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9 Cheap Center Parcs Alternatives 2026
Author: Robbie Lane | Last updated: 14 January 2026
The UK’s five Center Parcs are a popular option for a family holiday but they’re not cheap and they can be very busy, even during the quieter months. We queued for 45 minutes to check in during a weekend in February, and I've never quite got over it.
This guide covers nine UK alternatives to Center Parcs, including options from Haven, Parkdean Resorts, Bluestone, Darwin Escapes, Landal and more. Some are much cheaper than Center Parcs, while others are included because they offer a similar style of holiday and can work out better value for 2026 depending on your dates and what matters most to you (e.g. swimming pools, space, activities, woodland setting, or being near the coast).
Our UK alternatives to Center Parcs are based on our own visits, customer reviews, facilities, location and value for money. To keep things fair, we also carried out a simple price comparison by looking for the cheapest available accommodation for a family of four staying for a week in August 2026. For context, the cheapest equivalent week we found at a UK Center Parcs was £2148, before adding any paid activities.
If price isn’t your main concern, you may also want to compare the best Center Parcs UK resorts here.
This guide covers nine UK alternatives to Center Parcs, including options from Haven, Parkdean Resorts, Bluestone, Darwin Escapes, Landal and more. Some are much cheaper than Center Parcs, while others are included because they offer a similar style of holiday and can work out better value for 2026 depending on your dates and what matters most to you (e.g. swimming pools, space, activities, woodland setting, or being near the coast).
Our UK alternatives to Center Parcs are based on our own visits, customer reviews, facilities, location and value for money. To keep things fair, we also carried out a simple price comparison by looking for the cheapest available accommodation for a family of four staying for a week in August 2026. For context, the cheapest equivalent week we found at a UK Center Parcs was £2148, before adding any paid activities.
If price isn’t your main concern, you may also want to compare the best Center Parcs UK resorts here.
Quick picks: the best alternatives for different priorities
- Best big resort on a budget: Haven’s Hafan y Môr
- Cheapest option in our price comparison: Tattershall Lakes
- Best alternative from Parkdean Resorts: Trecco Bay
- Most similar alternative to Center Parcs-style breaks: Bluestone
- Best alternative with a hot-tub: Sherwood Forest Lodges (Forest Holidays)
Quick comparison table of our cheap Center Parcs alternatives
Here's a quick roundup of our cheap Center Parcs alternatives, to help you narrow down the options. We've included the essentials in this table including review scores, location and a rough guide to prices (ranging from £ - £££). Read on for the full details.
Resort |
Region |
Review score |
Typical price |
Read more |
Haven’s Hafan y Môr |
Wales |
83% |
££ |
|
Tattershall Lakes |
East Midlands |
78% |
£ |
|
Haven Devon Cliffs |
Westcountry |
82% |
£ |
|
Parkdean Trecco Bay |
Wales |
80% |
£ |
|
Bluestone |
Wales |
87% |
£££ |
|
Sherwood Forest Lodges |
East Midlands |
89% |
£££ |
|
Norfolk Woods |
East Anglia |
82% |
££ |
|
Gwel an Mor |
Westcountry |
90% |
££ |
|
Butlins Bognor |
South East |
80% |
££ |
Cheap Center Parcs Alternatives: Our Top Picks for 2026
1. Haven’s Hafan y Môr, North Wales
Large coastal resort with waterpark and loads of activities
Pros:
Outstanding swimming pool, great choice of places to eat, beach nearby
Cons:
Mostly caravans rather than woodland lodges, many activities cost extra, less spacious than Center Parcs, beach is not very sandy
Best for:
Families wanting a great pool and walks on the beach
**Haven's Offers: Last minute bargains from £49 + Summer 2026 from £159**
If you like the scale of Center Parcs but are looking for something cheaper, then I would look at Haven’s Hafan y Môr. The whole site is very large and well equipped with an impressive swimming pool/waterpark and a big range of activities. By my count there are about 1300 accommodation units, compared to about 800 at a typical Center Parcs in the UK.
Haven is best known as a provider of caravan holidays but they also offer posher lodges with sea views if you can afford an upgrade and they have invested a lot in facilities at some of their parks in recent years.
You don't get the pleasant Center Parcs woodland setting, but it is considerably cheaper than Center Parcs if you don’t mind staying in a caravan (some lodges are similarly priced to Center Parks).
Haven is best known as a provider of caravan holidays but they also offer posher lodges with sea views if you can afford an upgrade and they have invested a lot in facilities at some of their parks in recent years.
You don't get the pleasant Center Parcs woodland setting, but it is considerably cheaper than Center Parcs if you don’t mind staying in a caravan (some lodges are similarly priced to Center Parks).
What about the swimming pool?
The swimming pool – Splashaway Bay – is a recent upgrade and includes a lot of the features that you get at Center Parcs such as wave machines and flumes. It doesn’t have the same ‘subtropical’ theme and isn't quite up there with Center Parcs in my opinion - but it’s large and has plenty to keep you occupied including a four-lane waterslide. It even won 'Holiday Park Pool of the Year' a few years ago - no doubt that's described as the 'Oscars of the swimming pool world' by the PR people.
Hafan y Môr also has an impressive list of activities and restaurants including nine places to eat out, pedalos, boating, den building, aerial adventure course, soft play, nine outdoor play areas and an indoor sports area.
Hafan y Môr also has an impressive list of activities and restaurants including nine places to eat out, pedalos, boating, den building, aerial adventure course, soft play, nine outdoor play areas and an indoor sports area.
Haven’s Hafan y Môr has a large and modern swimming pool
How do they compare on activities and reviews?
Much like Center Parcs, you pay extra for a lot of the activities at Haven, but there is some variation in prices between Haven and Center Parcs. Here are some examples (not guaranteed prices, just based on their websites as of October 2025):
Hafan y Môr gets very similar reviews to the UK Center Parcs, with an average of 3.9/5 on TripAdvisor or about 4.4/5 on Google reviews. Overall then, Hafan y Môr scores 83% from reviewers whilst Center Parcs Sherwood Forest scores 85%.
- Adventure golf/crazy golf is £4 at Haven or £6 - £9 for 9 holes at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest
- Aerial adventure is £20 at Haven or £40 - £47 at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest
- Archery is £12 for 45 minutes at Haven or £20 - £29 for 55 minutes at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest
Hafan y Môr gets very similar reviews to the UK Center Parcs, with an average of 3.9/5 on TripAdvisor or about 4.4/5 on Google reviews. Overall then, Hafan y Môr scores 83% from reviewers whilst Center Parcs Sherwood Forest scores 85%.
What about location and price?
In my opinion, one big advantage that Haven’s Hafan y Môr has over Center Parcs is that it’s by the sea. However, if you really want a woodland setting rather than sand in your bed sheets every night then I would look at Haven’s Wild Duck Holiday Park. It’s not a huge caravan park but it is surrounded by woodland and it gets good reviews. We've visited Wild Duck Holiday Park and loved the leafy vibe.
See our blog for advice on getting the best price at a Haven holiday park.
Price: £1169 for a week in a Saver caravan for a family of four for a week in August 2026. If you want a lodge - which is closer to the type of accommodation you get at Center Parcs – then the price was £2535.
Haven offer two types of holiday. A standard Haven holiday is what you want if you are after a Center Parcs experience, as it means you can use the facilities. A Haven Hideaway holiday is cheaper but it just provides accommodation and access to the restaurants. See our review of Haven Hideaway or read the official comparison.
See our blog for advice on getting the best price at a Haven holiday park.
Price: £1169 for a week in a Saver caravan for a family of four for a week in August 2026. If you want a lodge - which is closer to the type of accommodation you get at Center Parcs – then the price was £2535.
Haven offer two types of holiday. A standard Haven holiday is what you want if you are after a Center Parcs experience, as it means you can use the facilities. A Haven Hideaway holiday is cheaper but it just provides accommodation and access to the restaurants. See our review of Haven Hideaway or read the official comparison.
There are lots of outdoor activities to rival Center Parcs at Haven's Hafan y Môr
2. Tattershall Lakes Country Park, Lincolnshire
Large lakeside resort with lodges and watersports
Pros:
Cheapest Center Parcs alternative in our price comparison, lakeside setting, great for watersports, range of accommodation
Cons:
Small swimming pool, lower review scores
Best for:
Bargain breaks and families who prefer outdoor watersports to indoor pools
**Tattershall Lakes Discount Code: up to 10% off via this link with code DOGFRIENDLY10 until 31/12/26**
Tattershall Lakes Country Park is run by a company called Away Resorts, which has half a dozen similar holiday parks around the UK.
If you want a lakeside setting I’d go for Tattershall Lakes or if you want a woodland setting, take a look at the brilliantly named Sandy Balls in the New Forest.
Tattershall Lakes is a big site with many of the caravans and lodges overlooking the series of lakes, which provide entertainment through waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing and other activities. The site is 365 acres, which is very similar to Center Parcs, although it doesn’t have as many accommodation units (partly because a large proportion of the site is water).
The indoor swimming pool is much smaller and simpler than Center Parcs’ ‘Subtropical Paradise’ but there’s a good choice of outdoor activities and an indoor splash area for younger children. There's an outdoor lido, which is basically a large outdoor swimming pool with lots of seating and space. One of the highlights is the inflatable aqua park, which is good for older children.
If you want a lakeside setting I’d go for Tattershall Lakes or if you want a woodland setting, take a look at the brilliantly named Sandy Balls in the New Forest.
Tattershall Lakes is a big site with many of the caravans and lodges overlooking the series of lakes, which provide entertainment through waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing and other activities. The site is 365 acres, which is very similar to Center Parcs, although it doesn’t have as many accommodation units (partly because a large proportion of the site is water).
The indoor swimming pool is much smaller and simpler than Center Parcs’ ‘Subtropical Paradise’ but there’s a good choice of outdoor activities and an indoor splash area for younger children. There's an outdoor lido, which is basically a large outdoor swimming pool with lots of seating and space. One of the highlights is the inflatable aqua park, which is good for older children.
Entertainment, accommodation and prices
Tattershall Lakes has also got a high ropes course, gym, sports court, minigolf, bike hire, evening entertainment and places to eat onsite.
There’s a big range of accommodation at Tattershall Lakes including glamping, caravans and lodges. The caravans are a lot cheaper than Center Parcs accommodation but are obviously quite a lot smaller.
Top tip – arriving on a Friday is often considerably cheaper than arriving on a Saturday at Tattershall Lakes.
Customers give it an average score of 3.6/5 on TripAdvisor or 4.2/5 on Google Reviews. That's an average of 78%, which is not far behind Center Parcs on 85%.
Price: £803 for a family of four staying in a ‘Value’ caravan for a week in August 2026. That's almost a third of the price of a week at Center Parcs. If you want a lodge with a hot tub rather than a caravan, then the cheapest price was £1494.
There’s a big range of accommodation at Tattershall Lakes including glamping, caravans and lodges. The caravans are a lot cheaper than Center Parcs accommodation but are obviously quite a lot smaller.
Top tip – arriving on a Friday is often considerably cheaper than arriving on a Saturday at Tattershall Lakes.
Customers give it an average score of 3.6/5 on TripAdvisor or 4.2/5 on Google Reviews. That's an average of 78%, which is not far behind Center Parcs on 85%.
Price: £803 for a family of four staying in a ‘Value’ caravan for a week in August 2026. That's almost a third of the price of a week at Center Parcs. If you want a lodge with a hot tub rather than a caravan, then the cheapest price was £1494.
As the name suggests, Tattershall Lakes has lots of caravans with a waterside view...
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...and several activities on the water
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Our Visit To Tattershall Lakes
"We were blown away by Tattershall Lakes Country Park, which we visited recently. The location is a very long way from the coastline in Lincolnshire, but the setting is one of the loveliest you will find in the East Midlands."
3. Haven Devon Cliffs Holiday Park
Huge caravan park with swimming pools, lots of activities and fantastic beach
Pros:
Large resort, choice of swimming pools, surf school and sandy beach, good choice of restaurants
Cons:
Much more densely packed than Center Parcs, doesn't have a woodland vibe, caravan accommodation instead of lodges
Best for:
Family beach holidays with lots of activities at a good price
Devon Cliffs is Haven's 'biggest park' according to Haven. It's got about 1600 caravans, compared to about 800 lodges at Center Parcs.
The swimming pools aren't quite as action-packed as Haven’s Hafan y Môr (see #1) but it has two outdoor pools and one indoor pool and a four lane waterslide, so it's not exactly slacking.
The adjacent beach and surf school is a big selling point for Devon Cliffs and it's also got plenty to do onsite. There are 12 restaurants, including a couple of big-name chains (Papa Johns and Burger King), two entertainment venues and a good range of activities including some tamer ones (football, minigolf) and some wilder ones (target shooting, high wires, bungee trampoline, Segway and rock climbing)
The swimming pools aren't quite as action-packed as Haven’s Hafan y Môr (see #1) but it has two outdoor pools and one indoor pool and a four lane waterslide, so it's not exactly slacking.
The adjacent beach and surf school is a big selling point for Devon Cliffs and it's also got plenty to do onsite. There are 12 restaurants, including a couple of big-name chains (Papa Johns and Burger King), two entertainment venues and a good range of activities including some tamer ones (football, minigolf) and some wilder ones (target shooting, high wires, bungee trampoline, Segway and rock climbing)
Reviews, prices and accommodation grades at Devon Cliffs
Customers give Devon Cliffs between 3.8/5 and 4.4/5 depending on which review site you look at. Its overall score is 82%. Of course, it's much easier to reach than Haven’s Hafan y Môr for most of Southern England.
Devon Cliffs is one of the more expensive Haven holiday parks but you can save yourself some money by doing things such as arriving on a Friday instead of a Saturday (see other tricks and tips for Haven holidays here).
One thing worth mentioning is that Devon Cliffs is much less spread out than Center Parcs or Tattershall Lakes Country Park. Devon Cliffs averages about 10 caravans per acres, whilst Center Parcs averages two lodges per acre. Tattershall Lakes has about four lodges per acre.
Price: £1075 for a family of four staying for a week in the cheapest accommodation available at Devon Cliffs in August 2026.
Haven has five main grades of caravan, starting with Saver, which is the cheapest. You can then upgrade to Bronze, Silver, Gold and Signature, which give you things like wider caravans, a dishwasher, a veranda and an extra TV in the bedroom.
We've done a full comparison of the different Haven grades so you can work out whether the upgrades are worth the money for you. Off peak upgrades are very cheaper whilst upgrading in summer can cost hundreds of pounds. You can also read the official guide to accommodation grades.
Devon Cliffs is one of the more expensive Haven holiday parks but you can save yourself some money by doing things such as arriving on a Friday instead of a Saturday (see other tricks and tips for Haven holidays here).
One thing worth mentioning is that Devon Cliffs is much less spread out than Center Parcs or Tattershall Lakes Country Park. Devon Cliffs averages about 10 caravans per acres, whilst Center Parcs averages two lodges per acre. Tattershall Lakes has about four lodges per acre.
Price: £1075 for a family of four staying for a week in the cheapest accommodation available at Devon Cliffs in August 2026.
Haven has five main grades of caravan, starting with Saver, which is the cheapest. You can then upgrade to Bronze, Silver, Gold and Signature, which give you things like wider caravans, a dishwasher, a veranda and an extra TV in the bedroom.
We've done a full comparison of the different Haven grades so you can work out whether the upgrades are worth the money for you. Off peak upgrades are very cheaper whilst upgrading in summer can cost hundreds of pounds. You can also read the official guide to accommodation grades.
Haven Devon Cliffs has several of the activities you'll find at Center Parcs...
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...and a choice of swimming pools
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4. Trecco Bay Holiday Park, South Wales
Huge Parkdean Resorts holiday park with waterpark and beach
Pros:
Usually slightly cheaper than Haven and much cheaper then Center Parcs, one of the UK's largest holiday parks
Cons:
Lacks the woodland setting of Center Parcs and lags behind Center Parcs on reviews
Best for:
Cheap family holidays with beaches, entertainment and a pretty good pool
**Trecco Bay offers: Caravan holidays from £99**
Trecco Bay Holiday Park is one of the biggest holiday parks in the UK (or perhaps the biggest depending on what you read). It's between Cardiff and Swansea and is only 1 hour 15 minutes from Bristol.
It's a caravan park rather than a woodland lodge park and doesn't get quite as good reviews as Center Parcs (3.8/5 on TripAdvisor and 4.2/5 on Google Reviews or 80% overall). However, it is an alternative to Center Parcs if you a) are on a tight budget and b) want a busy resort with a big swimming pool. You don't get the woodland walks and space that you get with Center Parcs but there is a beach alongside the resort, so it's a good one for the summer.
Besides the large swimming pool/waterpark (Splashlands), there are several places to eat out and activities including kids' clubs, an outdoor splash park, adventure playground, soft play, a sports court and an amusement arcade.
It's run by Parkdean Resorts, which is a big chain of caravan parks across the UK. They tend to be a bit cheaper than Haven holiday parks.
There are also lodges if you want to upgrade.
Price: £909 for a week in a caravan for a family of four in August 2026 in a Bronze caravan. If you want a lodge - which is more comparable to the amount of space you get in a Center Parcs woodland lodge - then the lowest price we could find was £2049.
It's a caravan park rather than a woodland lodge park and doesn't get quite as good reviews as Center Parcs (3.8/5 on TripAdvisor and 4.2/5 on Google Reviews or 80% overall). However, it is an alternative to Center Parcs if you a) are on a tight budget and b) want a busy resort with a big swimming pool. You don't get the woodland walks and space that you get with Center Parcs but there is a beach alongside the resort, so it's a good one for the summer.
Besides the large swimming pool/waterpark (Splashlands), there are several places to eat out and activities including kids' clubs, an outdoor splash park, adventure playground, soft play, a sports court and an amusement arcade.
It's run by Parkdean Resorts, which is a big chain of caravan parks across the UK. They tend to be a bit cheaper than Haven holiday parks.
There are also lodges if you want to upgrade.
Price: £909 for a week in a caravan for a family of four in August 2026 in a Bronze caravan. If you want a lodge - which is more comparable to the amount of space you get in a Center Parcs woodland lodge - then the lowest price we could find was £2049.
Budget-friendly Trecco Bay has a good beach
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High ropes are one of the more adventurous activities at Trecco Bay
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5. Bluestone National Park Resort, South Wales
Closest thing to Center Parcs in Wales with large waterpark and 100+ activities
Pros:
Outstanding Blue Lagoon waterpark with lazy river, flumes and waves, spacious lodges spread across national park
Cons:
Prices of accommodation and activities are similar to Center Parcs
Best for:
Welsh families wanting a Center Parcs style experience without travelling too far
Bluestone National Park Resort in South West Wales is a very decent alternative to Center Parcs, although it’s a bit of a drive for most people. Some accommodation isn’t actually much cheaper than Center Parcs, but reviews are positive. Our family visited Bluestone a couple of years ago and found it had a very strong Center Parcs vibe!
Much like Center Parcs, Bluestone has a good-sized water park (called Blue Lagoon). It opened in 2008 and has a wave pool, lazy river and four flumes.
The range of activities on offer at Bluestone is impressive with the official blurb saying that there are ‘over 100 indoor and outdoor activities’ including high ropes, live music, rock climbing, archery and so on. That’s not quite as many as the 180+ offered on the Center Parcs activity booking page, but it is worth noting that includes a lot of duplicates. For example, adventure golf is listed twice because you can book 9 or 18 holes.
The 300 lodges at Bluestone are spread out over 500 acres, compared to about 800 lodges over 400 acres at most Center Parcs. That’s a good thing in my opinion, as it means that Bluestone is a slightly larger site with a slightly smaller number of lodges.
Much like Center Parcs, Bluestone has a good-sized water park (called Blue Lagoon). It opened in 2008 and has a wave pool, lazy river and four flumes.
The range of activities on offer at Bluestone is impressive with the official blurb saying that there are ‘over 100 indoor and outdoor activities’ including high ropes, live music, rock climbing, archery and so on. That’s not quite as many as the 180+ offered on the Center Parcs activity booking page, but it is worth noting that includes a lot of duplicates. For example, adventure golf is listed twice because you can book 9 or 18 holes.
The 300 lodges at Bluestone are spread out over 500 acres, compared to about 800 lodges over 400 acres at most Center Parcs. That’s a good thing in my opinion, as it means that Bluestone is a slightly larger site with a slightly smaller number of lodges.
So is Bluestone better than Center Parcs?
Customer reviews for Bluestone are slightly ahead of most of the Center Parcs in the UK, with an average of 4.1/5 on TripAdvisor or 4.6/5 on Google reviews (or 87% overall). Meanwhile, there are separate reviews for the Blue Lagoon waterpark, which scores 4.4/5 on Google Reviews. Center Parcs Subtropical Paradise swimming pools score 4.6/5 or slightly higher on Google Reviews. Read our full comparison of Center Parcs v Bluestone.
In terms of location, Bluestone is about 4 hours from London or 3 hours 30 minutes from Birmingham. It's closer if you are coming from Cardiff or Swansea.
Price: £1921 for a family of four for a week in early August 2026 staying in a two-bedroom lodge. That was the cheapest accommodation available when we searched and was about £200 cheaper than the cheapest Center Parcs holiday for the same dates. Bear in mind that you pay for a lot of the activities at Bluestone, much like Center Parcs. Prices for activities tend to be similar to Center Parcs.
In terms of location, Bluestone is about 4 hours from London or 3 hours 30 minutes from Birmingham. It's closer if you are coming from Cardiff or Swansea.
Price: £1921 for a family of four for a week in early August 2026 staying in a two-bedroom lodge. That was the cheapest accommodation available when we searched and was about £200 cheaper than the cheapest Center Parcs holiday for the same dates. Bear in mind that you pay for a lot of the activities at Bluestone, much like Center Parcs. Prices for activities tend to be similar to Center Parcs.
The Blue Lagoon at Bluestone offers a good alternative to Center Parcs' Subtropical Paradise...
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...whilst activities including playgrounds, sports and crafts.
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Our family stayed in this lodge at Bluestone
6. Sherwood Forest Lodges, Nottinghamshire
High quality lodges with hot tubs and peaceful location
Pros:
Woodland setting is very similar to Center Parcs, review scores are better than Center Parcs, hot tubs as standard, good for mountain biking
Cons:
Much smaller than Center Parcs, no swimming pool and very limited facilities. Only slightly cheaper than Center Parcs.
Best for:
Couples and families who want a relaxing hot tub in a woodland location and cycling - but aren't bothered about pools and restaurants
Forest Holidays site at Sherwood Forest is one to consider if you like the woodland setting and decent accommodation of Center Parcs (and if you like dressing up as Robin Hood). However, it's certainly not on the same scale as Center Parcs when it comes to facilities. It's the place for peace, quiet and hot tubs rather than ten pin bowling and badminton.
For your money you get swanky lodges amongst the trees with hot tubs. There are about 80 lodges which is about one tenth of the number at the nearby Sherwood Forest Center Parcs. Reviews average 89%, which is exceptionally good.
The facilities and activities available include archery and in lodge spa treatments. Most people though tend to walk or cycle around the woods or go for a day out.
If you like the sound of it but want a different location, Forest Holidays has 11 sites around the UK at the time of writing, including North Yorkshire, Cheshire, Scotland and Gloucestershire.
Price: £2350 for a week in a lodge with a hot tub for a family of four in August 2026 at Forest Holidays Sherwood Forest. That's about £200 more than the cheapest Centre Parcs break but with the added bonus of a hot tub. Center Parcs charges a lot more for their accommodation with hot tubs.
For your money you get swanky lodges amongst the trees with hot tubs. There are about 80 lodges which is about one tenth of the number at the nearby Sherwood Forest Center Parcs. Reviews average 89%, which is exceptionally good.
The facilities and activities available include archery and in lodge spa treatments. Most people though tend to walk or cycle around the woods or go for a day out.
If you like the sound of it but want a different location, Forest Holidays has 11 sites around the UK at the time of writing, including North Yorkshire, Cheshire, Scotland and Gloucestershire.
Price: £2350 for a week in a lodge with a hot tub for a family of four in August 2026 at Forest Holidays Sherwood Forest. That's about £200 more than the cheapest Centre Parcs break but with the added bonus of a hot tub. Center Parcs charges a lot more for their accommodation with hot tubs.
Sherwood Forest Lodges don't have the same range of facilities as Center Parcs...
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...but you get a lovely woodland setting and a hot tub
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Our Visit To Sherwood Forest Lodges
"The main thing that struck us when we visited Forest Holidays Sherwood Forest was quite how embedded the lodges are within the woods. This is not a case of a holiday park being built and then a few trees being planted but rather holiday lodges neatly fitting around an established woodland. "
7. Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa, Norfolk
Peaceful lodges on the edge of the forest with a small swimming pool
Pros:
Woodland surroundings and woodland walks, modern spacious lodges, considerably cheaper than Center Parcs
Cons:
Much smaller than Center Parcs, slightly behind on review scores, much simpler swimming pool, not many activities
Best for:
Families who want peaceful and spacious lodges in a woodland area rather than a full resort
Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa is one of about 20 lodge holiday parks that are run by Darwin Escapes. They are all about peace and quiet, but some - like Norfolk Woods - also have a decent programme of activities for children and onsite facilities.
We’ve visited several Darwin Escapes parks (including this one) and have been impressed with the accommodation. The sites certainly aren’t on the same scale as Center Parcs, but that means it is easier to leave the site if you want a few days out. At Center Parcs you leave your car in the main car park, which makes a nice car-free experience but does mean that you tend to stay onsite during your break.
Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa is surrounded by woodland and it has archery, zorbing, a gym, a football/basketball court, spa treatments, an indoor swimming pool and an onsite restaurant. Activities in the pool include mini jet skis for younger children. The beach at Heachem is about half an hour by car.
Reviews average 82%, which is a couple of points behind most of the five Center Parcs in the UK.
Norfolk Woods has lodges that are similar in size to Center Parcs' accommodation. There are about 100 lodges, compared to about 800 at Center Parcs.
Price: £1155 for a week in an 'Oxburgh Lodge' for a family of four for a week in August 2026. That’s about £1000 less than the cheapest Center Parcs accommodation for the same dates.
We’ve visited several Darwin Escapes parks (including this one) and have been impressed with the accommodation. The sites certainly aren’t on the same scale as Center Parcs, but that means it is easier to leave the site if you want a few days out. At Center Parcs you leave your car in the main car park, which makes a nice car-free experience but does mean that you tend to stay onsite during your break.
Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa is surrounded by woodland and it has archery, zorbing, a gym, a football/basketball court, spa treatments, an indoor swimming pool and an onsite restaurant. Activities in the pool include mini jet skis for younger children. The beach at Heachem is about half an hour by car.
Reviews average 82%, which is a couple of points behind most of the five Center Parcs in the UK.
Norfolk Woods has lodges that are similar in size to Center Parcs' accommodation. There are about 100 lodges, compared to about 800 at Center Parcs.
Price: £1155 for a week in an 'Oxburgh Lodge' for a family of four for a week in August 2026. That’s about £1000 less than the cheapest Center Parcs accommodation for the same dates.
Some of the lodges at Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa overlook woodland...
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...and it has modern spa facilities, as well as activities for kids
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Our Visit To Norfolk Woods
"As we wandered round Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa, we really liked the leafy woodland vibe. Darwin Escapes do this exceptionally well, along with keeping everything looking very neat and tidy."
8. Gwel an Mor, Cornwall
Smart coastal-countryside resort with excellent reviews
Pros:
Outstanding reviews, classy lodges, not far from Cornwall's beaches
Cons:
Much fewer activities than Center Parcs, more of a coastal than woodland vibe, small swimming pool
Best for:
Families who want a beach holiday with high quality lodges rather than a big waterpark
Landal Greenparks is massive in the Netherlands and has opened up or taken over several resorts across the UK. Their swimming pools aren’t as exciting as Center Parcs, but the parks get fantastic reviews (often better than Center Parcs) and they offer a good range of activities.
They’re certainly not on the same scale as Center Parcs, but you may see that as a good thing if you find Center Parcs a bit overwhelming. For example, there are about 130 lodges at Gwel an Mor in Cornwall, compared to about 800 lodges at a typical Center Parcs (i.e. Center Parcs is about six times as big).
There are several Landal resorts to choose from but we've chosen Landal Gwel an Mor, which isn’t far from the coastline in Cornwall.
Facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a large indoor play area, minigolf, archery, tennis, fencing, spa treatments and so on.
Customer reviews for Landal Gwel a Mor in Cornwall are 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, which is better than Center Parcs' five locations in the UK. Overall, it scores 90% from reviewers.
Price: £1486 for a family of four staying in a Scandinavian Lodge for a week at Landal Gwel an Mor in August 2026.
They’re certainly not on the same scale as Center Parcs, but you may see that as a good thing if you find Center Parcs a bit overwhelming. For example, there are about 130 lodges at Gwel an Mor in Cornwall, compared to about 800 lodges at a typical Center Parcs (i.e. Center Parcs is about six times as big).
There are several Landal resorts to choose from but we've chosen Landal Gwel an Mor, which isn’t far from the coastline in Cornwall.
Facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a large indoor play area, minigolf, archery, tennis, fencing, spa treatments and so on.
Customer reviews for Landal Gwel a Mor in Cornwall are 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, which is better than Center Parcs' five locations in the UK. Overall, it scores 90% from reviewers.
Price: £1486 for a family of four staying in a Scandinavian Lodge for a week at Landal Gwel an Mor in August 2026.
Landal Gwel an Mor is much smaller than Center Parcs but it has classy woodland lodges...
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...as well as some Center-Parcs-style activities and proximity to beaches
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9. Butlins Bognor Regis, West Sussex (outstanding swimming pool, big shows, hotel accommodation)
Big-name resort with lots of entertainment and large waterpark
Pros:
£40m swimming pool with waterslides, wave machine and flumes, choice of chalets or hotel style accommodation, funfair and some shows included in the price you pay
Cons:
Very different vibe to Center Parcs - less woodland and more bucket and spade
Best for:
Family fun with shows, funfair, swimming and the option of buffet dining
Butlins Bognor Regis may not be on your radar if you are looking for an alternative to Center Parcs - but it should be.
A huge amount of money has been invested by Butlins, which has made them more appealing at the classier end of the UK holiday resort market.
Butlins Bognor Regis opened a new £40m swimming pool in 2019, which gives the Center Parcs Subtropical Paradise a run for its money. It is seaside themed and has several 'rides' including a raft ride, rapids, a wave machine, racing slides and the world's first helter skelter waterslide.
There are also some accommodation upgrades at Bognor Regis, which are much better than the standard apartments at Butlins. If you can afford it, go for one of the three onsite hotels, which offer sea views, modern décor and classy restaurants. The Shoreline Hotel is a good choice for toddlers and young children, The Wave Hotel is best for tweens/junior school aged children and The Ocean Hotel is best for teenagers and adults.
The facilities and activities at Butlins include aerial adventures, laser tag, bowling, archery, minigolf and some other Center Parcs favourites. You also get big names performing, which you don't get at Center Parcs (expect kids' TV stars and Britain's Got Talent finalists). Butlins Bognor Regis has a good-sized funfair which is included in the cost of your holiday (whereas most things at Center Parcs are extra).
One notable difference with Butlins is that you have the option of having a catered holiday. You can either go for a good value buffet or a hotel dining package at Bognor Regis.
You won't get a leafy woodland holiday at Butlins Bognor Regis, but it is next to the beach. It's not a sandy paradise but it's nice for a walk. Customer reviews average 3.8/5 on TripAdvisor or 4.2/5 on Google Reviews, which is 80% overall, and not far behind Center Parcs.
Price: £1246 for a standard self-catering apartment for a family of four for a week in August 2026. If you want breakfast and evening meals included then it adds on about £500.
A huge amount of money has been invested by Butlins, which has made them more appealing at the classier end of the UK holiday resort market.
Butlins Bognor Regis opened a new £40m swimming pool in 2019, which gives the Center Parcs Subtropical Paradise a run for its money. It is seaside themed and has several 'rides' including a raft ride, rapids, a wave machine, racing slides and the world's first helter skelter waterslide.
There are also some accommodation upgrades at Bognor Regis, which are much better than the standard apartments at Butlins. If you can afford it, go for one of the three onsite hotels, which offer sea views, modern décor and classy restaurants. The Shoreline Hotel is a good choice for toddlers and young children, The Wave Hotel is best for tweens/junior school aged children and The Ocean Hotel is best for teenagers and adults.
The facilities and activities at Butlins include aerial adventures, laser tag, bowling, archery, minigolf and some other Center Parcs favourites. You also get big names performing, which you don't get at Center Parcs (expect kids' TV stars and Britain's Got Talent finalists). Butlins Bognor Regis has a good-sized funfair which is included in the cost of your holiday (whereas most things at Center Parcs are extra).
One notable difference with Butlins is that you have the option of having a catered holiday. You can either go for a good value buffet or a hotel dining package at Bognor Regis.
You won't get a leafy woodland holiday at Butlins Bognor Regis, but it is next to the beach. It's not a sandy paradise but it's nice for a walk. Customer reviews average 3.8/5 on TripAdvisor or 4.2/5 on Google Reviews, which is 80% overall, and not far behind Center Parcs.
Price: £1246 for a standard self-catering apartment for a family of four for a week in August 2026. If you want breakfast and evening meals included then it adds on about £500.
Butlins Bognor Regis has some classy hotel rooms with sea views...
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...plus a funfair which is free for guests to use all week...
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...and a £40m swimming pool and waterpark
Also consider: there are two other Butlins resorts in the UK including one in Lincolnshire and another in Somerset. The Skegness resort gets similar reviews to Butlins Bognor Regis, whilst the Minehead resort is slightly behind on reviews. Both offer a similar level of entertainment. Skegness has a more modern swimming pool than Minehead, but Minehead has some nice modern lakeside lodges and apartments with sea views.
Pros and cons of our favourite Center Parcs alternatives
Before we get to our summary price comparison, here's a pros and cons guide to the cheap Center Parcs alternatives we've featured in this guide.
Resort |
Pros |
Cons |
Find out more |
Haven’s Hafan y Môr |
Large waterpark, coastal location, big resort |
Mostly caravans, not woodland, less spacious than Center Parcs |
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Tattershall Lakes |
Lakeside setting, watersports, large site, good choice of accommodation, good value |
Small swimming pools, review scores behind Center Parcs |
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Haven Devon Cliffs |
Good value, good beach, lots of activities, large site |
Mostly caravans, pools good but not on Center Parcs scale, less spacious |
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Parkdean Trecco Bay |
Good value, beach setting |
Not a woodland, different vibe to Center Parcs |
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Bluestone |
Great reviews, excellent waterpark, pleasant park setting, similar scale to Center Parcs |
Expensive |
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Sherwood Forest Lodges |
Great reviews, similar woodland setting to Center Parcs, good cycling |
Much smaller, no swimming pool, expensive |
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Norfolk Woods |
Woodland setting, peaceful |
Much smaller than Center Parcs, small swimming pool |
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Gwel an Mor |
Excellent review scores |
Small swimming pool, much smaller than Center Parcs |
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Butlins Bognor |
Large waterpark, option of buffet dining, choice of accommodation including hotels |
Busier vibe to Center Parcs, not a woodland setting, local beach is stony |
Price comparison of 9 cheap alternatives to Center Parcs in the UK
A price comparison will only tell you so much, because there is a big difference in what you are getting for you money. We found that the cheapest week at Center Parcs in August 2026 was £2148 for a family of four. That was staying in a woodland lodge, which is considerably more spacious than most caravans. However, Center Parcs charges extra for most activities and we found the activity prices to be pricey compared to other places we've stayed.
Anyway, for what it's worth we looked for the cheapest accommodation at nine alternatives to Center Parcs. Some are caravans, whilst others are a bit posher. We looked for the cost for a family of four, staying for a week in August 2026 and didn't include any optional extras. We searched in October 2025.
From cheapest to most expensive:
Anyway, for what it's worth we looked for the cheapest accommodation at nine alternatives to Center Parcs. Some are caravans, whilst others are a bit posher. We looked for the cost for a family of four, staying for a week in August 2026 and didn't include any optional extras. We searched in October 2025.
From cheapest to most expensive:
- Tattershall Lakes Country Park, Lincolnshire - £803
- Trecco Bay Holiday Park, South Wales - £909
- Haven's Devon Cliffs, Devon - £1075
- Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa, Norfolk - £1155
- Haven’s Hafan y Môr, North Wales - £1169
- Butlins Bognor Regis, West Sussex - £1246
- Landal Gwel a Mor, Cornwall - £1486
- Bluestone National Park Resort, South Wales - £1921
- Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, Cumbria - £2148
- Sherwood Forest Lodges, Nottinghamshire - £2350
FAQ about cheap alternatives to Center Parcs in the UK for 2026
What's the cheapest alternative to Center Parcs for a summer holiday?
The cheapest alternative to Center Parcs that we've featured is Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire, which starts from about £800 for four people in August compared to about £2200 at Center Parcs. However, it's quite a different vibe to Center Parcs. It's ideal if you like outdoor watersports but it doesn't have the same indoor pool that you get at Center Parcs.
Are Center Parcs holidays cheaper in Europe than the UK?
Yes, for longer breaks at peak times we have often found that Center Parcs Europe is much cheaper than Center Parcs UK. The two brands are run by separate companies and have different pricing strategies. However, it's important to note that Center Parcs Europe is less consistent and predictable than Center Parcs UK on both quality and pricing. In some cases you'll save more than 50% for comparable dates and accommodation, but on other dates there is no saving at all.
You also need to factor in the costs of travel, which mean that it's more worthwhile on a longer break over peak times of year.
See our Center Parcs Europe guide for our pick of the best resorts.
You also need to factor in the costs of travel, which mean that it's more worthwhile on a longer break over peak times of year.
See our Center Parcs Europe guide for our pick of the best resorts.
Center Parcs Erperheide in Belgium can cost half the price of a UK Center Parcs - and it's only six hours drive from London
Which of these alternatives to Center Parcs have hot tubs?
Most Center Parcs lodges don't have hot tubs - but some of these cheaper alternatives do. You can get hot tubs lodges at Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire, Trecco Bay in Wales, Sherwood Forest Lodges in Nottinghamshire, Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa in Norfolk and Gwel an Mor in Cornwall. You can't get hot tubs at Bluestone.
Which of these alternatives to Center Parcs is closest to London, Manchester and Birmingham?
If you're planning a weekend away from London then Butlins Bognor Regis is your closest option. From Manchester, Hafan y Môr and Sherwood Forest Lodges have the quickest journeys. From Birmingham, Sherwood Forest Lodges and Tattershall Lakes are the closest.
Do these Center Parcs alternatives charge for activities?
Yes, but we've generally found they aren't quite as expensive. In our comparisons, Haven and Parkdean Resorts activities are usually much cheaper than those at Center Parcs. The same is true of Away Resorts, which runs Tattershall Lakes. We've found that Bluestone's activities are a fairly similar price to Center Parcs (see our Bluestone v Center Parcs guide). At Butlins Bognor, you get a few more things included and those things you pay for are roughly on a par with Haven and Parkdean. This is only a rough guide as activities vary by resort.
*Our 'half price' claim is based on our price comparisons for Easter 2026. We found a week's holiday at Center Parcs UK (Whinfell Forest) for a family of four in early April 2026 was £2348 for the cheapest accommodation available. A similar search at CenterParcs.fr found a week at Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste in Germany for £936. There are a few caveats to this. Firstly, you need to add on travel costs - don't drive across Europe if it will only save you a tenner. Secondly, take a look at our comparison of Center Parcs Europe, as some resorts are better than others. Thirdly, you need to book through CenterParcs.fr for this price - it usually costs more to book through CenterParcs.eu. Fourthly, exchange rates mean that the price of Center Parcs in Europe vary throughout the year. We searched in December 2025.
Most of the photos on Holiday Park Guru are original photos that we’ve taken ourselves from our own visits to 100+ holiday parks around the UK. Please don’t use them without permission. Other photos on this page are from Butlins, Away Resorts and Bluestone. We updated review scores in July 2025.
