British Families Discover Major Savings at Dutch Center Parcs
The familiar sounds of British accents drift through the autumn air at Center Parcs De Kempervennen, where multi-generational families clad in sportswear prepare for days filled with treetop adventures, water rapids and indoor skiing. Despite being in Holland's North Brabant province, the resort is dominated by UK visitors during the school break.
One observant 11-year-old perfectly captured the atmosphere, remarking: "I really feel like we're in England." The reality, however, is that they're experiencing a significantly cheaper alternative to UK Center Parcs resorts.
The Cost Comparison: Staggering Price Differences
A Newcastle father explained the primary motivation during a paintball session: "MONEY!" His group found it cheaper to fly to Amsterdam and transfer to De Kempervennen than visiting their nearest UK resort at Whinfell Forest in Cumbria during half-term.
The financial advantage becomes clear when examining the numbers. A three-night stay in a two-bed comfort cottage at De Kempervennen costs £564, rising to £727 with additions like linen hire and bike rental. The equivalent break at Longleat Forest in Wiltshire was priced at £1,469.
Even after accounting for £320 in travel costs via LeShuttle and fuel, families can save approximately £400 by choosing the Dutch option.
Activity prices show even more dramatic differences. The treetop zip-wire course at De Kempervennen costs £17.10 per person for two hours, while a similar one-hour Aerial Adventure at Woburn Forest Center Parcs in the UK charges £44 per person.
What You Get for Your Money
De Kempervennen sits on 370 acres of ancient moorland, dominated by towering oaks and horse chestnuts that display stunning autumn colours. The park features two sizeable lakes for water sports and three main indoor entertainment hubs:
- Aqua Mundo swimming complex with rapids and slides
- Montana Snowcenter with 5,500 sq metres of indoor slopes
- Action Factory with climbing walls and sports courts
Accommodation ranges from prefab-style cottages to VIP lodges with saunas and even houseboats, all designed to blend into the natural surroundings.
While there are minor drawbacks like making your own beds after arrival and occasional Wi-Fi issues, the park offers extensive free activities including a petting zoo, scavenger hunts and live music.
Beyond the Resort: Exploring the Netherlands
Many British families combine their Center Parcs stay with day trips to nearby attractions. The Efteling theme park, less than an hour away, offers fairytale-themed high-tech rides and surprisingly affordable dining - a coffee and banana loaf costs under £5.
The location also provides easy access to European cities including Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Bruges, making the holiday feel like a proper continental adventure rather than just a resort break.
Center Parcs UK defends its pricing strategy, noting that they maintain 97% capacity year-round and have their highest ever guest satisfaction scores. A spokesman emphasised their ongoing investment in improving villages to meet guest expectations for high-quality experiences.
However, for growing numbers of British families, the financial mathematics combined with the opportunity for a more varied European holiday makes the journey across the Channel increasingly irresistible.
