So, you’re planning to stay at Center Parcs Longford Forest in Ireland?! Well, you’ve come to the right place; I visited with my family this past December and had a blast!
To be honest, we were hesitant to book as the price is high. But I’m so glad we went. As you’d expect it’s very family-friendly, easy to walk around, has lots of great restaurants and there’s loads to do. We particularly loved the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, which is free.
But before booking Center Parcs Ireland, there are a few things you need to know – such as the minimum night stay, how much a Center Parcs break costs, and what activities are available. That’s why I’ve put together this detailed guide to save you from clicking around their website for hours. I’ve included everything I could possibly think of as I want to make sure you have the best time ever!
So, let’s dive in, shall we? Here are 17 things you need to know before booking Center Parcs Ireland!
1. Where is Center Parcs Ireland?
Center Parcs Ireland is located in County Longford, the closest town is Ballymahon which is a 5 km drive away. Dublin City isn’t too far away either at a 1.5-hour drive or 107 km distance.
It’s just under 3 hours (243 km) from Cork City to Center Parcs Ireland and from Belfast it’s a 2 hour and 45 minute drive.
This 394-acre resort is set within a gorgeous forest and features no less than 466 lodges. There’s a lake, a village centre where you’ll find the restaurants, stores, and supermarket and loads of fun things to do. It’s also filled with lots of wildlife like deer, badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, and more. We actually saw several deer from our bedroom window every morning during our stay.
2. How do I get to Center Parcs in Ireland?
The best way to get to Center Parcs Longford Forest is by car. As I said, it’s only a 1.5-hour drive from Dublin, and the closest major town, Athlone is 30 minutes away. Cork is a 3-hour drive away and Belfast is a 2-hour and 45-minute drive.
If you don’t have a car and need to get here via public transport then your best option is to get the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlone (this takes around 1.5 hours), then from Athlone Bus Station catch the 466 bus to Ballymahon. From Ballymahon, you will need to catch a taxi into Center Parcs.
Related Read: If you don’t have a car and can drive I highly recommend renting a car to get to Center Parcs and back. This guide to renting a car in Ireland will help you out!
3. How much does a stay at Center Parcs Ireland cost?
The cost to stay at Center Parcs Longford Forest varies depending on how long you want to stay for, what type of lodge you wish to book, and what time of year you wish to visit.
You can book Center Parcs for a 3-night stay (check-in Friday and check-out Monday) or a 4-night stay (check-in Monday and check-out Friday). Alternatively, you can stay at Center Parcs for a week, in that case, you can choose to check in on either a Monday or a Friday.
There are currently four different types of lodges that you can book at Center Parcs Ireland, these include:
- Woodland Lodge – This is probably the most popular lodge type and it’s what we stayed in. They come in 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom units. They boast a private patio and an open-plan living area.
- Executive Lodge – A more luxurious version of the Woodland Lodge the Executive Lodges come with ensuites in all rooms and some boast a games room, sauna or hot tub.
- Exclusive Lodges – These are 4-bedroom super-luxurious lodges that come with a sauna, steam room, games room and outdoor hot tub. There’s an ensuite in every bedroom. As you can guess, these lodges are the most expensive.
- Lakeside Apartments – These one-bedroom apartments overlook the lake and are perfect for couples. They come with a small balcony.
As for the cheapest time of year to visit Center Parcs Ireland that looks to be February, March and, November with a 3-bedroom Woodland Lodge in November costing around €700 for a 4-night stay. FYI, it’s almost triple that amount in peak periods like the lead-up to Christmas and the summer holidays.
4. Can you stay at Center Parcs for a week?
Yes, you can stay at Center Parcs Ireland for a week. You can choose to start your week on either a Monday or Friday.
You cannot stay at Center Parcs for one night. The minimum night stay at Center Parcs Longford Forest is 3 nights (this starts on a Friday and you will check out on Monday).
5. How long do you need at Center Parcs Ireland?
The ideal amount of time to spend at Center Parcs is 4 nights as that way you’ll be able to do all the activities you want and have some chilled-out time relaxing at your lodge or in the Subtropical Swimming Pool. And because the 4-night package is during the week (Monday to Friday) it’s less busy.
I will say, we stayed at Center Parcs for 3 nights this past December. But our daughters are only 4 years and 2 years so they were limited to the amount of activities they could do. So, 3 nights was enough for us. But, if you have older kids then a 4-night stay will be ideal.
6. Can you visit Center Parcs for the day?
Yes, you can visit Center Parcs Longford Forest for the day provided you have family and friends staying there. They must buy you a Full-day Visitor Pass which costs €53 per adult, €43 per child, and children under 3 are free.
On this pass, day visitors will be able to enjoy the complimentary activities free of charge (swimming pool, playgrounds, etc.) But, if they wish to book any other activities they will need to pay for this.
The visitor passes are valid from 10 am until midnight and day visitors cannot bring any animals into the park.
7. When is the best time of year to visit Center Parcs Ireland?
That depends on what you’re after. For example, summer is the most popular time to visit Center Parcs because the weather is warmer and the days are long – so you can pack a lot of activities into your days. It’s also the best time of year to do the water sports on offer like kayaking. However, it tends to be the most expensive time to visit Center Parcs, with the average price of a 3-bedroom lodge during the summer school holidays (July and August) working out at €1,399 for 3 nights.
We visited Center Parcs Ireland in mid-December and we absolutely loved it. It was so Christmassy, the Winter Wonderland section was magical with fake snow and lots of festive entertainment on offer. It was like a mini Santa’s Village. Our daughter also loved the free activities they offered in this area like the Elf’s Playtime and the short Santa Parade. We stayed in a 4-bedroom Woodland Lodge and that cost us €2,100 for 3 nights in the middle of December.
The quietest months to visit Center Parcs are November, February and March and you will nab yourself some great prices during these months.
8. What is the best age for Center Parcs Ireland?
Center Parcs is suitable for all ages, as I said, we stayed here with our two young daughters (aged 4 and 2) and had an absolutely fabulous time. However, they were limited in what they could do – the only extra activities we booked for them was the Off Road Explorers for our 4-year-old and the Pottery Painting for the two of them. But, in saying that they were happy playing in the swimming pool and the two playgrounds.
We traveled here with my sister and her children who are all older (ranging from ages 6 to 15) and they did loads including ziplining (which looked so much fun). So, if you’re keen to do lots of adventure activities and you’re traveling with young kids keep in mind that they may be too young for them.
9. Is Center Parcs expensive?
With the average price of a 3-night stay in a 3-bedroom lodge costing over €1,500 you could say that staying at Center Parcs is an expensive vacation. But, when you consider you can access the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, the walks, the playgrounds, etc. free of charge it’s not so bad.
Also, because all the lodges have kitchens you can cook in them and save money. We stocked up on food supplies at Tesco in Tullamore but honestly, the prices in the Mini Supermarket on-site weren’t too bad. And they even offer free delivery to your lodge if you spend over a certain amount.
As I said, my daughters were more than happy doing the free activities on offer here – like the swimming pool, playgrounds, walks. Although, we did book two additional activities for them it wasn’t necessary.
I will add that if you have a bike bring it with you as the cost to rent a bike at Center Parcs is around €30 per day.
10. How many activities are there at Center Parcs Longford Forest?
There’s loads to do at Center Parcs Ireland and would you believe there are over 100 activities on offer here? Activities like ziplining, archery, and kayaking tend to be the most popular things to do. While for younger kids the Off Road Explorers is a fun thing to do.
I’ve listed my favorite Center Parcs Ireland activities below (we tried all of them during our stay) –
Subtropical Swimming Paradise
Easily our favorite thing to do at Center Parcs Ireland is the huge indoor swimming area, called the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. It’s the biggest indoor waterpark in Ireland and you could easily spend a couple of hours here. There are slides (I loved the Tropical Cyclone), rapids, a lazy river, two kid’s areas (like small water playgrounds), two hot tubs, and an outdoor pool.
There’s also a Cafe inside here so you can grab food and drinks without having to leave.
I was concerned about how warm it’d be in the swimming area but I needn’t have worried as it’s a toasty 29.5 Celsius.
You can visit the pool 7 days a week, between 10 am – 9 pm. From time to time, entry may be restricted if they reach capacity.
Entry to the subtropical swimming paradise at Center Parcs is included in the overall price of your stay.
Ziplining
Suitable for anyone over 1.22 meters tall this aerial adventure involves 15 different sections like the floating stairs and a 170-metre-long zipline at the end. It’s a must-do for thrill-seekers and it’s completely safe as you’ll be attached to a safety harness and have an instructor on hand at all times.
Laser Combat
For this activity, you’ll have a laser gun and be wearing a target as you make your way through the forest shooting at targets and being shot at. You’ll have to make your way over obstacles and hide behind trees to save yourself from being shot (with a laser gun). This activity is suitable for anyone over 6 years.
Off Road Explorers
Suitable for anyone over 1.2 meters tall, this activity involves your little one getting behind the wheel in a mini electric Land Rover. Which they must steer through a forest track complete with bumps and twists. You (the adult) have a safety button to stop the vehicle at any time.
Other fun things to do in Center Parcs include:
- Archery
- Kayaking
- Laser Clay Shooting
- Segway Experience
- Teddy Bear Making
- Roller skating
- Pottery Making
Travel Tip: To book any activities and see the prices of activities you will need to download the Center Parcs Ireland app. You can log in to the app once you have booked your stay and you will need your reservation number to log in.
11. Can you come in and out of Center Parcs?
Yes, you can leave Center Parcs during your stay as long as you inform security at the gate prior to departing. However, you shouldn’t really need to leave as everything you need is on-site.
It’s also worth adding that you can only park your car outside your lodge on check-in or check-out. At all other times, your car must be parked in the designated parking area, which can be a couple of minutes walk from your lodge. That means, that for the most part Center Parcs is car-free so you can cycle around without having to worry too much about cars.
12. Can you take your own food and alcohol to Center Parcs?
Yes, you can take your own food and drinks to Center Parcs. In fact, because all lodges have a kitchen I highly recommend doing so.
We stopped at Tesco in Tullamore on our way and stocked up on food and drink but there is a SuperValu in Ballymahon, which is just a 5 km drive away. There is a small supermarket in Center Parcs however the selection is limited and the prices are a little higher. Think petrol station prices. But it’s a very convenient option as you can order what you want on the Center Parcs app and they will deliver it to you, provided you spend over €50 I believe.
13. What is the cheapest time of year to go to Center Parcs?
The cheapest time of year to visit Center Parcs is in the off-season months of November, February and March. During these months, you can book a 3-bedroom lodge for a 4-night stay for as little as €700.
14. What should you pack for Center Parcs Longford Forest?
In the winter months, it’s best to bring waterproofs and wellies for the kids – this is rainy Ireland after all. For the milder months, have them in comfortable clothes and shoes – they’ll be doing a lot of walking. But, still, pack a raincoat and wellies just in case.
It’s also a good idea to pack several swimsuits and towels for the swimming pool. As there’s a small fee to hire towels at the pool.
As for adults, I wore my Hunter wellies when going on walks during the day and wore my Adidas trainers or UGG boots at night. It’s not a dressy vibe, so legging and fleeces during the day in winter. And if I wereto visit in the summer I’d wear a comfortable maxi dress and Birkenstocks for walking around during the day. At night, all the restaurants are casual so jeans and a nice top is a good go-to option for all seasons.
15. What food options are available at Center Parcs Ireland?
There are 8 restaurants and Cafes at Center Parcs Ireland. So, there’s something for everyone. The Italian restaurant Bella Italia is very popular and needs to be booked well in advance. During our stay, we ate at the Sports Cafe and Cara’s and got Restaurant Runner (a takeaway service) one night.
The dining options at Center Parcs Ireland, include –
- Rajinda Pradesh – An Indian restaurant with a modern vibe
- Cara’s Kitchen & Bar – Spacious and stylish and serving up burgers, pizzas and more
- Bella Italia – This very popular cozy Italian serves mostly pasta and pizza dishes
- Huck’s American Bar & Grill – Like an American diner, their specialty is their ribs and burgers
- The Pancake House – Overlooking the lake, this spot serves up yep you guessed right pancakes as well as omelettes. It’s typically only open for breakfast and lunch
- Sports Cafe – No need to book this large restaurant, just walk in and find a table. Most tables have a TV showing sports and there are several big-screen TVs throughout. They offer a varied menu of burgers, pasta dishes and sandwiches
- Canopy Cafe and Bar – Is located in the subtropical swimming paradise and offers hot drinks and snacks like pizzas and sandwiches
- The Coffee House – A coffee shop serving coffee, hot drinks, and pastries. It tends to be most busy at around 10 am when everyone is queuing for their morning coffee
Please note there’s a €5 per person booking charge for all restaurant reservations, this will be refunded off your bill at the restaurant. It’s to prevent people from booking and not showing up.
The Restaurant Runner takeaway service I mentioned earlier is another handy option as you can choose food from the on-site restaurants to be delivered to your lodge. It’s great because say your husband wants Italian and you want Indian then you can order both these options to your lodge via the app.
16. Is Center Parcs suitable for couples?
Yes, Center Parcs Ireland is suitable for couples, they can choose to stay in the lakeside one-bedroom apartment which will keep costs down. However, I will add that it won’t be the most romantic experience as the majority of people are staying here with kids. So, expect to see a lot of kids in the indoor swimming pool and in the restaurants.
A good idea if you’re visiting Center Parcs as a couple is to spend time in the relaxing Aqua Sana Forest Spa where you can enjoy experiences like the Ice Cave, Forest Glade Steam Room and Nordic Sauna. You can also book spa treatments like a massage or facial.
17. Is it worth staying at Center Parcs Ireland?
I do think Center Parcs Ireland is worth it! And I’ll be honest I was a little apprehensive about how good it would be. Everyone we spoke to who’s visited has spoken highly of it but I was unsure if the high cost would be worth it. But after visiting this December I do think we would re-visit as my daughters despite their young age had such an amazing time and keep asking to return to the “holiday house” as they called it.
So, all things considered, Center Parcs Ireland is worth the expense. My top tip though is not to book too many extra activities as most kids will be happy with the indoor pool, playgrounds, woodland walks, etc.
Thanks for Reading!
I hope this blog post has made you excited to stay at Center Parcs Ireland. If you have kids, rest assured they will have an amazing time here. As I said, I was pleasantly surprised by how much my two daughters enjoyed staying here.
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Last Updated on January 8, 2025 by snaphappytravel