Can two be twice as nice?

'HOW is the oasis of calm?" read the ironic text message on my mobile phone as I settled into our lodge with my friend Diane, my son Jack and her son Michael. We'd decided to spend five days entertaining our two-year-olds at Oasis, not knowing if a double dose of the terrible twos would be twice as nice - or double trouble!

Oasis, near Penrith, is a recent Center Parcs acquisition and, while the company has long been synonymous with fun for older children, we weren't sure how two toddlers would enjoy life in a lakeside lodge.

Taking a flick through the brochure before we left, we found very few organised activities are suitable for under threes, but we needn't have worried. Our boys loved everything about their new life at 77 Lakeside Lodges - from the spacious interior to the family of ducks on the lake, visible from our living room.

Set in 400 acres of pine forest, Oasis really is a tranquil haven. The children thought they were in Teletubbyland when rabbits hopped up to our patio doors, and red squirrels came calling. There was also talk of badgers and foxes but two excited toddlers may have put them off visiting.

Arriving at Oasis was the hardest part of the trip, though the drive-through check-in was very efficient and car parks and lodges were well signed. On arrival days guests aren't allowed vehicle access to lodges until 3.30pm. Our 1pm arrival meant parking up, feeding the children, then returning to the car to go to the lodge, unpacking and returning the car to the car park. With little boys after some action, settling in was like a cross between Challenge Anneka and It's A Knockout!

From then on, our holiday was underway. Our two-bedroomed lodge was superbly equipped with a dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, television, microwave, fridge and a whirlpool bath.

With an open plan kitchen, dining and living area, and two bathrooms there was plenty of space for us to relax while the boys fought over everything from the remote control to the coffee table. Bed linen is provided but there's an extra charge for towels and lodges are cleaned every day.

As we started to explore we realised just how much is available for little ones. Our first stop was the Butterfly Centre, which, along with the Country Club, is the main part of the resort.

The Butterfly Centre houses the World of Water, Metropolis Entertainment Centre, various restaurants and bars and four shops, including a supermarket and a craft and gift shop. At the Country Club there's The Spa, the health and beauty salon, squash and tennis courts, a fitness and dance studio, a bar and Chinese restaurant.

The soft play areas were a big hit with Jack and Michael, who are already Wacky Warehouse devotees. They happily spent an hour or so leaping around ball pools, shinning up soft ladders and climbing to the top of steps.

But the kids' highlight of each day was our visit to the World of Water. Perfect for all ages, it was packed with fun for Jack and Michael who, despite spending hours on the water slides, always emerged with sheer joy on their faces and whoops of delight. When the wave machine started up, there were more squeals of excitement. Even lounging in spa pools is fun when you're two and trying to escape.

Back on terra firma, the children loved the freedom to walk without prams, reins or parents' hands, whether we were ambling along to the small animals' corner near the Ranger's Hut or visiting the adventure playground. The small roads are mostly vehicle-free apart from Mondays and Fridays, which are the main arrival and departure days. The rest of the time all you'll hear will be the tinkling of a bell as a bike passes by.

We treated ourselves to a civilised tour of Oasis in a carriage pulled by Stella. At £6 each (it's free for under twos) it was worth it to see two excited little faces as Stella trotted off to a rendition of "Horsey, horsey, don't you stop..."

As far as very little ones go, there isn't much more at Oasis, but our boys were happy with their lot and never bored. The tempo hots up at age three when they are eligible for tots tennis, fun putting, golf, a mini beast hunt and a hawk walk.

Older children can enjoy the soccer, tennis, archery, fencing and sailing academies, abseiling, indoor rock climbing along with rollerblading, scuba diving and snorkelling in what must be the ultimate adventure playground.

Oasis isn't a place for dieters. With Chinese, Indian, Italian and American restaurants on site, as well as a bistro and a lakeside inn, it's hard to stay at home and cook. We loved our evening at Rock Legends, the American diner, where the loud music drowned any unruly behaviour from the temperamental twos and no one would have batted an eyelid at a rendition of Bob The Builder.

We also sampled the Pizza To Go and a takeaway from Yang Chinese restaurant and both were so good we tried them again later in the week - just for research. All restaurants have children's menus and children seemed welcome in all restaurants until late.

For sheer indulgence we had a treatment each at the Spa - Diane had a pedicure while I wallowed in a facial. Although more expensive than out-of-London beauty salons, both were a treat and a break from the children.

This was our first trip to any of the Center Parcs resorts but we're already planning a return visit. Jack's been abroad - and homesick - several times, but when he referred to our lodge as home, I knew Oasis would be seeing - and hearing - us again.

TRAVELFACTS

* Oasis Lakeland Forest Holiday Village, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, CA10 2DW can be reached on 08705 086000 or visit the website at www.oasisholidays.co.uk

Prices start at £176 for a one-bedroomed lakeside apartment mid-week. A two-bedroomed Lakeside Lodge is £547 for a four-night mid-week stay in summer.

* From September, the village will be known as Center Parcs Oasis Whinfell Forest, taking its name from the forest in which it is set.

The kids' highlight of each day was our visit to the World of Water. It was packed with fun for Jack and Michael who, despite spending hours on the water slides, always emerged with sheer joy on their face