First Impressions of Center Parcs Longford Forest
One of the first things we noticed at Center Parcs Longford Forest was how calm and family-friendly everything felt. Check-in was straightforward, the staff were genuinely welcoming, and nothing ever seemed like too much trouble.
Our lodge was well designed for families, with features like a child lock on the patio door, window locks and a safety chain on the front door. As parents of an autistic child, those little touches made us feel much more relaxed.
If we could change one thing, we'd make the front doors feel a little more secure, but overall it was one of the most relaxing family holidays we've had
What We Packed That Was Actually Useful
One thing we'd definitely do differently next time is pack less food. We stopped at Tesco in Mullingar on the way, but the Lidl in Ballymahon and the Parc Market had everything we needed. Next time we'd do a smaller shop before arriving and simply top up during our stay.
The best decision we made was packing two swimsuits per person. Between the pool, drying times and multiple swimming sessions, it made life much easier. We also found that two microfibre towels each were more than enough.
The swimming pool can get quite loud and echoey, so ear defenders were invaluable for our daughter.
For the evenings, we'd recommend bringing a cosy throw or blanket. I also found the duvet covers a little uncomfortable from a sensory point of view, so next time I'd pack a lightweight top sheet.
If your lodge has a Tassimo machine, don't forget to pack coffee pods. We also got great use from our Fire Stick for winding down after busy days and a small folding clothes horse for drying swimwear and towels.
One final item that proved unexpectedly useful was a small bottle of liquid washing detergent. I forgot to pack enough trousers for Emily, so being able to quickly handwash clothes in the lodge was a real lifesaver.
What We Would Definitely Do Again at Center Parcs Longford
Swimming Was the Highlight of Our Trip
If we went back to Center Parcs Longford Forest again, we would probably plan almost everything around the swimming pool.
This was actually Emily's first time ever swimming, so we genuinely had no idea how she would react to it—but she absolutely loved it.
Activities We'd Love to Try Next Time
Next time we'd love to hire one of the family duet bikes, although Emily may even be cycling her adapted trike herself by then. We'd also like to try the electric boats, pottery, and spend even more time exploring the forest by bike.
Emily has an adapted trike at home thanks to Variety – the Children's Charity of Ireland, and we'll be sharing more about that in a future blog.
Wildlife Around Center Parcs Longford Forest
One of my favourite parts of the trip was actually the wildlife and nature around the resort. We managed to get some gorgeous photos of red squirrels and even a fox, so next time I'd love to try spotting deer too.
The Spa, Coffee Shop and Food
While I really enjoyed the spa, I probably wouldn't book it again as I didn't feel it was worth the price for us personally.
Next time we'd spend more time relaxing in the coffee shop, eat at the Sports Café again because it suited Emily's preferences, and maybe even give the family quiz a go—depending on cooperation levels that day!
A Small Suggestion for Center Parcs Longford
One thing I'd love to see improved at Center Parcs Longford Forest is more inclusive play equipment for older children with additional needs.
Emily is physically the size of an adult, so some of the playground equipment was too small, even though it matched her interests and developmental stage. It would be wonderful to see larger swings, more sensory-friendly equipment, and a little more flexibility around age recommendations for certain activities, recognising that autistic children and teenagers all develop differently.
Final Thoughts
We had a fantastic time at Center Parcs Longford Forest and would happily return. Like any autism family holiday, not everything went perfectly, but every trip teaches you more about what works for your child.
Our biggest advice? Don't try to do everything. Some of our favourite memories came from the simplest moments—swimming, relaxing in the lodge, exploring the forest and just enjoying time together.
A little preparation goes a long way, but remember that autistic children grow and change. Activities that don't work this year might become favourites next time.
If you're planning a visit, we hope our experience helps you feel a little more confident.
Looking for more autism-friendly family ideas? Take a look at our other guides, including our Autism Summer Survival Guide, and keep an eye out for our upcoming autism-friendly day trips and adapted trike guides.
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Planning your own Center Parcs Longford Forest holiday? You might also find these guides helpful:
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🚗 Autism-Friendly Day Trips in Ireland (Coming Soon).
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