Center Parcs, once a popular destination for British families, is now too expensive for many, with one father of three calling it a "middle-class money pit" due to rising costs. Alex Dodman, a civil servant from Essex, told the Daily Mail that the company "priced the British family out of a holiday" and suggested that Center Parcs knows customers will continue to pay inflated prices. "It's so unaffordable, but they've got this cult-like following of people where you get sucked in by it," Dodman said.
Dodman, who has three children aged one, six, and nine, noted that prices have increased significantly since around the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled that a decade ago, Center Parcs was affordable for spontaneous weekend trips, but now, families must plan months in advance and save up.
He shared an example of booking a lodge for a weekend just before a half-term holiday in October 2025 for £799. However, he pointed to a dramatic price increase for similar periods, with a four-night break at Woburn in February 2027 starting at £439 during non-half-term dates, but soaring to £1,449 for the same period during half-term.
Beyond accommodation, the cost of activities and food also contributes to the high price of a Center Parcs holiday. Dodman cited children's archery costing £24 for two children for just 30 minutes, which he described as "just fired some plastic arrows at a pretty old-looking board in a fitness suite." Current pricing indicates archery for two costs £27 for 45 minutes. Other activities such as den building and decorating are priced at £54, cupcake decorating from £30, and fencing from £43 per pair.
He also highlighted the inflated prices at the on-site mini-market, where a jar of Dolmio sauce costs £4.50 compared to about £1.50 in a standard supermarket. "They just bump it up because you can't get out," he explained, adding that a pint at the sports bar costs around £8. Dodman noted that his children still enjoy the park, being "oblivious to the price of everything."
For a Bank Holiday weekend at Christmas, a three-night stay in a three-bedroom lodge at Whinfell Forest costs from £1,699, and at Sherwood Forest, it is £2,299. Dodman advises families planning a trip to be prepared for significant spending if they wish to participate in activities, especially seasonal ones. His advice for saving money includes doing grocery shopping before arriving and prioritizing free activities like cycling and swimming.
Dodman has started a series called "Escaping Center Parcs" on Instagram, exploring more affordable alternatives such as Bluestone in Wales and Forest Holidays. Other holiday parks mentioned as alternatives include Warmwell Holiday Park in Dorset, Finlake Resort & Spa in Devon, Landal Kenwick Woods in Lincolnshire, Shorefield Country Park in Hampshire, and Potters Resorts in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk.