Is Center Parcs Accessible? | A Complete Guide for Guests with a Disability
Source: Center Parcs
Going on holiday is meant to be an enjoyable experience, but navigating new environments can be difficult if you or someone else in your group is disabled or has mobility issues. Center Parcs has 5 locations across the UK with 2.5 million annual guests, making it one of the most popular short-let holiday options for couples, families, and groups.
With its on-site restaurants and extensive activity program, you might be considering a Center Parcs location for your next vacation – but how accessible are these holiday villages? Center Parcs promotes itself as an accessible holiday option with specially adapted lodges, sensory rooms, and mobility equipment throughout its properties.
You can prepare for your Center Parcs holiday by hiring a wheelchair chair and accessibility aids from Strive Mobility, with courier delivery available throughout the UK. In this guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know about disability access at Center Parcs and practical advice for booking your next vacation.
Is Center Parcs Suitable for Disabled Visitors?
Center Parcs is considered more accessible than most holiday destinations in the UK, with adapted lodges, disability-friendly activities, and step-free access to most amenities. You can expect to find many of the same facilities that you would see at disability friendly football stadiums throughout the UK.
Center Parcs is a great option if you’re traveling with a disabled child for the first time, although the holiday villages offer something for guests of all ages. However, Center Parcs vacations can require more planning than you expect, and it’s best to book as early as possible to secure an accessible lodge that’s close to the main facilities.
Although you can contact the Center Parcs booking team directly, many families find themselves in lodges further away from the main buildings, and it’s common to come across terrain that is difficult to navigate with a wheelchair. There are plenty of activities that have been adapted for guests with disabilities, including the use of pool hoists at the “Subtropical Swimming Paradise”.
If you’re planning a trip to Center Parcs, you’ll want to book early and may want to hire your own wheelchair and mobility aids to make your stay more enjoyable.
Overview of Center Parcs UK Locations
Source: Center Parcs
There are 5 holiday villages managed by Center Parcs in the UK, each of which is over 400 acres in size. It’s worth noting that most of these sites have similar facilities and accessibility features, but newer locations, such as Woburn Forest may be easier to navigate with disabilities.
The 5 Center Parcs in the UK:
- Sherwood Forest: The original UK holiday village, located in Nottinghamshire, which opened in 1987.
- Elveden Forest: Offers easy beach access and has a large water sports lake in Suffolk; it’s also popular for its Woodland Premium Lodges.
- Longleat Forest: Nestled in the Giant Redwoods of Wiltshire, this Center Parc is just a 10-minute drive from Longleat Safari Park.
- Whinfell Forest: Close to the Lake District, this Center Parc has recently refurbished its Subtropical Swimming Paradise for a Spring 2026 reopening.
- Woburn Forest: Opened in 2014 and located just an hour from London, with a slightly more compact size than other Center Parcs.
Accessible Parking at Center Parcs
Source: Center Parcs
Most visitors to Center Parcs will drive their own vehicle, so parking is one of the first hurdles you’re likely to encounter. All properties have dedicated accessible Blue Badge parking bays available. However, online reviews from previous guests have warned of a lack of availability in some locations. There is typically parking available close to the adapted lodges.
Center Parcs promotes itself as a car-free environment, so you won’t be able to use your car again after parking it. If you or a family member requires assistance or needs extra space for unloading a mobility aid from a wheelchair accessible vehicle, it’s best to contact Center Parcs in advance. However, Center Parcs provides a dedicated parking space close to any adapted accommodation on its properties.
Due to Center Parcs’ car-free policy, you’ll need to have a mobility aid to get around. A small number of wheelchairs can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis from Center Parcs directly by pre-booking with Guest Services. Hiring a mobility scooter in advance is the best way to guarantee you’ll be able to get around the holiday village, especially if you’re planning a last-minute trip.
How to Get Around at Center Parcs
As Center Parcs is car-free, there is a land train service that runs throughout each holiday village. While these trains may work for some visitors with mobility issues, they are slow and limited in space.
Instead, you’ll want to use the dial-a-ride service, which runs from 8 am to midnight or until 11 pm at Whinfell Forest. This shuttle can be booked through Guest Services, but it’s best to book in advance, especially if you’re heading to one of the restaurants or popular activities at peak times.
Pro-tip: Center Parcs is part of the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. If you have a non-visible disability, you can collect a free Sunflower lanyard or pin badge at either Guest Services or the Booking Desks.
Wheelchair Accessible Lodges: What to Expect
Source: Center Parcs
Every Center Parcs location in the UK offers a variety of wheelchair accessible lodges. Their exact layouts and availability will vary by location. All adapted lodges have at least one bedroom with an electric profiling bed and an adapted wet room with a walk-in shower, grab rails, and shower seats. There are only a limited number of these adapted lodges available, so booking in advance is essential.
Every accessible lodge is designed for step-free access with built-in ramps, which can also be found around each holiday village. They have wider doorways than standard lodges with lowered kitchen facilities and handrails throughout. These lodges have an open-plan layout, although exact floor plans will vary.
If you choose a Center Parcs lodge with a hot tub, you can request a hoist in advance. Hoists are also available for the saunas and steam rooms throughout the Center Parcs properties.
Pro-tip: Wheelchair accessible lodges are available with up to 4 bedrooms, along with a dedicated sensory room. This room type can only be booked through the Center Parcs Call Center.
The number of accessible or adapted types of accommodation at each Center Parcs Resort are noted below:
Sherwood: 9
Whinfell: 18
Longleat: 12
Elvdeden: 20 (some rooms have limited space at the end of the bed, so please call to the resort to confirm suitability)
Woburn: 19
Disability-Friendly Activities at Center Parcs
Source: Center Parcs
Renting a mobility scooter makes it easy to explore everything that Center Parcs has to offer. Their extensive activity programs are what make Center Parcs so popular, with a range of indoor and outdoor options, including seasonal offerings. Some activities must be booked in advance at an additional cost and may have a height and weight requirement.
Not all activities can be modified to be made safe for visitors with mobility issues. However, most Center Parc locations have over 200 activities available, with many of them being wheelchair accessible or adaptable. If you have any specific concerns, you can speak to the Guest Services team during your stay for advice on the best activity for your individual accessibility needs.
Aqua Sana and Subtropical Swimming Paradise
The Aqua Sana and Subtropical Swimming Paradise are two of the most popular areas for guests with disabilities. Both facilities offer pool hoists with gradual entry pools and accessible changing rooms, including mirrors and hair drying facilities at wheelchair height.
The Subtropical Swimming Paradise also runs a quiet hour from 9 am on Wednesdays and Sundays. This facility at Sherwood, Whinfell, Elveden, and Woburn Forest has “Changing Places” with a mobile shower changer, hoist, wash basin, and toilet with grab rails. Accessible Cabanas are also available for guests who would prefer added privacy.
Aqua Sana is one of the best activities at Center Parcs for adults with disabilities, as each location has up to 25 nature-inspired spa experiences. You can book a 3-hour Forest Spa Experience or wellness treatment, such as a manicure or facial. Specially adapted wheelchairs are available for when guests are moving between heated experiences, although it’s recommended to have a carer present for this.
Accessible Indoor and Outdoor Activities at Center Parcs
Most Center Parcs are designed with a focus on flat surfaces and accessible entrances, making most indoor experiences easy to access. All sports halls are accessible, including for activities like badminton, bowling, and table tennis.
Alternatively, there are a variety of outdoor activities that can be adapted to suit those with disabilities, including adventure golf and kayaking. Cycling is one of the most popular activities at Center Parcs and is how most guests navigate the large estates.
Pro-tip: Duet bikes, which are suitable for wheelchair users, are available to book by contacting the Center Parcs contact centre. Theraplay Trikes are currently only available at the Sherwood Forest location.
Can You Hire Mobility Equipment at Center Parcs?
Source: Center Parcs
Center Parcs has wheelchairs and mobility scooters that can be pre-booked for guests, but there are limited numbers available. Hiring a wheelchair or mobility aid from a third-party vendor, such as Strive Mobility, will give you peace of mind and better flexibility for your vacation.
Wheelchairs hired directly from Center Parcs are only available for collection from 2 pm on your arrival day. This pick-up situation isn’t ideal for most wheelchair users, especially if your accessible lodge is located further away from the main buildings. When you use our Mobility Store, you can have your mobility aid or wheelchair delivered directly to your home, making it easy to bring it with you to Center Parcs.
It’s also worth noting that the mobility scooters available directly through Center Parcs have a maximum weight limit of 35 stone. All wheelchairs must also be returned between 8 am and 10 am on your departure day. Center Parcs also offers high-back chairs, commodes, and raised toilet seats that can be requested by contacting Guest Services.
While Center Parcs offers pre-bookable mobility equipment, hiring your wheelchair from a third-party vendor will give you a better selection of mobility scooters and walking aids to choose from.
Strive Mobility offers delivery and collection for mobility aids in England, mainland Scotland, and Wales from Monday to Friday. If you’re hiring a wheelchair for the first time, we recommend using it for a few days before your vacation to become more comfortable with using your mobility aid. We offer an automatic discount on most mobility products when hired for 21 days or more.
Practical Tips Before You Book a Center Parcs Holiday
It’s easy to feel frustrated when booking a Center Parcs hotel, especially as many areas of the website appear dated and can be difficult to use. You can book an adapted lodge through the official Center Parcs website or by calling their customer service team at 03448 267723.
Everyone’s needs are different, and it’s important to advocate for yourself or your disabled family member. Below, we’re sharing our top tips on what to do when planning a Center Parcs vacation in the UK.
- Book your accessible lodge as early as possible. Booking windows are typically open for up to 20 months in advance.
- Call the Center Parcs customer service team at 03448 267723 to confirm your accessible lodge and request any additional mobility aids, such as a hoist or commode. There is a limited number of these mobility aids at each Center Parcs location, especially during peak times.
- If possible, ask to be assigned a specific mobility lodge and request a map of your Center Parcs holiday village. You can also use YouTube videos and blogs to familiarise yourself with the most accessible pathways through the property, including areas of difficult terrain that you may want to avoid.
- Hire a wheelchair and other mobility aids to be delivered to your home at least 2-3 days before your vacation. Using a third-party vendor is often more affordable and allows you to have your mobility aid for the entire duration of your holiday.
Hire a Wheelchair for Your Center Parcs Holiday
Center Parcs is one of the most accessible holiday options for families and individuals with disabilities or mobility issues. However, this type of vacation requires extensive research and planning, from choosing the right activities to ensuring you bring everything you need to make your stay comfortable.
At Strive Mobility, we’re here to make your Center Parcs vacation as enjoyable as possible.
Explore our catalogue of mobility products for hire or visit our blog for more advice on accessible travel in the UK, UAE, and internationally.
Written on behalf of Strive Mobility
Please note, this information was gathered through online research, including blogger reviews and the attraction’s websites, and we haven’t necessarily visited each venue.