Which? finds families could make significant savings on Center Parcs breaks by switching to the continent

Which? compared the cost of a four night stay for a family of four at 32 Center Parcs sites across England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany during five separate weeks of the school holidays - in May, July, August and October. The consumer champion found that the average prices paid in UK Center Parcs resorts were considerably higher than prices paid elsewhere in Europe, with the potential to make savings of hundreds of pounds by switching to the continent.

Across the dates Which? checked, the average price paid in the UK is £1,435, yet the average cost in Germany and the Netherlands is a fraction of that, at an average of £857 and £886 respectively. Substantial savings could also be made in France and Belgium, where on average a stay costs £1098 and £1121 respectively. 

The biggest price differences could be found for bookings in the late May and October half terms - which may be due to differences between the school calendars here and in Europe. The most substantial savings in the May half-term could be found in France, where before factoring in travel costs, a family could save £852 on average compared with booking in the UK. At £1449 on average, a UK stay costs a staggering 143 per cent more than the average cost of a comparable break in France (£597).

Over the same week, families could also save an average of £788 in Germany, £742 in the Netherlands and £672 in Belgium, compared to staying in the UK. Those booking for the October half-term can find the biggest savings in the Netherlands, where the cost of a four-night break is a staggering £804 less on average than in the UK. At £1449 for four nights on average, a UK Center Parcs break is 125 per cent dearer than at a Dutch counterpart (£645).

During the summer holidays, Germany proved to be the cheapest Center Parcs destination in each of the three weeks Which? checked. The end of the summer break offered the biggest savings, with a stay at a German Center Parcs between 26th and 30th August coming to £803 on average, over £600 less than a stay in the UK at £1409. Between 19th and 23rd August travellers could save just shy of £500, and £254 between 29th July and 2nd August compared to staying in the UK. 

Travel costs should also be considered  - but spot checks by Which? suggest even once these factored in, families could still stand to save - particularly if booking ferries far in advance. Parks in France and Belgium are among the easiest to reach from the south of England. Park de Haan in Belgium is approximately just over an hour’s drive from Dunkirk, for example, while Calais is around two and a half hours from Center Parcs Le Lac d'Ailette. At the time of writing, a return ferry could be booked for approximately £147 for a family of four to Calais during the October half term, or £165 during the May half term. The Netherlands, which has the cheapest average prices in October, can be reached directly by ferry from Hull, Harwich or Newcastle, or by driving a few hours from Calais or Dunkirk.

Center Parcs De Eemhof has the lowest price in October of £505 for four nights. It’s approximately a one and a half hour drive from the Hook of Holland, with a return ferry from Harwich available for approximately £188 at the time of writing. At a total cost of £693, that’s a saving of £606 compared to the Center Parcs Whinfell Forest in Cumbria, which is the UK park with the lowest available price that week (£1299 for a four night stay). However, holidaymakers should factor in the longer journey times required when making a booking, with a ferry crossing to the Hook of Holland taking more than seven hours.

Naomi Leach, Deputy Editor of Which? Travel said: 

“While UK holiday parks offer families an easy way to explore the great British countryside, our research has found that casting your net further afield could make your break more affordable.

“Those holidaying in the May and October half-terms stand to make the most significant savings, but even during the summer a family could save hundreds of pounds on their accommodation costs. Do factor in the cost of transport and travel insurance to ensure the swap is worthwhile and always double check European parks have the facilities and activities you expect.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

In April 2024, Which? carried out spot checks of prices on centerparks.co.uk and centerparcs.eu for a four-night stay in a standard two-bedroom woodland cottage/lodge. In all cases researchers selected the cheapest comfort cottage, except when a premium cottage was cheaper and in the case of Terhills resort, which does not offer comfort accommodation

Center Parcs Europe is a separate company, with 26 parks operating across Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. 

Price comparisons were made by comparing the UK Center Parcs site prices with Center Parcs Europe’s English-language site: Centerparcs.eu. However, Which? found even cheaper rates on the local domains during spot checks. For instance, Which? found a saving of €820 (£704) for a trip to the Villages Nature Paris park in France for a trip between 29 July - 2 August when booking through Centerparcs.fr instead of Centerparcs.eu. If booking a trip to a Center Parcs overseas, using Centerparcs.nl, Centerparcs.de, Centerparcs.fr and Centerparcs.be may result in further savings.

Travellers should check facilities at their chosen park to ensure it has the activities expected. Almost all Belgian, French, Dutch and German Center Parcs have tropical-themed pools and activities (some at extra charge). When Which? carried out spot checks, it found some activities are cheaper in EU parks than UK parks. For example, archery costs between £20.50 and £29 at Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest, compared to £13 at Belgium’s De Vossemeren.

Ferry prices based on a family of two adults and two children travelling in a Ford Fiesta, with no pets or additional roof luggage. Travellers may also want to factor in additional transport costs including petrol.

Table of average prices

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