To be worried about Butlins?!

Because they have a spa, and have come activities aimed at adults and older teenagers. So there’s definitely an adult market for CP - I’ve never been as an adults group but know people who have. It’s often discussed as “better for teens” than some activities type places - if you like go kart/ quad bike type things, Segways etc.

When I was growing up Butlins used to be the upmarket version of Pontins. I’ve only been to Butlins at Bognor for a day trip which was fine but as a child I used to go to Pontins in the 70s and decided to take my own children in the 80s and had a shock as it was so run down. I think through a child’s eyes the places are fun and exciting but for the adults unless you want to spend your time drunk you will definitely notice the shabby smellly rooms and chavvy behaviour

We took the kids when very young to Bognor and Minehead full board. Think it worked out cheaper than staying home. They adored it the beaches were nice we swerved the adult entertainment but kids loved it.
Much preferred it to CenterParks the accommodation is ropey but its cheap as chips.
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I have never witnessed stag or hen dos at Center parcs or Butlins though?

i thought CP make it difficult for groups of adults to book unless spa break. And there’s not really any late night entertainment and booze is extortionate. Butlins does it’s own adult only party weekends outside of family times.

Center parcs friends with two young daughters sat out one evening at their lodge. The lodge adjacent with hot tub were having loud sex, friends had to dash in to ensure that windows were shut 😂

Butlins is a bit rough but so is Center parcs to be fair.

Kids absolutely adore both and they make for easy stress-free breaks in my experience. Love the dining plan at Butlins.

We've always had a great time when we've been to Skeggie. Pool is good, entertainment quality is excellent and accomodation is functional but we were barely there much. The fairground has been revamped recently and the skypark is absolutely fantastic, especially as it gets dark and lights up. You pre book activities and shows about 2 weeks before via the app. You do queue for shows but we went about half hr before and just accepted we'd be sat further back, we could still see. I don't go on holiday to spend it queing! There are a few people a bit rough round the edges but nothing I hadn't seen at any other caravan parks or locally. We kept ourselves to ourselves. You'll have an amazing time and your kids will love it!

Went on a Haven holiday in Scotland a few years ago. A bit like Butlins I suppose. Accommodation was fine, very clean, there were a few rough kids in the playground picking fights with mine and others, the staff were made aware. Overheard a bit of a late nighter in one of the caravans at night, but that was it, it didn't affect us really. Don't worry about it - if there are troublesome people there, speak to the site staff.

Agreed and I've been posting to say so - in my experience Center parcs (and I have been three times now I come to remember the third) has no shortage of shit behaviour.
Can't comment on Butlins as I haven't been but not going back to CP, it's overpriced shit.

Firstly I hate posts like this as you don't know till you try. He's a few parts need updating but everytime we gone love it. Skegness has a wonderful park, a funfair and masses of things to do for everyone. It does get busy in the school holidays so be prepared for lots of people but that adds to all the fun

Also, if you were that way inclined i.e smoking and drinking excessively, why would you choose center Parcs as a hen/stag do place.

We've pretty much visited yearly at Easter time for an Easter break as my Mum finds it easy to get to and see us and her Grandchildren. I have never ever seen this in the Longleat one, the one we felt a little was like that was near the lake district. As my DC are older they would notice as they go and do things on their own at night so go for a swim, cycle, bowling, they would definitely highlight anything like this as my eldest who is 16 is always saying how 'dead' it is at night.

We can’t afford centre parcs and i have never been. However, I do believe you. I think the standard of people’s behaviour has gone downhill in the last few years and what they are paying doesn’t seem to make a difference.

I think the ‘communal’ aspect of these places brings out the worst in people. Which is why we never do all-inclusive places either, whatever the ‘star’ of resort.

I've never been to Butlins but I think some of you commenting on centre parcs have never been either. Everytime I've been there's been stag and hen parties. Swearing, drinking, adults on the play parks at night, smoking cannabis...

Your logic sounds like mine! Anywhere with an indoor pool and stuff to do - and I relax better away from home and it’s distractions.

We went to Minehead Butlins a few years ago - I caught awful conjunctivitis from the water in the swimming pool. The pool was filthy - hairs on the floor around the pool, and general dirt and grime. Never again.

I think it depends which one you go to, as one we visited was like that. I've never heard swearing at the one we visit loads. We don't have a need to not socialise in the evening as have teens so we find that a bit of downside now but our idea of an evening out is not to be had in Butlins!

drowningintinsel · Today 07:52
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I go to Minehead all the time. It's nothing like that.”

Friends returning to UK after living overseas took their girls for a nostalgic trip, both had been as kids and had happy memories. They left after a couple of hours, said it was bloody awful.

Butlin’s is fine! It’s BR Ive been too but principle must be the same.

It’s a fun place for kids with lots to do and not as expensive as some others.

People swearing and the like - well you could see that in the street or supermarket- some people do have no manners and don’t know how to speak to their kids but that’s just life. You get all sorts at Butlin’s in my experience, by no means not all sweary, not all polite.

I’ve only been a couple of times but the only thing that’s ever bothered me is the seagulls nicking our chips! 😂

The masked singer show at Butlins is only an hour long and it's actually redcoats inside the costumes with a recording for the 'singing', that they dance along to for only 3 songs. They do have one 'celebrity' who sings and three people from the audience have to have a guess at who it could be. Ours was Clare Sweeny. I don't know if the touring show was any different? I wouldn't go all the way there for the show, we were sorely disappointed- especially after paying an extra £60 to make sure we got in with VIP. You can pay for a day pass, but not sure what time it runs until. You'd have to queue up though for the show, as don't know if you can get VIP with a day pass.

Not been to Butlins - but I was verbally abused about my appearance by a (not dissimilar in size and shape) man in the pool last time I went to CenterParcs. You get arseholes everywhere.

Me and DD are going in Feb half term. My expectations are low but I figure it will be more fun than sitting around at home trying to figure out a weeks worth of indoor activities for a 9 yo when it's cold/rainy/snowy/dismal grey.

All we really need is a base of operations and then we'll explore the local area, the aquarium and seal sanctuary are high on her list, do the entertainment and some of the onsite activities.

Like anything else, it is what you make it.

This is true, but there were still loud sweary obnoxious gits there on the two occasions we have been. Hell is other people.

😂😂😂

Sounds boring AF. I'll stick to Skeggy and Butlins.