Center Parcs - Elveden Vs Longleat???

actions · 17 September 2011, 19:50

Not boat related at all, (although they do have rowing boats)....

We have just come back from a week at Elveden Center Parcs and was wondering if anyone has been to Longleat and how the two compare.

Have heard that Longleat is very very hilly, is this correct and how easy is it to get around.

Looking at going again next year and wondered which to go for. I only ask as the wife had Rheumatoid Arthritis

and cant do too much, ie heavy cylcing, hill walking etc etc.

Anyone been to either / both and can shed any light?

Nasher · 17 September 2011, 21:09

We've done both.

Longleat is VERY hilly, and getting around by bike can be hard work if you're not used to it.

Apart from the hills we did feel that Longleat had, just very slightly, better facilities, and if we had to choose would go to Longleat.
However, our kids are older, and cycling up the hills doesn't bother them, if the kids were younger we'd choose Elevden every time.

Hope that helps

Nasher.

Richard B · 17 September 2011, 21:20

Also been to both. Agree that Longleat is better... generally newer and shinier. And hillier... but we stayed very close to the main centre so didn't find it a problem. I think we paid the extra £30 to choose your location. There's a "land train" that goes around the site so you don't need to walk too far. It's a Land Rover that pulls a long line of seated carriages, and there's two or three of them constantly going round. Does your wife's arthritis qualify her for the disabled bungalows? These are about 200yds form the central pool etc.

actions · 17 September 2011, 21:47

cheers for the replies chaps. I would be fine on the bike but the wife may not be too keen on the hills or even be able to do them.

I like the sound of better facilities, but if there is not much in them, then i think the hills may cause it to be a no go.

The wife isn't registered disabled and hopefully it wont get to that stage (fingers bloody tightly crossed), so i think the disabled lodges may be a no go, but thanks for mentioning them, although its worth me asking the question when we contact Center Parcs just to see.
She gets huge pain if she has to do too much walking and although cycling ease's the pressure on the joints a little, i think if it is that hilly then it would make the week a misery for her. She is only 31 and of course hates the fact she cant do too much but if longleat is Very hilly it may well cause issues.

Interesting about the land train though. That would certainly help us out.

Doug Stormforce · 21 September 2011, 08:09

The hills are not a problem, the land train runs every 20 minutes. However if it snows badly the train does not run. If you can pick a villa near the complex

Paul Cannell · 21 September 2011, 16:54

Longleat & the surrounding area is nicer than Elveden, Sherwood Forest park is quite compact & flat & could be an alternative.

Courageous · 21 September 2011, 19:37

Is Penrith not an option for you? Had a great week there last spring.

actions · 23 September 2011, 11:37

I think that Penrith will be too far really, its a 6 hr + drive. If it were a normal (visiting different places every day) kind of holiday then it wouldnt be a problem but of course once your in center parcs in their wooded environment i cant see the real reason to travel so much further.

Elveden and Longleat are about the same for us about 2 hrs 15.

Downhilldai · 23 September 2011, 13:00

Is an electric bike (e-bike) an option?

Just e-bikes from Justebikes.co.uk | UK e-bike Sales | Electric bike sales and servicing

actions · 23 September 2011, 14:06

Hmmmm, hadnt even given an electric bike a thought. Maybe a little on the expensive side unless i can convince her to use it for work too and save fuel from the car (and of course use that for the boat)......

Shall have a peek at them