History
The Center Parcs journey so far, from opening in the UK in 1987, to the brand new developments happening today.
2011: Continuing investment into accommodation with three new, luxury Treehouses completed at Longleat Forest and New Style Exclusive lodges built at Elveden Forest.
Center Parcs’ first ever Spa Suites open at Elveden Forest, offering guests a luxurious spa break with private access to Aqua Sana Spa.
Planning permission for the fifth UK village at Woburn Forest is granted.
2010: The first ever Treehouses are completed at Sherwood Forest, bringing a unique accommodation set within the trees to Center Parcs.
New Style Exclusive Lodges open at Longleat Forest.
Aldo Zilli opens Zilli Cafés within the Aqua Sana Spa at Elveden Forest and Sherwood Forest.
2009: Phase 3 of the refurbishment of accommodation starts and by Easter almost 40% of accommodation is newly styled lodges.
2008: As part of the continued investment into accommodation and facilities, every bed within each of the four villages is replaced and the entire bike fleet is restored.
Center Parcs signs its first franchise agreement and Starbucks Coffee Shops are introduced across all four villages.
A five year partnership deal with Badminton England is signed, making Center Parcs the official partner of Team England and title sponsor of the National School Championships.
Celebrity Chef Aldo Zilli opens the first Zilli Café at Aqua Sana Longleat Forest.
2007: An unprecedented investment programme begins, resulting in over £100 million spent on accommodation, restaurants and retail outlets.
Agreements are signed with Tragus, SSP and Nuance to manage a small number of restaurants and retail outlets on each of Center Parcs’ four villages.
Center Parcs teams up with interior designer Tara Bernerd of Target Living for the design of new accommodation, including newly built 4 bedroom Executive Lodges.
Outline planning permission is gained for a fifth UK Center Parcs village at Woburn.
2006: Private Equity firm, The Blackstone Group, acquires Center Parcs.
2005: Center Parcs moves to the main stock market listing.
2003: The business is floated on AIM (Alternative Investment Market).
2001: Oasis Holiday Village near Penrith is taken over by Center Parcs UK and re-named Center Parcs Whinfell Forest.
Center Parcs UK is sold to venture capitalists Deutsche Bank Capital Partners.
1994: Longleat Forest opens in Wiltshire.
1989: Elveden Forest opens in Suffolk and the British brewers and retailers, Scottish & Newcastle, become the new owners of Center Parcs.
1987: The concept of the “villa in the forest” finds its way to the UK and Sherwood Forest Center Parcs is built in Nottinghamshire.
1968: The first Center Parcs village opens at De Lommerbergen in Holland.
