Center Parcs Bungalowparken: Nieuws, Acties, Aanbiedingen en kortingen
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Center Parcs Vakantiebon - tot 250 euro voordeel
Center Parcs Vakantiebon Voor aankomsten in de periode van 6 januari t/m 26 september 2025 m.u.v. schoolvakanties en feestdagen. tot 250 eu...
donderdag 29 september 2016
Fast Minute Dagen: Herfstvakantie vanaf €279
What’s new this month: September
Sherwood Forest ParcMarket reveal
For those who have visited Sherwood Forest recently, you may have noticed a big change to the ParcMarket. Nestled in the heart of the Village Square, the ParcMarket was given some TLC earlier this summer and has been transformed into a modern, new store. Take a look at the brand new ParcMarket and let us know what you think.
Nutmeg, the baby reindeer
Prepare for a cuteness overload as you meet Nutmeg, the baby reindeer as he joins us for Winter Wonderland this year. You will find this cuddly character around all our Center Parcs Villages on your Winter Wonderland break. So before you join us for the festive season, find out more about Nutmeg and his journey to Center Parcs here.
STA Swim Pups
Whinfell Forest and Sherwood Forest have recently welcomed a fun, new activity that will have your little ones learning key swimming skills with you by their side. You can find everything you need to know about STA Swim Pups here, from who it’s for, what’s involved and where to book.
Baby hedgehogs at Woburn Forest
Peanut the hedgehog has been a big hit with you all in the past, so we thought we’d introduce you to a few of her friends, baby Willow and baby Bobby. Sound cute? That’s because they are super cute! Read on to find out how these two adorable pals made Woburn Forest their new home.
Activities we know your little ones will love
As we know entertaining under 5s can sometimes be a tricky task, so we have created a Center Parcs guide to activities we know your little ones will love, from Mucky Pups to Mini Trek. So whether they’re creative or adventurous, we’ve got everything covered for both you and your little one to enjoy a fun-filled Center Parcs break.
Village Life digital edition
If you’re a fan of Village Life, then prepare to me amazed at our animated digital edition where you can cast your eyes upon delicious recipes, creative videos, exclusive interviews and much, much more. Whether you’re out and about or in the comfort of your own home, you can now access Village Life on your mobile, desktop or laptop. Impressed? Find out how you can access the new digital edition here.
Coming soon…
Next month is one not to miss. After all the Las Iguanas teasers we have been giving you, we will officially be launching Las Iguanas at Longleat Forest, getting you excited about Halloween, preparing you for your October half term and an Ireland update will be coming your way. Excited? We are!
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dinsdag 27 september 2016
The one-pot pasta recipe of dreams
Back to work, back to school, back to comforting bowls of food that make the dark evenings feel slightly less dreary…
The last thing anyone – myself included – wants on a grey September evening is to slave over pages of a cook book, deciphering a complex recipe, only to face the mountain of washing up later one.
This one-pot meal creates something deceptively delicious from just a few simple ingredients. Apart from a little chopping, it only takes 12 minutes to cook. Often, if I ask my son George what he fancies for dinner, it is this recipe he requests, and I’m only too happy to oblige.
I’m the first to admit I was sceptical when I first started experimenting with all-in-one pasta dishes. It goes against all my cooking instincts to put the pasta in with the tomatoes, herbs and water. But don’t worry – they simmer together, softening and sweetening, to make an excellent sauce that is rich and soothing and delicious, not to mention far more natural than anything you’ll find inside a jar.
Ingredients
Serves 3
340g good quality dried linguine (cheap spaghetti will go gluey)
340g cherry or baby plum tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
2-3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
A pinch chilli flakes
2 whole sprigs of basil
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp sea salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1070ml cold water
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
A few torn fresh basil leaves
Method
1. Place all the ingredients (except your parmesan and torn basil leaves) into a large, straight-sided pan
2. Bring to a boil over high heat
3. Boil the mixture, stirring and turning the pasta frequently until is cooked al dente and the water has nearly evaporated (11-12 minutes)
4. Leave it to rest for a minute and remove the basil stems
5. Serve sprinkled liberally with parmesan and your torn basil leaves
Tip: eat as soon as it’s ready or the starch in the pasta will make the sauce stiffen.
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zondag 25 september 2016
Natuurgeheimen: Krijgen baby flamingo's mamamelk?
zaterdag 24 september 2016
Packing for pre-school adventures at Center Parcs
From splashing about in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise to pausing over a picnic in the forest – you can get up to all sorts in a single day at Center Parcs. Save yourself from having to trek back and forth between your Lodge by packing everything you might need for your little ones in a backpack. Here are our essentials, but what would you add to the list?
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vrijdag 23 september 2016
Escape Room 1: "The Great Robbery"
Een vooraanstaande zakenman heeft jullie hulp nodig bij een diefstal uit het verleden. Aan jullie de taak zijn erfstuk terug te stelen door middel van diverse raadsels. Maar denk eraan, de locatie van het erfstuk is zwaard beveiligd.
Escape Room 2: "The Pharaoh’s Strange Curse"
Een verschrikkelijke vloek verspreid zich over de wereld, en het enige redmiddel bevindt zich diep in een Egyptische tombe. Lukt het jullie het antidote te vinden? Voorkomen jullie een immense ramp? Wees snel, voor je het weet is het te laat..
Bron: Center Parcs
donderdag 22 september 2016
Big Mama - Kempervennen
Kempervennen - Vennen uit zandopgraving
De meeste van onze vakantieparken zijn ontstaan op plaatsen die een soms onverwachte voorgeschiedenis hebben. Het is niet denkbaar en zeker ook nooit onze intentie om een vakantiepark in een kwetsbaar natuurgebied te ontwikkelen. We zijn zelf ervaren 'natuurbouwers'.Zo is het park De Kempervennen ontstaan rondom grote zandontgravingen, die na hun ontginning grote en diepe waterplassen hebben achtergelaten. Miljoenen tonnen zand werden van hieruit weggevoerd om de eerste ringweg rondom Eindhoven aan te leggen. Na de bouw van het park in het begin van de jaren tachtig zijn deze ontginningsputten door Center Parcs tot aantrekkelijke mooie meren omgevormd. Omdat in die nieuwe meren geen vissen leefden hebben we er in verschillende stappen een aantal vissoorten op uitgezet.
Big Mama - Meerval
In de lente van 1987 heb ik een school van ongeveer 200 stuks meervallen uitgezet. Deze visjes waren toen zo'n 12 cm lang. Ik had er toen goede hoop op, dat deze vissen zich goed stand konden houden in het meer, en dat was ook zo. De meervalvisjes groeiden voorspoedig, ongekend voorspoedig zelfs. Nu - 20 jaar later - zijn een aantal van hen tot echte "watermonsters" uitgegroeid. Eén van deze meervallen, verreweg de grootste, meet nu iets meer dan 2 meter en heeft een gewicht van rond de 200 kilo. De duikers van het watersportcentrum, die dit meer vaak gebruiken noemen hem (of haar) "Big Mama".Het is een waar monster. Zijn enorme bek met lange snorachtige voelsprieten is breder dan een man. Zijn grauwige lijf verduistert het water als hij beweegt, een Loch Ness monster op ons eigen Kempervennen.
Meervallen zijn roofvissen. Ze leven van insecten en kleine waterdieren, tenminste in hun jeugd. Voor Big Mama is dit op haar menu vervangen door eenden, waterhoentjes en vissen. Zelfs een gans is niet veilig. Het zijn nachtrovers, die overdag slaperig in het water hangen, bij voorkeur steeds op dezelfde plek. We weten waar Big Mama overdag het liefst luiert, en je kan haar daar bijna altijd vinden. Veel duikers en andere watersporters zijn bang voor deze kolos, maar voor mensen is ze geen gevaar. Ze slokt haar buit in één keer naar binnen. En al heeft ze echt een enorme bek, een mens in één keer opslokken is zelfs voor Big Mama iets te veel. Daarbij, overdag jaagt ze niet.
Er gaan vreemde verhalen over haar rond. Zo zou ze kleine hondjes roven en tegen waterfietsen beuken, en mensen de stuipen op het lijf jagen, maar dat is onzin. Het is voor mensen een volstrekt ongevaarlijk dier, groot weliswaar, maar geen gevaar.
Ze krijgt vaak bezoek van duikers die durven, en het lijkt er op dat ze die aandacht wel waardeert. Ze is nergens bang voor. Ze is zich bewust van haar formaat en weet dat ze geen echte vijanden heeft.
Naast Big Mama zijn er nog enkele van de toen uitgezette meervallen tot respectabele vissen uitgegroeid met een lengte van 80 cm tot 1 meter, maar geen Big Mama formaten. Ik weet niet hoe deze meerval zich verder ontwikkelt. Het is nu al één van de grootste gekende levende meervallen in Europa, maar ze kan nog altijd een flink stuk aangroeien. Ze is voor een meerval best nog jong.
Voor de watervogels op het meer is dit in elk geval geen echt goed nieuws. Deze staan immers hoog op haar menu en ze eet er enkele per week. Gelukkig broeden de eenden en wilde watervogels voorspoedig en merk je het eigenlijk niet aan de totale populatie. Voor mij, als bioloog, is het wel één van de meest geslaagde projecten geweest. Het uitzetten van de kleine meervalvisjes heeft leven in het water gebracht, al is het dan in een verschijning die ik me toen niet durfde voor te stellen.
Bron: Blog Jean Henkens
Last Minute, Meivakantie, Pasen, Pinksteren, Hemelvaart,
Zomervakantie, Herfstvakantie, Kerstvakantie, Voorjaarsvakantie,
First day of autumn
Today marks the first day of autumn and yes, we too are wondering where the summer has gone. Despite summer being short but sweet, the arrival of autumn is not one to despair, promise!
At all our Center Parcs Villages, autumn turns the forest into a glorious combination of colour, as green turns to red, orange and brown. Not only does the stunning scenery have us all excited for autumn, the arrival of this season brings lots more for us to look forward to. Half term is just around the corner, Halloween is looming and tummy warming dishes are back on the menu as we say goodbye to summer salads (we never really said hello, to be honest).
Whether you’re with family or friends there is something for all to enjoy on a Center Parcs break in autumn, so we’re giving you a sneak peek of what you can expect from an autumn break at Center Parcs in the image gallery below.
Click on any image to open up the autumn gallery.
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Surfen in de Rotterdamse binnenstad met Center Parcs
woensdag 21 september 2016
Center Parcs Business Solutions kiest voor BRNDCRMBS
Bron: Fonk online
Kerstvakantie bij Sunparks: nu nog 10% Vroegboekkorting!
Bent u op zoek naar een gezellig vakantiehuis in België in de kerstvakantie? De grote accommodaties zijn rond de kerst en oud&nieuw altijd zeer gewild en het snelste uitgeboekt. De actuele Vroegboekkorting van Sunparks waarmee u nu nog 10% bespaart* is daarom wellicht een interessant aanbod voor een groot vakantiehuis.
Er zijn vakantiehuizen tot 20 personen beschikbaar!Vier je kerstvakantie bijvoorbeeld aan de Belgische Kust (Sunparks De Haan aan zee met vakantiehuizen tot 12 personen of Sunaparks Oostduinkerke aan zee met vakantiehuizen tot 8 personen). Of kiest u voor een kerst in de mooie natuur van de bosrijke Ardennen (vakantiehuizen tot 20 personen) of de Kempen (tot 10 personen)?
Voor kleinere accommodaties voor 2-4 personen is onze tip te wachten tot er rond oktober/november kerstvakantie aanbiedingen en Last Minutes van Sunparks komen.
* Bij Sunparks krijgt u tot 2 maanden voor aankomst 10% Vroegboekkorting. Meer informatie over de kortingen van Sunparks ziet u hier:
Sunparks kortingen bekijken
(Let op: de jonge gezinnenkorting is vaak combineerbaar met de vroegboekkorting, maar alleen voor bepaalde data. Populaire aankomstdata in
de kerstvakantie zijn daarom waarschijnlijk uitgesloten).
Bron: www.sunparks.nl
Project Getaway: Win verblijf voor 6 personen! Kom naar de Binnenrotte in Rotterdam.
Zoover Award Gold voor de Vossemeren
dinsdag 20 september 2016
Santa’s elves at Center Parcs offered zero-hours contracts
Sunparks nazomer aanbod in september
Een verblijf van 2 nachten (bijvoorbeeld maandag - woensdag of woensdag - vrijdag) is ook beschikbaar. Prijzen vanaf 99 Euro!
Sunparks nazomeraanbieding bekijken
Onze tip: 2-persoons vakantiehuisjes en appartementen zijn bij Sunparks altijd zeer voordelig!
Bron: www.sunparks.nl
Meer berichten Sunparks aanbiedingen
September: this month we love
Taking your little ones away can sometimes be a daunting thought, thinking about what to pack, how to get there and the other hundred questions running through your mind. At Center Parcs, we like to take the stress out of your break and ensure that all ages are catered for, even those under 5. Don’t just take our word for it, here are five bloggers who mastered the art of a fun-filled, family Center Parcs break.
Hooked
Baking, crafts and family friendly reviews is what you can cast your eyes upon over at the Hooked blog. The creative posts focus on special family moments, with the shining stars being three little ones at the heart of the blog. Drool over delicious recipes (my favourite is the lemon drizzle cake) and marvel at incredible crafts, such as homemade lavender lotion bars.
Earlier this summer, the family took to Woburn Forest for an adventure; read their story here as they discover nature in the forest, take part in new activities and make some memorable family moments.
“It is definitely the small details which make Center Parcs such a great place for families to holiday.”
Mother and Baby
With the stress of packing for a holiday abroad something that some parents dread, a staycation is the answer to all your woes and worries. The writers at Mother and Baby reviewed Elveden Forest as a chosen destination to have a staycation with your family. From dining in our restaurants to having a splash in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, find out what the family of four got up to on their short break to Center Parcs.
Check out their verdict here.
There We Go
The tips and tricks from the writer of There We Go are rules to live by if you’re travelling with little ones. You can read all their exciting adventures from holidays abroad to family days out. The family of four are regular guests of Center Parcs, so read their useful advice, from 34 tips on taking a toddler to Center Parcs to six indoor and outdoor Center Parcs activities your little ones will love.
If you’re coming on a Center Parcs break, these need-to-know tips and tricks will prepare you for a fun-filled Center Parcs adventure.
“One of the great things about Center Parcs is that most of the restaurants have little soft-play areas in, so kids can play while they’re waiting for their food, or burn off some energy after a meal.”
Mummy plus three girls
Steph’s blog, mummy plus three girls, lets you into the life of her family of five, as she documents all their family adventures. With three lovely little ones, mummy plus three girls, is a great read for reviews, days out and activities to keep the little ones entertained. We really love her outdoor activities which have her little ones going on a leaf hunt and searching for creepy crawlies.
The family of five enjoyed a summer break at Whinfell Forest earlier this year and, full of family firsts and happy memories, Steph’s blog post is a must read.
If you thought the blog post was adorable, check out the video of their Center Parcs adventure.
“Our last full day was spent walking, exploring, watching the outdoor activities and eating yummy food!”
Little Button Diaries
The creators of Little Button Diaries are two Brighton-based mums who are known for their crafts and baking goods. Their colourful blog is filled with mouth-watering recipes and clever crafts to make with your little ones, all are a must read if you visit their blog. Little Button Diaries tell their Elveden Forest story through a collection of creative and adorable photos, making this visual post the perfect insight into a Center Parcs break.
Check out their Center Parcs adventure here
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maandag 19 september 2016
Natuurgeheimen: Hoe oud is een konijn als ze kindjes krijgt?
zondag 18 september 2016
De nieuwste short break sensatie is Center Parcs “Les Bois aux Daims”
De nieuwe standaard van het bekende bungalowpark
Center Parcs legt de lat hoog met de laatste aanwinst “Les Bois aux Daims” (Frans voor ‘het hertenbos’). Het belooft nog wat als de Nederlandse parken, die we allemaal wel kennen, ook een upgrade gaan krijgen naar deze nieuwe standaard van het bekende bungalowpark.
Voor ieder seizoen en voor iedere portemonnee biedt Center Parcs wat wils. Tegenwoordig kun je zelf bepalen op welke dag je aankomt en vertrekt. Een huisje heet hier een ‘cottage’. Er zijn 3 verschillende luxe niveaus: Comfort, Premium en VIP cottages. Op sommige parken worden ook bijzondere verblijven aangeboden. In Les Bois aux Daims kun je bijvoorbeeld in een schitterend boomhuis overnachten! Verder zijn er parken met hotelappartementen, hotelkamers, suites, Waterfront Suites en zelfs een woonboot. De cottages zijn van alle gemakken voorzien en bieden luxe extra’s die je verblijf bijzonderder maken dan thuis. Wat dacht je bijvoorbeeld van 2 badkamers (één met whirlpool en één met inloopdouche) en een Turks stoombad. Dagelijks opgemaakte bedden met de hotelservice. Een woonkamer met open haard, grote flatscreen televisie, Bluetooth Soundsystem, een hoekbank en grote glazen schuifdeuren die toegang geven tot het privéterras met tuinmeubilair. En natuurlijk een compleet ingerichte keuken in Amerikaanse stijl met onder andere een combimagnetron met crispfunctie, vaatwasser en een Nescafé Dolce Gusto
Bron en hele artikel: Verkeersbureau
Verbazing over werk aan ‘camping’ bij Parc Sandur
Eigenaar Bert Fuhler van het gelijknamige loonwerkbedrijf uit Barger-Oosterveld zou in eerste instantie eind augustus al beginnen met de eerste werkzaamheden, pal ten noorden van woningen aan de Toermalijndreef. Fuhler meldde dat in een briefje aan omwonenden, die daarop naar het bestuur van de wijkvereniging stapten.
Volkomen overvallen
Door ingrijpen van dat bestuur zijn de werkzaamheden voorlopig uitgesteld, in afwachting van een informatiebijeenkomst eind volgende maand in Golfparc Sandur. Secretaresse Tineke Verdonk zegt dat het bestuur en de inwoners van de wijk volkomen overvallen en verrast zijn door de plannen. ,,Sommige bewoners kregen ineens een briefje door de deur. Het schijnt volgens het bestemmingsplan te mogen, maar dat dateert uit 1994 of zo, uit de tijd dat hier nog louter sprake was van recreatieve woningen.’’
Inmiddels is Parc Sandur, behalve een onderdeel van Center Parcs, ook een volwaardige woonwijk. ,,Het is een beetje een vreemde situatie. Het lijkt erop dat de gemeente het bestemmingsplan voor dit onderdeel vergeten is aan te passen’’, denkt Verdonk. Ze kan verder niets vertellen over de plannen, simpelweg omdat Fuhler daarover geen mededelingen heeft gedaan. ,,Ook wij horen eind oktober wat de plannen zijn.’’
Bron en hele artikel: DVHN
vrijdag 16 september 2016
Natuurgeheimen: Hoe drinken vissen?
10 activities we know your little ones will love
We understand it can sometimes be difficult to choose new activities for your little ones to try. That’s why we’ve taken the guesswork away and created a guide to our top 10 activities we know your little ones will love.
Mini Trek
What’s it all about? If your little ones have seen you swinging through the trees on Aerial Adventure, then Mini Trek is perfect for your little daredevils who are looking for an adventure of their own. Once harnessed into our safety system, they can make their way around our 1-metre-high course collecting puzzle pieces as they go.
Where? Sherwood Forest, Whinfell Forest and Longleat Forest
For who? 2 years +
For how long? Approx. 30 minutes
Parent-accompanied? Person over 18 must be present
STA Swim Pups
What’s it all about? STA is the world’s largest independent organisation for swimming teaching and their new activity, unique to Center Parcs, will have your little ones learning essential swimming skills through a series of fun games led by an STA instructor. With you by their side your little ones will build confidence in the pool and learn a skill for life, taking home a certificate at the end to award their achievement.
Where? Sherwood Forest and Whinfell Forest
For who? 3 months to 4 years
For how long? Approx. 45 minutes
Parent-accompanied? Yes
Sensory Play Babies
What’s it all about? A specially designed session to allow you and your little one to spend quality time together exploring all their senses, through nursery rhymes, vibrant colours, soothing sounds and various textures.
Where? All Villages
For who? 8 weeks +
For how long? Approx. 30 minutes
Parent-accompanied? Yes
Fencing for Tots
What’s it all about? Dressed like the pros in their very own plastic face mask and foam sword, your little one can learn the skills to become a master fencer. Cheer them on, as they put on their mask and take their stance in this fun and energetic activity. En garde!
Where? All Villages
For who? 3 to 5 years
For how long? Approx. 30 minutes
Parent-accompanied? Person over 18 must be present
Off-Road Explorers
What’s it all about? Watch your little ones jump in the driver’s seat of their very own miniature 4×4. In Off-Road Explorers, they will make their way around our track, tackling the terrain and collecting puzzle pieces as they go.
Where? Sherwood Forest
For who? 3 to 7 years
For how long? Approx. 30 minutes
Parent-accompanied? Person over 18 must be present
Forest Crafts: Hobby Horse
What’s it all about? The whole family can join in this creative session that will have you decorating your very own hobby horse. Once complete, show off your horse at the final awards ceremony, where rosettes for the best dressed and best behaved are up for grabs, so saddle up and prepare to win best in show.
Where? All Villages
For who? 3 years +
For how long? Approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes
Parent-accompanied? Person over 18 must be present
Mini Captains’ Adventure
What’s it all about? Your little ones will become Captain of their own mini trawler in this exciting new activity. With their grown up shipmate on-board, work together to make your way around our lake solving your activity sheet as you go. Anchors away!
Where? Elveden Forest
For who? 3 years +
For how long? Approx. 40 minutes
Parent-accompanied? Person over 18 must be present
Mucky Pups
What’s it all about? Prepare to get messy in this fun activity that will have you and your little ones playing with water, sand, paint, playdough and much more at our messy play stations. Create messy masterpieces together, that you can take home at the end of the session.
Where? All Villages
For who? 18 months to 3 years
For how long? Approx. 1 hour
Parent-accompanied? Person over 18 must be present
Hero’s Party Hour
What’s it all about? Drop your mini superheroes off at Activity Den as they join us for this exciting party hour. Dressed as their favourite superhero, your little ones will enjoy the party as they dance, sing and join in the fun. They’ll make new friends and like any party, leave with a party bag in hand.
Where? All Villages
For who? 3 to 7 years
For how long? Approx. 1 hour
Parent-accompanied? No
Adventure of the Senses
What’s it all about? A family adventure that will have you exploring our sensory woodland, testing your own sense of sight, taste, touch, sound and smell. The best way for you to find out what it’s all about is to take a sneak peek at Adventure of the Senses in action.
Where? Elveden Forest
For who? Age range from walking onwards
For how long? Approx. 45 minutes
Parent-accompanied? Person over 18 must be paying and participating
To book any of these activities or find many more for all ages, check out what we have available here.
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woensdag 14 september 2016
Waanzinnige Woensdag: exclusieve aanbiedingen!
dinsdag 13 september 2016
Baby hedgehogs make their new home at Woburn Forest
**BABY HEDGEHOGS KLAXON**
Remember back in spring when we introduced Peanut the hedgehog who’d been looked after by the team at Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital, before being released into her new home at Woburn Forest?
Well you’ll be pleased to know that Peanut and the rest of her hedgehog cohorts have been getting on famously at Woburn Forest after making their own way in the woodland.
Hedgehog Hospital manager Natasha was so happy with the environment and the work done by the ranger team at Woburn Forest that she came back again this summer, and this time, she had baby hoglets with her…
Willow and Bobby were amongst the prickle of young hedgehogs being released last week. Just three months old, they have both been nursed back to health at Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital until they were strong enough to make a temporary home in the specially-built hedgehog enclosure at Woburn Forest.
After a couple of weeks, ranger Lucie Vicentijevic will open the enclosure’s doors and the hedgehogs will be free to explore the forest and get ready to hibernate over the winter.
We’ve worked closely with Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital since last year, when Woburn Forest was first designated as an official hedgehog release site. It met all of Natasha’s high standards for a release site due to the diverse natural environment and thriving ecology.
Helping little Willow and Bobby into their new home, Natasha said: “It’s a bittersweet day to say goodbye to these hoglets as we’ve become quite attached to them, but we’re excited for them to discover the world. We’ve managed a hedgehog rehabilitation programme for the last 25 years and working with Center Parcs Woburn Forest allows us to offer a safe haven for the baby hedgehogs.”
For now, Willow and Bobby will live in the safety of their enclosure (complete with its own tiny hedgehog-sized Center Parcs Lodges) while they get used to the environment. Even after they’re released, Lucie and the ranger team will continue to keep an eye on the little hoglets through their regular wildlife surveys.
If you’d like to find out how you can do best by any baby hedgehogs you may come across, take a look at Natasha’s tips for being hedgehog-friendly.
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Whinfell and Sherwood Forest welcomes STA Swim Pups
Unique to Center Parcs and available to book at Whinfell Forest and Sherwood Forest now, STA Swim Pups is a swimming adventure that will have your little ones laughing and splashing in the pool as they learn.
What is it?
STA Swim Pups has been created by the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) which is the world’s largest, independent organisation in lifesaving and swimming teaching. The activity involves a specially designed baby and pre-school programme, created with Center Parcs guests in mind.
Where is it?
The sessions will run in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise on Tuesdays from 11.30 to 12.14 at Sherwood Forest and on Wednesdays from 09.30 to 10.14 and from 10.15 to 10.59 at Whinfell Forest.
Who’s it for?
STA Swim Pups is designed for your little ones aged 3 months to 4 years and allows you to join them in the pool as they have fun learning vital swimming skills.
What’s involved?
The new activity involves a structured swimming programme that allows your little ones to gain essential swimming and movement skills in a fun and exciting environment. The sessions will involve a series of stimulating games that will be led by an STA-trained teacher. Your little ones can cycle around the pool on a float, canoe on a pool raft and take part in an aquatic nature trail. At the end of the 45-minute session, your little one will be awarded with an STA certificate as recognition of the skills they have acquired.
What do the experts say?
Kayle Burgham, STA’s Technical Manager for Aquatics, who wrote the STA Swim Pups programme, says: “STA Swim Pups is unique because it is an all-encompassing session designed to teach and reward children aged 3 months to 4 years on a short break, in a short time. It gives families the flexibility they need while on a short break, by not having to commit to multiple sessions to achieve an award.”
Where can I book?
If you are coming on a Center Parcs break to either Whinfell Forest or Sherwood Forest, you can book an STA Swim Pups session from September. On the activities booking website, you can find the activity under Children’s activities 2-7 years and then the Mini Adventures Together category.
Looking for more activities for your little ones? Check out a full list of activities on our activities booking website.
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zondag 11 september 2016
Surprise and delights from a Sherwood Forest housekeeper
With our Center Parcs housekeepers looking after hundreds of Lodges every day, we’re taking you behind the scenes and introducing you to Deb Hooper as she tells all about her life as a Center Parcs housekeeper and how she likes to put smiles on our guest’s faces.
Deb’s Center Parcs story
“I started my job as a housekeeper at Center Parcs on October 14, 2011. Before this I spent 16 years working in a nursing home. In the past few years, I have moved from looking after the Executive Lodges to now looking after the Exclusive Lodges.”
“I work on rota, which means I work on days around arrival and departure days. On a typical day at work, I meet my friends in the car park and we all walk up to the ‘bucket room’, where we collect all the things we will need to do a day of housekeeping. I provide the daily maid service that comes with an Exclusive Lodge so a typical day consists of the general cleaning and tidying of the Lodges and having a daily interaction with guests.”
“I enjoy being able to talk to guests, however if they’re not in we leave a slip or a message on the chalkboard so they know we’ve been to clean their Lodge.”
Memorable moments
We asked Deb what some of her most memorable moments have been while at Center Parcs. Deb says: “I recently met a little girl called Allison, who was staying in one of our adapted Lodges. She had a really good wheelchair with a radio and music player on. When I came to their Lodge, I used to interact with her and make her smile.”
“I made her a pom-pom bug which had wobbly eyes and I attached a piece of ribbon around it so I could attach it to her wheelchair. When I meet guests such as Allison it makes my job much more worthwhile.”
Special added extras
A perk of being a Center Parcs employee is being able to surprise and delight our guests, which at times can be a truly heart-warming experience. We were told that Deb does so many surprise and delights, that there were too many to mention. Recently, Deb has left colouring and activity packs, made towel animals, set up games, and made sleeping bag teddies for our guests.
We asked Deb what her favourite surprise and delight she had delivered was and, after thinking of the many that were in her mind, she says: “Recently we made a joint team effort to surprise a couple who were celebrating a golden wedding anniversary. We decorated their Lodge and drew a picture on their chalkboard. It was nice to work as a team to decorate their Lodge and the couple weren’t expecting it.”
Talking of other special added extras, Deb says: “I particularly love Christmas time at Center Parcs. A few friends and I like to dress up as elves, which is always a laugh as we like to cause mischief!”
Looking to follow in Deb’s footsteps?
We could tell by talking to Deb that she enjoyed her job and loved working at Sherwood Forest. So we asked Deb what advice she would give to anyone thinking of starting a career in housekeeping at Center Parcs. She says: “Just go for it – it will be the best thing you’ll ever do!”
She adds: “Center Parcs look after their staff so well and we get rewarded throughout the year. It’s also great if you want to further your career; there are so many opportunities.”
Convinced? If like Deb, you would like to start a career at Center Parcs, check out our careers page on our website or on our dedicated Facebook and Twitter pages.
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zaterdag 10 september 2016
vrijdag 9 september 2016
Het logo van Center Parcs - waar staat het voor?
Binnenkort bestaat Center Parcs 50 jaar. Begonnen als Sporthuis Centrum, volgt in 1986 de naamsverandering in Center Parcs. Op 16 september 1996 werd het huidige logo geïntroduceerd en werd er dus na 10 jaar afscheid genomen van het oude logo. Maar wat was het verhaal achter het vernieuwen van het logo?
- deel 1: Waarom verandert het logo?
- deel 2: Hoe kwam het logo van Center Parcs tot stand – De logo’s die het niet haalden.
- Vandaag deel 3: Het logo van Center Parcs.
Het logo van Center Parcs
Center Parcs staat voor kwaliteit. Dat is één van de belangrijkste signalen, die het nieuwe logo uitzendt. Die gedachte komt haarfijn overeen met de achtergrond van Plan Cocon. Hiermee gat Center Parcs zich nog meer van de concurrentie onderscheiden door vernieuwing en verbetering van service en faciliteiten.Waar staat het logo van Center Parcs voor:
- In elk seizoen de kleur van de lente
- het blad staat voor rust en natuur
- Zo vrij als een vogel
- De vogel symboliseert vrijheid en ontspanning
- Tijd voor elkaar en tijd voor jezelf, alles kan, niets moet
- Het lettertype en kleur benadrukken de kwaliteit van het product.
- De warme, vrolijke oranje lijn bezorgt het nieuwe logo de finishing touch
- het herinnert de gasten aan speelse elementen zoals water en golven en aan het vele plezier dat zij bij ons beleven
Last Minute, Meivakantie, Pasen, Pinksteren, Hemelvaart,
Zomervakantie, Herfstvakantie, Kerstvakantie, Voorjaarsvakantie,
All your questions answered about a Center Parcs break with under 5s
We have carefully designed activities, created menus and equipped Lodges with your little ones in mind. So before you visit Center Parcs with your toddler or baby, here’s your most-asked questions, answered.
Are cots and cot bedding supplied?
At all our Villages except Woburn Forest, one cot and a high chair are provided in all two, three and four bedroom Lodges. The size of the cots provided are 121cm x 60cm and the mattress sizes are 116cm x 52cm.
At Woburn Forest, travel cots of length 127 cm, width 66cm, depth 77cm are provided, with wooden cots available on request, simply call our Contact Centre on 03448 267 723 ahead of your stay and we’ll arrange it.
If you’re staying at any of our Villages with a little one that requires the use of a cot, you will need to bring cot linen along with you.
Do you have any babysitters at Center Parcs?
Our Villages offer a professional babysitting service, if you fancy a romantic meal for two or a couple of hours in the spa. There is a minimum age of 3 months for this service and if you have three little ones under 5 or more than four children then an extra babysitter will be required.
The cost of this service is up to £8.50 per hour. But a bit of me time? Priceless.
Can I hire a pushchair?
You can hire a pushchair at all our Center Parcs Villages for a small charge. You are able to pre-book these and collect them on arrival at collection points around each Village.
At Sherwood Forest you can collect your pre-booked pushchair from Activity Den, except on a Monday and a Friday where they can be collected from Guest Services.
At all other Villages pre-booked pushchairs can be collected from the Cycle Centre.
Do we have a Crèche?
At all Center Parcs Villages, sessions in our Crèche are available at our Ofsted-registered Activity Den, for ages 3 to 23 months and 24 to 35 months. In these non-parent accompanied sessions, your little ones will learn and develop in a stimulating, safe environment.
For times and availability, find out more here.
Do we have to keep within the age ranges for activities?
All our activities at Center Parcs have age criteria to ensure the safety and enjoyment of each guest taking part. For all activities, participants must meet the age criteria, with some activities requiring an adult over the age of 18 to participate. If in doubt, check with our Guest Services team during your stay or a member of staff at a booking point.
How will I get my little ones into the centre if they can’t ride a bike?
If you’re looking for an easy way to get around the Village then the Cycle Centre offer the perfect solutions. You can hire adult bikes which are specially tailored for you and your little ones. Adult bikes are available with a child seat on the back for a single child or a small trailer designed for little ones aged 6 months and above. Check out our Cycle Centre video here to find out which bike is best for you.
If you’re staying at Longleat Forest, our Land Train allows you to easily get from A to B.
A timetable is available on arrival, however in general the Land Train runs from 8:30am to 11.00pm every 20 minutes, with times varying on arrival and departure days.
What activities are there for under 5s?
At all our Villages, Activity Den offers a range of fun and stimulating activities you and your little ones can enjoy, such as Mucky Pups, Forest Crafts and Toddler Party Hour. You can learn more about preschool breaks at Center Parcs here, or find a full list of activities available on your break on our activities booking website.
Want to find out more about a Center Parcs break with an under 5? Discover our top five reasons why Center Parcs is perfect for your little ones.
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Meet Nutmeg, the baby reindeer
Winter Wonderland has a new star: Nutmeg. He’s also the main character in our new 2016 children’s book: Nutmeg’s Antlers.
Written and illustrated entirely by the team here at Center Parcs Head Office, Nutmeg’s Antlers is an enchanting, traditional storybook that captures the joy of Winter Wonderland and tells the story of one of our baby reindeer.
During his Christmas visit to Center Parcs from his home in Lapland, Nutmeg is enjoying meeting guests when he discovers that he’s too little to join his parents for Santa’s very important mystery task on Christmas Eve. Determined to help, he sets out on an adventure through the forest in search of his antlers, making some new friends along the way. But when Santa’s plans go awry, could little Nutmeg be the one to save the day?
Nutmeg’s Antlers: An Adventure at Center Parcs will be available from Santa’s Woodland Workshop and ParcMarket on all of our Villages from the beginning of Winter Wonderland (Monday 7 November, 2016) until Christmas Eve. It’s the perfect present for little ones to remember their magical Center Parcs break. Also at Santa’s Woodland Workshop is the adorable, cuddly soft toy version of little Nutmeg – complete with tiny antler bumps.
But that’s not all! There’s a new free activity this year with Nutmeg as the star. On the Sculpture Trail, you can explore each of our Villages with beautiful Winter Wonderland sculpture. At the end of each trail is a Nutmeg sculpture, depicting part of the story – Nutmeg meeting swans by the lake, or searching the spooky old oak tree.
At each sculpture, you can bring Nutmeg to life. There’ll be a small code you can scan with a smartphone which will create a virtual reality Nutmeg through your phone camera, so you and your little ones can have your photo taken with little Nutmeg.
Of course, if even virtual reality isn’t quite real enough for you, you can visit our reindeer by Santa’s Woodland Workshop, and meet a real life baby reindeer.
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donderdag 8 september 2016
Natuurgeheimen: Hoe komt het dat gras groen is?
Hot off the press: Village Life Digital edition
Great news superfans, your favourite tri-annual magazine, Village Life, now exists online!
It’s packed with all the news and features from the magazine – including a guide to preschool breaks, dark chocolate recipes and Scandi interiors – as well as exclusive competitions, stories and videos. It’s never been easier to read Village Life on the move. Read it on the school run, in the office, in the always-so-long changing room queues in John Lewis, wherever you like!
The all-singing, all-dancing first digital edition is responsive, so whether you view on mobile, desktop or laptop, it will fit your screen perfectly. To launch the first edition, we’ve jam-packed it full of exclusive content, including videos, interviews and image galleries, as well as competitions to enter.
Don’t worry, the paper copy of Village Life will continue to be mailed out to a select number of guests, but the digital edition is available and free for everyone to view. Read it now!
PS. Don’t forget to let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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woensdag 7 september 2016
What’s new this month: August
A taste of Latin America
Last month, Sherwood Forest and Longleat Forest welcomed Bella Italia, this month we’ve been keeping you updated on another exciting new restaurant expected to arrive at Longleat Forest soon. Las Iguanas will become a new addition to Longleat Forest and we’ve given you a sneak preview of what you can expect from the restaurant and a look inside the delicious menu. This is one not to miss.
Center Parcs is heading to Ireland
It has been an exciting few weeks for Center Parcs as planning permission for our first Village outside the UK goes ahead and we can’t stop talking about it! The 395-acre site will become our sixth Village and will include all your favourite Center Parcs features. If you missed it first time round, here’s a reminder of what you can expect from Longford Forest, due to open in 2019.
Pop the champagne
We’ve been hearing about all your celebrations that have been taking place at Center Parcs this summer and to join in the celebrations we picked a few milestone occasions to tell you about. We congratulated three happy couples who’ve been celebrating momentous anniversary celebrations with their family this summer at Whinfell Forest.
A special surprise
We love to hear stories from our guests here at Center Parcs and we love it even more when it involves our Center Parcs staff helping to make your break even more special. When we heard Shona’s story, we loved it that much we just had to tell you about it.
We found the treehouse of the year
Last month we launched our nationwide search to find The UK’s Top Treehouse. We had so many creative entries which were all deserving of a gold medal, but there could only be one winner. Our judges had the difficult job of narrowing down the competition so, at last, we have the worthy winner! Head over to Facebook to find out more.
The gold goes to Rajinda
Rajinda Pradesh at Elveden Forest goes from silver to gold under the Eat Out Eat Well scheme. The scheme awards restaurants and caterers for offering healthier options and awards either bronze, silver or gold awards. This month Rajinda Pradesh took the gold and has been recognised as offering guests healthy menu choices when dining out.
Coming soon…
Next month we will be introducing you to Nutmeg the reindeer, updating you on the new hedgehog arrivals at Woburn Forest and bringing you the ultimate one-pot pasta recipe.
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Hoe kwam het logo van Center Parcs tot stand – De logo’s die het niet haalden.
Center Parcs logo's die het niet haalden |
- deel 1: Waarom verandert het logo?
- Vandaag deel 2: Hoe kwam het logo van Center Parcs tot stand – De logo’s die het niet haalden.
- deel 3: Het logo van Center Parcs.
Zo kwam de vorm tot stand
Voor de vormgeving van het logo tekent het gerenommeerde Engelse ontwerpbureau CGI. De ontwikkeling van het beeldmerk heeft meer dan een jaar in beslag genomen. Het proces begon met de design briefing. Hierin werd gevraagd om de belangrijkste elementen van het Center Parcs concept tot vorm te laten komen.
Internationaal comité
In eerste instantie ontwikkelde CGI een aantal ontwerpen. Na selectie bleven er twee over. Deze ontwerpen werden binnen Center Parcs beoordeeld door een internationaal comité, bestaande uit John Dalgety, voorzitter van de Raad van Bestuur, Luite Moraal (Benedu) en Peter Moore (UK). Zij kozen als winnend ontwerp de ‘leafbird’ genoemd naar de versmelting van de bladeren tot een vogel.
Interviews
Consumenten, in alle landen waar Center Parcs actief is, waren betrokken bij de uitgebreide tests van het logo. Belangrijkste conclusie: de meeste ondervraagden zagen het logo als symbool voor kwaliteit en ‘sophistication’. Zij associeerden het beeldmerk spontaan met de steekwoorden als vrijheid, natuur en veelzijdigheid. Op basis van hun (geringe) kritiek werd het design nog iets sprankelender gemaakt.
Bron: (Pers)Leaflet van Center Parcs 1996