Center Parcs Erperheide Review (Belgium): Is It Cheaper Than UK Center Parcs?
If you’ve ever looked at booking a UK Center Parcs holiday during the school holidays, you’ll know the prices can be eye-watering.
But what if you could visit a Center Parcs village that offers almost the same experience for hundreds of pounds less?
That’s exactly why we ended up booking Center Parcs Erperheide in Belgium. It’s only a few hours’ drive from Calais, yet the savings compared with UK sites can be huge.
I love Center Parcs, but I’ll be honest, visiting a UK village during school holidays can cost a small fortune. European villages can often offer far better value.
In this Center Parcs Erperheide review, I’ll show you what the park is like, how much cheaper it can be compared with UK villages, and whether it’s worth travelling abroad.
Quick Verdict: Center Parcs Erperheide
If you’re looking for a cheaper Center Parcs holiday, Erperheide in Belgium is one of the best options for UK families.
You still get the full Center Parcs experience, woodland lodges, a huge swimming complex and loads of activities, but often hundreds of pounds cheaper than UK villages.
Even after paying for the ferry or Eurotunnel, the savings can still be significant.
That’s why Erperheide remains one of the most popular Center Parcs villages in Belgium for UK visitors.
My First Center Parcs Holiday
I went on my first Center Parcs holiday back in early 2013.
My wife and I went with our three children, who were aged four, three and one at the time. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to it much. I thought it would be busy, expensive and a bit overrated.
Within a day I had completely changed my mind.
The accommodation was great, the setting was beautiful and there was so much to do that the kids were constantly entertained. By the time we left, we had already started talking about coming back.
The only real downside was the cost.
We had booked outside the school holidays and fairly last minute. When we later looked at going again during peak school holiday weeks, the prices were dramatically higher.
Holiday companies might not like to admit it, but we all know prices often shoot up when the schools break up.
So we started looking for a cheaper Center Parcs holiday.
Also worth reading
If you find that you come home with loose change, take a look at what you can do with foreign coins.
Where Is Center Parcs Erperheide?
Center Parcs Erperheide is located in the town of Peer in northern Belgium, not far from the Dutch and German borders.
For UK families, it’s actually one of the easiest Center Parcs villages in Europe to reach.
Typical journey time looks like this:
• Dover to Calais – around 90 minutes
• Calais to Erperheide – roughly 3 hours
That means you can leave the UK in the morning and arrive at your lodge in Belgium the same afternoon.
Because of its location, Erperheide has become one of the most popular Center Parcs Belgium resorts for UK visitors.
A Little Bit About Center Parcs
Center Parcs was founded in the Netherlands in 1968 and has gradually expanded across Europe.
Today there are more than 25 villages across Europe, including several in the UK.
They are designed mainly for families and feature woodland lodges set in forest surroundings.
Most villages operate a car-free environment, except on arrival and departure days, which helps keep the parks quiet and safe for children.
The biggest attraction at every Center Parcs village is the subtropical swimming complex, but there are also dozens of activities available.
Center Parcs Erperheide Prices Compared With UK Parks
One of the main reasons people search for Center Parcs Erperheide reviews is to see whether it’s actually cheaper than staying in the UK.
In many cases, the answer is yes.
Below, I’ve compared prices from two UK Center Parcs villages and three European sites.
Exchange rate used: €1.16 = £1
Park | 24 Aug (4 nights) | 31 Aug (4 nights) | 7 Sept (4 nights) |
|---|---|---|---|
Elveden (UK) | £1,449 | £779 | £559 |
Longleat (UK) | £1,499 | £948 | £679 |
Erperheide (Belgium) | £1,075 | £522 | £494 |
De Kempervennen (Netherlands) | £1,045 | £465 | £503 |
Le Lac d’Ailette (France) | £951 | £349 | £348 |
I used dates from the end of the summer holidays into early September.
The pattern is clear: European Center Parcs villages are almost always cheaper than the UK ones.
Staying in Belgium instead of Longleat during August could save close to £800 for four nights. That works out at nearly £200 per day.
It’s Not Quite the Bargain It Used to Be
From my experience though, Center Parcs in Europe isn’t quite the incredible bargain it once was.
When we first started looking at European villages years ago, the price difference between the UK and Europe could be enormous.
You could sometimes pay less than half the UK price for a very similar holiday.
These days the gap is still there, but it’s not quite as dramatic.
European villages have become more popular with UK visitors and prices have gradually crept up. You also have to factor in ferry costs, fuel and eating out.
That said, in many cases you can still save hundreds of pounds compared with UK parks, especially during school holidays.
What Is There To Do at Erperheide?
If you’ve visited Center Parcs before, you’ll recognise many of the facilities.
At Erperheide you’ll find:
• Subtropical swimming pool with children’s play areas
• Indoor play centre
• Children’s farm
• Pony rides
• Kids Safari adventure
• Big Swing
• High Adventure climbing
• Kids workshops
• Kids disco
• Bike hire
• Pedalos
• Indoor sports
And plenty more besides.
Our kids never ran out of things to do.
Is There a Language Barrier?
Not at all.
Most people in Belgium and the Netherlands speak excellent English.
During our stay at Erperheide we didn’t meet a single member of staff who couldn’t speak English fluently.
Guests also came from all over Europe including the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands.
Children’s shows were often presented in multiple languages so everyone could follow along.
Are Activities Cheaper?
Yes, noticeably.
Some activities were much cheaper than UK Center Parcs villages.
For example, horse riding was roughly one-third of the price compared with the UK.
Bike hire prices were similar, but many children’s clubs and activities were cheaper.
Food
Food was probably the most expensive part of our stay.
Unlike UK lodges, our lodge only had a microwave, which made cooking properly difficult.
Because of that, we ended up eating out most evenings.
One buffet meal cost around £70 for the five of us, which felt quite expensive when three of the diners were small children.
The food itself was good, though and there was a wide choice available.
One option we enjoyed was the Table-Top Cooking experience, where the ingredients and cooking equipment are delivered to your lodge.
Shopping
Like all Center Parcs villages, Erperheide has its own shopping area.
There is:
• A clothing shop
• A toy store
• A supermarket
The supermarket is about the size of a Tesco Metro and has a decent range of products.
There is also a 24-hour Shop24 selling essentials if you need something late at night.
Extra Costs to Consider
Even if accommodation is cheaper, there are still some extra costs to think about.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for a short stay in Belgium typically costs £10–£20 for a family.
It can cover medical issues, lost belongings and cancellations.
Breakdown Cover
If you’re driving abroad, breakdown cover is a sensible precaution.
Short-term European cover usually costs £20–£40.
Ferry or Eurotunnel
A return journey from Dover to Calais will normally cost around £100 during busy periods. Take a look at my post, Which is best – Eurotunnel or ferry to find out more.
Spending Abroad
Using the right debit card can help avoid foreign transaction fees when paying in euros. Read more about the best debit cards to use when you’re abroad.
Things To Do Near Erperheide
If you fancy exploring outside the park, there are plenty of attractions nearby.
Some good options within 30 minutes include:
• Manege Panhof – horse-drawn carriage tours
• Western Saloon Pony Express – scenic horse rides
• Racelandkart – go-karting and VR
• De Alpacaboerderij – alpaca walks
• Kleine-Brogel Airforce Museum
• Saraland indoor entertainment centre
• Lago Pelt Dommelslag swimming complex
• Ter Dolen castle brewery
• Expo Kelchterhoef flea market
• Lommel German War Cemetery
Any Downsides?
We did run into one problem…
Mosquitos.
Our lodge was close to a small lake. When we opened the windows to cool the place down, we unknowingly let in a swarm of mosquitoes.
That evening, I spent about an hour swatting them and still ended up covered in bites.
After that, we kept the windows closed in the evenings.
It didn’t ruin the holiday, but it definitely wasn’t ideal.
My Center Parcs Erperheide Review: Final Thoughts
Even after factoring in the ferry crossing and food costs, Center Parcs Erperheide can still work out far cheaper than staying in the UK.
The activities are cheaper, the facilities are excellent and the park still has the relaxing woodland atmosphere Center Parcs is known for.
It may not be quite the bargain it once was, but it can still save you hundreds of pounds compared with UK villages.
And apart from the mosquitoes, we had a fantastic holiday.
Further reading
Take a look at how much we spent on a UK Center Parcs holiday.
FAQ
Is Center Parcs Erperheide cheaper than UK Center Parcs?
In most cases, yes. Even after factoring in the cost of travelling from the UK, staying at Center Parcs Erperheide is often hundreds of pounds cheaper than visiting a UK Center Parcs village during school holidays.
European villages generally have lower accommodation prices, and some activities are also cheaper.
How far is Center Parcs Erperheide from Calais?
The drive from Calais to Erperheide takes around three hours, covering roughly 200 miles.
The journey is straightforward and mostly motorway, making it one of the easiest European Center Parcs locations for UK families to reach.
Is Center Parcs Erperheide good for families?
Yes. Like all Center Parcs villages, Erperheide is designed primarily for families.
There is a large subtropical swimming complex, indoor play areas, children’s activities, bike hire and plenty of outdoor space for kids to explore.
Do people speak English at Center Parcs Erperheide?
Yes. Staff and many guests speak English, and during our stay we didn’t meet a single member of staff who couldn’t speak it fluently.
Shows and children’s activities are often presented in multiple languages so everyone can follow along.
Is Center Parcs Erperheide worth visiting?
If you enjoy the Center Parcs experience but want to avoid the high UK prices, Erperheide can be a great option.
It offers the same woodland setting, family activities and swimming facilities, while often costing significantly less than UK parks.
Does Center Parcs Offer a Blue Light Discount?
Many readers ask whether Center Parcs offers a Blue Light Card discount.
At the time of writing, Center Parcs does not normally offer a Blue Light Card discount directly through its website.
Occasionally, Blue Light Card members may find limited offers through partner deals or travel agents, but they are not always available.
Take a look at my post on the best Blue Light Discounts to find out more.
