Mum discovers £74-a-night ‘budget-friendly Center Parcs dupe’ with hot tubs, waterfall and stunning countryside views

Staff
By Staff

A mum has shared her glowing review of a £74-per-night holiday park in Cumbria that she says gave her the feeling of being abroad — without ever leaving the UK.

Nicole, who posts travel tips and family-friendly getaways on TikTok under the handle @nicoletravelandlife, recently stayed at Wild Rose Holiday Park near Appleby-in-Westmorland. Her video of the trip has received more than 20,000 likes and hundreds of comments from families keen to find affordable alternatives to big-name resorts like Center Parcs.

She stayed in one of the park’s standard lodges, which included a private hot tub and views across the Eden Valley. Nicole described the accommodation as “absolutely spotless” and said it had “absolutely everything that you need”.

Wild Rose Holiday Park is located just outside the historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria. It sits within the Eden Valley, with the Lake District to the west and the Yorkshire Dales to the south-east.

The park is easily accessible by road and rail:

What does the park offer?

Nicole and her family enjoyed a range of on-site activities and amenities designed to suit both adults and children. She praised the park’s combination of affordability, peaceful setting and family-friendly facilities. Prices start at around £74 per night for standard lodges, but vary depending on the season, length of stay and accommodation type.

Key features include:

  • Heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools (outdoor pool is seasonal)

  • Coast and Country Restaurant and bar with family entertainment

  • On-site soft play area for young children

  • Games room with a pool table and activities for older kids

  • Football field and outdoor playground

  • Adult-only swim session between 6pm and 7pm daily

  • Dog-friendly accommodation with a secure dog exercise area

  • Lodges available with private hot tubs and countryside views

Nicole said her family also took advantage of restaurant promotions, including “kids eat free” offers, which added further value to their stay.

Things to do nearby

One of the biggest draws of Wild Rose Holiday Park is its location. Nestled between two national parks, it offers easy access to scenic landscapes, outdoor adventures and peaceful walking routes.

Local attractions and activities include:

  • Lake Windermere – Located around an hour away by car, the lake offers boat hire, cruises and waterfront walks.

  • Aira Force Waterfall and Ullswater – A popular Lake District day trip with walking trails and picnic spots.

  • Yorkshire Dales National Park – Around 30 minutes by car, the Dales offer family walks, caves, waterfalls and traditional villages.

  • Appleby-in-Westmorland – A historic market town with a castle, riverside paths, cafés and pubs.

  • Rutter Force waterfall – Just five minutes from the park, this hidden gem is ideal for wildlife spotting. Visitors often see red squirrels, deer, herons and kingfishers.

What do other guests say?

Nicole is not the only person to recommend Wild Rose Holiday Park. The site currently holds a 4.4 out of 5 rating on Google Reviews. A recent review (2 months ago) reads: “I just stayed the weekend at Wild Rose in one of their beautiful twin lodges with a hot tub. The facilities are incredible and the park is absolutely stunning with the most unreal views. The staff are extremely polite and our experience from the moment we arrived to the moment we left was amazing. We will definitely be visiting the park again, we had a 10/10 weekend stay.”

However, another recent guest complained that the Pool opens at 10am and closes at 5pm. They also said that while it is in the stunning Eden Valley – they felt there is nothing local other than the “excellent” Three Greyhounds pub or The Inn at Hoff. Shops are in Appleby for essentials. They added: “Roads are rubbish and it takes ages to get from A to B, so plan ahead.”

How to book

Wild Rose Holiday Park is part of the Hoseasons Go Active collection, which features parks with leisure facilities and countryside settings. Guests can book a range of accommodation, from caravan holiday homes and touring pitches to lodges with private hot tubs.

Bookings can be made directly via:

Prices start at around £74 per night for standard lodges, but vary depending on the season, length of stay and accommodation type. Availability during the school summer holidays is limited, but future dates can be reserved in advance online.

Stay up to date about London’s hottest events, latest restaurant openings, and best deals with our Going Out Out newsletter. Sign up HERE!

Share This Article
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *