Summer is here: Staying safe in the hot weather
Posted 1 April, last updated 11 August 2026
Over past years we have experienced some very high temperatures, extreme weather does bring some safety and operational challenges. At Center Parcs we assess the weather forecast on a daily basis to plan and ensure our staff and guests are as safe as possible. We listen to official advice, but we also consider local weather and conditions for each of our villages. We’re in a forest setting so heat can be a concern, we look at how dry the forest is and sometimes we have to change things to reduce any risks.
Below are some hints & tips and advice, along with some of the changes we may need to put in place if things get too warm:
Barbecues - as mentioned above, we will listen to local advice and assess individual conditions. If we do experience long dry periods we may need to introduce a barbecue ban. If we do this, we’ll text any guests impacted before they arrive so that they can plan around this.
Fires – please do not start any fires no matter how small, this can be temping with children, but this isn’t safe in our forest environment as small fires can spread very quickly. If you see a fire in the forest, please let our team know as soon as possible.
Keeping everyone safe will always be our priority and we patrol our forests on a regular basis. Please note that, if guests are found to intentionally start a forest fire, they’ll be asked to leave the village.
Smoking and Vaping - is only permitted in designated smoking areas throughout the Village and on the patio of your accommodation. Please ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and disposed of responsibly using the ashtrays or sand bins provided due to woodland fire risk.
Outdoor activities & pool areas – it is great to be outside in the sunshine but in previous years it has been too hot for our staff and guests to safely enjoy some activities. Again, we will assess villages and conditions individually and only cancel activities if we feel it is unsafe to go ahead.
Restaurants – as you can imagine, kitchens areas can get very hot in excessive heat and in extreme situations we may need to change opening times or reduce our menus.
Hydration – it may seem obvious but staying hydrated is essential during the heat. Remember drinks for the journey and all of our lodges have fridges to keep things cool. We have Water Refill stations on all our villages. You’ll also have a small freezer for ice cream and ice!
Sun protection – another obvious one but it is important to protect yourself and your family in the sun so don’t forget to bring lots of sunscreen. We do sell a small selection in ParcMarket if you do forget.
Closing curtains/ moderating lodge temperature – we recommend keeping curtains closed during the day, particularly bedroom curtains, as it can significantly help in moderating the temperature within your lodge amidst warm weather conditions.
Fans – our lodges are not air conditioned so if you have a fan at home it might be a good idea to bring it along.
Vote for Aqua Sana Forest Spa and you could win a Forest Spa Break for 2*!
Posted 3rd August 2026
We're delighted to announce that Aqua Sana Forest Spa, Elveden Forest, has been shortlisted as a finalist for Best Spa in the East Midlands & East in the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026!
This award is voted for by the public, so we'd love your support.
Voting is now open and closes on 31st August. Simply cast your vote here.
As a thank you for voting, you'll also be entered into our prize draw for the chance to win a Forest Spa Break for 2!*
Your vote means so much to us and helps celebrate everything that makes Aqua Sana Forest Spa so special.
Important update: scheduled maintenance at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise
Posted 9 April 2026, last updated 13 April
We’ll be carrying out essential maintenance on the Wild Water Rapids from 21st - 25th September.
During this time, the Wild Water Rapids, Sprudel Pool and Whirlpools will be temporarily closed. These areas are expected to reopen on the morning of Friday 25th September.
The rest of the Subtropical Swimming Paradise will remain open for you to enjoy.
We understand that there’s never a perfect time for maintenance work, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding while we complete these important improvements.
Coffee Discovery Sessions by Starbucks
Posted 1 July 2026
New and exclusive to Elveden Forest, Coffee Discovery Sessions by Starbucks invite you to taste and discover coffee in a whole new way. Uncover the journey from bean to cup through flavour and storytelling, brought to life by an expert barista in a relaxed setting. Available until September.
Book Coffee Discovery Session
Help protect our wildlife
Posted 25 May 2026
Please avoid feeding the wildlife that visits your lodge patio or outdoor living area, including birds and squirrels. While it may seem harmless, regular feeding can be detrimental to animals’ health and cause them to become dependent on people for food.
Please also avoid using bird feeders or window feeders during your break, as spilled food can attract rodents to lodges and outdoor areas.
Across the UK, trichomonosis has caused serious declines in Greenfinch and Chaffinch populations. Scientific evidence shows that the risk of outbreaks is highest during summer and autumn, when birds gather closely together at feeders.
The RSPB now recommends a seasonal approach to bird feeding to help reduce the spread of disease. As a result, you may notice fewer filled feeders around our villages, or some that are temporarily empty.
From May – October
Please pause feeding seeds and peanuts. During the warmer months, natural food is plentiful, and reducing feeding helps limit the spread of disease.
If you wish to feed birds, you can still offer small amounts of mealworms, fat balls or suet, which finches rarely eat.
From November – April
Normal feeding, including seeds and peanuts, can resume during the colder months.
Extra steps to help reduce risk
• Feed only small amounts
• Avoid bird feeders with flat surfaces
• Clean feeders regularly
• Only provide water if it can be changed daily
Thank you for helping us care for the wildlife that makes our forest so special.
Arcade Bowls: Roll into something new this summer
Posted 31 March 2026
A brand-new activity is arriving - and it's putting a modern spin on a classic favourite. From 20 April, swap the grass for smooth synthetic lanes and enjoy an interactive experience with easy-to-use touchscreens and automatic digital scoring.
Arcade Bowls is now available across all villages until 6 September.
ParcMarket To You: Shopping delivered straight to your lodge
Posted 11 March 2026
ParcMarket To You is our new lodge‑delivery service designed to make your stay even smoother. Whether you’ve forgotten an essential, fancy a last‑minute dinner, or just want a sweet treat, simply order online and we’ll bring it straight to your door. With delivery in under 60 minutes and no minimum spend, it’s convenience exactly when you need it.
This service sits alongside our existing offer where we’ll deliver your shopping for free when you spend over £50 in‑store.
Delivery is available:
Monday & Friday: 17:00 – 21:00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday: 08:00 – 21:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
NEW Activity - Treetop Glider
Posted 27 August 2025
Calling all high-flyers – it’s time to take to the skies! Leap off the platform and take flight as you twist, turn and glide on a high-speed journey through the treetops and above the lake, suspended from a 180m track. A one-of-a-kind experience that’s perfect for daredevils and thrill-seekers!
A change to our EV Chargers
Posted 7 May 2025
From 23 June 2025, our EV charger service provider will switch from Vend Electric to Monta. To charge your electric vehicle after this date, please download the Monta App and follow the instructions displayed on the signage once you arrive.
Download Monta App on App Store
Download Monta App on Google Play
Brand-new Accessible Lodges at Elveden Forest
Posted 22 August 2024
Discover our new Accessible Lodges at Elveden Forest in 2024! Available to book now, you can relax in style with these newly designed lodges, with improved accessible features perfect for guests with additional needs.
Each one features fresh décor, improved living areas and spacious outdoor areas, plus accessible features such as a hoists, lowered worktops and grab rails, helping you to make the most of your time in the forest and spend quality time with friends and family.
Our Enhanced Accessible Lodge has its own distinct accessible features, including a dedicated sensory room, wet room, two dedicated parking spaces and more.
Discover our 4 bedroom Enhanced Accessible Lodge with Sensory Room
Please note, the 4 bedroom Enhanced Accessible Lodge with Sensory Room is only available to book through the Contact Centre.
New to Elveden Forest - Woodland Premium and Grand Forest Lodges
Last updated 17 July 2025. Posted 15 April 2024
Discover our new Woodland Premium and Grand Forest Lodges at Center Parcs Elveden Forest in 2024! Available to book now, you can relax in style with these newly designed lodges, available with 2, 3, and 4 bedrooms.
These are a small selection of nine upgraded lodges created to test new design ideas for future accommodation. Each one features fresh décor, improved living areas and spacious outdoor areas, helping you to make the most of your time in the forest and spend quality time with friends and family. Ready for a sneak peek into the new lodges awaiting you at Elveden Forest?
We've added a range of special features to the five Grand Forest Lodges. Each lodge has its own distinct features for you to enjoy, from saunas, and heated outdoor areas, to games rooms, interactive gaming pods, bean bags, and yoga mats. To find out more information on the specific features of each new lodge, please check out the pages below.
Order all your favourite dishes with one delivery fee using Restaurant Runner!
Last updated 10 October 2023
From today, Tuesday 10 October, guests will be able to use our brand-new delivery service, Restaurant Runner.
Restaurant Runner was introduced last September at Woburn Forest, and has been a hit with our guests, and now guests across all our villages will be able to order from multiple restaurants with only one delivery fee. Whether you are craving a Chinese banquet or a pizza party, you can enjoy a feast in the comfort of your lodge. Does dad fancy chinese food, mum a juicy burger, but the little ones are shouting for a pizza? Restaurant Runner is perfect for when the family can’t agree on what to have for dinner. Mix and match your favourite dishes to be delivered to your lodge in one order. Order online from your account on the day you would like delivery and choose from Huck’s American Bar and Grill and our two new offerings, exclusive to Restaurant Runner, Pizzarrivo and Pinch of Asia.
On your break? Visit here to order.
We have joined Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Last updated 19 August 2022
To support our guests and colleagues we are proud to announce we are now part of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. The Sunflower provides a discreet way for guests to show that they have a non-visible disability. Guests can collect a lanyard or pin badge, free of charge, from Guest Services or Sports Plaza Booking Desk whilst on their break. Our colleagues will recognise the Sunflower and will be able to provide help, adjust activities, and meet needs where possible.
We are proud to be part of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and be able to provide a fantastic experience for all our guests.
Electric Vehicle Charging Points
Guests can now recharge their batteries and their electric car too! Our EV charging points at Elveden Forest are now available for guests. We have charging points available to pre-book online and a small number of points available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guests will need to download the VendElectric App to charge their electric vehicle (payment is also made via the app).
Charging points can only be booked on Mondays for four nights and Fridays for three nights. The points will charge the vehicles overnight, although they can remain safely plugged in throughout the whole duration of your stay – checking the status of the charge on the app.
Pre-book your electric vehicle charging point for peace of mind and a smooth arrival.
We’re now cashless
All our villages are cashless and can no longer accept cash payments, including for the purchase of gift cards.
Forest safety
During extreme dry weather spells we take advice from the Met Office, please see below some basic fire safety points:
- Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking locations on village and on the patio/ balcony of accommodation
- The use of wood from the forest is strictly prohibited for use on the fire in accommodation (please only use logs purchased from ParcMarket)
- The making of fires of any sort is strictly prohibited
- Should you discover a fire no matter how small, please contact the village emergency number or call 999
- Due to our forest environment we may need to withdraw the use of BBQ’s in extreme hot weather
We do have regular fire checks in place but please be vigilant and help us to maintain a safe environment in the forest.
Minimising traffic on the village
We know that our focus on providing a safe environment with minimal traffic is something you really value. That’s why we need your help to reduce the traffic on our villages to protect what you love about Center Parcs: a place where little ones can run free and explore, and parents can feel at ease.