Near Thetford, in the Suffolk brecklands

Leading holiday village with serious environmental designs

 

DESCRIPTION                                                                                                             

Elveden Forest opened in August 1989 with the same winning formula - exceptional leisure facilities set in a stunning forest environment - as Center Parcs’ three other UK holiday villages.

It is situated on a 400 acre site in the Suffolk brecklands, a wildlife haven and home to many rare and endangered species of plants and insects found nowhere else in the country.

Following a major fire the village re-opened with brand new facilities in 2003 including 10 exclusive four bedroom two-storey luxury villas set in private grounds with steam room, sauna and outdoor hot tub. Altogether there are 744 well equipped one to four bedroom villas and 88 one bedroom apartments in the Lakeview Hotel.

The Village Square features a Mediterranean landscape with a cascading stream dividing the Piazza on one side from the extended Sports Plaza on the other.

There are 11 restaurants and bars and six shops mainly located in a covered Piazza which is linked to a Balinese themed Subtropical Swimming Paradise - with indoor and outdoor interconnecting rivers and pools, canyon ride, flumes, rapids, wave machine and lagoons - plus Sports Plaza.

A separate Country Club also has restaurant, bar and sports facilities, with a nine-hole, par 3 golf course close by. In addition, it has an outstanding Aqua Sana built in a Balinese theme, a Time Out Club for children and teenagers and crèche for babies.

GREEN CREDENTIALS                                                                                                

The Center Parcs concept – short breaks close to nature - was born out of the whole new environmental movement that began in Holland in the late 1960s. The company has since been hailed as a flagship for its environmental philosophy, policy and practice. As a result it has won numerous awards and accolades. In 1999 it became the first in the leisure industry to achieve ISO 14001 accreditation. This is among the world’s most respected environmental standards and helps organisations protect the environment, prevent pollution and improve their performance.

The forest wildlife and its environment are central to the guest’s experience, and so less than 10% of any site is covered with roads and buildings. The fallow, muntjac and roe deer at Elveden are ensured safe haven and can be seen around the Village at quiet times.
Like the other villages it has a biodiversity action plan aimed at protecting and, where practical, enhancing the forest and wildlife. New habitats there have helped increase the diversity of both flora and fauna. All this is independently audited.

There is a village Energy Group aiming to improve efficiency, reduce consumption, invest in efficient technology and, where feasible, sustainable forms of energy generation, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.

New villas are constructed from sustainable timber. There is a ban on cars, encouraging guests to walk and cycle around the extensive network of paths and trails.