Nestled in the leafy Bedfordshire countryside, just a stone’s throw from Hertfordshire, lies Center Parcs Woburn Forest - a magical place for all the family, where lifelong memories are made.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the holiday village has welcomed more than 3.1 million guests in the last decade, with an occupancy rate of 97%.
I recently enjoyed a long weekend there with my family, and I realised just how lucky we are to have such a gem on our doorstep. Once inside, you could be just about anywhere, but handily you’re just up the A1(M)!
Whether you want to relax or get active, there is a wide range of activities, restaurants and accommodation types within the compact 300-acre site that’s ideal for young families.
I would definitely recommend hiring bikes from the Cycle Centre when you arrive, as it’s a great way to get around, and to explore the woodland. The knowledgeable staff will make sure you get exactly the right equipment for your height, age and ability. From adult and junior mountain bikes, to tandems, tag-a-longs and trailers, there are plenty of options to suit all needs.
We stayed in a woodland lodge, which had an open-plan living area, modern kitchen, private patio and comfortable bedrooms, but there is accommodation to suit all budgets - from lodges to hotel rooms, and even treehouses, complete with private outdoor hot tub, games room and sauna.
Our accommodation was spotlessly clean and very comfortable - a great base to come back to after enjoying some of the site’s many activities.
There are endless activities for people of all ages - from action and adventure, to calm and creative, and a good mix of indoor and outdoor pursuits, so you can carry on the fun whatever the weather.
Outdoors, there is everything from archery, laser tag and paintball to adventure golf, pony rides and watersports. Indoors, you can enjoy a variety of sports and creative workshops.
We had a go at pickleball - a sport which combines badminton, tennis and table tennis all in one - and Family Ball Wall, where we put our skills to the test to see who could hit targets with a kick or throw of soft balls against an interactive wall. Both activities were a lot of fun, and encouraged some friendly competitive spirit!
We also had a go at Escape the Forest, where we put our puzzle skills to the test in a unique escape room in the heart of the woodland. We were really impressed with the quality of the set up and the various challenges we had to solve - a real head scratcher and lots of fun.
When it comes to the highlight of the holiday though, it has to be the Subtropical Swimming Paradise - a water park that offers unlimited free access to guests during their stay.
There’s plenty to entertain the whole family for hours on end, including the thrilling Tropical Cyclone raft ride, Wild Water Rapids, wave pool and lazy river. There are also two water play areas - one for older children, with a play frame, flumes and colossal tipping buckets, and the other for little ones, with slides, spray fountains and splash pools.
Heated to 29.5c all year round and decked in lush green tropical plants and trees, it’s perfect for the whole family to enjoy, whatever the weather!
For adults, the Aqua Sana is also a must. Guests can explore the 25 multi-sensory, nature-inspired spa experiences across six spa zones, from the relaxing floral aromas of the Blossom Spa and the re-energising thermal experiences in the Fire and Ice Spa, to the healing powers of the Mineral and Gemstone Spa.
Each experience offers unique healing properties. From herbal inhalation baths and hydrotherapy showers to multi-sensory meditation experiences, Aqua Sana Woburn Forest combines heat, water and nature to leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised.
As well as the six spa zones, there are also reflexology footbaths and a heated outdoor infinity pool, with shower jets and bubble beds.
The Aqua Sana is open to all adults - you don’t need to be staying at Center Parcs to enjoy the facilities.
Meanwhile, it’s easy to work up an appetite at Center Parcs and, when it comes to food, there are plenty of restaurants to suit all tastes - from the Italian Amalfi and French Cafe Rouge to Latin America Las Iguanas and Indian Rajinda Pradesh. And let’s not forget Huck’s American Bar and Grill and The Pancake House overlooking the lake. A Center Parcs institution and all-time guest favourite, The Pancake House serves sweet and savoury pancakes in traditional Dutch style on a griddle, as well as freshly cooked omelettes.
Alternatively, if you fancy a cosy night in, Restaurant Runner will bring your favourite dishes right to your door. You can even mix and match dishes from different restaurants all in one order.
We ate at Amalfi, Cafe Rouge and The Pancake House during our stay, and the three restaurants had three things in common - delicious food, excellent service and friendly staff. In fact, friendly and helpful staff is something you can count on at Center Parcs Woburn Forest.
Meanwhile, it's not just their guests that Center Parcs cares about. It is committed to protecting and enhancing the woodland, and a team of dedicated rangers have worked hard over the last decade to create and manage habitats that attract native wildlife. As a result, there are now 40 species of bird at Woburn Forest and a healthy bat population, with 11 of the 17 breeding species found in the UK. The site is also a haven for Muntjac deer, hedgehogs and lizards.
Rebecca Wileman, village director at Woburn Forest, said: “The last 10 years has been a truly amazing journey and one that I am incredibly proud of. We’ve seen a few changes over the years, with significant investment into our village. For example, we added more accommodation with the addition of three treehouses and, more recently, we refurbished and relaunched our conferences and events space The Venue.
“We’re always looking at how we can improve the offering and service to our guests, and our 97% occupancy rate is testament to the hard work that goes into achieving that. We have many guests who return time after time, and we even welcomed our millionth guest just three years after opening.
“I am so proud of the team at Woburn Forest. It’s been fantastic to see colleagues grow and develop with the business, and all we have achieved over the last decade. Here’s to the next 10 years!”
To find out more about Woburn Forest, visit centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/holiday-locations/woburn-forest.html.
For more about the Aqua Sana, visit aquasana.co.uk.
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