Morning Routine & Leaving the Lodge
🌅 Getting Ready for the Day
Our second morning at Centre Parcs Longford Forest began with a familiar challenge — leaving without Emily’s comfort blanket. We had planned ahead and tucked it into the bag, but she really wanted to hold it herself. It took a bit of reassurance (and gentle persistence), but once we got out the door she settled quickly.
🧩 Using Visual Supports to Ease Transitions
The short walk to the Village Centre wasn’t easy either; she was still anxious and unsure what to expect. To help, I used one of our on-the-go visual schedules that showed: shop → sweets → lunch → shop → house. Seeing her day in pictures helped her feel calm and in control again. She repeated the steps out loud before we left — a small but powerful moment of progress.
🍬 Sweet Treats & Lunch at the Sports Café
A Quick Stop for Sweets
After a tricky start to the morning, we decided to make our first stop at one of the little shops near the Village Centre to pick up some sweets. It was a small thing, but it helped set a positive tone for the day. Sometimes, that tiny bit of familiarity — a treat, a routine, or a reward — can make all the difference when travelling with a child who thrives on predictability.
Emily was much happier once she had her sweets in hand, and we made our way to the Sports Café for lunch.
🍽️ Lunch at the Sports Café
We arrived a little before lunchtime officially began, but the staff couldn’t have been nicer. The team made us feel so welcome, and the relaxed atmosphere really helped Emily settle. She had her headphones and tablet, and the Wi-Fi worked perfectly — a big plus for families who rely on devices to help their child stay calm and engaged during meals.
Emily ordered a burger and chips, but only ate the chips — I think the burger’s smoky flavour was a bit too strong for her. I went for the cottage pie, and Colm had the burger and chips too. Everything was served quickly, piping hot, and just what we needed after a busy morning.
🌲Forest Trail Fun & a Quiet Afternoon Back at the Lodge
🎒 Picking Up the Forest Trail Pack
After lunch, we stopped by one of the shops to pick up the Forest Trail Pack, which cost €10. It’s a lovely idea for families who enjoy exploring — it includes clues and activities that guide you through the forest paths at Centre Parcs Longford Forest.
For us, it was more about having something fun to look through rather than completing the entire trail. The route goes quite far across the forest, and we knew it would be too much walking for Emily. Still, it’s a nice souvenir to have, and one pack is plenty for a family — there’s really no need to buy one per child unless you think there might be arguments over sharing!
🏡 Back at the Lodge: Relax & Reset
After picking up the trail pack, we headed back to the lodge for some downtime. The night before, Emily had found it hard to settle in the twin room, so we decided to swap things around — moving her into the double room at the back of the lodge worked perfectly. It’s quieter and darker, which made it a much calmer space for her.
I took a quick shower before heading out for my massage, while Emily relaxed with her tablet. Having that short break between activities helped everyone recharge before the evening ahead.
💆♀️ Relaxing at Aqua Sana Spa
🪷 A Peaceful Escape at Aqua Sana
After a calm afternoon back at the lodge, it was time for a little self-care. I had booked a massage at Aqua Sana Spa, located inside Centre Parcs Longford Forest. If you’re planning a visit, definitely bring your wristband, as it’s needed for locker access. I completely forgot mine but, thankfully, the staff were so understanding and helpful.
Even arriving a little early wasn’t an issue. I simply carried my bag with me to the treatment area, which was easy enough to do. The layout of Aqua Sana can be slightly confusing at first — you follow a corridor of doors to reach the treatment rooms — but every staff member I met was friendly, kind, and happy to point me in the right direction.
🌸 The Massage Experience
The massage itself was absolutely wonderful. My therapist was so lovely — calm, professional, and the perfect balance of gentle and firm pressure. I left feeling completely relaxed and refreshed, and I honestly think I’ll need to start booking massages more often once we’re home.
It was such a treat to take a little time for myself after a busy morning, and it really helped me reset for the rest of the trip.
🍽️ A Cosy Evening Back at the Lodge & Family Dinner
🌙 Returning to the Lodge
After my relaxing massage at Aqua Sana, I headed back to our lodge feeling refreshed and ready for the evening. When I walked in, the atmosphere was calm and cosy — Emily was happily watching her tablet and munching on some crisps while Colm was busy in the kitchen getting dinner ready.
It’s one of the things I love most about staying at Centre Parcs Longford Forest — having the flexibility to come back, unwind, and eat in the comfort of your own space. It’s ideal for families, especially when travelling with a child who needs downtime and familiar surroundings after a busy day.
🍲 Dinner Time at the Lodge
Colm had dinner ready not long after I got back, and we all sat down together to eat before heading out again later. Sometimes, the simplest moments — a warm meal, a quiet chat, and a break from the outside noise — end up being the most memorable parts of a trip.
If you’re visiting Centre Parcs Ireland, I’d definitely recommend planning at least one or two relaxed dinners in your lodge. It’s a nice way to balance all the excitement of the day with something slower and homier in the evenings.
🏊♀️ Evening Swim at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise
💦 Arriving at the Pool
After dinner, we got ready for our evening swim at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise — one of the main highlights at Centre Parcs Longford Forest. At first, everything went smoothly. Emily was doing great as we made our way through the changing rooms, but once we reached the pool area, things became overwhelming for her.
The noise, echoes, and splashing were a lot to take in. She became upset and didn’t want to go any further. Knowing how much she loves ice pops, I gently encouraged her with a little bribe — a quick walk to the pool bar, which is located at the very back of the pool area (either direction will bring you there).
Once she had her ice pop and a seat, she began to calm down. In hindsight, I wish I had brought her ear defenders, which would have helped reduce the noise.
🍦 Finding Our Rhythm
We moved one row of seats closer to the pool at a time, letting her adjust slowly. Colm grabbed another ice pop to buy us a bit more time, and by the time we reached the front row, she was smiling again.
For reference, the pool bar closes at 7:30 p.m., even though the pool itself remains open until 9:00 p.m. (times can vary seasonally). It’s a good idea to check opening hours in advance if you’re planning an evening swim.
While Emily relaxed, I had a wander around to get a feel for the layout — the kiddie pools are to the right-hand side as you enter from the changing rooms, while the outdoor pool and whirlpools are on the left-hand side.
Swim Socks & Staff Support
We picked up a pair of swim socks for Emily in the pool shop, but honestly, they were quite hard to get on and not really worth the struggle. We’ll try her croc-style pool shoes next time instead.
Later, I spoke with one of the staff members about the children’s pool closing times and whether ear defenders were allowed in the pool. They confirmed that they are absolutely allowed, which was a huge relief for us — that reassurance made planning the next day much easier.
💙 Settling In & Having Fun
After some patience and gentle encouragement, Emily decided to get into the water. She ended up having great fun running up and down the shallow end. When I went into the deeper section, she got Colm to lift her over so she could join me — then she’d walk back to the shallow end again, repeating it over and over with a big grin on her face.
Despite the rocky start, we ended up staying about an hour and leaving with smiles all around.
🌙 Sweet Treats, Wind-Down & a Peaceful Bedtime
🍭 One Last Treat Before Bed
After drying off from the pool, we noticed that Treats, the little sweet shop near the exit, was still open — even though it was already 8 p.m. Naturally, we couldn’t resist stopping for a few goodies on the way back to the lodge.
It was the perfect way to end the evening. After such a big day of emotions and new experiences, a small routine like choosing sweets can feel grounding for a child with autism. It brings predictability and comfort back to the day — and, of course, who doesn’t love a little sugar boost after swimming?
🏡 Back at the Lodge & Bedtime Routine
Once we got back to our lodge at Centre Parcs Longford Forest, the lights were low, the heating cosy, and everyone was ready to unwind. Emily went straight into her pyjamas, had a little screen time to relax, and was tucked into bed by 10:30 p.m.
By 11 p.m., she was fast asleep — and we finally had that peaceful moment every parent looks forward to on holiday. After a long but rewarding day filled with challenges, laughter, and small wins, it felt good to sit back and enjoy the calm of the forest evening.
Thanks for following our Centre Parcs journey — Day 3 is coming soon, featuring birthday surprises, sensory-friendly fun, and more family memories from Longford Forest! If you would like to ask any questions or have any tips yourself pop them in the comments or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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