Regretting booking Butlins, words of wisdom needed!

I hate to break it to you OP but we also used to go in the 80s as some family had a static caravan at Ingoldmells and it was rough as fuck then too! Maybe not as bad as now…

I haven't been to Skeggy Butlins in years but Bognor and Minehead (last year) were full of families with small children, all clad in Boden and getting on with their holiday. It was nice tbh, not a cunt about the place.

Hi, could you let me know how the holiday to Butlins went as I'm thinking of booking for this summer.

we have found some of the smaller hoseasons sites are the halfway you might be looking for.

I think it depends on what type of accommodation you've picked. I stayed in a standard apartment a few weeks ago and it was absolutely filthy and in a terrible state. Most of the accommodation needs to be knocked down and rebuilt.

Everywhere else on the site was very dirty and the queues to do anything were absolutely ridiculous. We ended up coming home early as it just was not an enjoyable experience for any one in the family.

Personally I would hate to go but I’m sure my DC would absolutely love it. I’m sure you will still have a good time.

Butlins is not my usual choice but we ended up going last year and the year before as my daughter wanted to see Stephen Mulhern and then she loved it so much we booked for the following year. I went expecting to hate it but actually on the whole it was very pleasant. I have never seen anyone walking round swigging cans or any particular bad language. There are of course all sorts there but on the whole most were just nice families. The showd are very good and we went to quite a few, the pool being down is a negative but the kiddie pool is still open so you should be fine. The big new skypark is nice and the beach is nice. I've never been into Ingoldmells itself other than to drive through but on site was nice

I saw a giant roller skate driving down Skegness seafront once.

Book Bognor next time. We went last year and the accommodation was spotless and everything was fine.

The aquarium and seal sanctuary in Skegness are both great. You get offers for the Aquarium on Planet Radio but there is enough to keep you entertained in Butlins itself unless you are staying for a week, which we always do, as change over days are quiet since Covid.

We have been going to Butlins Skegness every October break for the last 10 years. We really like it and the kids always have a ball. What accommodation have you booked? We always stay in gold after the first year we went lower and it was pretty grim.

I would be a annoyed about the pool though as that's one of the main things my kids love about it. The entertainment is really excellent and it's amazing value for money.

It's a bit rough but we have never had any issues with bad language etc.

Give it a go, I am sure you will have a great time!

I went last week OP, didn't see anyone drinking Stella haha there was a lot of "normal" looking people there (the kind that arent covered in tattoos and drunk in the middle of the day) but I did see two women smoking with their babies in a carrier!! Pretty scummy

Anyway we didn't know about the pool either and I'm not going to lie, this was really annoying. We were still really busy the whole 5 days we were there and had a lovely time.

You should get an email when the activities are open for booking and I wouldn't have thought that would have happened yet if you're not going until may

They also in Skegness one place does gluten free donuts by the clock tower handy for whose who require.

Thanks I will definitely go to both.

The aquarium and seal sanctuary are both nice places to go. Not in ingoldmells like Butlins actually is though.

I think that’s partly the issue as well Skegness and ingoldmells also both have different reputations ingoldmells being worse but everyone just calls it all Skeggy

It's Skegness we have been to. We plan to see a bit more of Skegness this time as the aquarium is meant to be good. The beach is lovely.

You will be fine. I went twice last year and am going again this year my 3 kids (12, 7 and 4) love it. Keep checking activities or turn up and try book in as you should get some. The pool looks great but the chlorine levels were so bad my kids broke out in rashes after going so we didn't bother again. The parks are lovely. I suggest going to the funfair just after it opens as it tends to be quieter then. I have never seen people call there kids names like that just lots of families trying to have fun.

I think it depends on which one you go to. Skegvegas has always had a reputation for attracting slightly rough customers. But Minehead is a different matter, a lot nicer there. DP takes his kids to Minehead for a few days every summer and its always good. Could you see if you could change your booking to there?

Me and DD4 go every year and have since she was 1. It is what you make it! There are some parents that lack class but overall everyone is just there to let the kids have a fab time and make memories.

We went in March - main pool closed, but toddler pool, rapids and slides were all open. There was an ice rink and the circus was there. Not sure if these are still there or not (seasonal, perhaps) but DD is going 13-17 May with her DF so I could always update if this is before you go.

The fair is fab, the arcades are great and there's plenty going on. We didn't stop.

As for bookable activities - keep checking. People cancel so tickets become available and there are also 'non booked' queues for those who haven't booked.

I'd definitely go. She will have an absolute blast - go with a positive mindset. We do a Butlins holiday each year followed by an all inclusive somewhere hot and then a Parkdean. DD loves them all, despite them all being very different, because we turn them all into amazing memories.

Enjoy!

The 80’s? 40years ago?!
you take that back!

I've been to Skegness twice now , and have booked again for next Feb

Wouldn't pay the full prices but if you get a deal it's well worth it.

4year old will love the shows, the fairground, the park is amazing. There's plenty to do. As with anywhere you can get an off-putting person but on the whole it's like minded people trying to have a holiday.

We never stayed out late he's was always shattered.

I regularly go to the adult only weekends at Skegness Butlins and it's great. However I wouldn't take my kids. The accommodation can be questionable and having witnessed things happen in them over the adult weekends, I refuse to believe they could be cleaned properly afterwards.

Skegness however, great for kids. We stop in a caravan in chapel st Leonard's as a family and have a great time.

Center parks? Classy? I think you've never been to center Parks?

Oops I didn't see this before posting though your link is to a place in London.

Glad you loved it as much as we did

I recently took my 15 year old DD to Manor House resort in Devon. It was amazing. So much to do, sporting & craft activities galore, mostly included in the price. We went to Butlins about 5 years in a row and I prefer it here. It's not fancy & not specifically aimed at families but loads for kids and adults to do. They also have the most amazing spa that kids can use sometimes too