There’s a long-running joke about the cost of Center Parcs. A trip there can sometimes feel like you’re paying obscene prices for a trip a couple of hours away from home.
But here’s the truth we’ve discovered: when approached in the right way, Center Parcs can be one of the best-value short breaks for outdoorsy families—especially those with young cyclists in tow who happen to love swimming and parks.
Center Parcs Unique Selling Point:
We recently stayed at Center Parcs Erperheide in Belgium and Le Lac d’Ailette in France, adding to our growing list, which includes UK spots like Sherwood Forest, Elveden, and Longleat. The consistent magic across all these sites, and why do we continue to return? The freedom.
No cars. No traffic. Just a world where kids rule the paths on foot and by bike. It’s an environment that’s increasingly rare, especially for those from the UK, where there are over 40 million cars on the road. It’s incredibly powerful for families with younger children learning to ride as you’re not constantly on edge of whether a car will come or they will lose their balance and fall into the road. It sounds extreme, but the freedom offered is why we spend the little extra and go to Center Parcs or enjoy a campsite (more on that later).
Embracing the Traffic-Free Environment
One of the standout features of Center Parcs is its car-free setup. Once you’ve parked your vehicle, the resort becomes a haven for pedestrians and cyclists.
This environment is particularly beneficial for young children learning to ride bikes. Without the worry of traffic, kids can explore freely, building confidence and honing their cycling skills.
Barney, our 4-year-old, has been pretty good on his bike for a while but he’s been limited by infrastructure and enthusiasm. Not quite ready for a family bike ride but limited by riding on our street; he was looking for a destination to fulfil his enthusiasm tank . He’s had short bursts of independence but always needed help getting going or would tire easily.
During our stay, the freedom to cycle from our lodge to various destinations, like the swimming pool, transformed his experience. By the end of our trip, he was confidently starting, stopping, and navigating turns on his own.
It’s that kind of natural learning you just can’t force, and what only happens when the habit is built. Having something as a reward at the end of the cycle (swimming) made him even more keen, and now it’s transferred to our life at home.
What You Don’t Have to Spend Money On
Yes, there are a lot of paid extras at Center Parcs. You can fill your schedule with pottery classes, bowling, and spa sessions—but you don’t have to.
We brought our own food, cooked in the lodge (with the odd treat lunch), and spent every day swimming and cycling. These two cornerstone activities are completely free once you’re in. And for us, they’re the best bits:
- The Subtropical Swimming Paradise: Massive indoor pools, slides, rapids, toddler splash zones—it’s all included.
- Cycling: Bring your own bikes and you’re sorted. The safe, quiet paths mean kids ride more confidently, and parents can actually relax.
- Play Parks: Center parcs is littered with outdoor play areas, which means you can combine a short cycle with active play. A double win of strength and skill-building.
- Natural Play: One particular highlight of the ones in Europe was that there were a ton of ‘natural play’ opportunities. The one in France had a small, man-made beach surrounding the lake and had a digger for the kids to use. There were Connect Four and other games scattered around. The Center Parcs in Belgium had a farm with animals roaming (which was quite random at first but very fun).
Developing Core Skills Through Play
Beyond cycling, Center Parcs offers numerous opportunities for children to develop essential skills:
- Spatial Awareness: The varied terrains and paths enhance coordination and understanding of space.
These experiences mirror the simplicity and freedom found in traditional camping, where unstructured play and exploration are central to the experience. Center parcs can be camping for those who want an additional bit of luxury and facilities.
Matilda’s Journey started at Center Parcs:
Our daughter Matilda, now 9, had her own Center Parcs journey years ago. Her early experiences on a bike were shaped in those same car-free woods. She rode more often, for longer, and with more purpose than she ever would on local roads or even parks at home.
There’s something about cycling to a destination—the pool, the pancake house, the lakeside—that gives kids ownership and drive, and it’s worked twice now for both children.
Why It’s Worth It
Center Parcs isn’t “cheap”—but it is good value when you focus on what matters. It’s the chance to escape traffic, screen time, and overstimulation. It’s about letting kids cycle freely and spend their time developing long-term, core skills. If you strip it back to its core offering, a safe outdoor space, brilliant swimming facilities, and a chance for kids to become little explorers, Center Parcs is worth the financial outlay.
Last Updated on April 24, 2025 by Ryan
Hello. I am Ryan and along with my wife Beth and our two children Matilda and Barney, we love all things cycling and exploring. We spend our weekends exploring fun places to cycle and discover and wanted to help other people do the same too. There’s no better way to travel than via bike and it’s an amazing activity for the whole family to enjoy.