Into the woods

I tried to ignore the icicle hanging from the showerhead. "Think green and be strong", was my mantra, as a chilly breeze stirred the pines and a dusting of snow lay on the forest floor. Gasping as the water hit me, I lasted a few seconds before bolting back to the baking heat of the sauna, deep in the Suffolk forest.

Heading up the A11 and being lashed by east coast winter winds, it seemed rather self-indulgent to be heading for a winter weekend break so soon after the Christmas and New Year festivities. But who doesn't need a boost during a long, gruelling winter?

At the entrance gate, my long-suffering Mondeo was surrounded by Mercedes and BMWs. But deep in the forest, it is soon time to leave your gas-guzzler in the car park and "think bike" instead, and consider all the pollution which we could avoid by walking and cycling everywhere.

Our villa was heated by an "intelligent" thermostat and lit by energy-efficient bulbs, while I could recycle kitchen waste in a three-section bin. On a previous visit, we'd stayed in a cosy, if box-like, villa set in woodland, but our real treat this time was an Executive Lodge – a two-storey Scandinavian-style house, complete with attached sauna.

Suddenly, I could see why the "staycation" craze persuades Britons to holiday at home. Our lodge was so snug and comfortable – with a log fire to relax by, dishwasher and maid service to tackle chores – that I wondered if we would ever summon up the nerve to go outside.

The case for staying inside was even stronger when we discovered the games room – not restricted to Monopoly with missing pieces – but with a cupboard of board games, a huge flatscreen TV and PlayStation, plus a pool table.

It even tempted our sons away from their wall-mounted TVs in each bedroom. How could we blame the boys for relaxing indoors when my wife and I were doing the same? Much as we enjoyed eating out at one of the restaurants – our family favourite was the American-themed Hucks, great for big burgers and even bigger steaks – it was even nicer to call up a takeaway. Using the new Dining In service, we ordered curries for us and pizza for the boys. It was not too decadent, because I got on my bike to collect the meal.

It also saved money. Our group of five ate in for about 50, while two courses with wine and soft drinks at Hucks came in at about 100. Of course, our isolated idleness couldn't last. Soon, our youngest son was demanding action in the dome-covered Sub Tropical Swimming Paradise. It is impressive, and free, but it's worth getting there when it opens at 10am to enjoy shorter queues for flumes and rapids. A weighty brochure is needed to detail all the activities and adventures on offer at Center Parcs, so this is a great time to tackle something new. We chose a popular family activity – ten pin bowling – and then each of us selected a favourite individual activity.

Some are great value, such as a session on the indoor climbing wall for our 12-year-old son (5). Specialised activities are more expensive – it cost 21 for our adult son to try his outdoor climbing skills on a 13-metre climbing wall and tree-top ropes.

Bills soon mount up. Adult bikes cost 24 per break, a child's bike 16. A three-hour World of Spa experience starts at 26, one lane for a ten pin bowling match (six players) starts at 20. A Quad Bike Safari is 60 (minimum age is 12). Activity prices start at 3 per person.

Get too carried away with the range of activities on offer, and your time is spent dashing from one activity to another. If the children get carte blanche to tick any activities they fancy, your credit card feels the pain. There is so much to try, from craft sessions to windsurfing, from yoga to quadbiking or paintballing. If, on the other hand you, or your children, always wanted to try scuba diving or fencing, but lacked equipment or experienced instructors at hand, this is a great opportunity.

We all enjoyed a special activity as a treat during our stay, with some of our best times spent simply cycling around the woodland setting. The bike is not only the most convenient way of getting between your lodge and the central village square or sports plaza, it is also the best way of seeing the wildlife.

Not just the ducks splashing around the water cascading through the Village Square, but the squirrels, pheasant and deer in the woods.

Although Center Parcs has embarked on a 150m programme to refurbish basic villas and build more high-end accommodation, it is committed to environmentally-friendly policies. At times, it even offers a sense of holidays abroad, such as the sauna with the outdoor shower. For me, it felt like the Scandinavian woods in winter and provided a real test of character. Or so I thought.

My wife was happy enough in a more cosmopolitan atmosphere: in the Aqua Sana spa she savoured spa experiences from around the world, from Greek herbal bath to Turkish hammam and rather relished, I think, her chance to dodge that outdoor shower.

Parc life – what it costs for a break

Center Parcs villages are at Sherwood Forest, Elveden Forest, Longleat Forest and Whinfell Forest in Cumbria.

Nigel Williams's four-bedroom Executive Lodge starts at 299 for a three-night weekend break, or four nights in midweek.

A four-bedroom lodge sleeping up to eight starts at 679. Sample prices include: Adult bike 24 per break; child's bike 16; three-hour World of Spa experience from 26; one-lane for ten pin bowling (six players) from 20. Quad Bike Safari 60 (minimum age: 12). Activities prices start at 3 per person.

Center Parcs reservations: 08448 266 266 or visit www.centerparcs.co.uk.

YP MAG 8/5/10