I really didn't want Center Park. Of course, the following year, I would hurry back for a return visit.
But that was exactly what I did last week, bringing my family back to Center Park in Sherwood Forest a year after my first visit. At the time, when I broke Center Park Sudaq, I vowed to do three things differently next time. Importantly, my son was a year older and loved it too.
I was expecting Center Park to be a bit fake and a bit artificial. But in reality, it's a really fun place to spend a few days. A holiday resort built in the forest, focusing on nature, outdoor activities and relaxing at your own pace. Naturally, we avoided half-year and school holidays as our babies are still under school age.
Center Parks is essentially a natural resort with major facilities in the centre, including a pool, a restaurant, several (expensive) shops and activities, with wooden trekking, mini golf, bird watching, ziplines, quad bikes, a variety of indoor and outdoor sports, arcades and a variety of other things that can be tailored to adults.
The accommodation consists of chalets around the outside of the park, with roads running from the center to the edge, allowing you to walk or ride a bike from the location. Cars are prohibited – Once unpacked, you will be locked in the car park for a week, and you will have to walk or ride a bike from place to place.
Last year I vowed to come here early. We showed up around 4pm (when ready for your chalet arrival), it was a massacre and we were in traffic for an hour. This year I was ready.
So we reached the early door, parked, and moved to Café Rouge, on site. Here, Center Parks also did something different – I think this was much better. The parking lot was too busy so they let us park our car next to the cabin. This took some of the stress of parking early, moving the car, then moving it back, then coming back, taking part in the arrivals from the procedures, going much smoother than last year.
What I said I would do differently is bringing a disposable barbecue this year. And this backfired.
Upon arrival, I was told that BBQ was banned this week due to heat waves. “A flame that opens in a dry forest is not a good idea,” the woman told me when we picked up the wristband. Why were they forgiven?
He also told the entire park (PARC?) that barbecues were banned this week. The disposable barbecue I brought stayed in my car and unpacked it.
Thankfully, between the excellent cooking facilities in the cabin – a full range of regular ovens, hobs, microwaves, cutlery, tableware and full cups are available in the chalet for you – I really didn't miss it. Additionally, we ended up eating all the (slightly expensive) restaurant dishes on site, between Pancake House, Hack, Bella Italy and Las Iguana.
Finally, like I said last year, I brought a spider grabber this year. In 2024, I discovered how close the cabin is. Our chalet was a cycling dirt trail a few feet from the patio, hidden beneath a fir tree canopy. It's a truly peaceful and calm spot, but I had to gently drive away the eight leg visitors as there are real spiders, squirrels, robins and other natural creatures that will appear to welcome you.
Our son also enjoyed himself more in 2025 – he was able to sit in the bike seat so we could ride him on his bike around the park, and he enjoyed a baby slide in the pool's water park.
Overall, Center Park is a great experience if you know what you're doing. And I'm already hoping to see what else else has to offer next year.
