Booked a year previously as part of Sir’s 18th birthday celebrations, permission granted to take the kids out of school and myself to have time off work our long awaited Winter Wonderland break finally rolled round.
The last time we did one of these was in 2016 and a lot has changed since then. There is now an Enchanted Light Trail and a Winter Wonderland Village. There are Elves roaming round and Santa does a tour of the village. They have free entertainment like a choir and story time for kids. Best of all they have a Festive Fayre stall selling Bratwurst, sausage rolls, hot chocolate and mulled wine! You can sit in a fairy light bedecked Tipi to partake in them too.
We had a wreath on our lodge door, and upon asking Guest Services we obtained letters to send to Santa via a talking post box in the Winter Wonderland Village. This was a high point for Madam who was beyond excited at 6.30 am on the Thursday morning to discover a reply hanging on the front door handle. I must admit I was impressed by that too. Santa’s elves do not hang about apparently!
I booked this break thinking how quiet it would be, easy to get a parking space, the pool area would be peaceful. It was busier than I’ve seen it during school holidays.
We soon learnt though that with altering our own habits a little we could enjoy a quieter break. Most of the families had pre school kids so afternoons were a better time to visit the pool as the little ones were probably napping. We booked meals slightly later to miss the tea time rush. The best was when the England match was on, everyone was either in the Sports Cafe or their own lodges watching our team do whatever it was they did. I can’t remember. We however, sat drinking mulled wine in an empty Tipi and pretty much had the light trail to ourselves. The village square completely deserted. It was wonderful.
We ate out a couple of times and cooked some meals in the lodge. We felt this gave us more flexibility and cost less money.
They had a Christmas shop and as is traditional for us I bought some decorations.
We had a lovely time, everywhere looked so festive. Even better is that Centerparcs now leave their lights and village setting up until the end of February for Winter Light breaks and we are going back to see it!
Early Rising Mum 
i am glad you all had a good time there it looks lovely
It was very festive. We really enjoyed it.
Oh wow! It sounds like you had a wonderful time at Centerparcs. It sounds so magical in the run up to Christmas. x
It was brilliant, very festive