British holidaymakers can save hundreds of pounds on summer breaks by swapping UK Center Parcs resorts for equivalent sites in mainland Europe, according to research by Which?. The consumer group found that a week-long trip could be nearly £600 cheaper, even when factoring in travel costs.
Which? compared prices for four-night stays in standard two-bedroom lodges during key school holidays, including August 2023, October half term 2023, February half term 2024, and the first week of Easter 2024. The average UK stay cost £1,274, while trips to France and Belgium averaged £833 and £701 respectively.
Even adding ferry costs—around £170 for a crossing to Dunkirk during October half term—the overseas options remained hundreds of pounds cheaper. For example, a UK break in August 2023 cost £1,392, compared to £1,013 in Belgium and £1,137 in France. In February 2024, UK prices dropped to £1,105, while Belgium and France cost £657 and £879, meaning a switch from UK August to Belgium February could save £735.
Which? advised booking via foreign domain sites like centerparcs.fr or centerparcs.nl, which offered deals £70 to £400 cheaper than Center Parcs Europe's English-language site. The savings apply to resorts in France and Belgium, with the latter being the most budget-friendly option.
