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Six cheaper alternatives to Center Parcs from Ireland to Denmark

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Six cheaper alternatives to Center Parcs from Ireland to Denmark

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As soft sunlight streaks through the trees, their leaves shades of gold and red, autumn is an enchanting time to spend in the woods.

Center Parcs has long been a popular choice for a family break in the forest – with cosy lodges in a safe setting among the trees, plus plenty of activities and amenities, it’s a winning formula. But with rising costs and hefty add-ons, there’s been a creeping resentment among parents that Center Parcs can prove an expensive escape.

Ahead of autumn half term (which, for many schools, starts Monday 27 October) here’s a selection of alternatives that promise a similar break away in nature – with a smaller price tag.

Forest Holidays, UK-wide

Cosy up in a log cabin in one of 13 Forest Holidays locations across the UK, from Strathyre in the Scottish Highlands down to Deerpark in Cornwall. They’re run in partnership with the Forestry Commission, and all lodges come with hot tubs, towels and toiletries – plus, you can upgrade for a wood-burning stove, barbeque and outdoor kitchen.

There are no swimming pools and less hubbub than Center Parcs, but these escapes offer an array of outdoor pursuits for the family to immerse themselves in nature – from bushcraft survival skills and forest bathing to hiking, cycling, archery, kayaking and canoeing.

At the end of an active day in the crisp autumn air, take advantage of in-cabin services such as massages or pizza delivery. The onsite restaurant, Forest Retreat, serves breakfast and an all-day menu of toasties, burgers, salads and curries.

Four nights in Sherwood Forest from £1,360 for a family of four over half term (compared to £1,749 at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest).

Bluestone National Park Resort, Wales

Set amid the rolling hills and ancient woodland of south-west Wales, Bluestone is a fun-filled family resort engulfed by nature. A variety of cabin-style lodges and quaint cottages are tucked into 500 acres of Pembrokeshire countryside, providing ample opportunity for adventure – whether it be cycling through the woods or kayaking across the lake.

Hours of fun can be had in the Blue Lagoon – a subtropical indoor waterpark with flumes, spa pools, a wave pool and lazy river. There’s also the impressive Serendome – an indoor-outdoor activity area sheltered by the UK’s largest umbrella. Protected from the elements but in the fresh air, children can take on the climbing adventure course or splash around in the water zone. Among the dining options are the NRG Lab café, the Farmhouse Grill and the Oak Tree Italian restaurant.

A four-night half-term lodge stay costs around £1,260 for a family of four.

Landal, across Europe

Another option is Landal, a Dutch company operating dozens of holiday parks steeped in nature all around Europe.

For a peaceful UK escape, try Landal Kenwick Woods in the historic Lincolnshire woodlands of Kenwick Park Estate. Self-catering wooden lodges provide easy access to the surrounding nature trails, as well as various indoor and outdoor family-friendly activities, from hiking and biking to archery and pottery. There’s a 20-metre indoor pool, a hydrotherapy pool and a spa, plus a coffee shop.

The Fairways Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, and the Keepers Bar is perfect for a tipple overlooking the parkland. There’s also an 18-hole golf course next to the resort.

From £379 for four nights in a four-person lodge, arriving 27 October.

Or go further afield to the forests and heathlands of the Veluwe in the Netherlands, where Landal Coldenhove offers a host of family-friendly activities – including pools with waterslides, a sports arena, archery, climbing and bowling. The Brasserie serves local cuisine and there’s a shop and snack bar for extra provisions.

Rent a bike to explore the surrounding woodland or book a guided walk with a forest warden – and look out for the “Big Five”: wild boar, red deer, roe deer, Highland cattle and foxes.

Modern bungalows and quaint cabins are in a scenic setting, while still being close to amenities.

From £270 for a four-night half-term break in a four-person bungalow, or £670 for a wooden forester’s chalet in a quieter location.

Les Ormes, France

Cross the Channel to northern France for half term and take advantage of milder weather and fewer crowds in Brittany. Les Ormes (“The Elms”) is a family-owned luxury campsite and resort on a 200-hectare nature estate, where you can explore the surrounding woodland trails on foot or by bike.

The heart of the site is a large dome, covering a swimming pool, wave pool, waterslides and a lazy river. Elsewhere you’ll find an equestrian centre, 18-hole golf course (plus crazy golf), tennis courts, a climbing wall, archery, pedal boats and paintballing. Adrenaline junkies can swing through the trees and take on the zip lines of the outdoor adventure course or try cable water-skiing on the lake.

Dining options include La Brasserie 1977, a retro-style French restaurant, Le Club, offering brasserie-style dishes overlooking a castle, and a pizzeria. In the mornings, pick up fresh croissants from the on-site supermarket.

A varied selection of luxurious and quirky lodgings are tucked between the trees, from mobile homes and wooden cottages to safari tents, treehouses and wooden barrels.

Around £730 for four nights in a spacious, wooden-panelled mobile home, sleeping six, arriving 27 October.

Hidden Valley Resort, Ireland

Over the Irish Sea, Hidden Valley is set within the leafy, forested region of County Wicklow, known as the “Garden of Ireland”. Straddling the River Avonmore and encased by the towering evergreens that give Wicklow its nickname, the family-run resort offers a choice of camping, glamping and boutique lodge stays. A 10pm noise curfew creates a quiet and respectful atmosphere that’s perfect for families.

The site is home to a new inflatable aqua park and hosts a variety of adventure activities such as kayaking on the lake, tubing and climbing, plus there are play parks and soft play for children to make their own fun in the safe, gated environment.

The Lakehouse Restaurant whips up comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from scrambled eggs on toast to sweet and sticky stir-fries. Picturesque villages, beaches and attractions are a stone’s throw away from the resort, including the Powerscourt Waterfall and Estate, where the second series of hit Netflix show Wednesday was filmed.

A four-night half-term stay in a glamping lodge with toilet and sink costs £558 (sleeps six); a boutique lodge sleeping six with kitchenette and bathroom costs £855.

Lalandia, Denmark

With the days getting shorter and colder, autumn is the perfect time to embrace the comforting, Nordic concept of hygge. Jet across the North Sea to Denmark, the home of hygge, and check in to Lalandia.

At the Billund site (there are two others elsewhere in Denmark), whole days can be spent in the Aquadome – Scandinavia’s largest waterpark – from hurtling down waterslides and riding the simulated waves to exploring the cave pool and floating along the lazy river. There’s also soft play for younger kids, plus a sports hall, padel courts, bowling centre, ice-rink, climbing wall, mini-golf and trampolines.

You can get outdoors too, with playgrounds and a forest obstacle course to explore, and a family of dwarf goats to befriend. The forested area of Gyttegård Plantage, is nearby too – perfect for nature walks – as is Legoland.

After an action-packed day, relax in the spa or sauna, and grab a bite from the wide selection of restaurants, cafes and takeaways serving American, Mexican and Italian favourites.

Spacious, modern Scandi-style cabins come with fully equipped kitchens, plus a bathroom with washing machine and dryer.

From £773 for a four-night half-term stay for a family of four.