If you’re heading off on a Center Parcs break soon, you might be wondering how the lockers at work at the swimming pool, also known as the Subtropical swimming paradise.
If you’re anything like me, you might well like knowing every small detail before you head off on holiday. I like planning, and I find I am much less anxious when I know how things work.
Plus, sometimes the details are important. It’s frustrating turning up to a swimming pool and realising you don’t have a £1 coin for the lockers, especially as people are far less likely to carry cash these days.
In this post, we take a deep dive into the swimming lockers at Centre Parcs, how they work, and what to do when you can’t find your locker or lose your wristband.
How Do the Lockers Work at Center Parcs?
At Center Parcs, the swimming pool lockers are operated using the waterproof wristbands you’re given on arrival.
These wristbands also act as the key for your accommodation throughout your stay – they are linked to your booking but are reusable, so won’t have your specific accomdation number on them.
When you enter the changing area at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, you simply choose any available locker, tap your wristband against the locker sensor, and the locker will lock.
Sometimes we found this did take a couple of tries.
To reopen it, you tap the same wristband against the locker again, and it will open.
It’s a great system and means you don’t need to carry coins, keys or remember a PIN code while enjoying your time at the pool.
Do You Need a £1 Coin for the Lockers at Center Parcs?
No, the Swimming lockers at Centre Parcs are operated digitally, so there is no need to take £1 coins for the lockers.
Are the Swimming Pool Lockers Free at Center Parcs?
Yes, the swimming lockers at Centre Parcs are completely free to use and are linked to your wristband.
How Big Are the Swimming Lockers at Center Parcs?
The Subtropical Swimming Paradise has a couple of different locker sizes, however, the majority are designed to hold one or two people’s things.
As a family of four, we found we needed two lockers to accommodate all of our belongings. This usually consisted of a backpack, two towels, two pairs of shoes, a smaller bag (eg. handbag) and each person’s clothing.
We usually hang our coats in the cloakroom area outside the pool to help save space, especially as we tend to visit in the colder months.
Can You Fit a Buggy or Pram in a Center Parcs Locker?
No, the lockers at Center Parcs are not really big enough for a buggy or a pram.
These can be left in the cloak room-style area at the front of the swimming pool. This area can get very busy with buggies and prams at peak times so it’s polite to fold your buggy down if you can.
While I haven’t heard of any buggys or prams going missing, I would advise removing any valuables and storing them in your locker.
Are There Family Changing Rooms Near the Lockers?
Yes, there are family changing rooms near the lockers. However, these can get very busy at peak times.
We often found ourselves splitting into two lots of one adult and one child and using the smaller changing rooms (Longleat are currently updating their changing area and hopefully increasing the number of family changing rooms available)
Are There Enough Lockers During Busy Times?
Yes, there was never a period when we were unable to find a locker to use, even during peak times.
Center Parcs typically runs at almost full capacity throughout the year so it’s likely to be busy whenever you visit. Sometimes it can be tricky to find Lockers together if you need a few or lockers directly outside your changing room.
Are the Lockers Easy To Use With Children?
Yes, the Center Parcs swimming lockers are easy to use with children. Using the wristband you are already wearing is easier than having to scrabble about to find change.
Older children and teens shouldn’t have any difficulty operating the lockers themselves once they’ve been shown what to do.
Can Day Guests Use the Swimming Pool Lockers at Center Parcs?
Yes, day guests can use the swimming lockers at Centre Parcs.
Day guests are usually given a wristband on arrival.
If this was not the case, or more are needed for children or teens, simply head to guest services, where you can request more wristbands.
How Do Lockers Work in the Center Parcs Spa?
The lockers in the Centre Parcs Spa (Aqua Sana) work in the same way.
Use your wristband to operate – no need to bring £1 coins.
What Happens If You Lose Your Wristband at Center Parcs?
If you lose your wristband during your stay at Centre Parcs, simply head to guest services, and they will be able to replace it for you and link it up to your accommodation.
Guest services are usually located in the Plaza or main village area.
If you lose your wristband while swimming, speak with a member of staff who should be able to help if you’re able to tell them your locker number.
While I don’t know for certain, I assume staff have access to an override system that would allow them to open the locker for you.
What Happens If You Forget Your Locker Number at Center Parcs?
If you forget your locker number while swimming at Center Parcs, there is no need to panic.
There are a few digital screens located around the changing rooms – simply tap one of these with your wristband, and your locker number will appear on the screen.
If you plan on taking your phone into the pool, you could always snap a picture of your locker number before heading in.
What happens if you lose your wristband and forget your locker number?
Well, I’m going to be totally honest here and say… I don’t actually know for certain.
The first thing I would do is speak to a member of staff at the pool and see what they can do.
If you know the rough area where your locker was, you might be able to narrow it down, especially if there aren’t many other lockers in use nearby.
I imagine they may ask you to come back closer to closing time when fewer lockers are occupied, which would probably make it easier to identify the right one.
In the meantime, you’d need to head to Guest Services to arrange another wristband for your accommodation – hopefully someone in your party could lend you a towel or a t-shirt!
There’s also a chance that if somebody finds your wristband, they may hand it in to staff, meaning you could potentially get it back and then try the lockers in the area you remember using.
Can You Use More Than One Locker at Center Parcs?
You can only use one locker per wristband, and wristbands are typically only given to adults on arrival.
However, if you are finding the lockers don’t provide enough space, or have older children or teens that want to head to the pool on their own, you can always ask for more wristbands at guest services.
How To Avoid Losing Your Wristband at Center Parcs
The wristbands at Center Parcs are designed to be used by a wide range of people.
Personally, I found them quite big on my wrist and did spend some of the trip worrying about losing it, especially in the pool. At least when out and about, I was able to pop it into my coat pocket or tuck it under the sleeve of my sweater to prevent it from falling off!
- If you have slim wrists, try wearing the wristband on your ankle while swimming. Also works well for children who need their own locker.
- Wear children’s wristbands for them to ensure the bands are safe while swimming – children are much more likely to fiddle with them or take them off.
- Make a note of each other’s locker numbers on your phone before swimming. If one person loses their band, at least the other person has a record of which locker it was for.
I’d also say not to panic too much. Lost wristbands are something the staff deal with fairly regularly.
Final Thoughts on the Lockers at Center Parcs
Overall, I actually found the locker system at Center Parcs really easy and convenient to use.
Not having to carry around £1 coins, especially when you’re trying to juggle towels, swimming bags and excited children.
Once you’ve used them once, the whole process is pretty straightforward, and it quickly becomes second nature during your stay.
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