Butlins minehead

[Eminybob]

Thinking of going here in September with DS who will be 2. We are planning to go to this one in order to also visit my dad who lives in the area at the same time.

Anyway, has anyone been? Would you recommend it? Will there be enough to keep us entertained for 4 days?

And also, we were planning to self cater rather than get a meal plan. Are there restaurants we can use if not on the meal plans? Ie can we pay as we go?

Any other comments or tips? Thanks (butlins virgins here!)

[AddictedtoGreys]

We went here in 2014 with a 1 year old and 6 year old and they both loved it. There are a few take always and sit in restaurants on site, and pubs. There is entertainment every night and a fairground that is all included in your booking price, also a swimming pool with slides, etc. You get a weekly planner when you arrive telling you all of the activities going on every day that are also included in your booking price. There is a shop on site and a supermarket close by, also you are right on the beach. We really enjoyed it and found it was great for the kids to keep them entertained.

[Eminybob]

That's very encouraging, thank you.
What type of accommodation did you stay in? We were thinking of just getting a standard 2 bed apartment, but would it be worth upgrading to a chalet or similar?

[makingmiracles]

Only been once for the day to the actual butlins site...so limited expertise...seems to be a reasonable amount there, the pool is very good, wave machine, flames etc they have an outdoor pool/wet play area too but was too cold for that when I went, is a bit weird also as you have to walk through pool reception in your costume to access the outdoor bit!
There fairground bit is a good size and younger kids will enjoy the shows they do at intervals during the day.
If you get bored onsite the arcades on the seafront are a 5 minute walk away and there are plenty of machines for the little ones to be able to use/ride on.
The seafront is literally in front of the site so you can be on the beach in a few minutes.
After the arcades is the end of the west Somerset railway so if you wander down there you'll see steam trains etc and could always catch the train to a neighbouring town/village to look around-blue anchor and watchet are nice and there's a nice pub in blue anchor which sells really good fish and chips.
In mine head Main Street, round the corner from the station there is a pub called the hairy dog which also has a soft play area.
Hth

[Runwayqueen]

We went last September. Dd (5) loved it, plenty for her to do and see. I'm not in a hurry to go back, although we definitely would go back at some point. The staff were lovely, accommodation was ok (gold apartment), restaurants were good, entertainment was superb. There was nothing negative to say, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

[FishWithABicycle]

It's absolute heaven for younger kids but can be a bit dull for adults. Yes there are plenty of options to buy food - we had breakfast in the apartment, made a packed lunch to take with us if we didn't want to return at lunch time, and usually had supper at a restaurant - but the restaurants you can "pay as you go" at are not the same places that the non-self-catered guests go to.

We had a silver apartment and it was compact but comfy enough.

[Eminybob]

Thank you everyone.
Sounds like it's going to be perfect for us. I just hope we get good weather. We obviously want to avoid school holidays, hence going in September, fingers crossed for an Indian summer.

[KP86]

Question for those who have been to Butlins Bognor Regis before - what was your experience, food-wise?

How did you find the food court dining plan? Did you upgrade the dining plan from standard to premium once you arrived? Was it more expensive or cheaper compared to if you had done it beforehand? I've seen some blogs where people were offered upgrades after complaining about the standard food for as little as 2GBP per day, whereas to do it beforehand seems to be about 8GBP per day?

What kind of lunch options are there? I see they have some fast food on site, but I'm trying really hard with my diet at the moment and am looking for healthier food if possible!

Thanks!