You can go child-free at Center Parcs – we escaped ours for a few hours at the spa

You can swap wellies for wellness at Center Parcs – Marc Shoffman tried out the family resort’s kid-free offering for a well-earned break

You can break up the busy Center Parcs schedule of bike rides and swimming in its on-site spa – is it worth it? (Marc Shoffman)

A drop of water falls gently from a leaf as the sun melts away the residue of the rainfall from just a few minutes ago, but then the snow begins. This isn’t just a typical day of British weather – I’m relaxed throughout while sitting back in a multi-sensory spa in Center Parcs.

Center Parcs is, for many, all about muddy cycling tracks and active breaks rather than a spa escape. A typical trip is focused on family fun: bike rides to discover the nearby nature, as well as playgrounds and swimming, or more adventurous roller skating and high ropes, to fill your day.

But tucked away beyond the hustle and bustle of badminton courts and climbing walls, my wife and I managed to escape our children for a few hours and head to the Aqua Sana Forest Spa at Center Parcs during a family trip to its Woburn Forest site.

Center Parcs is filled with activities – but there can be more to a stay (Marc Shoffman)

Fortunately for us, and others looking for a peaceful and quiet escape from the busy Center Parcs schedule, the spa is only for over-18s (although 14-17 year olds can come with an adult).

The brand has been revamping its spas in recent years to provide a more luxurious and relaxing experience across all its locations, and the Woburn venue in Bedfordshire was the first of its kind when the site opened in 2014.

Stepping into the spa was like a different world to the rest of the complex – I could swap my coat and wellies for a relaxing robe, trunks and slippers as my wife and I embarked on our own kid-free adventure across 25-nature inspired saunas over two floors. Luckily there is a map to keep track.

The Aqua Sana Forest Spa has its own zen garden to relax among the nature (Center Parcs)

We started in its multi-sensory area, which includes an immersive spa that plays sounds from the forests and is surrounded by video images of the outdoors that change regularly to show the seasons.

Read more: The best spa towns in the UK

We also sat in the mineral spa that felt like a tropical forest and inhaled the minerals and lemongrass in the air, and then kicked back in a salt-themed room. Beyond the various saunas, we also dipped our feet into the reflexology footbaths, where several guests were sitting in a rather awkward semi-circle.

As we navigated each room and relaxed in the outdoor (thankfully heated) infinity pool, it was easy to forget that we were in a Center Parcs resort.

The infinity pool in the Center Parcs spa is a welcome break from the busy main swimming pool (Center Parcs)

We had a three-hour pass and it felt a bit exhausting trying to fit in each sauna room over that time so it is worth checking the map and visiting areas that interest you most.

Treatments and discovery sessions, such as sleep therapy, are also available. We had a skincare consultancy where we tried various Elemis creams in an attempt to give my skin the glowing look I never knew it needed.

With my face washed and body and mind cleansed, we emerged back into the forest clean and refreshed – ready for whatever the real British weather had for us.

Read more: How to save hundreds of pounds on a Center Parcs holiday

How to do it

A three-hour session for Center Parcs guests cost £75 per couple and can either be booked online before you arrive or when at the resort. you don’t have to be staying at Center Parcs to visit.

A Center Parcs spa day costs from £69 per person for a four hour twilight experience, £109 for a pass from 9am to 4.30pm, or £129 per person for a full day including lunch in the Vitalé Café Bar.

A three-day stay at Center Parcs Woburn Forest starts from £699 based on a family of four staying in a Woodland Lodge from 25 April. Prices vary and can be more expensive in peak periods such as school holidays.

Read more: The best spa hotels in the UK