I recall the precise moment we realised Center Parcs was no longer for us. The children were enjoying one final dash around the playground before we packed everything into the car to head home following a wonderful weekend break, and my husband popped off to purchase drinks.
He came back looking pale: "I just paid five quid for two Fruit Shoots."
Apparently, we have our limit, and that was it. Despite half a dozen enjoyable visits, those Fruit Shoots marked the point we knew we could no longer justify Center Parcs' pricing. If my countless hours trawling parenting forums online are any indication, we're far from alone. At first, we ventured elsewhere, discovering Haven and Parkdean sites across the UK.
However, as a dedicated bargain seeker I'd noticed considerable discussion everywhere from Mumsnet to Reddit about the money to be saved on European holiday park getaways. After using ChatGPT to research the practicalities of motoring in France, we traded Center Parcs for Eurocamp this May bank holiday and it proved so brilliant we're already planning our next trip.
Eurocamp has established itself as the go-to provider for activity-focused park holidays, offering 400 destinations spanning 11 countries. We reserved accommodation at Domaine des Ormes, nestled within 400 acres of verdant French countryside, featuring woodland, lakes, a golf course, and a medieval castle as its centrepiece.
It offers various accommodation types to suit all price ranges, from conventional camping through to contemporary lodges, a premium hotel and even floating cabins and treehouses. We opted for a lodge and were genuinely impressed when we stepped into our temporary residence.
The lodge contained everything required for a five-night break and included several extras that delighted our 10- and 12-year-old children, particularly a separate bedroom each for when family togetherness became overwhelming and complimentary (and mostly dependable) wifi throughout, ideal for some relaxation time.
The principal living area featured a comprehensively equipped kitchen with a full-size fridge freezer, L-shaped sofa and dining table. The interior felt marginally more compact than Center Parcs lodges we've previously visited and there was no television, but neither of these factors concerned us, partly due to the most significant distinction we discovered with the change.
Reflecting the reliably warmer climate on the continent, our lodge was very much designed with outdoor living in mind. It boasted an expansive covered decking area featuring another, even larger, L-shaped sofa, along with a second outdoor dining table and chairs.
With temperatures climbing to as high as 30 degrees during our visit, we spent the vast majority of our time outdoors, whether dining or lounging on the sofa.
It was the ideal spot to unwind as a family, enjoying card games, with wine for the adults and cold drinks for the children (it would have been rude not to), or taking in outdoor film nights courtesy of Netflix on a tablet propped on the coffee table. Pure bliss.
Domaine des Ormes' crowning glory is a spectacular aquapark featuring slides, a lazy river, wave pool and an abundance of both indoor and outdoor swimming options. If you're seeking an alternative to the legendary Center Parcs Subtropical Swimming Paradise, this is it in spades.
Available at no additional charge, we whiled away hours there each day. The children adored the zip line over the pool, propelling themselves across the water before plunging in at full speed.
Zip lines proved a firm favourite throughout the resort, with guests of all ages eagerly lining up to glide across the lake. At just 6 Euros per person for two rides, it was considerably more affordable than any activity we'd previously experienced at Center Parcs — and proved yet another massive hit with the children who, given half the opportunity, turned out to be true thrill-seekers (much like the 20ft climbing frame in one of the outdoor playgrounds, which my son made it his personal mission to conquer throughout the week, while I waited anxiously at the bottom).
There was no shortage of additional activities on offer, including kids' clubs, archery, horse riding and even a circus (10 Euros per adult, 9 per child), though we found that a combination of the pool, relaxation time and dining out was more than sufficient to keep everyone entertained without significantly adding to the overall cost.
Domaine des Ormes boasted two restaurants and two bars on-site, alongside a well-stocked convenience store. Our firm favourite was Chez Madeline, serving stone-baked pizzas, succulent rotisserie chicken and a 10 Euro children's menu with generous portions large enough to warrant taking leftovers back with us.
Having a car allowed us to venture further afield, so we popped into the nearby Carrefour supermarket in Dol-de-Bretagne to stock up on cheese, smoked meats, fruit and salad. We also stumbled upon the finest steak frites any of us had ever tasted on the journey home — yet another memorable highlight of the trip.
Taking the leap was absolutely the right decision. Driving through France proved far less daunting than we had anticipated.
Any language barriers were minimal and easily navigated, and with roughly half the families at Eurocamp being English-speaking, the children quickly found plenty of new playmates.
The most memorable moments were the little ones: my 12-year-old being able to walk to the resort shop to buy breakfast croissants for us to eat together on the deck as the sun rose and excitedly haggling to buy some hair clips from the market that came to the resort one sunny afternoon; my son's confidence growing every day he got higher up that climbing frame.
Domaine des Ormes was large enough to keep everyone entertained and occupied, yet compact enough to still allow precious family time together. All in all, it was thoroughly worth the effort of stepping outside our comfort zone.
There are still some savings for anyone booking at Domaine des Ormes this summer, although some of the most popular accommodation types are sold out. Currently, a four night stay for a two bedroom lodge through Eurocamp starting on Monday, July 20 is £975. A similar two-room lodge at our nearest Center Parcs - Woburn Forest just outside of Milton Keynes - would be £1,449 for the same time.
There are even chunkier savings available if you're planning ahead. For October half term Eurocamp is £289.64 for four nights, compared to £1,699 for Center Parcs. Meanwhile, May half term 2027 is £786 for Eurocamp and £1,599 for Center Parcs.
While, of course, you have to factor in travel costs for a trip to France, for us the cheaper activities and idyllic surroundings make it worth the effort.
Narin stayed at the Domaine des Ormes Eurocamp. Currently, a four night stay for a two bedroom lodge through Eurocamp starting on Monday, July 20 is £975. For the October half term, Eurocamp is £289.64 for four nights.
The cost of taking a car on Le Shuttle starts at £69, and £89 for Brittany Ferries.
