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PARC UP
How I bagged a free stay at Center Parcs when the last UK park opened
Plus, three little-known free perks families can take advantage of at Center Parcs
NEWS that a new Center Parcs resort could be on the way in the Scottish Borders, brought back memories of being among the first guests to visit the last of the sites to open in the UK.
About 700 lodges could be built at the site near Hawick if planning permission is granted next year - and I'll be hoping for a repeat visit of our totally-free one at Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire.
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I've visited all five of the Center Parcs in England, but that trip is my most memorable.
Before its opening, locals were asked to help iron out any teething issues in exchange for a free overnight stay.
My friend was working there so I was the first to hear about this secret perk for the park’s neighbours and staff.
We enjoyed a free overnight stay in return for filling out a form with all the finishing touches that still needed work in our lodge, like putting in carpet door trims or touching up the paintwork.
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It was exciting to see the park taking shape and to be among the first to try out the new subtropical swimming paradise.
If you're living near the suggested Scottish Center Parcs site, it would be worth signing up to the holiday chain's social media accounts now to be the first to hear how the plans are progressing and see what opportunities might pop up around the launch.
Even better, if you have friends or family who get a job building the new resort or start training there for opening, they are likely to get first dibs on any freebies and might even invite you along!
We've been back to stay at Woburn Forest a few times since that first overnighter and it's been lovely to see the park develop.
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It was a controversial place to put a holiday resort, as lots of people living on the doorstep were unhappy that they would lose public footpaths through the forest.
Plus there was an environmental concern about changing woodland into a holiday park and the impact on wildlife.
But it seems that this time around, Center Parcs has chosen a site that is not already forested, which means thousands of new trees would be planted and biodiversity improved on the 400 acres.
Over the short term, that might mean visitors don't get the traditional forest feel that we associate with Center Parcs in the UK, as the woods grow up around the lodges.
But having visited Center Parcs Zandvort in the Netherlands which has sand dunes rather than trees, I can say that going to a site that isn't in the woods can be a pleasant change.
Lots of Scots are welcoming the arrival of Center Parcs on their border, as travel times to get to the English sites can be arduous.
Little known water attraction with thermal baths and pools dubbed the 'next-level Center Parcs
And who knows, maybe it will even pave the way for future sites in Wales and Northern Ireland, to add to the five we already have in England and one in Ireland.
It's not clear how long it might take before the Scottish site opens or even if it will get the go ahead by planners, as it's still very much in the early stages at the moment.
But if you can't wait to visit a new resort, the European sister company is opening a new location in Nordborg, Denmark, next year which would be well worth checking out.
It's about two hours from the original Legoland and Lego House in Billund, so you could use it as a base if you've got little Lego lovers in tow.
Center Parcs fans certainly look set to be spoilt for choice in the next few years.
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Little-known free perks at Center Parcs
Visit before check in
Families can explore the park from the morning to make the most of their stay, with six free hours before the 4pm check in.
The park website states: "On your day of arrival, you can start your adventure in the forest from 10am and have access to your accommodation at 4pm."
Stay after check out
Check out is 10am, but guests can stay on site until midnight that day.
This gives another 14 free hours to explore the activities.
The website states: "On your final day at Center Parcs don’t rush to get back to reality, you will need to leave your accommodation by 10am, though guests are welcome to stay on village until midnight."
Free baby swimming sessions
Baby Dolphins is a free session for kids under three before the pool opens, so parents can have a quieter session with their little ones.
One mum revealed the European resort which was nearly £1,000 cheaper to visit in the UK half term.
And a new Center Parcs Nordborg is opening in Denmark next year, the first of its kind.
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