Can You Take Food and Drink to Center Parcs?
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You can take your own food and drink to Center Parcs, and I’d strongly recommend that you do.
I’ve been visiting Center Parcs for the best part of a decade and taking our own food has always been one of the most effective ways we’ve been able to save money without compromising on the break itself.
What Food and Drink Can You Take?
There are no restrictions on what food or drink you can bring to Center Parcs. Alcohol is permitted, as are soft drinks, snacks and full meals. If anyone in your group has dietary requirements or food allergies, bringing your own food is particularly important as specialist dietary products can be limited in the ParcMarket.
The lodges are fully self-catering with a well-equipped kitchen. Most lodges include:
- Oven, hob and microwave
- Fridge with small freezer compartment
- Dishwasher
- Pots, pans and utensils
A few things worth knowing before you pack:
- The fridge is small. It’s a standard under-counter model. It can feel tight for larger groups or anyone bringing a lot of drinks that need chilling. A cooler box in the car is worth having on arrival day before you can access your lodge.
- No cooking basics are provided. There are no condiments, cooking oil, salt and pepper or any other staples. Bring everything you need if you plan to cook properly.
- The lodge knives are poor. A decent sharp knife is worth packing.
You take your own food anywhere in Center Parcs village except for the Subtropical Swimming Paradise and the restaurants. Both have their own cafes and food options.
Why You Should Bring Your Own Food
Every Center Parcs village has an on-site supermarket called the ParcMarket. This store stocks a reasonable range of groceries and essentials. However, it’s significantly more expensive than a standard supermarket, particularly for alcohol and soft drinks.
Bringing your own food from home or stopping at a supermarket before you arrive is one of the single most effective ways to reduce the overall cost of a Center Parcs break.
A practical approach is to plan your meals in advance and do a click and collect order at a supermarket near the village.
If you forget something or run out during your stay, the ParcMarket will deliver to your lodge for free if you spend over £50, which takes some of the sting out of the on-site prices. It’s also worth visiting the ParcMarket around 6pm when reduced items tend to appear. Bread, cakes and sandwiches are often half price at that time of day.
Selected Center Parcs villages also stock Cook ready meals in the ParcMarket freezer section. These are a convenient and decent quality alternative to cooking from scratch on evenings when you’d rather not cook.
What the Lodge Provides
The lodge comes with a small starter pack. It covers the basics but not much more:
- A few dishwasher tablets and a sachet of washing up liquid
- A tea towel, cloth and sponge
- Tea and coffee supplies for the Tassimo machine
Toilet roll is also provided but tends to run out quickly, particularly in larger groups. Bring extra.
Worth adding to your packing list:
- Dishwasher tablets and washing up liquid
- Kitchen roll, cling film and foil
- Tupperware for storing leftovers
- Condiments and cooking oil (especially in summer)
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If you’d rather not think about food shopping before you go, Center Parcs offer a Starter Pack and a Family Grocery Pack that are delivered to your lodge before you arrive.
Can You Have a BBQ at Center Parcs?
Every lodge except apartments has a brick-built BBQ stand on the patio. You can buy disposable BBQ trays from the ParcMarket, or bring your own from home as they are significantly cheaper bought in advance.
If you bring your own charcoal BBQ, only lumpwood charcoal is permitted. Gas BBQs are not allowed under any circumstances. Another few rules to be aware of:
- Never leave a BBQ unattended
- Extinguish embers thoroughly before leaving them to cool
- Do not empty hot charcoal or ash into bins
- Do not place hot BBQ trays on the patio furniture
- BBQs may be prohibited during periods of extreme hot weather due to fire risk. Center Parcs will notify you in advance if this applies to your stay
Takeaway Options at Center Parcs
If you’d rather not cook every evening but don’t want to eat out, there are two useful alternatives.
- Center Parcs Dining In: This service allows you to order food from the on-site restaurants for delivery directly to your lodge.
- Just Eat and Uber Eats: However, the drivers can only deliver to the security gate at the entrance of the village. You’ll need to collect it from there yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about taking food and drinks to Center Parcs:
Can you take alcohol to Center Parcs?
Yes. The ParcMarket stocks alcohol but it is expensive. Bringing your own is one of the easiest ways to save money.
Do I need ID to buy alcohol at Center Parcs restaurants?
Yes. If you’re purchasing alcohol in any Center Parcs restaurant you will need to bring photographic ID.
Can you take food into the Center Parcs pool?
Officially no. There is a cafe inside the pool if you want to eat or drink without leaving.
Can you order a food delivery to Center Parcs?
Yes. Just Eat and Uber Eats both deliver to Center Parcs, but only to the security gate at the village entrance. You collect your order from there.
Does Center Parcs provide food in the lodge?
A small starter pack is provided with basic kitchen supplies, a few tea and coffee pods and some toilet roll. It is not enough for your full stay.
Can you bring a BBQ to Center Parcs?
Yes, but only charcoal BBQs using lumpwood charcoal. Gas BBQs are not permitted. Every lodge except apartments has a brick BBQ stand on the patio. BBQs may be prohibited during periods of extreme hot weather due to fire risk. Center Parcs will notify you in advance if this applies to your stay.
Can you bring a slow cooker or air fryer?
Center Parcs terms and conditions may not permit additional electrical appliances. Check directly with Center Parcs before bringing any.
Is there free delivery from the ParcMarket?
Yes. If you spend over £50 at the ParcMarket, Center Parcs will deliver your shopping to your lodge for free.
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