I took my family to Center Parcs off season and I'd make three changes next time

Center Parcs was never on my radar until my wife convinced me to give it a try. Despite my initial reservations about the Americanised name and my preconceived notions of it being a faux forest theme park, I was pleasantly surprised.

After my first visit, I would definitely consider returning, keeping three key things in mind for next time. We booked a four-night stay at Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.

The site is beautifully nestled within 400 acres of woodland, featuring cycle paths, bird watching sanctuaries, and a quaint village centre housing the pool, adventure activities, and restaurants. Our two-room cabin was quite luxurious, equipped with an oven, pots and pans, dishwasher, outdoor BBQ, fridge freezer, and a 40" flatscreen TV with full HD freeview, two toilets, and a bath.

As our baby is only six months old, we were able to book during off-peak term time, which cost us £570 for four nights. While still a bit pricey for my Yorkshire sensibilities, it's significantly cheaper than school holiday rates.

The first thing I'd change about my Center Parcs experience is arriving earlier. Although you can only access your cabin from 4pm, the park allows guests to drop off their luggage and family members before parking their car for the duration of their stay, reports the Express.

This system aims to keep roads clear for pedestrians and cyclists and encourages guests to remain within the facility. However, this results in everyone arriving simultaneously, leading to congested roads.

It took us an hour to navigate through the stationary traffic before we could unload our belongings. Next time, I would definitely take advantage of the option to arrive earlier and enjoy the facilities while waiting for our cabin to be ready.

The amenities at Center Parcs are top-notch, including a large pool area with slides and a wave machine, a sports hall with an attached pub, nature trails, bowling, zip lines, segways, and mini-golf. The prices for most activities are also quite reasonable.

One thing I would do differently next time is to remember to pack a disposable barbecue for use on the patio. Although there's a built-in brick barbecue, you need to add your own tray to make it functional.

We ended up buying one from the on-site shop for £8 each, but you can find the same item much cheaper elsewhere. So, it's worth bringing your own food and packing well.

The on-site Co-op is pricey, but they know they have a captive audience, so if you forget something, it will cost you. However, they do offer free baby food pouches in the restaurants, which is a commendable initiative.

Lastly, don't forget to bring a spider grabber. My concerns about 'fake nature' were unfounded - the site truly is nestled within a forest, meaning you're surrounded by wildlife.

Geese peck at your cabin windows, squirrels dart between chalets, and yes, spiders and other insects do make their way in at night. While this shows that nature is thriving on the site, if you're not a fan of spiders, a grabber will help you safely move them back outside.