And on questioning my parents about what they remember of the domed wonderland I was surprised to find out we visited only twice for midweek breaks in the dead of winter.

So now years later and a good deal older, with peaked expectations, my family and I set off to test the waters and see what Sherwood Forest Center Parcs had to offer.

On arrival at our posh new style executive lodge I found the accommodation had definitely had a face lift. The nuclear bunker type cabins proved to be just perfect for six fully grown adults out to recapture their youth.

Starting as we meant to go on we headed straight to the pool which was a bit like stepping back in time. As Tarzan's familiar holler echoed through the plastic bubble we recognised the signal and headed straight for the wave machine in the main pool.

On Saturday entertainment took a more laid back approach and after a second swim we headed off to try something new at the Aqua Sana.

A more recent addition to the Center Parcs package the Aqua Sana (£45 a head) is a series of different saunas and steam rooms as well as foot spas, various types of shower.

My parents did not seem to know what to make to the sauna and seemed to have slight issues with both their own volume control and the thought of sitting still.

Regularly exclaiming "core it is hot in here" the whole thing was like National Lampoon's do Center Parcs.

Sunday dawned with the swans parading around our private patio pecking at the windows asking to be fed. Meanwhile, mum, dad and I skipped breakfast and headed out for a spot of T'ai Chi (£9 a head).

Over in the sporting arena we were greeted by our instructor Ken and much to my own horror-nobody else. It seems while the rest of the normal holiday goers were cooking up their breakfasts I had opted instead for some sort of private humiliation.

As my father did the 'tiger walk' across the empty gym complete with 'eyes like the owl' I could do nothing but stifle my own laughter.

Later that day the women and men divided with the girls (me, mum and my brother's girlfriend Lou) returning to the Aqva Sauna for a pampering while my father, brother Ollie, and boyfriend Dave, headed off to try out racing around a field on a high speed hovercraft (£55 a head).

So did Center Parcs live up to our expectations? Hell yes!

This is a break suitable for families, whatever their stage of life, and proved to be ideal for bringing out the big kid in everyone.
A weekend break of this kind could set you back anything from £250 to £600 depending on the type of accommodation you go for and how many children you take.

Cheaper last minute options are also available online and are something I will definitely be looking into.

For more information click here.