Center Parcs may be famous for its vast swimming pools, seemingly endless family activities and stunning lodges, but it is equally well known for being rather pricey, particularly during school holidays.

Despite its costs, the five Center Parcs resorts across the UK and one in Ireland have little difficulty drawing in families. Yet if you’re watching the pennies, you may be wondering whether it’s possible to get the Center Parcs experience without forking out a small fortune. One alternative that many families with school-age children may be considering is a stay at a European Center Parcs resort.

Although operated by a separate company, there are 28 Center Parcs holiday parks dotted across Europe, with locations spanning the Belgian and Dutch coastline, deep within Germany’s forests, and even within a short drive of Disneyland Paris, offering a wealth of destinations to choose from, reports the Mirror.

While accommodation prices are considerably lower than those at UK Center Parcs resorts, I was keen to find out whether, once travel expenses were factored in, it would still represent a more affordable option.

Which works out cheaper for hard-working families who are on a tight budget?

May half-term dates

To begin with, I looked a short break during May half-term, starting Monday, 25th May, for four nights. I calculated the cost for a family of four with two school-age children, seeking out the most budget-friendly choices as most parents will be doing.

In the UK, Whinfell Forest in Cumbria appeared to be the most affordable park, with the cheapest option being a two-bedroom Woodland Lodge, complete with a dishwasher, private patio, and virtually everything a family could need for a comfortable staycation. This came in at £1,349 and the price includes entry to the famous subtropical swimming pool, adventure playgrounds, and cycle routes.

It does sting a little that the same break a week earlier is £599, highlighting just how dramatically prices can fluctuate during school holidays.

Moving on to France, and for a short getaway, most parents would likely favour somewhere without too long a journey. Center Parcs Les Bois-Francs is approximately two hours from Le Havre ferry port or three-and-a-half hours from Calais. For the same four nights in a Premium Cottage, the price is €440 (about £380), for roughly the same standard of accommodation as the UK.

Naturally, travel costs must also be factored in. A ferry from Dover to Calais can be found on those dates for four passengers plus a car at £164, providing you don’t mind driving on the Continent. Fuel costs can vary considerably, particularly given the current global situation, but a quick calculation reveals the journey to and from Calais in my car would cost approximately £70 in fuel.

This brings the total cost of a Center Parcs break in France for four to £614, including accommodation and travel, almost half the price of the UK equivalent. If you don’t live near the south coast, travel times may differ, but if you’re close to a ferry port and relish the excitement of discovering a new country, it could prove an enjoyable and budget-friendly getaway.

Summer six-week holidays

Next, I looked at a lengthier break during the six-week summer holidays, which are notoriously pricey wherever you choose to go. I wanted to see how a seven-night stay at Center Parcs UK would compare to its European counterparts during these peak dates.

I selected breaks starting Friday, August 7, bang in the middle of the summer holidays, and once again compared prices for a family of four. A Woodland Lodge at Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, is priced at £2,378 for the week. But would a European getaway prove any kinder to your wallet?

One of the more affordable European destinations for this period is Le Lac d’Ailette in the Picardy region of France. This charming lakeside park boasts a wealth of indoor and outdoor water activities, and its position at the heart of the Champagne region means adults can indulge in stocking up on bottles to bring back home.

A Comfort Cottage is €1872 for the week (approximately £1,634) plus fuel costs to and from Calais, roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. A return ferry crossing from Dover to Calais on these dates costs around £241 for four passengers in a standard vehicle, making it once again cheaper than the UK alternative, albeit with a longer journey.

In conclusion

While my straightforward calculations suggest that a Center Parcs holiday in Europe could work out less expensive, it’s worth factoring in additional costs associated with travelling abroad, such as passports. For families with limited time and annual leave, the UK parks remain a more practical choice, if only for the shorter drive. Food in supermarkets also tends to be pricier in France than in the UK, with the exception of wine, although dining out can often be more affordable thanks to prix fixe menus.

However, if you’re a Center Parcs enthusiast fancying a change of scenery, or don’t mind the additional time spent on a ferry and in the car, it may well be worth considering one of the continental parks for your next holiday.