Turning over a new leaf at Sherwood
Following a multi-million-pound refurbishment of The Venue at Woburn Forest, Center Parcs has now swung open the doors of The Venue at Sherwood Forest to reveal an even more ambitious transformation. Corporate Events Sales and Commercial Manager Julia Green shares her thoughts on what this £7 million investment means for conferences and events in the forest.
We’re beyond excited to have both of our conference venues back open for business together for the first time since COVID. With our two central locations - one in the Midlands, and one closer to London – we’ve made it easy for organisers across the UK to book Center Parcs for their events.
And of course, when they get here, they’ve got everything they need all in one place: a variety of accommodation types, premium events spaces, team building activities, restaurants, Aqua Sana Spa, retail outlets. It’s the whole package, all in the heart of the forest.
The transformation of The Venue at Sherwood Forest is a key part of our strategy. We’ve reimagined our event space to create an experience that’s really rooted in Center Parcs, immersing delegates in the natural world and bringing our forest surroundings to the forefront. The 300sqm extension and new layout includes a brand-new atrium-style reception and breakout area overlooking the lake, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering beautiful views over the water, plus four new events spaces which are ideally suited for smaller meetings or breakout sessions, new unisex toilets, kitchen, cloakrooms and storage.
From the raindrop lighting to the living wall, the interior design style is inspired by nature, using natural materials, textures, shapes and colours to bring the outdoors in. Delegates can relax outside on the two new terraces, spotting wildlife, watching thrill-seekers whiz down the zipwire and enjoying panoramic views of the forest.
We’ve made huge investments into state-of-the-art AV, lighting, and super-fast Wi-Fi. Each room is individually controlled, with customisable coloured lighting and digital signage opportunities allowing event organisers to use the space as a blank canvas and create a truly bespoke and branded feel for their events. We’ve also created a dedicated conferences and events car park with over 100 EV charging spaces, making the experience as easy and enjoyable as possible for both organisers and delegates.
Sherwood Forest retains the ECOsmart GOLD sustainability accreditation, which we were awarded following a rigorous audit by Greengage Solutions in July 2023. The refurbishment includes features such as water refilling stations and motion-activated lighting, which we believe will take both Venues closer to Platinum level.
Looking ahead, we’re focusing on creating a real ‘Center Parcs’ experience in our conferences and events offer, such as wellbeing with our Aqua Sana Team, which will include exclusive hire of our award-winning spa for corporate Twilight Spa sessions, and we’re working with our Leisure teams to introduce exciting team building activities. We’re planning how we can use the treelined area beside The Venue at Sherwood for festival style outside dining, or even silent discos and cinema evenings.
Center Parcs is such a beloved brand, and it’s widely known that being in nature works wonders for your wellbeing. Why wouldn’t we play to our strengths?