Center Parcs boss reveals what to expect from brand new holiday park in the UK – and future village locations
The site will be located in the Scottish Borders, north of Hawick and will feature 700 lodges, as well as the brand's iconic Subtropical
Swimming
Paradise and Aqua Sana Forest Spa.
Advertisement
6
A new Center Parcs will be opening in Scotland in 2029 and is expected to have over 100 activities on offer
Credit: Supplied / Center Parcs
6
The site will be located in the Scottish Borders, north of Hawick and will feature 700 lodges
Credit: Supplied / Center Parcs
6
The brand's iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Aqua Sana Forest Spa will be at the village too
Credit: Supplied / Center Parcs
With a planning application submitted this week for the site, Center Parcs CEO Colin McKinlay spoke with The Sun about details of the Scottish village and how it was "staring us in the face as the logical place to put the
next
McKinlay shared: "Our plans in the Scottish Borders [are] to build a Center Parcs with all the same facilities that we see in our other villages in
England
.
"It will have the iconic
pool
, activities,
Unlike other UK villages that have lakes, the Scottish site will have two lochs.
Advertisement
Read more on travel inspo
McKinlay added: "We've taken a typical size of one of those lakes and we've almost divided it into two."
And these lakes will have "gentle" water sport activities, including things such as pedalos and
"
Nice
and gentle but
Setting the Scottish village apart from other villages in the UK, there will also be a Heritage Centre.
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
"We're conscious that in the Scottish Borders there's a huge amount of natural heritage and
history
here," McKinlay shared.
"To recognise that, one of the things we'll have on this village is a heritage centre.
The new Center Parcs holiday resort that has opened in Europe
As for the layout of the village, the CEO added that whilst it will take many attributes from other UK sites, "each time we build a new village, we like to make it a little bit more special".
A woodcraft workshop will also allow families to carve
models
together and a permanent
winter
.
Advertisement
And the CEO shared that the park will have around 100 different activities that people can do, such as Action Challenge and a TAG Challenge Arena.
But activities don't stop there - with the plans also revealing that Crazi Bugz, off-road explorers and laser combat could feature.
The Scottish Borders village is also likely to have between 10 and 14 different restaurant and bar experiences.
Whilst McKinlay expressed this hasn't been finalised yet, he did share that they will have areas "promoting the nuances of Scottish food".
Advertisement
6
Unlike other UK villages that have lakes, the Scottish site will have two lochs
Credit: Supplied / Center Parcs
Plans show a Pancake House and cafe are already proposed for the village.
"We're hoping for a determination of that planning application by the end of the calendar year, hopefully," he stated.
"I would be very hopeful to be able to open in
spring
,
summer
of 2029 - which means that we would aim to go on sale probably nine months prior to that."
Advertisement
In regard to the rest of the UK, the CEO added: "I wouldn't rule out other Center Parcs in other locations in the UK.
"I believe there are opportunities beyond that [Scotland], probably elsewhere in England - possibly in the south east."
6
The Scottish village will also have a Heritage Centre - unique to the site
Credit: Supplied / Center Parcs
A number of new initiatives are being rolled out across the UK too, from premium
restaurants
to new leisure activities such as a forest gliding experience.
Advertisement
The holiday
company is also celebrating the highest ever guest satisfaction scores in the past 12 months, in its 38-year history.
The Scottish Borders Center Parcs project is expected to cost between £350 and £400million.
In total, it is anticipated the new village will also create 1,200 permanent
jobs
and attract more than 350,000 visitors each year.
Center Parcs launches first-ever new adventure attraction
CENTER Parcs has opened a new treetop experience at one of their holiday parks in the UK - the first of its kind for the resort.
Opening at Longleat on July 1, Adventure Nets allows families to "bounce, balance, leap and climb through the stunning redwood canopy", according to Center Parcs.
The attraction features a number of treehouses that are connected by suspended nets, seven metres in the air.
Visitors can crawl through tunnels, cross rope bridges and enjoy a trampoline area at the attraction too.
Families on the course can also use TAG Active technology which allows guests to 'tag' beacons around the course and play TAG games such as treasure hunts in their hour-session.
There is also a new European Center Parcs resort that is quiet in August – and much cheaper than in the UK.
Advertisement
Plus, the
6
Center Parcs hopes to have a result from the planning application by the end of the year
Credit: Supplied / Center Parcs
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Shortest flights in UK including route that's quicker than making a Pot Noodle
With the kids breaking up for the school summer holidays today, many families will be gearing up to jet off to exotic locations abroad. And while many of us are used to sitting on planes for hours on end to get to our favourite destinations, you can actually take flights from the UK that last just minutes. Advertisement 3 The shortest passenger flight in the entire world is the Loganair flight between Westray and Papa Wrestay Credit: Alamy 3 The flight holds a Guinness World Record 3 Journeys on the tiny plane cost from £8 Credit: Alamy Westray to Papa Westray The Passengers can travel between the two tiny islands in just one and a half minutes, with the record for the fastest flight just 53 seconds. The Tickets will set you back just £8, and the flight is much quicker than the alternative option, a 25 minute ferry. Advertisement Read more travel stories Other Orkney Inter-Island Flights Although the Westray to Papa Westray flight is by far the UK's shortest, there are also a number of other short flights connecting the Orkney Islands. These Loganair flights connect the islands to Kirkwall, Orkney's main hub. For example, Kirkwall to Westray takes between 10 and 15 minutes, and Kirkwall to Sanday takes around 15-20 minutes. London to Channel Islands Anyone looking for a holiday close to home this summer can fly from the capital to the Channel Islands, such as Jersey and Guernsey in around 30-40 minutes. Advertisement Most read in News Travel , the largest of the . Its beaches are well known for their beauty, with a range of landscapes on offer, from wide, open spaces to secluded coves and lunar-like expanses, making it the perfect destination for anyone who isn't a fan of long haul flights. Travel chaos as TWO flights have mid-air emergencies within A MINUTE at major UK airport UK mainland to Isle of Man Another popular tourist destination within the UK is the You can access the island by ferry (as influencer Advertisement Regular flights take off from airports such as Manchester and Liverpool, and take between 30-50 minutes. Flights from mainland Scotland to Scottish Islands Loganair also runs short flights connecting people in other remote Scottish Islands to the mainland. For example, a flight from either Glasgow or Edinburgh to the Outer Hebrides takes around 50 minutes, and a flight from one of the main Scottish cities to Shetland takes approximately one hour. None of these islands are far from the mainland, but due to challenging ferry conditions, are often the preferred option for travellers . Advertisement If you're looking for an adventure a bit more long haul, Qantas has unveiled plans to launch the The non-stop flights are expected to take over 19 hours, and are set to launch in 2026. How to get a free upgrade to first class on a plane Travelers often wonder how to secure an upgrade to first class without paying the premium price. According to a flight attendant, there are several strategies passengers can employ to increase their chances. Firstly, loyalty to an airline is crucial; frequent flyers and those with elite status are more likely to receive upgrades. Additionally, booking directly with the airline rather than through third-party sites can improve your odds, as can being flexible with your travel dates and times. Dressing smartly and arriving early can also make a difference. While airlines generally prioritize upgrades based on status and fare class, a well-dressed passenger who checks in early may catch the staff's attention. It's also beneficial to be polite and friendly to the airline staff, as they have the discretion to upgrade passengers at their own judgment. Lastly, if you're celebrating a special occasion, such as a honeymoon or birthday, it doesn't hurt to mention it. While not guaranteed, some flight attendants might consider this when deciding on upgrades. Overall, while there's no surefire way to get a free upgrade, combining these strategies can certainly improve your chances.
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I've found an incredible cheap UK holiday park that brings the best bits of Center Parcs, Butlin's and Haven to ONE site
IF you want the style of Center Parcs, the buzz of Butlin's and the hype of Haven, I've found one holiday park that has it all and it won;t cost a fortune. When one child loves spending hours in the pool , another enjoys a boogie on the dance floor and the third wants to swing through the trees on the high ropes, it's hard to know which 7 I took my three sons for a holiday at a Haven park in North Wales Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 7 There's a climbing wall and plenty of other activities too Credit: Haven My family and I recently took a trip to Haven's Hafan y Mor park near Pwllheli in North Wales. We loved it so much I had booked to return next summer before we'd even made it home. The park is set on a little slice of the British coastline that's like stepping back in time to the holidays of your childhood. The site's staycation secret is that it used to be a Butlin's before being turned into a Haven 25 years ago. So it's still got all the best bits of Butlin's - from the flumes and slides of the I even did a double take when I saw the stripy blue tops of the entertainment crew, instead of the Redcoats of Butlin's from days gone by. Now one of the largest Haven parks, there's a stunning choice of outdoor activities you'd usually see at an upscale Center Parc resort. It's the first Haven I've been to where the high ropes take you through the trees, just like at Most read in Family The Dragon Lakes Adventure Park even sees thrill-seekers zipping over the waters where fellow guests can take to pedalos. The adrenaline-charged activities also include The Jump - a terrifying free-fall leap onto a huge inflatable cushion - as well as climbing wall, mini 4x4 off-roaders and even Segways. There's all sorts of accommodation at Hafan y Mor, including Center-Parcs-style pine lodges surrounded by trees. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park 7 You can jump off the free-fall platform Credit: Haven 7 One of my sons was a big fan of the giant trampolines Credit: Catherine Lofthouse There are even old-fashioned chalet blocks from back in the Butlin's days and mod-con caravans you'll see at all Haven resorts, so you can pick whatever works for you and your budget. It's not often that my three boys all get their own bedroom when we go away on holiday, but our recently refurbished four-bed chalet was huge. I loved the village vibe of everyone hanging out on their decking or balcony, so reminiscent of childhood holidays when the kids played together on the grass by your block. I even spotted one family stringing up a badminton net. The chalet accommodation is also one of the cheapest options - we paid less than £300 for our June weekend away and it's only £275 for four nights in the summer holidays next year, which is incredible value for money if you're bringing eight people. We were just a stone's throw from Dragon Lakes Activity Village, which also offers up sports courts , a sandpit playground and even a bark park for furry family members. Like Center Parcs, most of the activities aren't included in the price of your break, and you'll need to factor that in, but the cost is far less at Haven. We paid £12 for Aquajets in the pool, £8 for the mini 4x4 off roaders and £7 for a go on the bungee trampoline. 7 We rented out aquajets which were cheaper than those at Center Parcs Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 7 The holiday park is surrounded by beaches where you can relax or paddle Credit: Haven Aquajets at Center Parcs would set you back £18.50 to £22.50, while children's 4x4 off-road explorers are £24, so there's a hefty saving to be made here. And you could easily just stick to the freebie fun if you prefer. The pool was enough to keep everyone busy for hours and although you pre-book an entry time, there wasn't anyone asking us to leave at the end of our hour time slot on the weekend we were there. The free shows and entertainment were great - my littlest loved the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime and won a prize for his enthusiastic dancing at the kids' disco. And no This is quite a spread-out site with a railway track splitting it in two, but there's a land train that takes you on a turn around the park if your little ones are worn out with all the activities and don't fancy walking. This tucked-away spot is surrounded by dramatic mountains, picturesque beaches and unassuming tourist towns that only add to the magic of a trip here. It's like going back in time to the heyday of the great British staycation. Catching sight of It's a bit of a trek to get there, but the direct train from Birmingham takes less than five hours, around the same time as travelling by train from London to Cornwall. And Penychain station is on the edge of the park within walking distance of its entrance. This haven by the sea could well become our new holiday hotspot as it ticks all the boxes for my boys. Read more on the Irish Sun Here's more about the Plus, the beachfront 7 The Haven holiday park has the best bits of Butlin's and Center Parcs Credit: Haven
Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
Global markets now ‘short of beef'
Lanark based-Simmental cattle breeder and former auctioneer, David Lowry, is of the view that beef markets will start to strengthen during the period ahead. Lowry, who judged the cattle classes at this year's Omagh Show, told Agriland: 'We may not get back up to £7/kg but the reality is that the UK and the rest of the world is short of beef at the present time. The Scottish breeder noted that consumers have already shown that they are prepared to pay realistic prices for beef, provided the quality of the meat is is good. He said: 'There has been a haemorrhaging of suckler cow numbers over recent years. This is because farmers were not getting prices for stock that covered their costs. 'And, as a consequence, they either cut cow numbers or got out of sucklers altogether. Thankfully, circumstances are changing, which can allow farmers to look again at suckler production with a degree of confidence.' Lowry is very aware of the growing focus that has been placed on beef from the dairy herd. 'But quality beef will still be required from the suckler sector. And the need to maintain cow numbers in this context is obvious,' Lowry added Irrespective of what happens in the future, Lowry feels that the days of beef farmers receiving rock-bottom prices for their cattle are over. He said: 'Consumers realise the costs required at farm level in making quality beef available. And this factor alone should help to bolster UK markets during the period ahead.' Food inflation Lowry was speaking against the backdrop of food inflation figures starting to notably strengthen once again. According to the UK's Office of National Statistics, the 12-month inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages was 4.5% in June 2025. This was the third consecutive increase in the rate. It is the highest recorded since February 2024, but is well below the peak seen in early 2023. There were small upward effects to the change in the rate from three of the eleven food and non-alcoholic beverages classes: namely bread and cereals (particularly cakes), meat, and milk, cheese and eggs (mainly cheddar cheese). These were partially offset by small downward effects from the sugar, jam, syrups, chocolate and confectionery class (from chocolate products), and mineral waters, soft drinks and juices (from fruit juice). The official figures also confirm that the UK's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.6% in the 12 months to June 2025, up from 3.4% in the 12 months to May. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.3% in June 2025, compared with a rise of 0.1% in June 2024.
