This weekend marks the first birthday of Center Parcs' fifth Village, Woburn Forest. Since opening to guests on June 6th 2014, Center Parcs has welcomed more than 250,000 people to the Bedfordshire site.

In the last year, Center Parcs Woburn Forest has also reported seeing two rare bat species (Nathusius' Pipistrelle and Barbastelle), two red listed bird species (Cuckoo and Marsh Tit) plus the amphibian population have been seen in healthy numbers - proof that wildlife in the area is continuing to flourish.

Some facts from over the last 12 months at Center Parcs Woburn Forest include:

• More than 250,000 guests have stayed at the Village – the equivalent of filling 2.4 Wembley Stadiums on match day
• The 150 metre long zip wire has seen 25,000 people whizz across the lake in the past year –meaning that Woburn Forest guests have zipped the equivalent distance of Woburn Forest to Chicago
• The Tornado water ride has been a firm favourite with guests, with more than 250,000 rafts of guests hurtling down its 45 degree drop
• Aqua Sana Spa staff have given more than 10,000 hours of massages
• Huck's American Bar & Grill has served 17,136 burgers – if they were stacked they would stand taller than The Shard
• The Pancake House has cooked 11 tonnes of pancake batter – that's the same weight as two African elephants

More can be seen in this infographic - http://blog.centerparcs.co.uk/infographic-woburn-forest-one-year-on/#sthash.Wo9Q62UM.dpbs.

Martin Dalby, CEO of Center Parcs said:

''It's amazing to think that a year ago we were opening the doors to guests for the first time and what a year it has been! The forest is thriving and guest feedback has been fantastic and it's all been down to the Woburn Forest team's hard work and commitment. I'm proud of what Woburn Forest has achieved over the last 12 months and look forward to seeing the Village continue to give families great short breaks in the forest for many years to come.''

Woburn Forest is Center Parcs' closest Village to London, just four miles from the M1 junction 13 and only 50 minutes by rail from St Pancras, London. It is home to Center Parcs' award-winning Aqua Sana Spa, 625 lodges, a 75 bedroom hotel, a host of restaurants and shops plus over 100 leisure activities with more being added this year including Tree Climbing as well as Den Building and Decorating.

 Summer breaks at Woburn Forest currently start from £399.

For more information or to make a booking, call 08448 266 266 or visit: www.centerparcs.co.uk/woburn

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Notes:

Center Parcs has five Villages across the UK; Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire, Whinfell Forest in Cumbria and Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire which opened to guests on 6 June 2014 As the leader in the UK short break holiday market, Center Parcs regularly achieves average annual occupancy in excess of 97% Center Parcs offers weekend, (Friday to Monday) or midweek (Monday to Friday) breaks and welcomes over 2 million guests each year, with 96% of guests expressing an intention to return The Center Parcs concept is to provide a range of high quality accommodation, shops, restaurants and exceptional leisure facilities, carefully nestled amongst 400 acres of protected forest environment This concept originated in Holland in 1967, with the first UK Center Parcs opening in 1987. Center Parcs is now a separate entity in the UK Center Parcs has been awarded the following accolades since 2008: the Green Business Award for Biodiversity Protection, Visit Britain 5 Star Rating, Hospitality Assured, Biodiversity Benchmark - Land Management, Carbon Trust Standard, Good Spa Guide Award, ISO14001, Investors in People Center Parcs has recently been announced 'Best Family Holiday Provider' in the Tommy's Awards for the eleventh year in a row.