I am a great fan of Center Parcs and I have been lucky enough to visit all four of the UK Villages several times, so I have a good knowledge of the facilties on offer at each and I can definatley tell you that they all have very different properties that may help you to decide which one to visit.
---CENTER PARCS IN GENERAL---
- Although every village has different features they do all share some of the same Center Parcs properties. At all four of the forests cars are not allowed on the village and the only way you can park near your villa is if you are disabled or have booked an exclusive villa. This does mean that you may find travelling around the forest difficult at times and I would definatley recommend hiring a bike or mobility scooter. There are a huge range available from the Cycle Centre including a very family friendly bike that can be rode by one adult and there is a buggy attached that can seat two children, making this a perfect option if you have kids. Otherwise there are a good selection of mountain bikes etc. available. If you are planning on visiting Longleat or Whinfell forest bikes are essential as there are very steep hills that would challenge a lot of people. The situation at Longleat is made slightly better by the Land train which you can read more about in my Longleat review below.
- Every village has accommodation of varying class, they range from Comfort to Executive and are catered for different budgets, although I must say even the most basic of villas can be very highly priced at peak times. They are all surrounded by forest and/or water and are very private. Some have a compromised breeze-block appearance but the executive villas are externally decorated in wood, which is more attractive. In all of the villages the villas are separated into regions such as Maple, Oak, Cedar etc. classified as such due to their position and sometimes their price.
- Each village has an Aqua Sana that offers a wide range of treatments, hair styling and massages and all at a very reasonable price. They are very extravagant and are a real treat to visit. Sports Areas at Center Parcs are great family fun they have different names at each and have a unique atmosphere that mixes entertainment with fun and getting fit and they also have kids clubs so I would definatley recommend them,
- Every village is extremely relaxing and you will leave the park feeling totally refreshed and wanting to go back every time!

---SHERWOOD FOREST---
This is, personally, my favourite village as it was Center Parcs' first so it has maintained a rustic charm and atmosphere that makes this very suitable for families. This is the least artificial of the villages, what I mean by that is the lakes, for example are natural and have not been man made like some villages, this is a feature that I love. It is very much inspired by Robin Hood with themed lunches and events as well as a dedicated Adventure Golf course. The villas were refurbished in 2006 which means they are to the best quality and the executive villas are fantastic and I would really recommend them.
There are a good range of restaurants at Sherwood I would pesonally recommend the Sports Cafe and Chez Pierre for value although if you're willing to spend more on your meal then La Sapinere, Rajinda Pradesh and Luciano's would be the place to go. The Village Square is the nicest out of all the villages and is very well designed.
The swimming pool is great here as well, although it's not the biggest one out of all the villages. There are great flumes, a magical outdoor pool and a fabulous Grand Cascade family ride. The main pool is great as well and is surrounded by beautiful exotic plants and trees that add to the atmosphere and best of all it's the one and only thing, that's FREE!!! Please note though as with all the villages changing rooms are communal but they are a great design and are very clean.
---WHINFELL FOREST---
The newest of the villages is Whinfell Forest on the edge of the Lake District, it is in a beautiful location that you'll just love when you get there. The villas are very nice here and every one has a wood exterior making them more suited to their surroundings and more of a pleasure to look at. Most of them however have two storeys so may cause a problem for disabled persons, they are also the most expensive out of all four villages, there is a wider choice available though.
If you like a more rustic appearance to the attractions like there is at Sherwood and Longleat then you may not be satisfied by the all indoor compex at Whinfell. Practically everything is inside a big dome situated by the main lake, which is a downfall, I find in this forest and may be something to take into consideration.
The Swimming pool is great and I would recommend the Canyon ride.
One of the great features of this village is the variation in restaurants from the other locations in the UK. You will find Rajinda Pradesh, Luciano's and Chez Pierre but you will also discover some new places to go to such as the fabulous Chinese, Yang and the very nice Lakeside Inn.
If you have been to other Center Parcs villages you will notice a big difference here but I'm sure you'll pleased.
---ELVEDEN FOREST---
This forest is great for young couples especially and the activities here are more superior than any other for kids and my family enjoyed it very much here.
At Elveden there is a unique feature called the Lakevie Hotel, this is great if you're on your own or in a couple as the rooms are very luxurious and romantic and everyone overlooks the Watersports Lake so is very satisfying. It also has a revolving restaurant attached, La Sapinere which is a great experience.
The Village Square here is very nice and is my favorite Village Square. Off of it you will find several buildings and the Sports Plaza is fantastically arranged to include all Sports facilites and the Swimming pool as well as some shops which make this great for disable people, the Piazza contains Rajinda Pradesh on the first floor, Chez Pierre and Luciano's another great point for disable people.
The swimming pool here is the biggest out of all four villages and is the best, it is great and fab fun for all the family, there is a good viewing area as well on the 1st floor of the Sports Plaza, in Leisure Bowl.
The Golfing Green in the North East of the village is located conveniently near the Country Club and Aqua Sana which makes this a great area of the park that you can spend whole day in.
---LONGLEAT FOREST---
Longleat is the hilliest of all the villages but this is compensated for with the useful Land Train which goes around the whole park and is very handy for the disabled as the Village square, sports plaza and Aqua Sana are all very dispersed.
There is one feature here that you will notice all the time, the beauty, everywhere you go are overwhelmed by beauty of the soaring redwoods and it's a truly magical experience.
The Swimming pool is satisfactory although it's not the best but I'm sure you'll have fun there. I think you'll be surprised by Longleat and I would recommend it to active couples in particular. Longleat has an extremley close resemblance to Sherwood and it has nearly every thing that Sherwood has as it was constructed at a similar time.
You will love Longleat and I would definatley recommend a visit.