The UK’s most popular holiday park chain, has been rated among the worst in the country for value for money in a Which? survey, despite scoring highly for facilities, accommodation and cleanliness
The parks are known for their cosy lodge accommodation(Image: Center Parcs/PA Wire )
One of the UK’s most beloved holiday park chains has received a poor score in a national ranking, with visitors expressing frustration over one particular issue.
Center Parcs operates six holiday villages across the UK, and in a recent Which? survey, it ranked as the most-visited holiday park on the list, proving especially popular for short breaks at its car-free forest locations. It has a location in Nottingham, Sherwood Forest, and its head office is based in Newark, Nottinghamshire.
Which? said: “You like that you know what you’re getting, from the acres of forest trails to the swimming pool in a heated glass dome – a subtropical paradise even in the soggiest of British summers. It also earned praise for appealing to all ages, whether that’s with the treetop aerial adventure or the thermal spa (with a volcanic steam room and an igloo-inspired ice cave).”, reports the Mirror.
The parks were further commended for their lodging options, with premium grades boasting amenities such as hot tubs, saunas, and games rooms, cementing its status as a firm “family favourite” according to Which?. Yet customers voiced considerable dissatisfaction over one particular concern.
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“However, it’s extraordinarily expensive, at more than twice the price of budget rival Haven. Activities cost even more on top, and you need to secure your preferred slots weeks in advance. The two-star rating for value for money is the joint lowest in our survey. You could save a fortune by choosing a better-rated rival,” the Which? survey noted. In most respects, Center Parcs fared well in the assessment, earning four stars for activities, entertainment, facilities, accommodation quality and cleanliness, along with three stars for customer service and food and drink.
However, its near-bottom ranking, fifth from last, was largely attributed to a poor value for money score of just two stars, making it the third most costly of all the holiday parks surveyed.
This is not the first occasion the chain has faced criticism over its steep pricing. In a widely shared social media post, one exasperated mum highlighted the stark contrast in prices between school holiday and September dates, commenting: “If anyone’s unsure when their kids return to school after the holidays, Center Parcs have this handy tool.”
A four-night break in August was priced at £1,049, while the same holiday a week later, after the school holidays, was £529.
Even glowing reviews of the parks frequently reference the cost. A recent appraisal of Center Parcs Woburn Forest noted: “Amazing place to holiday. Personally, I felt the prices of things on-site were a little high, and that was even going outside of term-time; however, you cannot fault the fun and wonder of being at these parks.”
Another reviewer was more forthright: “Badly overpriced, we only paid £799 for a family of 4 and it still felt like a rip off. You get a good room, yes, but it’s nothing you can’t get at a hotel in the countryside for half the price. Every single other activity charged extra (except swimming, which is decent but you can get a similar quality just slightly more warm out at Butlin’s for 1/10th of the price).”
Center Parcs has been contacted for comment.
The UK’s best and worst holiday parks
(Name of resort, overall customer score)
- Potters Resorts – 83%
- Hoburne Holidays – 81%
- Darwin Escapes – 80%
- Landal Parks – 80%
- Waterside Holiday Group – 80%
- Shorefield Holidays – 76%
- Away Resorts – 75%
- Bluestone Wales – 75%
- Park Leisure UK – 75%
- Highland Holidays – 74%
- Lyons Holiday Parks – 74%
- Largo Leisure – 73%
- Park Holidays UK – 73%
- Warner Coastal Villages – 73%
- Forest Holidays – 72%
- John Fowler Holidays – 72%
- Center Parcs – 69%
- Haven Holidays – 68%
- Parkdean Resorts – 68%
- Butlin’s – 63%
- Pontins – 61%
Based on a survey of 2,221 Which? Connect panel members and general public conducted in February and March 2026.
