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Before our kids were school age, we loved a term time break to centerparcs in the UK, but like you’ll probably know – prices in the school holidays skyrocket – meaning once the kids were in school those kinds of breaks were history!
But this summer we discovered that European Centreparcs – while still having higher prices in the holidays than term term, are actually still way cheaper than in the UK – and for longer breaks too.
So we were able to head off to Erperheide in Belgium for the whole of the last week of the summer holidays – for half the price of what it would have cost for a 4 night break in Elvedon or Whinfell in the UK!
Why Erperheide?
With three children aged 10, 9, and 7, we were looking for an active holiday that would keep everyone entertained. We chose Centreparcs Europe because it was much more affordable than the UK Center Parcs during the school holidays. And Erperheide in particular because it looked like it would have everything needed to keep our kids happy and entertained. And we weren’t disappointed.
Getting There
It did take a good while to get there! Since we’re based in the north we had a long drive to the ferry terminal in Dover. We took the Dover to Dunkirk ferry, which gave us a chance to get up and stretch our legs, followed by a 3-hour drive to Erperheide.
You can use clubcard vouchers towards ferry crossings.
Erperheide Accommodation & Park Size
We stayed in a cozy, well-equipped cottage that comfortably fit our family. The kitchen was fairly small with just a microwave oven, but was fine for cooking basic meals, and there was a dishwasher which always helps! Bedding was provided, but towels were an additional cost, so we chose to bring our own. There was a small patio area outside our cottage with a table and chairs and a couple of sun loungers.
One downside was that when we arrived our cottage did smell of dog, but when we reported it the staff came straight away to change the sofa covers and freshen it up.
The park itself isn’t huge, which we found ideal. We didn’t need to hire bikes as everything was within easy walking distance, so it was perfect for a stroll and not too tiring for little legs!
The Highlights
1. The Swimming Complex
The biggest hit of the trip was the amazing swimming area. It’s packed with multiple pools, including a wave pool, slides, and the ever-popular rapids. Our kids spent hours in the water, and the variety kept them entertained every single day. Our eldest two were up and down the slides non-stop, while our youngest really enjoyed the pirate ship themed splash cove.
If your kids love swimming, this is the place to be! All the pools had life guards and there are swimming vests available at the entrance for children to use. There are also plenty of tables and chairs around the pools and a poolside cafe.
One thing to note is that you’re not allowed inside the pool complex wearing clothes – one evening I was going to sit by the pool with a book while my husband swam with the kids but I was kicked out as soon as I sat down!
2. Baluba Indoor Play Centre
The Baluba indoor play centre was another favorite. With massive climbing structures, slides, trampolines and soft play zones, our kids could have stayed there all day. It’s a huge, play space that’s great for kids of all ages. There’s also a cafe bar so parent’s can sit and relax while the kids play – although it’s pretty noisy!
They also have daily entertainment for the little ones – ours were too old to enjoy it but great for little ones.
3. Petting Farm
Another highlight was the petting farm, (no extra charge) where children can feed goats and pet the bunnies every day. It was a sweet, hands-on experience that our kids loved – a perfect way to start the morning. Although my daughters are now desperate for a pet of their own!
Activities We Tried
While there are plenty of paid activities, we didn’t feel the need to do many, as the pool and play areas were such big hits. However, we did indulge in a few extras:
- Bungee Trampoline: This was a big win with our kids! They couldn’t get enough. It’s only a 15 minute experience and cost $7, but it was long enough that their legs were tired when they got off. You book a timeslot so you don’t have to queue when you get there.
- Hair Braiding: A fun treat for our daughters and they kept them in for a good few weeks after we got home.
- Adventure Golf: Again, you book your time slot, and actually there was no one else there when we went so we had the course to ourselves.
Self-Catering & Local Shopping
We mainly self-catered and found it really convenient. There’s a Lidl supermarket just a short drive away, where we stocked up on everything we needed for the week. Although we couldn’t resist the pick ‘n’ mix at the on-site shop, which the kids loved!
There are on-site dining options, but they can be a little pricey, so we were happy to prepare most meals in our cottage, although we did use the Frites takeaway for a treat!
While the park was enough that we didn’t need to leave, we did venture out into the nearest town to visit a lovely chocolate shop so we could bring home some of that famous Belgian chocolate.
Of course, my kids being my kids, they had to choose themselves chocolate emoji poos (yes poos) for their souvenirs.
Entertainment
There is entertainment in the Market Dome some evenings, we we to see a singing and dancing show which was fun, and we also went to the family quiz night (I won’t mention our score!), but we enjoyed it, and they presented it in 3 languages.
Speaking of the Market Dome – the kids loved seeing the parrots in the trees overhead – and were lucky enough to be able to feed them seeds from their hands.
Final thoughts
Center Parcs Erperheide was a fantastic holiday for our family. The combination of activities, great swimming facilities, and the affordable price made it a perfect choice. If you’re looking for an alternative to the more expensive UK Center Parcs, we highly recommend Erperheide. Our kids had a blast, and we loved the relaxed atmosphere.
Tips for Families:
- If you’re driving from the UK, take the Dover to Dunkirk ferry for a smooth journey.
- There’s no need to hire bikes – the park is walkable, and everything is within easy reach.
- Visit the Lidl nearby for groceries to keep costs down.
