Please tell me Butlins is better than Haven

[OlderMummy1]

We are staying with friends in Wales and went to a Haven park yesterday just for the day to use the swimming pool. As we walked into the swimming pool we were greeted by the sight of a bloke on his hands and knees, butt crack on display, shouting "I told you you'd fucking drop it" at his 3 year old child

The place was awash with these types of people, shouting profanities at their kids, swigging lager at 11am.

We then had a 6 year wee on the side of the pool, mum just looked on and then left the puddle there, didn't even tell anyone!

Finally we watched a little kiddy show while having something to eat and the whole thing was toilet humour, not just the odd thing which I know the kids like, but really really crass.

Now I am very worried. We are booked to go to Butlins for the Just for Tots break in a few weeks. Will it be 5 days of this??

[KatoPotato]

Missread as 'better than Heaven...' Din;t want to disappoint you!

[WowserBowser]

Haha! No, it's worse. You'll be horrified.

I love both.

[sillystring]

Never been to either but am aware that all "types of people" go to all "types of places". The only comparison I have is Center Parcs which I hated with a passion, it was like being stuck in an episode of The Truman Show for 5 days whilst my bank account was drained for the privilige of eating Burger King at twice the regular prices and looking at someone holding a hawk from about 300 yards away. You might have a great time at Butlins but I wouldn't count on it.

[dancestomyowntune]

i've never come across behaviour like that at haven OR Butlins. Thats disgusting!

[differentnameforthis]

Well I have used haven quite a bit in the past, as have many people I know...

I, nor any of my friends identify with your assessment of 'these types of people' I do not swear at my children, nor do I show off my arse in public.

[MrsWinnibago]

Just throw yourselves into it. You might have a good time.

[HeySoulSister]

Which haven was it?

[WowserBowser]

Mrs

[squirrelweasel]

I love butlins, its nothing like haven at all in my opinion. Varied shows and lots to do. We go every year to minehead.

[GinIceAndASlice]

I hope so! I'm going to the one in Skegness in September, courtesy of Mumsnet.

That's exactly the kind of thing that I want to avoid, as I've been saying to Dh that his perception of Hi-di-hi and poor behaviour is off the mark, as he is a bit snobby about it.

Have a look at the thread here which has recent reviews from Mumsnetters
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_product_tests/2135491-Butlins-review-thread-Non-testers-Tell-us-what-makes-the-perfect-family-holiday-in-the-UK-and-you-could-win-a-200-John-Lewis-voucher?

When/where are you going? If its Skeggy we should wear MN scarves so we can recognise each other? Or a secret handshake?

[whatsbehindthegreendoor]

Butlins and Haven are both good, if you go to the right camps. However, Butlins has much more on offer, but can be a lot more expensive if you're taking several kids. Haven is great for a gentler, less commercial experience.
Butlins has a lot better choice of activities, for example, free fair rides, better entertainment, sports stuff, Redcoats on hand to entertain the kids etc
I prefer Butlins, have been going since 1993 and things have really improved over the past 3 or 4 years. I especially love the Bognor Regis camp.
I like Haven for when we're camping though - especially the camps in Burnham-on-Sea and Weymouth.

Basically, you'll have a good time at both, but it depends what you're looking for out of a holiday. With Butlins, even if the weather's crappy, there's plenty to keep the kids amused....

You'll have a fab time - I'm quite envious, we haven't got our next Butlin's break until November, although we are off camping next Friday to Brean :).

[mrsruffallo]

I've never seen these kind of things at Haven. Sure, you get a rough element but we just ignored them.

[whatsbehindthegreendoor]

Just to add, I've never seen the type of behaviour you've described at either Butlins on Haven - I have seen gobby parents swearing at their kids, but that's just one of those things you can't avoid anywhere sometimes.

[sillystring]

...I'm forgetting.. I have been to a Haven, it was the one in Berwick called Haggerston Castle. I was only there for the day, visiting some friends who had a caravan rented. It was truly horrible but I think that's an exceptionally shite one, others are supposed to be much better. Still don't know much about Butlins though.

[SamG76]

OlderMummyone - we've been to both, and Butlins is much better! The pool is great (at Bognor, anyway) and the entertainment is really impressive for adults and kids. None of the rides cost extra, either. We only stayed at haven as it gave us a base for travelling around the area. No way would we have stayed for a whole day on site.

So yes, Butlins is a few levels above Haven. I could give you a sociological analysis in terms of tattoos, smoking, etc but I think you'll get the point.

[Babyroobs]

I've been to haven and Butlins when the kids were younger and have found these types of peole at both. Skegness Butlins was worse than any Haven I've been too. I actually felt scared as there were all these huge teenage chavs physicallyfighting and swearing in this fort type thing. i got my little kids out and swore I'd never go back. Also I had an altercation with a huge scary women at the Noddy show ( we are going back a few years)
and physically felt scared. I don't go on holidays to feel intimidated and fear for my kids so I now generally try to avoid these places. We did go to Haven just for a weekend a few weeks ago and it was ok apart from a few parents swearing at their kids, but I think you get that anywhere. We also went to center Parcs this summer for the first time and it was like a breath of fresh air, totally different type of people !

[SamG76]

Sorry - xposted with What'sbehindthegreendoor, with whom I agree entirely.

[OlderMummy1]

Hi GinIce! Yes it is Skeggy, 15th Sept

[maninawomansworld]

Holiday parks are my idea of hell, however last summer SIL , her DH and DC's went to a Butlins for a week. We went down and stayed for a couple of nights primarily to have the DC's for an evening and let them go out and have some time away from 3 small kids.

I was dreading it but in the end quite enjoyed it. To be honest I wouldn't rush back as it's just not my kind of holiday but all my preconceptions about what it was going to be like were blown away. It was very clean and tidy, accommodation was nice and I didn't see or hear any of the types of people / behaviour / language that the OP describes having seen at Haven.

Don't worry, just go with an open mind and you might enjoy it. If you do hate it then don't go again.

[lithiumfear]

Older - I love Skeggy Butlins!

When I married DH I was all cat bums face at the idea of Butlins. My mum, in particular, had convinced me it was full of undesirable, unintelligent oafs (we always holidayed at 'historical' places as a child, and to be honest, it was a bit boring).

I've since been two Skeggy twice, and Minehead once, and love it! It's so much fun for the kids too

[SoonToBeSix]

Haven is crap. Love Butlins especially Skegness the new pool is better than centre parks.

[WowserBowser]

I went to Butlins Skegness for my hen do

It seemed a right dump compared to the havens I've been to, but that was probably because it was an a special event weekend where 24 hour drinking was mostly on the cards for guests.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Butlins is great if you want to get stoned with the staff who share their cans and let ya use the outdoor pool after hours :o

[aprilanne]

hello OP .well i have been to haven plenty of times .and yes sometimes you see horrible people .but then we neither drink /smoke /take drugs .we dont swear at our sons .so it takes all kinds .my budget dictated it when my sons were little .