Prime 10 options to Middle Parcs in Eire: From cool campsites to inns and journey parks

Since Longford Forest opened, plenty of readers have questioned the costs. From campsites to journey centres and five-star inns, our prime ten options cowl virtually each price range.

Tell us what you consider our picks!

1. Hidden Valley, Co Wicklow

What’s comparable: This enjoyable, family-run vacation park has simply added a brand new aqua park (Splash Valley, with 30 obstacles, above) and on-site laser tag to its playgrounds, kayaking and bumper boat set-ups. The park is enclosed, with site visitors slowed to a crawl, which means it is protected for teenagers to roam, and a brand new lake home bumps up the meals choices. Much like Middle Parcs, many actions are charged as extras… they usually can add up. Lodges and log cabins are additionally obtainable. It was voted Eire’s Favorite Small Keep in our 2019 Reader Journey Awards.

What’s totally different: It is smaller, cheaper, family-run and has a campsite vibe, all inside strolling distance of Rathdrum village. Ebook off-peak for shorter strains and greatest pitches.

Particulars: Tenting from €16pp or €36 per household. Splash Valley aqua-park tickets begin from €20/€17pp, with reductions for a number of visits. irelandholidaypark.com

Learn extra:
Splash Valley: Eire’s latest aqua park goes wild in Wicklow

2. Westport Home, Co Mayo

Glamping at Westport Home

 

What’s comparable: On the subject of household points of interest, Westport Home has actually upped its sport. The Pirate Journey Park, with its log flume, swinging ship and cannonball-run slide, has 9 new additions to get everybody giddy, together with a mini Ferris wheel, frisbee golf and a zip-wire. There’s additionally a birds-of-prey centre and pedalo boats.

What’s totally different: Convey your individual tent or van to the campground, or hire a bell tent. The historic Westport Home is a USP, too… we doubt Middle Parcs has a dungeon.

Particulars: Household pitches from €38 per night time; bell tents €120. Journey Park tickets: €70 for a household of 4, however visitors get 25laptop off and free entry the following day. westporthouse.ie

Learn extra:
10 nice causes to go to Westport

three. Hodson Bay Resort, Co Westmeath

What’s comparable: This lakeside resort is a winner for those who’re a household of water infants. Spend the day bouncing round at Baysports, dwelling to the world’s largest inflatable water slide – you can even SUP, kayak and canoe. There’s an indoor swimming pool and a brand new Children’ Journey Membership with actions starting from cookery college to treasure hunts.

What’s totally different: There are not any lodges. Keep on the adults-only wing of the resort for those who’re travelling with out youngsters – it is received nice lake views and is correct upstairs from the spa.

Particulars: Nightly charges begin from €175 on a B&B foundation for a household of 4. hodsonbayhotel.com; baysports.ie

Learn extra:
Prime 10 issues to do in Eire’s Hidden Heartlands

four. Lough Key, Co Roscommon

What’s comparable: Lough Secret is an outside playground for teenagers and adults alike. There is a tree cover path, a Zipit forest impediment course, and Boda Borg, the place you all work collectively to overcome quests. It is a phenomenal lakeside setting, away from the primary street, with plenty of strolling and biking (you may hire Segways, too), although it may well get busy in peak season. Oh, and the lakeside café does pizzas…

What’s totally different: There are not any lodges, so you will have to carry your individual tent or caravan… or arrive by boat.

Particulars: Tenting pitches begin from €22 per night time, with actions from €5 per little one. loughkey.ie

Learn extra:
Middle Parcs Eire Overview: Every little thing that you must learn about Longford Forest

5. Parknasilla, Co Kerry

Eating al fresco at Parknasilla

 

What’s comparable: Whilst you can keep in a standard resort room, Parknasilla can be dwelling to 38 woodland villas, the place you may unwind in peace… and self-cater. They’re fairly swish, with underfloor heating, temper lighting and entry to backyard areas. Visitors get full entry to the resort’s services, together with the spa, pool and children’ membership.

What’s totally different: No Irish resort has a comparable vary of actions to Middle Parcs, however you may go horse driving, attempt your hand at archery or discover the fairy path – and there is a youngsters’ membership throughout college holidays.

Particulars: Two-bed woodland villas begin from €495 for 2 nights; parknasillaresort.com. For those who like this, check out the lodges at Fota Resort and Castlemartyr in Co Cork… they permit visitors use resort services, too.

Learn extra:
Kerry like an area – 50 issues to do in Eire’s ‘nation inside a county’

6. Amber Springs, Co Wexford

What’s comparable: Anticipate a powerful deal with households at Amber Springs, with an awesome youngsters’ membership, VR room for teenagers, indoor playroom and a swimming pool – there’s even a brand-new cinema. Amber Park is a play park out again, with actions like go-karting and mini-golf charged as extras (others, like soccer and a petting farm, are free). The resort even has its personal practice, the Amber Specific, which runs as much as thrice a day at peak instances.

What’s totally different: It is an Irish, family-run resort that has grown neatly. There are no lodges (so you may’t cook dinner in), however there are new Household Den Suites, in a family-only wing. It is near the seaside at Courtown, too.

Particulars: Charges begin from €270 for household of 4, together with dinner. ambersprings.ie

Learn extra:
10 nice causes to go to Wexford

7. Delphi Resort, Co Galway

What’s comparable: For those who’re an outdoorsy, adventurous household, Delphi’s proper up your avenue. You’ll be able to construct a raft, zip round on an aerial trek, fling your self into the bathroom and have a go at archery (and that is solely the tip of the iceberg). Like Middle Parcs, it has an adults-only spa and thermal suite – although clearly smaller – and it is a fabulous place to remain for energetic teams in addition to households.

What’s totally different: There are household suites within the four-star resort, but additionally personal rooms within the new Wild Atlantic Hostel, which brings the value down for households.

Particulars: Two nights’ B&B with one dinner for a household of 4 and a land exercise begin from €467 within the resort, or €349 within the hostel. delphiadventureresort.com

Learn extra:
10 most uncommon adventures in Eire – from bathroom challenges to axe-throwing

eight. Rockhill, Co Donegal

What’s comparable: The vacation-park setting is not as jazzy as Middle Parcs, however there’s a lot for the youngsters to do in Space 50, with bouncy castles, trampolines, mountaineering, archery and extra. It is higher suited to youthful youngsters.

What’s totally different: The costs are kinder to the pockets – fundamental cabins begin at round €58 an evening. There are swisher ones obtainable although, with attractive views over Mulroy Bay. You may as well carry your individual camper.

Particulars: Cabins from €58; rockhill.ie

Learn extra: Scrumptious Donegal: Prime 10 locations to eat in Eire’s rising foodie county

9. Kelly’s Resort & Spa, Co Wexford

What’s comparable: If there’s an Irish resort with the identical fabled household standing as Middle Parcs, it is Kelly’s. The Rosslare resort is the form of place the place individuals e book subsequent yr’s vacation after they take a look at – a lot in order that it is utterly full this summer time (although you may all the time put your self on a ready record). Highlights embody an Aqua Membership with two swimming pools and out of doors sizzling tub, indoor and out of doors tennis courts, loopy golf and a well-known youngsters’ membership.

What’s totally different: The sandy seaside is a large draw, and adult-focused actions like wine appreciation and gardening are a giant hit throughout college phrases. The resort’s artwork assortment and wine record beat Longford Forest palms down, too.

Particulars: 5 days midweek from €645pp, plus 10laptop service cost, within the spring and autumn. kellys.ie

Learn extra:
Overview: Kelly’s Resort & Spa, Rosslare

10. The Jungle NI, Co Derry

What’s comparable: There’s an enormous array of various lodging choices, together with glamping pods, cabins and bell tents. And the record of actions on supply is big, from laser tag and paintball to llama trekking. It advertises as Eire’s largest out of doors exercise centre.

What’s totally different: The largest distinction? The worth. Lodging prices between £17.50 and £25pp, and actions are a discount for those who go to on household enjoyable days, when it is £15 for the entire household (which incorporates six tokens to make use of for any exercise). In any other case, actions begin at £8pp.

Particulars: Pods from £80/€89 per night time, with a log cabin sleeping eight from £100/€112. thejungleni.com

Learn extra:
20 Cool Campsites in Eire: Easy methods to camp like a champ this summer time

NB: All costs topic to availability/change.

Learn extra:

Middle Parcs Eire: 10 methods to save cash at Longford Forest

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