When our group of 90 Irish dancers and mums boarded the bus in Holywood County Down and headed for Center Parcs in Longford, it is fair to say that most of us didn’t really know what to expect, but we had all heard great things. There was an air of anticipation as the excited babble of 50 young girls could be heard through our coaches as they gossiped, laughed and sang the whole way down.
Upon approach I saw a beautiful deer walk gently across the forest path in front of us and felt immediately at home with nature. This was going to be good! A quick chat at the security hut led to a large carpark and we caught our first glimpse of the site.
The excitement was palpable, but the truth is, nothing prepares you for Center Parcs Ireland, the whole thing is just remarkable. Nestled in the beautiful Longford Forest, it is so kid and family focused it’s incredible – like they’ve thought of everything you’d never thought of – and it’s just an ideal place to get away and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The scale is unimaginable – think of lots of football pitches, a super-dooper sized playpark and water park, as well as a massive artificial lake surrounded by footpaths, roads and a whole lot of other things, and you might just be able to picture the huge scale of it, it just exceeded all of my expectations.
One thing I loved about the place is that the only time cars are allowed on site is to transport guests and luggage to their lodges, after that the only means of transport are bicycles or your own two feet! It was so lovely to see groups of families and friends cycling together and the lack of cars created a more relaxed, serene ambiance. The easiest way to get around is by hiring a bicycle (or you can bring your own) as there is some distance between attractions. This can be a disadvantage for the perambulate, but we found the team to be very accommodating so I can only guess extra needs will be looked after accordingly.
And on the subject of staff; even though we were part of the biggest group they’d had since opening, the staff could not have been more accommodating. Staff at all stages were incredible, they were engaged, fun and as you would expect, excellent with kids. When I left behind some personal belongings, they were easy and efficient to liaise with from a post-visit customer service perspective too.
The lodges are a really high standard and there are over 450 to choose from. Ours were conveniently located near the main shopping and restaurant area which we loved. The beds got thumbs up from everyone and were definitely 4-5 star hotel mattress quality (although I think sleep would come easy to even the fussiest sleeper after such a jam-packed day!).
The lodges were modern with pretty much everything you would need – including excellent WIFI (which is great if you’re anything like me and constantly trying to balance work and pleasure or trying to negotiate later activities for teens).
The kitchen is well-equipped and we brought our own food to self-cater as well as pre-booking restaurants to eat out (the Indian was FAB!). There is a supermarket which is handy if you run out of any essentials (or fancy a little nightcap after such a busy day), and each lodge also comes with a ready-made pit out the back so you can have a family BBQ if you aren’t in the mood to head out to one of the many restaurants on site.
Speaking of restaurants, there are lots to choose from, all offering different kinds of food. Their child-friendly policy creates a relaxing setting that both parents and children can enjoy easily. In Hucks restaurant there is even a computer room and soft play area that your child can go off and explore whilst you finish your meal, meaning you can sit and enjoy the food without the incessant “mum I am done, can we go now” that can often be heard at restaurants from little ones ready to move on to the next activity.
Surrounded by forest, the 400 acre site was beautiful and you instantly feel stress levels fall as you take in the vast landscape of total beauty that encloses you. The carless roads also mean little ones can roam around exploring without the constant worry of traffic.
The designers have definitely had parents in mind when creating the site and have thought of absolutely everything. The whole process is seamless (I especially appreciated the fact that the wristbands open your cabin and act as a locker key for the Subtropical Swimming Paradise – meaning less to carry and no scrambling in handbags for loose change whilst kiddies hover impatiently wanting to dive right in!)
There are over 100 activities to enjoy both indoor and outdoor, so whatever the weather there will be lots to do. You could spend a week here and still not get through the jam packed schedule which includes things like cupcake making, laser quest, den building as well as a cute off road track for 3 year olds and up. We challenged ourselves to the high wire walking – which is hairy and scary, more so for the mums than the kids if truth be told! There is also a spa that grown ups can enjoy. I had a wonderful full body massage and my mum friends also had facials while we all took turns to team-parent our collective kids. It was heavenly.
Ireland’s largest water park, the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, is open from 10am til 9pm, meaning you can go at a time that suits you. The 29.5C heat feels more like stepping into the Mediterranean than the middle of Ireland and it really is magical. There are also loungers and cots next to most sections of the water park which makes it easy to keep an eye on everyone.
Do note that many of the activities and the spa cost extra, but you can get a price list and book before you go. In fact I would highly recommend booking before you go, as weekends can get jam-packed. There are plenty of free things to do though, such as trips to the many parks, bike rides with the family (if you bring your own bike as opposed to hiring) walks through the forest and visits to the swimming pool (which is so good you could easily go each day).
Holidaying with kids can be stressful, and it’s not easy (and can be lonely at night if you’re a single mum like me), but I really enjoyed being part of a group and sharing a cabin. Everything was so relaxed and peaceful as well as super exciting for the children. Maybe it’s the lack of screens or the fresh air, but whatever it is I can’t wait to get another dose! My overall verdict? This was the ultimate family escape, and I can’t wait to visit again.
For more information visit the Center Parcs website: www.centerparcs.ie