They aren’t shy of change at the popular holiday destination
We can expect a number of changes at the holiday resort over the next year or so(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)
A number of big changes are set to take place at the cherished Sherwood Forest Center Parcs this year.
The holiday destination has revealed various plans in recent months, including big refurbishments, new apartments and extra attractions.
The origin of Center Parcs all began in the Netherlands in 1968, where Dutch founder Piet Derksen, owner of sporting goods chain Sporthuis Centrum, created the world’s first nature park.
It was only in 1986 that Sporthuis Centrum changed its name to Center Parcs, with the vision of the nature-based holiday spots continuing to expand across more of Europe.
Today, there are 27 Center Parcs sites in mainland Europe and six across the UK and Ireland.
The Sherwood Forest Center Parcs near Rufford was the first UK site, which opened in 1987 and covers more than 400 acres of forest.
The New Ollerton-headquartered network of short break villages has shared a number of plans for improvement set to take shape at the end of 2026 and beginning of 2027. The changes the Nottinghamshire park wants to undergo include:
Accommodation revamp
Center Parcs recently announced a major refurbishment of its Sherwood Forest lodges.
Revamping its accommodation in the ancient forest was part of an investment plan to enhance the quality and comfort of guest stays, the business explained.
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.
Center Parcs 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.
Lakeside addition
Construction on a “stunning” new lakeside addition to Center Parcs began in spring.
It began building a brand-new lakeside accommodation within the ancient forest back in March, comprising three premium lodgings named ‘Waterside Lodges’.
They will be set on the edge of the resort’s lake and will be “perfect for a relaxed breakfast by the water or unwinding under the stars”.
Each detached lodge will have a private wooden deck with hot tub and patio furniture, while inside the lodges will be “just as impressive” with three bedrooms and balconies that show “stunning views across the lake”.
Construction is scheduled to take place through to spring 2027.
More than 40 new apartments
Center Parcs wants to tear down buildings and transform the area into a number of holiday apartments after plans were approved in May.
The buildings were originally the Center Parcs’ head offices before they were changed internally to form the current apartments.
These will be taken down to make way for a new three-storey apartment block with 48 apartments in total.
This will include eight two-bed apartments, 38 one-bed apartments, and two one-bed accessible apartments.
New zipline
A new, small aerial ‘zipzag’ zipline ‘rollercoaster’ can now be built near the lake in the centre of the holiday park after wider plan approval.
These ‘zipzag’ zipline involve users being sat in a harness attached to a metal track and holding onto a rope in each hand where they navigate through sharp twists, turns and drops.
The attraction is said to mimic the sensations of a flying roller coaster.
Within the plans is an accompanying log cabin, to be built east of the existing boathouse on site, serving as a ‘kit up and kit off’ space for those using the zipline.
Booking changes
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.
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.
