Forest magic

Driving from the beauties of the Lake District into the man-made pine forest which surrounds Oasis, we wondered if this trip was a good idea.

Holiday camp virgins with a severe allergy to group activities, we reminded ourselves we were here mainly for the enjoyment of our small child.

Checking in was smooth, if alarmingly space age: you drive into a glass-fronted room to receive your maps and keys, and the glass doors on the other side part to let you through. The possibilities for lastminute escape seemed slim.

HOME COMFORTS

Our misgivings disappeared once we had unloaded the car, hired our bikes (with trailer for one very excited toddler) and huffed and puffed our way back along the cycle lanes to our executive lodge.

Spacious, clean and well kitted out with fridge, washer/dryer, microwave and whirlpool bath, our two-storey house would happily sleep six. The optional box of groceries (tea, coffee, marmalade, etc) set us up nicely, although the better organised family could save cash by bringing their own. A small deck to the rear overlooked the countryside, the barbecue at its base offering the chance of al fresco home cooking.

It was time to explore. Cycle lanes criss cross the site, giving an illusion of far more space than actually exist. The cycle-phobic among you need not fear, as the camp is easily walked. The kids, however, loved the freedom such a contained car-free environment provides, working up appetites and letting off steam in a way young urbanites can usually only dream of.

POOLING RESOURCES

In the centre is a huge, glass-domed swimming pool with flumes, waves and rapids. Smaller children have their own set of mini pools, with slides, tunnels and water jets. Such extreme sport soon tempted our own water-baby, Jay, into hurtling headfirst down tubes into plunge pools. Outdoors, he was equally happy playing on a big wooden climbing frame. (Our timing was good: outside of school holidays, pre-schoolers can monopolise equipment that might otherwise involve too much rough-and tumble.)

Adult-oriented activities were easily adapted to include Jay. For the crazy golf, he was offered his own mini-sized club and passed a few hours wreaking havoc.

Eager to make the most of the forest, we joined a 45-minute Hawk Walk which combined enough information to keep the adults happy with plenty of eye-popping low-level speciality flying by a large and magnificent bird. The Ranger's Lodge organises a number of trails and activities to suit budding David Attenboroughs; bug hunting and pond-dipping were popular.

WHAT'S COOKING?

By dinner, we were near collapse, unused to so much fresh air and activity in one day. There are several restaurants, though (particularly on Friday and Saturday nights) it's wise to book. The Hard Rock Cafe was popular, serving vast quantities of burgers, steaks and ribs. Our steaks failed to make an impression on our tastebuds or tums.

The children's meals are probably superfluous for under-eights, with enough to share from over-stuffed parents' plates. With cocktails - and a wait for a banana split which didn't show - the bill wasn't far short of £100, too much for such a meal. Sporadic outbursts by the waiters of renditions of YMCA didn't help.

We were up early to cycle to the stables and had booked Jay into a Try A Pony hour, which lets kids from two to seven do just that. After being sized up for hat and horse, Jay solemnly took the lead for a 20-minute walk before trying basic grooming. Staff - and beasts - were very patient, giving our son a thrilling experience.

Making time for yourself on holiday can be a challenge-Oasis is well set-up to give adults the freedom to play anything from tennis to table football. Children's clubs cater for five to 11-year-olds, organising activities they can attend by themselves and an efficient babysitting service (£5/hour).

The spa offers a little corner of heaven. Just £10 gives you two hours to enjoy the sauna and steam rooms, the various pools - from the plunge and the hydrotherapy to the steamy heated outdoor version.

The only duff note was the food, which ranged from a good but over-priced Indian (main courses hitting £10 before you added in side dishes) and a disgusting (though cheap) meal at the Lakeside Inn. The supermarket was well stocked with local farm produce; self-catering would have been cheaper and more satisfying.

We re-entered normal life feeling energised, relaxed and with a slightly different take than the one on which we arrived. It may not be everyone's cup of tea - but it does get a family out into the country - even if it is man-made.

? Fiona stayed at the Oasis Lakeland Forest Village (www.oasishols.co.uk)