We stayed at whinfell forest in june 2008. Iim 17 and went with my sister, her husband ,their two children who at the time were 3 and 10 months also her two friends and their child who was also 3 joined us. We stayed in an executive 2 storey lodge for 4 nights.
When we arrived at approx. 1.30 ( check in wasn't busy at this time) we walked along to see our lodge even though we weren't allowed in ontill 3.30. My sister who had booked it all, paid £25 to be close to the center was extremely dissapointed when she seen that it was right next to the main pathway that the onsite vechile's use and with two young children running about this lodge was no use.
The staff at the information desk were very helpful and moved us to a better location and refunded the £25 ( my sister has since been back and they now have fences around the lodges at main paths)
After the hassel we went to the swimming pool which the kids loved ! Nobody fancied cooking that night either so we went to bella italia which was paid for with tesco clubcard vouchers.
On tuesday we went to the parks , swimming and also to the outing with owls ( which is actually inside) again the kids loved this and got to stroke the owls and feed them.
The rest of the holiday was spent the same going to the parks doing activites ( The best one for the kids was teddy bear picnic and for the adults it was the spa) and enjoying the swimming pool.
Friday came quickly and sadly it was time to leave :(
My sister went back in november and enjoyed it once again this time satying in a new woodland lodge and now im going back with them in may (6 weeks to go) i can't wait !!!

Spent my birthday weekend here with my husband. We stayed in a lakeside apartment which was okay. Have previously stayed with friends in a large lodge which I think was better overall. We did have a nice balcony overlooking the forest which was nicely secluded and lovely to sit and watch the birds. I think the apartments with the lakeside view would be less private as they overlooked a path/walkway.

The pool is great fun as everyone reports. We went at 10am as it opened so it was fairly quiet to begin with and we got plenty of rides on the slides without having to queue. We took quite a good bit of food with us to cook for ourselves which saved a bit of money. The kitchen was very well equiped - enough for 4 people. We did eat out at Bella Italia which was okay. The sandwiches in the Lakeside Inn looked very impressive too.

We were blessed with good weather so did quite a lot of walking - you get to see all the wildlife in the forest which is great.

Overall had a lovely weekend - really chilled. I would definitely return, but I would also like to try the Nottingham Center parc.

We took a short family break at whinfell Forest for mothers day - 2 adults & 2 boys aged 6 & 13. We stayed in an executive lodge directly on the lake so were very central to all activities, there was no need to hire bikes because of this although I would recommend them if you were further away from the village centre.
The accommodation was a 2 bedroomed (both ensuite). The ensuite to the master bedroom was fantastic with a huge whirlpool/jacuzzi bath which was big enough for 2.
The lodge itself was very clean and comfortable although a little dated in decor - but I believe that they are slowly improving each lodge. The kitchen was fairly modern and came complete with dishwasher and washing machine - only complaint was that a previous ocupant must have broken a few items and these had not been replaced. The lounge & dining area were fine for what we required - with TV, dvd player & CD player. There were patio doors opening directly onto the patio, complete with furniture, overlooking the lake - beautiful view in the morning. The executive lodge cam with a daily cleaning service if required - but we didn't need this as we were hardly there to mess it up!

Pools
The pool area consited of lots of smaller pools with slides, jet/rapid steams, lagoon pool, spa pool (lovely and warm). There was a small pool with one lane fenced off if you wanted to do serious swimming. My 2 boys loved the slides and couldn't get enough of them. They would have spent the whole day there if we hadn't had activities booked. There were lots of chairs & tables/sunbeds which families who were camped in the pool area for the day were using. It was very warm inside the dome and once out the pool you dried very quickly. There were 3 small outdoor pools (heated) which was great as it was a lovely sunny weekend ..
Need a pound for the lockers - great family changing area for those with little ones.

Village Centre
This consisted of a few shops - parc market - reasonably priced small supermarket, gift shop, toy shop (pricey) & sweet shop. there was a cafe which we didnt try, cafe Rouge - agin didnt try, Hucks (avoid - appalling food) & a Bella Italia - Pizzas Ok everything else not so good!
Bowling - great & reasonably priced
Out side there was a take away, starbucks & a fantastic Indian restuarant. Best meal of our weekend.

Behind the village centre is a fantastic adventureplay area - with zip slide, swings etc

Sports Plaza
again very clean, great bar with ppol/snooker tables. Skating rink, badminton court, tennis, table tennis, indoor golf simulator, dance/aerobics studios

Activities

Doctor do a lot - took my 6 yeard old lad - he wasnt impressed! Was a bit young for him - more like up to age 5. Was a tour around the world in bugs, snakes & lizards which they got to hold
American Pool Tournament - great - OH & eldest son took part and was well worth the money.
Roller blading - Fantastic cheap activity for all the family.
Tree Treking - brilliant activity (1 hr aprox) but a bit pricey at £18 per person.
Robin hood & little john archery- great activity - £16 for 2 people reasonably priced.

Grounds
Very clean and safe - bins emptied regularly - no cars so felt safe to let kids go off on own. Although dogs are allowed we never saw one or any dog muck as they had to be kept to certain areas.

Would I go again - YES in a heart beat! It was a pricey weekend - £400 for lodge and we ate out every night (restaurants on expensive side).

Hi I stayed in the basic lodge and was suprised what good value for money it was. Apart from a musty smell that all centre park rooms seem to smell of (must be something to do with how there built) they are functional and clean. its a great place to go and i would definately recommending visiting the spa that is a great fun afternoon. when i went it was christmas time and there were wreaths on all the lodge doors that was a nice touch and father christmas was there with a mini lapland and two real live reindeers it was lovely.