Families could save up to £850 by booking Center Parcs abroad, Which? research finds

Families could save up to £850 if they book a Center Parcs holiday abroad instead of the UK, according to research by consumer group Which?. Holidaymakers could more than halve their accommodation costs by choosing a site on the continent.

The consumer group found that the average prices paid in UK Center Parcs were far higher than prices paid in Europe, meaning families could save hundreds if they switched to a destination in Europe. Which? compared the cost of a four night stay for a family of four at 32 Center Parcs sites across England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany during five separate weeks of the school holidays - in May, July, August and October.

Across the dates Which? checked, the average price paid in the UK is £1,435, yet the average cost in Germany and the Netherlands is a fraction of that, at an average of £857 and £886 respectively. Substantial savings could also be made in France and Belgium, where on average a stay costs £1098 and £1121 respectively.

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The biggest price differences could be found for bookings in the late May and October half terms - which may be due to differences between the school calendars here and in Europe. The most significant savings for May half term were found in France, where a family could save £852 on average compared with booking in the UK - even factoring in travel costs. At £1449 on average, a UK stay costs a staggering 143 per cent more than the average cost of a comparable break in France (£597).

Over the same week, families could also save an average of £788 in Germany, £742 in the Netherlands and £672 in Belgium, compared to staying in the UK. If you’re