When is a city not a city? Well-being led ways to see the woods for the trees

Theoretically, would you live in Centre Parcs?

An important question and the subject of much debate on my family break last week. Practical realities like cashflow aside, we all agreed that yes we would choose to live this way, because it feels good. It teaches us about the joys of sustainable living. Here’s how;

Well-being is designed in. With thousands of families living in close quarters, it’s a city, which feels nothing like a city. The sense of space, quiet and wellbeing created by car free neighbourhoods, clever architectural tricks and the magnificent woodland setting make this feel like somewhere you would actually want to live.

We connect and thrive. The kids get excited by nature, spotting deer and wildlife as it peeks through the trees. Swimming, walking and cycling rule all day, every day. We collapse into bed happily exhausted after all that exercise and fresh air.

We understand what matters. A Dad remarked that whilst the lodge is smaller than home, there’s a sense of space without all that ‘stuff’. We realised that we have everything we need.

Living in nature. Sustainable healthy activity. Less stuff, more meaning. Perhaps inspiration to bring home?