Our wonderful family getaway at Center Parcs Woburn Forest

Planning a family holiday when you’ve got a toddler in tow often sounds equal parts thrilling…and daunting. Will there be tantrums? Hilarious mishaps? Epic adventures? So when the idea of booking Centre Parcs came to mind, I instantly thought, well, it’s a place geared up to entertain families especially kids, so this must be the way to go right…

We packed the car to the brim, definitely a perk as there is no baggage allowance when you drive, so no stress when it came to packing our belongings. We even did a big food shop beforehand to equip ourselves with a fully stocked kitchen at the lodge.

Roaming around the forest

Check in is at 4pm, but you can arrive earlier and enjoy what Centre Parcs has to offer. We turned up at 10am, got out wristbands at the entrance while in the car and proceeded to the car park, it felt effortless and welcoming. Once parked, we headed to the Plaza to look around, which had a Starbucks, restaurants, indoor sports activities and a supermarket.

The mini manmade beach caught our attention immediately and that’s where we ended up spending a good chunk of our time, Perfect for our toddler to run around, playing with the sand and enjoying his surroundings. The location itself is beautiful—nestled in a forest with peaceful, tree-lined paths and plenty of fresh air.

Our Executive Lodge

The lodges are modern, clean, and well-equipped, providing a comfortable base for a relaxing break. There are different lodges to choose from, the more expensive you go the better the facilities are in the lodge.

We opted for the Executive lodge, which is one step up from the very basic lodge. It had two rooms and two bathrooms, one of the bathrooms had a hydra bath, which was definitely a sweetener. And yes I most definately indulged in two baths while I was there.

The lodge is cosy, nothing aesthetically amazing on the inside, but that wasn’t why we were there, so that didn’t matter as much. It was clean and pretty good enough for a 5 days. (A heads up the Wi-Fi can be spotty, so if you have work calls, scope out the Starbucks… if it’s open!)

Activities

What really stood out was the variety of activities available. Whether you’re into high-energy adventures like zip-lining and archery or prefer a slower pace with spa treatments and nature walks, there’s something for everyone. For our two year old we booked in messy play, baby owl watching, balance bike play and football for little ones.

The messy play was a real hit, but to be honest he gravitated to the two outdoor play areas and soft play areas inside the restaurants (all with free access). So don’t feel like you need to go crazy in paying for so many different activities.

The Subtropical Swimming Paradise was a huge hit with us all, it has a small pool for little ones, along with thrilling rapids, gentle lazy rivers, and a splash-friendly zone. We were hooked for hours.

Spa

Make sure you sneak away for a few hours and discover a spa that feels straight out of a design magazine. With 25 nature-inspired spa experiences, from bubbling hydrotherapy to steam rooms and eucalyptus steam saunas. It’s the ultimate adult playground for relaxation. I booked in three hours for £69.00 and it was worth every penny.

Eating and drinking out

Dining options were plentiful, with good quality food across the restaurants, and we appreciated the flexibility of self-catering when we felt like a quiet evening in. There is a supermarket so you can buy most food items, It isn’t a huge supermarket, so I do recommend bringing some of your favourite essentials. We made our own breakfast and had a few pasta nights—essential when your little one declares, “I’m starving!” at 6 PM sharp.

Summary

Woburn Forest strikes the ideal balance between adventure and relaxation, perfect for families and groups of friends eager to unwind and reconnect with nature. With daily activities booked for our toddler, we had a gentle structure to our days, which helped us ease into a routine without feeling rushed. But the real magic came from the freedom to explore at our own pace, discovering quiet corners of the forest and letting each day unfold naturally.

It was the first time we’ve all been away and genuinely felt we could have stayed longer. We left feeling happy and recharged, and already talking about visiting one of the other Center Parcs locations. ]

We booked about 6 months in advance and got a deal of 5 days and 4 nights for £549.00, it was also early May, so off peak, another reason we got this offer at such a good price.

For more information and to book click here.

Words and photography by Nyla Sammons