The company says the change will benefit guests
The Pancake House at Center Parcs’ Sherwood Forest resort in Nottinghamshire(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)
Center Parcs has made an important bookings change to all of its UK resorts – including Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest site.
The New Ollerton-headquartered network of short break villages has announced that all restaurant bookings now require a deposit at the time of booking.
The staycation business has told visitors that the change, which will come into effect from November 16 this year, is being made to make room for as many guests as possible.
“To help us provide the best possible experience for our guests and make sure our restaurants are available for as many guests as possible, all restaurant bookings now require a deposit at the time of booking,” a Center Parcs spokesperson said.
“This will come into effect for all breaks starting from November 16, 2026, onwards.”
Those staying in lodges can get a refund of their deposit if they cancel two days before the booking, the representative explained, but afterwards no refund would be provided.
Center Parcs’ message to its customers added: “If your plans change, you can cancel more than 48 hours before your reservation, and we’ll refund your deposit in full. If you cancel within 48 hours of your reservation, the deposit is non-refundable.
“Please note that restaurant bookings have their own cancellation terms, which are different from those for activity bookings.”
The important Nottinghamshire employer is also currently making physical changes to its Sherwood Forest holiday village.
It is revamping its accommodation in the ancient forest as part of an investment plan to enhance the quality and comfort of guest stays.
Newark and Sherwood District Council approved the refurbishment programme, which will not only refit the inside of 109 lodges but extend patios and add pergolas, in June.
The effort to improve dozens of holiday lodges is the second phase of Center Parcs’ eight-year lodge refurbishment project to improve guest accommodation.
Center Parcs recently confirmed the refurbishment works were scheduled on the Cedar part of the resort from September to December, with the Maple section of the village following from November to April.
It will be carrying out essential infrastructure works from Monday, August 17 to prepare these areas for improvement.
A spokesperson said guests may notice some temporary disruption to roadways around Sherwood Forest’s Pancake House and Action Challenge during the works.
“We’ll make every effort to minimise any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding while these important improvements are carried out,” the Center Parcs representative said.
“We look forward to sharing further updates as the work progresses. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we continue to make these exciting improvements.”
As well as upgrades to its lodges, Center Parcs will soon be making more changes to Sherwood Forest – which was the first UK site it opened back in 1987.
Under plans approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council in May, the company’s former head offices that were later converted into 11 executive apartments will be knocked down and replaced with a new three-storey block of 48 apartments.
A new, small aerial zipline near the lake in the centre of the resort was also previously approved by the council.
