bedding for the cot
– More toilet paper
– Washing up liquid
– More dishwasher tablets
– More coffee pods
– More tea
– Surface cleaner
– dish cloths
– Shower items
– Cleaning products
– Hand gel
We cooked for all the family on the Saturday night and we could have done with more pots and pans so if you are cooking for 6 or more, i recommend bringing a couple with you.
The activities at the center parcs
There are so many activities to do for all the family on the first day George built a bird house in the building a nature house and Olivia went to baby sensory which she really enjoyed.
We booked in the swimming pool for each day as it was free and you have to book before going.
We booked the following activies at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest
Quad biking
Build a nature house
Crazy science
Baby sensory
Swimming pool (subtropical swimming paradise)
There are also outdoor play areas and soft play in the Lakeside inn both of which don’t need to be booked.
Quad Biking
My husband and I booked the quad biking and the grandparents kindly looked after the kids whilst we had fun on the quad bikes.
I was a little nervous initially but it was brilliant, you follow the instructor around the tracks with some fab twists, turns and hills to really test you and your quad biking skills.
We loved this.
Building a nature house
George was so excited for the class and it definately did not disappoint. George went with his daddy to this class and came back with a bird/insect house.
Crazy Science
The crazy science was fabulous, both my husband and I went with our 6 year old, we did 3 experiments and our son loved it.
Baby sensory class
Olivia really liked this class, it was really nice to go with my husband and do the class together as when I usually go to classes with her he is at work.
The restaurants at Whinfell Forest Center Parcs;
- Bella Italia
- Cafe Rouge
- Lakeside Inn
- The Huck
- The sports bar
- Starbucks
- The Pancake house
First night family meal
On the first night for the evening meal we went to the Lakeside in, the staff were lovely and the prices were reasonable, this was a pub type resturant so very laid back. We actually managed to get in without booking, it was good food and I recommend it. This pub also is home to the soft play area so if you would like a break from your children during dining, this is the resturant you would want to be dining at.
Saturday meals
The Pancake h0use was a must for us, George isn’t a fan of pancakes but his dad and I are and we absolutely loved it, George opted for a mocktail instead.
On the Saturday we had a BBQ at our lodge and it was absolutely lovely, you can get the disposable BBQ sets from the supermarket on site it is 2 for £11 at the time of writing this. We set up the Nintendo switch on the TV and we played games afterwards, it was the perfect family night in.
Sunday meal
On the Sunday we went to the American bar Hucks and it was a lovely meal with lovely staff members.
Things to do in the evening at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest
Unfortunately there is no evening entertainment, we asked the staff at center parcs why this was and they said it stopped due to covid they have tried to bring it back but it wasn’t the same so they no longer do it. We would have gone to the entertainment if it was just Dan, me, George and Olivia but as we were away with the whole family we wouldn’t have bothered. I do feel that this is a negative for us coming back as I think we would get a little bored in the evenings if it was just the 4 of us unless we ate a little later and tried to do activies later in the evening.
The Village Centre
When you come here you will see signs for the “village centre” this is where the restaurants, foods, outdoor pool and swimming and other classes are held, there is also face painting, hair braiding and teddy bear making.
The supermarket
The shop in the village has everything you need, the pricing was more expensive but not too badly priced on somethings if you have forgotten something or you would like to grab a little treat. The things I noticed a large mark up on was the baby milk and chocolate so I would suggest making sure you bring more than enough with you.
Please note that this shop closes at 4pm on a Sunday and there are no other shops on the site.
Parking
There was a queue to get in to the lodges and then parking outside the lodges were forbidden so you need to drive to your lodge, empty your goods then drive to the car park and walk back. At the time we didn’t realise this and we were left with a note on our windscreen and given a warning. It is free parking but the car parks can be a good walk away from your lodge so don’t leave your sunglasses in the car like we did.
Subtropical Swimming Paradise at Center parcs whinfell forest
Ok, so when it comes to swimming, for me – it has to be a warm pool. I just cannot stand being cold and this swimming pool did not disappoint. Even the outdoor pool lazy river area was warm. It was the perfect templature for both Olivia and I to take a dip in comfort.
The swimming had a lazy river, a wave pool, smaller area for children under one meter, outdoor pools which were really warm and 3 large slides, 2 of them you had to be over 1.2m to go on them, on the other 1m, the smaller slides children could go on with an adult.
There is a cafe where spectators can watch, I would suggest bringing your own drinks as the pool bar is very experience and you are looking at over £8 for a small glass of wine.
The Changing rooms are for both parents and can be shared as a family. Your locker can be locked by your wrist key and if you forget your locker number FEAR NOT there was locker number reminders that you can access with your wrist key – GENIUS!!!
Checking out
You have to check out by 10am on the day you are leaving, you put your wrist bands in the box when leaving.
Is the Center parcs Whinfell Forest worth the money?
We really enjoyed our time at the center parcs in whinfell forest so much so we have actually pre booked for next year with my parents again. The parts we enjoyed the most was being able to spend quality time with my parents going on nice walks and we also managed to spend some time together as a couple thanks to the grandparents. If it was just the 4 of us, I think we would be more suited to Haven where there is evening entertainment and arcades as George absolutely beautiful loves them but we do love center parcs for extended family time. I would be interested to come back for the winter wonderland as a family of four.
Carla is the founder of MyBump2Baby. Carla has a huge passion for linking together small businesses and growing families. Carla’s humorous, non-filtered honesty has won the hearts of thousands of parents throughout the UK.
She has previously written for the Metro and made appearances on BBC News, BBC 5 live, LBC etc. Carla is a finalist for Blogger of the Year award with Simply Ladies inc. Carla is also the host of the popular Fifty Shades of Motherhood podcast and The MyBump2Baby Expert podcast.