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Center Parcs Top tip: CenterParcs.fr is nearly always cheaper than CenterParcs.eu for exactly the same holiday (it's often €100 cheaper for a week in summer). Your browser will translate CenterParcs.fr to English if you don't speak French! Read more.
Which Center Parcs Is Best In Belgium? (2024 Guide)
If you're looking for a cheap alternative to Center Parcs in the UK, take a look at Center Parcs in Belgium (or Germany, Netherlands or France). Center Parcs Europe operates as a separate company to Center Parcs UK but they share a lot in common.
There are five Center Parcs in Belgium to choose from and they are relatively easy to drive to from the UK.
But which is the best Center Parcs in Belgium? We've done a comparison of customer reviews, onsite facilities and activities including waterparks, distance and travel time from the UK and value for money at different times of year.
If you just want the summary rather than our great big mountain of waffly research, start by looking at Center Parcs Vossemeren or Center Parcs Erperheide.
There are five Center Parcs in Belgium to choose from and they are relatively easy to drive to from the UK.
But which is the best Center Parcs in Belgium? We've done a comparison of customer reviews, onsite facilities and activities including waterparks, distance and travel time from the UK and value for money at different times of year.
If you just want the summary rather than our great big mountain of waffly research, start by looking at Center Parcs Vossemeren or Center Parcs Erperheide.
Center Parcs Erperheide is much cheaper than the UK Center Parcs in our comparisons...
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...and it scores about 4/5 from reviewers
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For the full rundown of how we reached that conclusion, read on...
Which Center Parcs in Belgium is nearest to the UK?
Most British people with a car get to Belgium by either catching a ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge (12 hours) or by using the Eurotunnel at Folkestone in Kent (a rather more appealing 35 minutes)
If you use the Eurotunnel, you've then got to drive from Calais. From closest to furthest:
So, if you're travelling from the South East of England you could potentially get from the edge of the M25 to Center Parcs Park de Haan in about three hours. In fact, Center Parcs Park de Haan is nearer to Calais than all of the other Center Parcs across Europe, including those in France.
If you use the Eurotunnel, you've then got to drive from Calais. From closest to furthest:
- Center Parcs Park de Haan - 1 hour 15 minutes from Calais
- Center Parcs Vossemeren - 3 hours 30 minutes
- Center Parcs Erperheide - 3 hours 30 minutes
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort - 3 hours 30 minutes
- Center Parcs Les Ardennes - 4 hours
So, if you're travelling from the South East of England you could potentially get from the edge of the M25 to Center Parcs Park de Haan in about three hours. In fact, Center Parcs Park de Haan is nearer to Calais than all of the other Center Parcs across Europe, including those in France.
Center Parcs Park de Haan is the closest European Center Parcs to the UK - but others get much better reviews
Which Center Parcs in Belgium gets the best reviews?
When we checked, there were three Center Parcs in Belgium that were fighting for the top spot from customer reviews.
Center Parcs Vossemeren, Center Parcs Erperheide and Center Parcs Terhills Resort all score 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
The winner overall is Center Parcs Terhills Resort, as it scores an impressive 4.5/5 on Google Reviews. It only opened in 2021, so the total number of reviews isn't quite as high as the other resorts.
Center Parcs Vossemeren scores 4.3/5 on Google reviews whilst Center Parcs Erperheide scores 4.2/5. The ranking is similar on Booking.com, with Terhills Resort first, Vossemeren second and Erperheide third. The total number of reviews on Booking.com is quite small.
That means that those three parks get similar reviews to the five Center Parcs in the UK, which all score 4/5 on Trip Advisor and 4.5/5 or 4.6/5 on Google reviews.
Two Belgian Center Parcs resorts get somewhat lower scores.
Center Parcs Les Ardennes scores 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor or 3.7/5 on Google.
Center Parcs Park de Haan is a curious one, as it is actually a Sunparks which rebranded to a Center Parcs for holidays in 2020 (both names are owned by the same company in Europe). It currently scores 3/5 from a fairly small number of reviews on TripAdvisor or 3.8/5 on Google reviews.
Here's the full ranking, with those scores converted into a percentage score to make it easier to compare (you're welcome):
Center Parcs Vossemeren, Center Parcs Erperheide and Center Parcs Terhills Resort all score 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
The winner overall is Center Parcs Terhills Resort, as it scores an impressive 4.5/5 on Google Reviews. It only opened in 2021, so the total number of reviews isn't quite as high as the other resorts.
Center Parcs Vossemeren scores 4.3/5 on Google reviews whilst Center Parcs Erperheide scores 4.2/5. The ranking is similar on Booking.com, with Terhills Resort first, Vossemeren second and Erperheide third. The total number of reviews on Booking.com is quite small.
That means that those three parks get similar reviews to the five Center Parcs in the UK, which all score 4/5 on Trip Advisor and 4.5/5 or 4.6/5 on Google reviews.
Two Belgian Center Parcs resorts get somewhat lower scores.
Center Parcs Les Ardennes scores 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor or 3.7/5 on Google.
Center Parcs Park de Haan is a curious one, as it is actually a Sunparks which rebranded to a Center Parcs for holidays in 2020 (both names are owned by the same company in Europe). It currently scores 3/5 from a fairly small number of reviews on TripAdvisor or 3.8/5 on Google reviews.
Here's the full ranking, with those scores converted into a percentage score to make it easier to compare (you're welcome):
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort - 4.5/5 (Google Reviews)+ 4/5 (TripAdvisor) + 9/10 (Booking.com) = 87%
- Center Parcs Vossemeren - 4.3/5 + 4/5 + 8.4/10 = 83%
- Center Parcs Erperheide - 4.2/5 + 4/5 + 7.9/10 = 81%
- Center Parcs Les Ardennes - 3.8/5 + 3/5 + 7.5/10 = 73%
- Center Parcs Park de Haan - 3.8/5 + 3/5 + 7.4/10 = 70%
Center Parcs Terhills Resort opened in 2021 and gets excellent review scores
What about reviews of the Center Parcs Belgium swimming pools?
With a bit of digging, it's also possible to find review scores for the waterparks ('Aqua Mundo') at most of the Belgian Center Parcs. For many people, the waterparks are the highlight of a Center Parks holiday so it's worth considering.
The 'Aqua Mundo' (waterpark) at Center Parcs Erperheide is the best according to reviewers, with a current score of 4.4/5. Center Parcs Vossemeren and Center Parcs Park de Haan are joint second on 4.2/5. The other two score 4/5.
Here are the scores for the Belgian 'Aqua Mundo', ranked in order:
So, you will notice that the Center Parcs in Belgium with the highest overall review score - Terhills Resorts - actually gets the joint worst review for its swimming pool. Some reviewers comment that the pool at Center Parcs Terhills Resort is smaller than a typical Center Parcs Aqua Mundo, which may explain the score.
The 'Aqua Mundo' (waterpark) at Center Parcs Erperheide is the best according to reviewers, with a current score of 4.4/5. Center Parcs Vossemeren and Center Parcs Park de Haan are joint second on 4.2/5. The other two score 4/5.
Here are the scores for the Belgian 'Aqua Mundo', ranked in order:
- Center Parcs Erperheide - 4.4/5
- Center Parcs Park de Haan - 4.2/5
- Center Parcs Vossemeren - 4.2/5
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort - 4/5
- Center Parcs Les Ardennes - 4/5
So, you will notice that the Center Parcs in Belgium with the highest overall review score - Terhills Resorts - actually gets the joint worst review for its swimming pool. Some reviewers comment that the pool at Center Parcs Terhills Resort is smaller than a typical Center Parcs Aqua Mundo, which may explain the score.
The swimming pool at Center Parcs Erperheide gets particularly good reviews
Which CenterParcs in Belgium is cheapest?
We did a price comparison of the five Center Parcs in Belgium by looking at three popular dates for a week's holiday. The European Center Parcs tend to offer more discounts and special offers than the UK Center Parcs, so you might find a better deal with a bit of perseverance. However, this should give a rough idea of which is the cheapest.
We looked for a holiday for a family of two adults and two children for a week. We just looked for the cheapest accommodation available and didn't include any activities or travel costs.
All bookings for Center Parcs in Europe are given in Euros, so we've given the price in pound sterling at the exchange rate at the time of searching.
We searched for:
Price for a week's holiday over Easter 2024 for a family of four from cheapest to most expensive:
Prices for a week in early October 2024 for a family of four from cheapest to most expensive:
Searches carried out in November 2023. Prices are from CenterParcs.fr, which is nearly always cheaper than the English language version of Center Parcs Europe (CenterParcs.eu) for the same holiday.
From our mini price comparison, it looks as though Les Ardennes is usually the cheapest, with Terhills Resort as the most expensive, followed by Park de Haan or Erperheide. Center Parks Vossemeren and Center Parks Erperheide, which scored very good reviews were usually around the middle of our price comparisons (or slightly cheaper).
We looked for a holiday for a family of two adults and two children for a week. We just looked for the cheapest accommodation available and didn't include any activities or travel costs.
All bookings for Center Parcs in Europe are given in Euros, so we've given the price in pound sterling at the exchange rate at the time of searching.
We searched for:
- a week over Easter 2024
- a week in early August 2024
- a week in early October 2024
Price for a week's holiday over Easter 2024 for a family of four from cheapest to most expensive:
- Centre Parcs Les Ardennes - £1072
- Centre Parcs Vossemeren - £1205
- Centre Parcs Park de Haan - £1486
- Centre Parcs Erperheide - £1500
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort - £2285
- Center Parks Les Ardennes - £1228
- Center Parks Vossemeren - £1314
- Center Parks Erperheide - £1380
- Center Parks Park de Haan - £1722
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort - £2214
Prices for a week in early October 2024 for a family of four from cheapest to most expensive:
- CenterParcs Vossemeren - £657
- CenterParcs Les Ardennes - £663
- CenterParcs Erperheide - £696
- CenterParcs Park de Haan - £788
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort - £1275
Searches carried out in November 2023. Prices are from CenterParcs.fr, which is nearly always cheaper than the English language version of Center Parcs Europe (CenterParcs.eu) for the same holiday.
From our mini price comparison, it looks as though Les Ardennes is usually the cheapest, with Terhills Resort as the most expensive, followed by Park de Haan or Erperheide. Center Parks Vossemeren and Center Parks Erperheide, which scored very good reviews were usually around the middle of our price comparisons (or slightly cheaper).
Center Parcs Les Ardennes is often one of the cheapest resorts in Belgium - but reviews are mixed
Which Center Parcs in Belgium has the most facilities?
One of the main attractions of a Center Parcs holiday is the range of onsite activities and facilities. Most people spend the whole time onsite rather than exploring the area.
However, according to the Center Parcs website there is quite a range in the number of activities on offer at the five Center Parcs in Belgium.
We've ranked them from the park with the most activities to the park with the least number of activities:
So, there are about twice as many activities at Center Parcs Vossemeren than at three of the Center Parcs in Belgium (Park de Haan, Les Ardennes and Terhills Resort). Of course, that doesn't tell you anything about the quality of the activities but it's a useful start.
We also figured out how many of the activities are included in the cost of your stay:
Again, Center Parcs Vossemeren is top of the league. However, the difference is less significant so the range of activities is less of a factor if you just plan to do the free things on your holiday.
Curiously, Center Parcs Erperheide is also unique in that it offers the accommodation option of a 'pony cottage' where you get 'your own pony during your stay' and a cottage next to the riding school. I suspect my daughter might be reluctant to say goodbye to the pony after a week...
As mentioned earlier, the water parks at Center Parcs Vossemeren and Center Parcs Erperheide score 4.2/5 and 4.4/5 from customers on Google reviews. The waterparks at Les Ardennes and Terhills Resort score 4/5, whilst Park de Haan's waterpark scores 4.2/5.
However, according to the Center Parcs website there is quite a range in the number of activities on offer at the five Center Parcs in Belgium.
We've ranked them from the park with the most activities to the park with the least number of activities:
- Center Parcs Vossemeren - 115 activities
- Center Parcs Erperheide - 92 activities
- Center Parcs Les Ardennes - 67 activities
- Center Parcs Park de Haan - 62 activities
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort - 50 activities
So, there are about twice as many activities at Center Parcs Vossemeren than at three of the Center Parcs in Belgium (Park de Haan, Les Ardennes and Terhills Resort). Of course, that doesn't tell you anything about the quality of the activities but it's a useful start.
We also figured out how many of the activities are included in the cost of your stay:
- Center Parcs Vossemeren - 32 free activities
- Center Parcs Erperheide - 30 free activities
- Center Parcs Park de Haan - 27 free activities
- Center Parcs Les Ardennes - 23 free activities
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort - 17 free activities
Again, Center Parcs Vossemeren is top of the league. However, the difference is less significant so the range of activities is less of a factor if you just plan to do the free things on your holiday.
Curiously, Center Parcs Erperheide is also unique in that it offers the accommodation option of a 'pony cottage' where you get 'your own pony during your stay' and a cottage next to the riding school. I suspect my daughter might be reluctant to say goodbye to the pony after a week...
As mentioned earlier, the water parks at Center Parcs Vossemeren and Center Parcs Erperheide score 4.2/5 and 4.4/5 from customers on Google reviews. The waterparks at Les Ardennes and Terhills Resort score 4/5, whilst Park de Haan's waterpark scores 4.2/5.
CenterParcs Vossemeren gets positive reviews...
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...and it has more than 100 activities
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Other notable differences between the five Center Parcs in Belgium
- Center Parcs Vossemeren and Center Parcs Erperheide both opened in the 1980s. I believe that they both opened under the Center Parcs brand name. Center Parcs Les Ardennes and Center Parcs Park de Haan are both former Sunparks, which were built in the late 80s/early 90s and rebranded as Center Parcs more recently.
- As mentioned earlier, Center Parcs Erperheide offers something unique at the Belgian Center Parcs which is a 'pony cottage' where you get your own pony for the week and live next to the riding school.
- Center Parcs Park de Haan is near to the beach which is unusual for a Center Parcs location.
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort opened in 2021. It is described as a 'small-scale premium resort', which is reflected in the reduced number of activities and the smaller swimming pool.
How can I save money on Center Parcs Belgium holidays?
For some reason, booking Center Parcs Europe holidays through the French language version of the Center Parcs website is nearly always cheaper than booking via the English language website.
We looked at nearly 300 prices and found that CenterParcs.fr was the cheapest option in about 7/10 cases, whilst CenterParcs.eu and CenterParcs.nl were occasionally cheapest.
The difference can be quite considerable. For a week's holiday CenterParcs.fr was usually about £50 - £100 cheaper but on one occasion it was about £160 cheaper.
Whichever site you choose, you will pay in Euros and you can get your browser to translate from French.
We looked at nearly 300 prices and found that CenterParcs.fr was the cheapest option in about 7/10 cases, whilst CenterParcs.eu and CenterParcs.nl were occasionally cheapest.
The difference can be quite considerable. For a week's holiday CenterParcs.fr was usually about £50 - £100 cheaper but on one occasion it was about £160 cheaper.
Whichever site you choose, you will pay in Euros and you can get your browser to translate from French.
Conclusion – which is the best Center Parcs in Belgium?
I would start by looking at Center Parcs Vossemeren or Center Parcs Erperheide. Get a quote from both and see which is the best value for the time you want to visit.
They both get better reviews than Center Parcs Les Ardennes and Center Parcs Park de Haan and offer a much higher number of activities. Center Parcs Vossemeren or Center Parcs Erperheide also both get very good ratings for their 'Aqua Mundo' (waterparks). They're a similar distance from Calais, so I wouldn't say travel time from the UK will be a deciding factor.
Center Parcs Vossemeren tends to offer particularly good value considering its positive review scores. Overall, Les Ardennes is the cheapest Center Parcs in Belgium.
Center Parcs Terhills Resort is shiny and new and it gets the best reviews, but it was the most expensive by far in our price comparison. It's on a smaller scale than a normal Center Parcs, so it will only appeal if you find the usual sites a bit overwhelming.
Center Parcs Park de Haan is only worth a look if you a) want to be near a beach and b) want somewhere nearby (perhaps for a weekend). It is two or three hours closer to Calais by car than the other Center Parcs in Belgium.
They both get better reviews than Center Parcs Les Ardennes and Center Parcs Park de Haan and offer a much higher number of activities. Center Parcs Vossemeren or Center Parcs Erperheide also both get very good ratings for their 'Aqua Mundo' (waterparks). They're a similar distance from Calais, so I wouldn't say travel time from the UK will be a deciding factor.
Center Parcs Vossemeren tends to offer particularly good value considering its positive review scores. Overall, Les Ardennes is the cheapest Center Parcs in Belgium.
Center Parcs Terhills Resort is shiny and new and it gets the best reviews, but it was the most expensive by far in our price comparison. It's on a smaller scale than a normal Center Parcs, so it will only appeal if you find the usual sites a bit overwhelming.
Center Parcs Park de Haan is only worth a look if you a) want to be near a beach and b) want somewhere nearby (perhaps for a weekend). It is two or three hours closer to Calais by car than the other Center Parcs in Belgium.
Images are from Center Parcs. Review scores checked November 2023.
