The family Hicks have just returned from a week at Center Parcs Longleat. While it does have the feel of a Harvester restaurant thats overgrown and taken the ‘Forest Theme’ just that little bit too far, it was a damn good break. As we had taken 3 weeks off to go Australia back in January, we needed a smaller thing for a week that would be small-person friendly. Less travel, more fresh air.
Being able to have a holiday without needing to use a car is very good thing™. We spent the week on hired bicycles with Samantha & Daniel in a trailer on the back of Leigh’s bike. I have no idea how she managed to pull all that weight up hills - I just couldn’t do it! It was exhilarating to be cycling around the forest - a big change from the usual routine of sitting in front of a computer screen.
Being on holiday with kids and no babysitters means that evenings are spent IN. However, we had a very nice pad for the week, and having time to just watch telly was a real treat. We watched the whole series of Long Way Round, and I now want to get a motorbike!
While the setting was beautiful, and the weather on the warm and sunny side of Autumn, the main ‘plaza’ piped Robbie Williams and Dido. That should describe the intended demographic nicely. The other minus was the lack of imagination with childrens menus, with food being a little overpriced generally. No matter, we got a good break, and some fresh air and excercise.
One more thing about Center Parcs - does the logo look familiar? They’ve had it for longer, so I may have to change logos soon!