Getting There in Style (Well, Sort Of!)
To celebrate Louis finishing his school exams, I booked us a cheeky week at Centre Parcs Woburn Forest. We’ve been to Longleat three times before (2019, 2023, and 2024), but this time we couldn’t manage a dog-friendly trip there, so Woburn in Bedfordshire became our destination. It’s about a three-hour drive from home — made much easier by our trusty VW T5 van.
We’ve had the van since 2015 and it’s perfect for UK breaks when you need space for bikes, suitcases, and in our case, a Great Dane named Nova. With three seats up front, the back row was just about perfect for me and the dog!
A Heatwave Holiday
It just so happened this trip coincided with what felt like the 50th heatwave of 2025. The weather was glorious, if a little challenging for sleep. On the plus side, it did mean a calmer dog — normally Nova is like a T-Rex crossed with a kangaroo, so the heat definitely worked in our favour.
Centre Parcs Tips for Saving Money
I know Centre Parcs can be expensive, but this was our first trip outside of school holidays — and the price was almost half what we’d usually pay. Winning! That said, they don’t call me Bargain Beaumont for nothing, so here are some of our tried-and-tested strategies:
- Go Monday to Friday for the best value.
- Bring your own bikes to avoid hire costs (we love cycling and walking through the forest).
- Stick to the included activities: swimming in the Subtropical Paradise, cycling, and woodland walks are more than enough to fill the days.
- Self-cater: the lodges are well-equipped, so we brought our own food and drink.
- Stock up before you go: fire logs from Home Bargains, cheap disposable BBQs, and (essential!) marshmallows.
- Don’t panic if you forget: the on-site shop is surprisingly reasonable, so you won’t be caught short.
We usually add one or two “extras” to the week: a boat trip on the lake and a meal out at the Pancake House. Simple but effective!
Dog-Friendly Centre Parcs
Centre Parcs has really improved its dog-friendly offering in recent years. On our last visit to Longleat in 2024, we noticed a new large dog field, and Woburn also had plenty dotted around. They’re great for letting dogs run free in a quiet, safe space — Nova loved them.
The only downside? The cabins don’t have enclosed patios, so you can’t just let the dog wander outside. There’s a hook to tether them, but in hot weather it wasn’t ideal, so we kept the door shut more than we’d like.
A Different Vibe
This trip felt quite different to our usual ones. Going outside of school holidays meant the whole site was much quieter. There were lots of couples and young families with newborns, and the atmosphere was more relaxed, almost adult.
The boys even went swimming without us a couple of times, which gave Steve and me the chance to enjoy a walk together. We did venture out one day to the local Aldi for BBQ supplies and cold snacks — a lifesaver in that heatwave!
And of course, no Centre Parcs trip is complete without spotting wildlife. Within an hour of arriving, we saw a deer right outside our window. That never gets old — it’s one of the best things about Centre Parcs: feeling so close to nature.
Little Extras & Last-Day Adventures
On our last day, we usually head off early because of Nova. This time, we stopped at Diddly Squat Farm Shop (Clarkson’s Farm) on the way home. The boys queued for cider while Nova and I met another Great Dane in the picnic area. It’s rare to see another Dane, and for the first time in years I realised Nova is actually on the small side!
The drive home was gruelling: three hours in a van with no air con, a giant dog, and even our tortoise in tow. But with plenty of water and rest stops, we made it. As my husband always says: “It’s nice to go away, but it’s always nice to come home.”
Final Thoughts
This trip was exactly what we needed — a real reset at Centre Parcs. Quieter, calmer, and with plenty of time to just enjoy each other’s company. It’s also where I first started drafting this blog and learning how to build my website. Two months later, I’m still working on it, but it’s nearly there! Have you been to Centre Parcs, or tried out other villages besides Longleat and Woburn? Which ones are worth the extra mileage? And if you’re thinking about going and want more Centre Parcs tips, feel free to get in touch — I’m always happy to help.
If you enjoyed reading this post you may also like Beyond the School Run and Finding Joy in Organisation.
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