What activities are free at Center Parcs?

This week we’ve been at Center Parcs Longleat for a four-night break. It’s our first time at a Center Parcs so we didn’t totally know what to expect.

Before our visit, I received numerous emails encouraging us to book activities and dining. However, since we hadn’t been before, we wanted to explore everything in person first and find our feet instead of pre-booking blindly. Most activities are quite expensive, and given that we chose the most costly week of the year to visit (almost £300 per night), I just couldn’t justify spending much more each day.

To make matters worse, we faced an unexpected car repair bill estimated at over £1,000 just before our trip, which further limited our budget. With very little spending money now available, I wondered: could we still have a good time at Center Parcs on a budget? Was it possible?

Is there anything to do at Center Parcs for free?

While Center Parcs primarily focuses on paid activities, you can still have a fantastic time without booking any. There are plenty of free things to do to fill your time.

For this visit, we didn’t take part in any pre-booked paid activities, so I want to share with you 7 free things you can do with kids during your stay at Center Parcs Longleat.

During our stay, I discovered that there are some free things to do at Center Parcs, making it a possible destination for families on a tighter budget. So, what activities are free at Center Parcs Longleat? Here’s a list of free activities at Center Parcs that you can enjoy with your kids.

1.     Subtropical Swimming Paradise

The swimming pool was the reason we booked our holiday at Center Parcs! Ben had been talking for ages about going to a splash land, and when I found out about the Subtropical Swimming Paradise and emailed him a picture, his immediate reply was ‘book it’! So, I did—after a bit of back and forth, of course. It really made our decision to come here easier. We’d heard great things about Center Parcs, and although it’s known to be expensive, knowing the pool was included in our stay made it worthwhile. It’s one of the few free activities at Center Parcs!

There are plenty of splash areas and small slides for the kids, which is perfect for our six-year-old and three-year-old. The indoor pool has a wave machine, and there’s also a much warmer pool outside. For older children or confident younger swimmers, there are lots of slides to enjoy. Ben and I took turns going on some slides while the other kept an eye on the kids in the pool or splash areas.

The pool is included in the price of the stay and is a lot of fun! We visited twice but could have easily gone every day. I can only imagine that when the kids are older and can swim better, it’ll be hard to drag them out of the pool! For that reason, I think that as they grow, we might get even more out of a holiday like this—even if we can't afford the other paid activities at Center Parcs.

2.     Forest walks

Another big draw for staying at Center Parcs is the beautiful forest surroundings. I absolutely love being immersed in nature, and the thought of staying in a lodge surrounded by trees was just too tempting. The forest is right on our doorstep, allowing us to stroll around the park and soak in the sight of the tallest trees. While the park is enclosed and fenced off, giving a sense of safety, you still feel very much in the forest as you wander around the complex.

Exploring the forest within the grounds is one of the many free activities at Center Parcs that lets families connect with nature without spending a penny. We spent about three hours one day walking with the kids, discovering wooden bridges, waterfalls, small lakes, and even some wooden play parks along the way. If we visit again, I’d love to explore even more of the park and enjoy those stunning forest views. The kids had a blast collecting sticks, crossing bridges, climbing hills, and disappearing into the trees whenever they could!

(One thing we love about the Bluestone resort in Wales is the ability to take nature walks right from the resort.  It's a shame the Center Parcs we visited doesn't have trails and walks from the resort itself into the surrounding woodlands.)

3.     Go to the beach

The sandy beach is one of the best free activities at Center Parcs, perfect for building sandcastles and paddling. While it’s not a traditional beach, the main lake at Center Parcs Longleat features a lovely sandy area where the kids can splash around and paddle in the water. Honestly, it’s a struggle to drag them away from there; they absolutely love digging and building in the sand! We could easily spend a few hours—or even half a day—just enjoying the beach, and the kids would be perfectly happy while they’re still so young.

4.     Go cycling

If you’re wondering, “Are activities free at Centre Parcs?” then bringing your own bikes is a fantastic tip for exploring the park without any extra charges! Hiring cycles can be quite expensive, so it could be better to hire them for the entire stay if you do decide to rent. We checked the day rate on our third day, and it was quite steep for just one day for the four of us. It wasn’t much more to hire them for the whole stay, so we’ll definitely remember this for next time.

Alternatively, you can simply bring your own bikes and cycle around the entire complex without spending a penny. There are lots of cycle paths and plenty of bike parking, so you can easily hop off to walk or enter a building. It’s a good idea to lock up your bikes while you’re around the park, just to be safe, and make sure you have adequate insurance in case of theft. If bringing bikes isn’t easy, consider bringing scooters for you and the kids to scoot around the paths instead!

5.     Have a picnic

There are numerous dining options at Centre Parcs, but to save money, you can take your own food with you, as all accommodations are self-catering. To avoid spending on restaurants, you can either enjoy meals in your lodge or pack a picnic to take out with you. There are plenty of picturesque picnic spots throughout the park, complete with benches and even parasols in some areas, where you can sit and enjoy your own food. This way, you can make the most of your stay without breaking the bank!

6.     Ride the land train

The land train is a fun and free activity at Centre Parcs that helps families get around while keeping the little ones entertained. The land train is really handy for getting to the main areas from your accommodation, but it’s also great fun for younger kids!  What kid doesn’t love a train ride?  We used it most days to get from A to B when the kids were tired of walking. We also hopped on one day just to do a full circuit of the park as it was a fun activity by itself for the kids while they were young.

7.     Discover the adventure playgrounds

The various adventure playgrounds are among the free things to do at Centre Parcs Longleat, providing endless fun for children. The kids' play parks and adventure playgrounds are truly fantastic! There are several large ones in the main area of the park, along with smaller ones dotted around near the lodges. The huge playgrounds are incredibly well-designed and offer plenty of space for the kids to explore. Bella loved the zip lines, once we managed to encourage her to give it a go—she was a bit nervous at first!

We also noticed a medium-sized soft play area in the Sports Bar, but unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance during our stay. A large indoor soft play would have definitely bumped our visit rating even higher! However, both the Sports Bar and Bella Italia had smaller soft play areas that kept the kids entertained while we dined out.

(Another reason we rate Bluestone in Wales so highly is because they have a large indoor play area for the kids - really great for younger kids)

Final thoughts

Overall, even without booking paid activities, there are numerous free activities at Centre Parcs that can make your holiday enjoyable without breaking the bank. While we had a lovely time at Center Parcs Longleat, it was evident that the costs can add up quickly, especially during peak season when we had to visit due to our children being school-aged. I can't help but think that we might have had a more budget-friendly experience if we had chosen to come during a less busy period when prices are lower before the children got to school ages.

That said, we found plenty to keep us entertained without spending a fortune. From splashing about in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise to exploring the beautiful forest trails, there’s a lot to do that doesn’t require extra expenditure. I do wish there were more direct walking trails from the resort into the surrounding woodlands, as well as additional free indoor play options for younger children. With the right planning and a focus on the free activities available, families can still enjoy a memorable trip to Center Parcs, even if you’re keeping an eye on the budget.

Ultimately, I can see us returning when the kids are older and can fully appreciate the paid activities, or perhaps during a quieter week to make the most of our time without the hefty price tag if that opportunity should ever arise. And, if money were no object, I would love to experience the magic of a Christmas stay in the future, complete with festive dining options and activities!