The problem was that whatever we did was going to have to be pretty cheap and despite hours of bleary-eyed internet trawling for that amazing deal, and thinking the credit-crunch would lower prices, it was soon apparent that abroad was out of the question. Even UK B&Bs still seem to have a suicidal pricing policy that I can only assume is as a result of some over-inflated opinion of what most of them actually provide. Even the most basic of these made over – barely in a lot of cases - family houses was asking for as much if not more than ‘proper’ hotels.
We agreed on a last ditch Google search then if that failed; give it up as a bad game. Into the search box went ‘cheap uk breaks’ and the first thing that popped up was an offer for a short break at Center Parcs. We’d always fancied a trip to one of their sites but had assumed it would be expensive. This four-night break offer though was remarkably cheap and so it was that half an hour after spotting the advert we had booked a four night, midweek break at Center Parc in Elveden Forest.
A holiday by car, for us anyway, offers so much freedom when compared to an air trip. The whole business of deciding what to bring, then cutting it by half, weighing it all, cutting it by half again then removing any liquids just doesn’t figure when you take your own car – OK apart from when we had the MX-5s. Planning this trip was bliss. Walking shoes, walking boots, beer, wine, spirits, nibbles, DVDs were all tossed into the back of the car. Torches, tools, a selection of coats, as many permutations of trousers, tops and swimming costumes as we could think of all got packed. The best thing of all though was that for the first time since we’d bought it two years previously we were going to use our bike rack. Oh yes, our bikes were coming too. So, having pre-booked our breakfasts, spa passes, a yoga class and a Boxercise session we filed every spare inch of space in the car and had a leisurely drive to our Suffolk destination.
Our first impressions on arrival were very good. The place was well organised, with cars only being allowed in and around the accommodation at a certain time and then only to unload luggage, before being parked in their massive car park away from the lodges and the village centre. We were staying in the Lakeview Hotel and were delighted when we swung open the door to our room and discovered our clean, well-equipped and spacious home for the next few days. True to the hotel’s name a large balcony looked out over the lake and onto which every day we were visited by a very cheeky and inquisitive squirrel. Despite having what looked like brand new furniture the balcony was, to be fair, a bit cold and damp to sit out, but it was perfect for keeping cold what drinks we couldn’t squeeze into the room’s little fridge.
The excellent hydro pool
The spa area is a two minute cycle or five minute walk from the centre and it wasn’t long before we were into the complimentary fluffy bathrobes and getting on with the serious business of relaxing. The spa has several different steam/sauna experiences, a heated outdoor hydro pool, treatment rooms, day beds, water fountains, complimentary fruit and an abundance of very comfortable chairs. All of this is cleverly lit and bathed in soothing music. In short, this is what relaxing is all about and we made full use of the facility for the whole of our stay. After a large and very enjoyable meal in the American diner that night we slipped back to our room and slept the sleep of the very sleepy until a far more civilised time the next morning than our usual 5.25 alarm.
Onto the bikes then, kitted out in all our very sensible cycling gear, and off we went for a two-minute ride to a full English breakfast. This was the perfect fuel for the morning ahead, a bike ride around the whole park. When you spend the bulk of your travelling time on packed trains and tubes the sense of liberation to be had from a bike ride in open country is immense. This was what we came away for and we were loving it. We stopped and admired many of the park’s facilities, which incredibly included a sandy beach. Every bend we turned revealed some other activity opportunity; paintball, archery, crossbows, shooting, canoeing, quad biking, you name it, it’s provided. As every other day of this trip, breakfast kept us going through lunchtime and as such we were really able to make the most of our time – at a very relaxed pace of course. That afternoon then we had a quick change and made our way to the waterworld for a brilliant fun afternoon, making the most of all the facilities as any of the kids there but with a little less screaming. Well, me anyway. Lynda can’t go on any ride, slide or rollercoaster without screaming like a real girl – but it’s very funny!! We rounded off the day’s activities with another spa session then finished the evening with another splendid dinner, this time in the village’s Café Rouge.
Wonderful food !
The Lake View Hotel from across the lake
and from the front - the sticking out bit's the revolving restaurant
After yet another spa marathon we slobbed out in our room having ordered a take away pizza and stuck on a couple of DVDs we’d bought with us. If anyone tells you ‘Barton Fink’ or ‘Anchorman’ are really good films, pretend you don’t speak English and go and watch something completely different. We’d been told that these two very different films were ‘fantastic’. Well maybe to someone else they are but not to us. To be fair ‘Anchorman’ only lasted twenty minutes before it went in the bin so maybe we missed the really hilarious bits, but I doubt it very much.
The next day was our last and fair play to Center Parcs, as long as you’re out of your room / lodge by ten in the morning they’re more than happy for you to make the most of the facilities for the whole day. So we did. We packed the car first, cycled up to the Spa, broiled ourselves in all of the many the sauna variations, water-cannoned ourselves red raw in the hydro pool, rubbed crushed ice over our over-heated bodies, ate three pounds of complimentary fruit, then went home, on the way feasting on the pizza we couldn’t finish the night before.
Everything about our break had exceeded our expectations. We couldn’t fault it in any way and vowed we would make regular return visits. It wasn’t quite the ‘health and fitness’ break we almost kidded ourselves it was going to be – let’s be fair it was never going to be when we packed champagne, wine, beer, Southern Comfort, Whisky, crisps, nuts and sweets – but we had the most fantastic time.
I always like to acknowledge those people that make any of our trips special and memorable. On this occasion, firstly by a long way, I have to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Lynda for making it such a fun and relaxing break and for her thoughtful planning of all of my birthday treats. Secondly, thanks to Center Parcs for providing so much at such a reasonable cost, and for the courtesy and helpfulness of all the staff we encountered. We couldn’t have done it without you.
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