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This review is by one of my friends Jess about her recent trip to the Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs, Whinfell with her husband and two year old twins. This post contains some gorgeous photos Jess writes a fab blog over at Mummyofboygirltwins.com and she can regularly be found tweeting @soot1978. Jess can also be found on facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Mummy-of-boy-girl-twins.

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Hubby and I went to Center Parcs in the Lake District this weekend. To the ‘Winter Wonderland’, with our twins Harry & Lottie, and our good friends and their little boy.

We had been before – in April, however the twins were only just walking then and this time they were more excited about going on a mini-holiday!

And as I type this tonight I am totally shattered from it!

 

It is so lovely at Whinfell Forest, and so nice to get away from all the housework and the chores – however all the walking and the fresh air is exhausting! Leaving the car behind at the car park and not using it all weekend is lovely, but it makes you realise how lazy you are back at home!

It was quite cold all weekend, although we wrapped up warm and didn’t mind at all. Sadly there wasn’t the snow that was promised on the forecast – and so there were no snowmen built this weekend!

 

We arrived early afternoon on Friday as we had the early check-in – which is from 2pm (at an extra cost). After a few walks and dinner at the lodge, we settled in for the night with a few wines and g&t’s! The twins settled reasonably well (even though they were VERY excited!).

The lodge was lovely and spacious (4 bedroom executive-style lodge). The furnishings were modern and everything was very clean. Each bedroom had its own en-suite and we had maid service (an extra cost) so it was cleaned every day. The kitchen and living area was all open plan and so we had more than enough room between both families.

There were a few little things not included in the lodge – like plastic bowls and plates for children, and a chopping board, and a lamp in the living room – which we thought was peculiar seeing as many families visit each week!

 

 

 

On Saturday we went swimming, which was amazing. The pool is so warm, even though it was very cold outside, and the water a really nice temperature to swim in (especially for babies). There are lots of family changing rooms so there is no messing about with taking children off into different rooms, and there are an abundance of lockers everywhere! It is really well thought out.

The pool was very busy, but we didn’t find that people were in our way too much. Harry & Lottie (at 2 years old) loved the big slides and the lazy river. Harry in particular had a fantastic time!

 

Sunday was a busy day. We went to play sports in the sports plaza in the morning, which we had pre-booked. Harry & Lottie go to run around and throw balls and burn off more energy! They didn’t really listen to the lady in charge, and did their own thing, but it was something different for them to do. It was a good choice too as the weather was very rainy that day.

 

 

In the afternoon we met Santa, at his grotto, which will stay as our favourite memory (well, for Hubby and I – not for Harry and Lottie). Harry wouldn’t look at him and Lottie was a little freaked out. Not the perfect family photograph, but hey…we will laugh about it in years to come!

Another highlight of the weekend were the fireworks over the lake on Sunday evening (5.30pm). Amazing and a bit breathtaking too. The twins weren’t scared and actually quite liked it! And Santa goes past on a speed-boat!

Feeling very Christmassy now after our weekend, and looking forward to the big day!

Sunday was a busy day. We went to play sports in the sports plaza in the morning, and then we saw Santa and walked around the grotto in the afternoon. The weather was a bit rainy that day – however it didn’t dampen our moods. Another highlight of the weekend were the fireworks over the lake on Sunday night. Amazing and a bit breathtaking too. The twins weren’t scared and actually quite liked it!

 

 Please note: we were given the suits by Splash About for the twins, to review.