Camping at Center Parcs (Tents, Caravans & Campers)

Having visited Center Parcs more than ten times across multiple villages, one of the most common questions I’m asked by first-time visitors is whether you can camp there instead of staying in a lodge.

Unfortunately, you cannot camp at Center Parcs. Some Center Parcs resorts in Europe do permit camping. However, tents, caravans, campers, and mobile homes are all not permitted onsite at any Center Parcs village in the UK and Ireland – something which is clearly outlined in the booking terms and conditions.

Tents

Security at the gate does not check the belongings inside your car — so arriving with a tent in your boot would go unnoticed. In my experience, the security check is more of a check-in process.

This is at the entrance of the Center Parcs village and is the first point of contact. Here you’ll drive up to a cabin, collect your lodge bands, get directions to your lodge, and receive instructions for where to park your car.

It’s also where you’ll go if you’ve left the Center Parcs village for the day and come back. So while a tent in your boot would go unnoticed at the gate, don’t be tempted — security patrols the village constantly, meaning a pitched tent would be spotted very quickly.

Anyone found to have pitched a tent will be asked to take it down and may be asked to leave, as it poses a risk to the surrounding woodland and wildlife.

Caravans & Motorhomes

Caravans are not permitted at Center Parcs under any circumstances. Every time you enter or leave a Center Parcs village you pass through a security gate — and you could be turned away on the spot.

Motorhomes are a more complicated picture, as they are a direct mode of transport rather than something being towed. Entry into the car park is at the discretion of the Center Parcs village manager, so I’d suggest contacting the Guest Careline on 03448 267 708 in advance.

If allowed, the motorhome must remain in the car park, it cannot be parked outside a lodge, and sleeping in it overnight is not permitted.

If you want a Center Parcs-style woodland experience but also want to camp then you’ll need to consider a Center Parcs alternative.