A mum who spent almost £2,700 on a week-long summer holiday at Center Parcs has expressed her shock at the prices inside the on-site supermarket, in particular a bottle of ketchup. Speaking on her YouTube channel, Vicky Smith shared a brutally honest breakdown of the costs, warning that while the experience can be magical for children, the prices — particularly for food on site — can come as a shock.
The family, who visited Center Parcs Elveden Forest in August 2024 with their two children aged seven and nine, said the trip sparked strong opinions about whether the popular UK holiday resort is really worth the premium price tag. “We have just come back from a week’s holiday at Center Parcs with our two children age seven and nine,” Vicky explained, adding that their aim was to give “very very honest views on staying at Center Parcs” for families considering booking.
The biggest issue, she said, was cost. Visiting during the school summer holidays meant paying peak prices, which they described as unavoidable for many families. “We went during August which is the school summer holidays which is when Center Parcs and let’s face it all other holidays are at their most expensive and you really do pay a premium here,” she said.
The family stayed in a new-style Executive Lodge with two bedrooms, which cost £2,648 for the week. That figure did not include food or paid-for activities, with only access to the swimming pool included in the accommodation price.
“I checked how much exactly the same accommodation would cost us during September once the kids were back at school and it was over £1,000 cheaper,” she said, describing the difference as “really significant”.
There were positives. Access to the outdoor playground — refurbished in 2023 — is included, and proved a hit with their children. “There’s a really nice mixture in that playground for younger and slightly older kids,” Vicky said, noting climbing frames, swings and slides that kept the children entertained for hours.
The swimming pool was also a standout. “The swimming pool is amazing. I can’t say enough good things about the swimming pool,” she said, adding that unlimited access, from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., was included in the price. They suggested families could enjoy a full week at Center Parcs simply by using the pool and park facilities without spending extra on activities.
However, the mum warned that to get the “full experience”, many families will want to book activities — and that is where costs can quickly escalate. “Those activities really really add up,” she said, raising questions about overall affordability and value for money.
Food shopping on site was described as one of the most controversial aspects of the stay. The Park Market, located in the Village Square, stocks everything from fresh meat to ready meals, which Vicky welcomed as a convenient alternative to restaurants and takeaways.
But the prices left her stunned. “The prices in this supermarket are wow, just wow,” she said. One item in particular stood out: “They were charging £4 for a bottle of ketchup.”
She also highlighted an £8 disposable barbecue as surprisingly expensive, along with inflated prices for toiletries such as shampoo and conditioner. Overall, she estimated prices were “anything from like 10% more to 40% more compared to normal supermarket prices”.
While she acknowledged Center Parcs was “capitalising on the fact that they have a captive audience”, she offered clear advice to other families. “Bring key supplies with you,” she urged, listing essentials such as milk, spreads, table sauces and barbecue items.
The family stopped at a nearby supermarket around 10 minutes away before arriving, stocking up on fresh food, fruit and snacks for the children. The strategy helped them avoid relying too heavily on the Park Market — something they said made a noticeable difference to their overall spend.