Center Parcs Sherwood Forest
We stayed at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest during the Welsh half-term and chose it because it worked out significantly cheaper than our nearest Center Parcs at Longleat, costing around £400 for the break. Sherwood Forest is one of the original and most well-known Center Parcs resorts in the UK, set within a huge woodland setting in Nottinghamshire.
Although it is one of the older Center Parcs villages, it still offers everything you would expect — woodland lodges, lakes, indoor swimming, restaurants, activities, and the signature car-free environment that makes Center Parcs unique.
Quick Summary
| Location | Nottinghamshire |
| Park Operator | Center Parcs |
| Accommodation | Woodland Lodges |
| Swimming Pool | Yes |
| Entertainment | Yes |
| Restaurant / Bar | Yes - multiplw |
| Takeaway / Cafe | Yes |
| Shop On Site | Yes |
| Good for Families | Yes |
| Good for Older Visitors | Yes – but walking/cycling required |
| Dog Friendly | Selected lodges |
| Lake/Water Features | Yes |
| Nearest Town | Newark |
| Bus Access | Limited |
| WiFi | Yes |
| Our Rating | ★★★★☆ |
Photo Gallery
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Accommodation
We stayed in one of the newer-style two-bedroom Executive Lodges, and it felt extremely luxurious compared to many standard holiday park accommodations we’ve stayed in.
The lodge included:
- Two bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms
- A modern fully equipped kitchen
- Dishwasher
- Bosch Tassimo coffee machine
- Wine cooler
- Spacious open-plan living area
- Outdoor patio seating area
The executive lodge felt more like a boutique woodland retreat than a typical holiday park lodge, and having en-suites in both bedrooms was a real bonus.
One of the nicest parts of staying here was the wildlife. Ducks, geese, squirrels and moorhens regularly visited the patio doors and had clearly learned that holidaymakers often bring food.
Facilities
Like all Center Parcs villages, Sherwood Forest is packed with activities.
During our stay we enjoyed:
- Swimming in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise
- Boating on the lake
- Bowling
- Walking through the woodland trails
- Cycling around the resort
The swimming complex is one of the standout features and is much larger than the pools you’d find on most UK holiday parks.
The whole village is built around outdoor activity, and there is plenty to keep both children and adults busy throughout the day.
Food and Drink
Sherwood Forest has numerous restaurants spread around the village, giving it more of a resort feel than a traditional holiday park.
During our stay we sampled several dining options and found the food quality to be excellent throughout.
There is enough variety that you could comfortably spend an entire break eating on site without feeling limited, ranging from family restaurants and cafés to takeaway options and more relaxed evening dining.
Things To Do Nearby
One of the defining features of Center Parcs is its car-free village layout.
You are only allowed to drive to your lodge when arriving and departing (Monday/Friday), after which cars must be moved to the main car park near the entrance.
While this creates a peaceful woodland atmosphere once settled, it can be slightly inconvenient depending on lodge location. In our case, the walk back to the car park was around half an hour — and unfortunately in torrential rain!
Most guests hire bikes or bring their own, and cycling is really the best way to get around the village.
Bike hire is available on site and is very popular.
Getting there and Map
[Driving directions, ferry, bus, train.]
Our Thoughts
Sherwood Forest gave us exactly what people expect from a Center Parcs break — quality accommodation, lots to do, and a relaxing woodland atmosphere.
The executive lodge was excellent and felt genuinely luxurious, while the wildlife and woodland setting made the whole experience feel quite special.
The only real downside is the typical Center Parcs inconvenience of parking restrictions and walking distances, particularly if the weather turns bad.
Overall though, if you are looking for an active UK short break and don’t mind paying a little extra for quality, Sherwood Forest remains one of the best all-round family resort experiences in the UK.
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