To be worried about Butlins?!

What possessed you to spend that type of money to go to Butlins?

I agree theres no specific free evening entertainment (shows etc) in Center Parcs but we love that and swim into the dark under the stars now the kids are older. By the time we’ve got back, had dinner and wine and got cosy in pjs, im quite happy to stay in a lovely cosy lodge (except in the Winter when the Xmas lights are on which are amazing and free!).

it was not cheap, £900 ish for 3 nights.

We went in the summer, this was our accommodation!

We also went for Shiiine and, other than being bumped to different accommodation due to the flooding issues, we had no problems. Bloody love that weekend.

Always get a bug?!! I never go back anywhere I get food poisoning or where there is poor hygiene. Why do you keep going??

Cheap people 🤣 this place sometimes is outrageous.

They are not really activities though. I found centreparcs ok, but there is no entertainment. We cycled and swam at centreparcs. We cycle and swim at butlins. We do nothing but walk at home every weekend. But the entertainment at centreparcs is poor or non-existent. You're completely reliant on the company you've gone with for conversation and entertainment. And toddlers arent great company past 5pm.

one year we went to a holiday park near bakewell which was beautiful, we cycled, there was a small pool, hot tub with the cabin, ‘naice’, but again the entertainment was conversation with the people we had gone with. Well, i see them every day.

damn i didnt quoting the post i was replying to.

We went last year, it was great. Some very snobby replies here, we had a great time. The pool is brilliant, it's really big so depends which part is closed, might still be fine.

For what it's worth I thought the clientele were great. A proper mix of people and everyone was having a great time.

We went for 5 days in December with the pool shut. It was absolutely fine for 3 days but then it was a nightmare (for us as parents). We constantly had to find things to do, the kids were very happy but we were sort of relying on the pool to tire them out somewhat. If you are going for the weekend I think you will be absolutely fine but just book activities in advance on the app because you can't get into anything (shows,softplay,etc) without pre booking.

I was curious as never been and Minehead, week in August, self catering was under 800 for 4 people so that's cheaper than cottages or even Haven type caravans I think??

I’m not sharing my experiences of the place, I’m simply saying it’s amazing to me that the OP has never heard the negative views of Butlins. She sounds shocked that it’s considered rough when it has a reputation for such.

Well.exactly I have been twice it,was fine and far from cheap
I appreciate not everybody would enjoy that kind of holiday but for people who have never Been to slate it ,is a bit ridiculous.

Just to add, the entertainment, swimming and rides were great!

We went to Skegness with our two young children on one of their toddler weeks. Some of what you have read is definitely true but I think it was toned down when we went because it was all under 5s. We had their most expensive Seaside apartment and it was passable, not the cleanest generally but the beds were clean. I’m glad we didn’t go for cheaper to be honest! We had a good week though and got the dining plan which worked out really good value. Not sure I would go back with older kids.

Ridiculous to comment if you have never been.

The one in bognor is great. The funfair is good, pool and waterslides are a lot of fun. Loads of different places to eat...ok, not fine dining but perfectly fine for a family holiday. Grounds were kept nice. Entertainment is often excellent...we saw some really good shows. Kids won't get bored at all. My dd did zip lining, climbing, pottery painting, archery

I have been to Butlins Skegness twice (last year). The kids absolutely loved it and want to go back this year. The swimming pool is great fun but far to busy for us and the chlorine level is phenomenal. It was so bad that the kids and me ended up with dry patches of skin and it smelled of urine. We tend to avoid it.

The shows are fun but busy though we go in Scottish school holidays and have never had to queue for long. We always pre-book every activity 4 weeks in advance we can and I pay for extra passes for things like pottery painting, archery, Lazer tag, crazy golf, bowling etc. They have apps that tell you what's on. Skyline is busy and has people turning up early for shows to find seats. There is definitely an element of people sitting drinking but everyone I met has been pleasant. I have never heard any child called a c_nt thankfully. I would be appalled if I had.

The kids absolutely love Sky Park but there are definitely a couple of feral bullying kids left to there own devices at it. You have to be on your guard for them. I am not shy and told a couple of kids to behave themselves and leave my kids alone or I would be getting Butlins staff to find there parents and having them escorted out of the Sky Park. They stopped immediately though I suspect nobody has ever told them off before based on the shock on there faces. These kids exist everywhere not just at Butlins. You are as likely to encounter them at an all inclusive in Spain as Butlins.

I would recommend getting a gold apartment. They are in a quieter area though definitely not as clean as I think they should be so take wipes etc. They are spacious and you can cook in them etc.

I have never eaten in the food courts but did buy lunch out one day on site. It was nice and the staff are great.

We have had great holidays at Butlins but do make the most of all the activities. It's better to go to the fairground as soon as it opens as it's quieter then.

I think you’ll find I can comment on what I like. Weird that you think it’s up to you to moderate what others post.

So.you don't live in the UK and have never been to Butllns 🙄

This. I was doing quotes last night and Skegness, for four night so essentially three days, was nearly £1400. That was the cheapest apartment available, catered, with three adrenalin passes.

Butlins is fine OP. You take it for what it is. I used to go a lot with DS and I've never heard anyone calling their kids "little cunts" there.

People on this thread who has never been really have no authority to say what it's like or isn't like.

It isn't cheap though
Have you ever been?

It's so cringe when people describe others as "rough". Reminds me of Hyacinth Bucket, people who think they're better than others when they're not.

Theres’s so much to do at CP without spending money. The pool is completely free (and I cant imagine there are many pools better than the CP pool in the UK). If the kids are young, they can spend hours and hours playing in the playgrounds, down on the beach by the lake. We take a car full of shopping and only go out for dinner once. Love walking/cycling round and just being away from it all. We usually book one activity (for example climbing) and just enjoy the peace of no cars and being away from it all.

If you've never actually been, you can't really comment.