Center Parcs in the UK has become a nostalgic family favourite since opening its first village in Sherwood Forest in the 1980s, drawing around 2.3 million visitors across the UK and Ireland each year with woodland lodges, cycle paths and activities. The resorts often run at 97% capacity all year round, but prices have risen sharply — especially during school holidays.
Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert found three-bed lodges starting at £2,798 for the first week of August 2026, and regular Bank Holiday breaks start from £1,149. With budget airlines offering European flights for less than a train from London to a UK Center Parcs, Metro has found five family-friendly alternatives on the continent.
Center Parcs Europe
Center Parcs Europe is under separate corporate ownership from the UK arm but offers identical experiences, including massive indoor water parks, climbing walls and forest lodges. Resorts across France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands often cost a fraction of the UK price.
Four-night stays for four people during promotional off-peak seasons can be as little as €207 (£177) per person. Standard off-peak and mid-week getaways typically range between €400 (£342) and €800 (£684) for short stays. During summer holidays, prices for a family of four generally range from €1,300 (£1,111) to €2,200 (£1,881). According to peak summer estimates by Holiday Park Guru, Germany is the cheapest, followed by the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
Ulrichshof Nature, Germany
Deep in the Bavarian Forest near the Czechia border, Ulrichshof Nature offers a heated outdoor pool, a pirate-themed splash park, a whirlpool and slides. There is also a forest playground with climbing and zip lines, and daily childcare available from 9am to 8pm.
Rather than lodges, Ulrichshof has family suites of all sizes, from standard rooms with balconies to luxury suites with large living spaces. Packages include all-inclusive meals with sustainable, regional cuisine. The July 'family happiness' package starts from €366 (£313) for one night. The 'lucky riders' package, which includes three pony riding sessions, starts from €1,341 (£1,146) for four nights.
The nearest airports are Munich and Nuremberg, around a two-hour drive away. In September, flights from Gatwick to Munich with easyJet average at £48. Ryanair flies to Nuremberg from Stansted for as little as £30.
Lalandia, Denmark
Lalandia is a collection of tropical-themed family holiday resorts in Billund, Rødby and Søndervig. The Billund resort is home to Scandinavia's largest indoor waterpark, Aquadomes, featuring high-speed water slides, a large wave pool, a lazy river, and a secret cave pool with an underwater aquarium.
The resorts also offer Nordic holiday cottages, indoor play areas, restaurants, bowling alleys, mini-golf, fitness centres, sports halls, and a Tarzan course — a forest obstacle course over 400 metres long with a zipline. Autumn holiday bookings for the Billund location are now open, with a spacious holiday home for a family of four starting from €734 (£627) in October. The cottages have two bedrooms, a covered terrace, and disabled facilities. British Airways has direct flights from London Heathrow to Billund Airport in October from £68.
Duinrell, Netherlands
Duinrell is a holiday and amusement park in Wassenaar, South Holland. It features an amusement park with rides for all ages, from rollercoasters to bumper cars, and the largest waterpark in the Benelux, with 21 slides including a spinning giant funnel and a lazy river. There is also an outdoor tiki pool open in summer.
Day tickets for the amusement park and outdoor tiki pool start from €29.50 (£25). Accommodation options include camping, glamping, and 'Duingalows.' A four-person, five-night bungalow stay in September starts from €736 (£629). Camping by the river starts from €265 (£226) for two nights, while a glamping spot for a family of five starts from €515 (£440) for three nights. The closest airport is Rotterdam The Hague Airport, a 30-minute drive away. Transavia flies from Stansted for as little as £39 in September.
Cambrils Park, Salou, Spain
Cambrils Park is located a five-minute walk from the beach in the Costa Daurada. It has swimming pools with splash areas, slides, water games, a playroom with creative workshops and group games, and a spa where parents and children can relax together.
Accommodation includes themed apartments with one, two or three bedrooms, such as 'La Mediterrània,' 'La Polynesia,' and 'the Caribbean.' A villa for a family of four for four nights starts from €720 (£615) in September, while 'Aloha bungalows' that sleep six start from €745 (£637). The nearest airport is Reus, a 15-minute drive away. Jet2 flies from Luton for around £30.
