Butlin's Bognor Regis holiday park review: a fun-packed seaside break with plenty for older kids and teens

My verdict

As kids get older, it’s harder to find activities they actually enjoy – especially when screens seem to be a constant distraction. But Butlin’s Bognor Regis was a pleasant surprise. From amazing entertainment to the creative and engaging PlayXperience activities, it was a hit for the whole family and earns its place on our guide to the best UK holiday parks. Plus, the site felt secure enough to give my teens independence, which made for a more relaxed experience. The sheer number of things to do – most included in the price – is impressive, and there’s a good mix of accommodation to fit various needs and budgets.

Butlin’s Bognor Regis really exceeded our expectations. I’d be tempted to knock off a fraction of a point for the queuing and the compact bunk room my teens had, but the quality of the entertainment, the sheer amount that’s included and how much my 13 and 15 year old enjoyed themselves still makes this feel like a five out of five family break.

What activities are there at Butlin's Bognor Regis?

For us, the activities were the real highlight. Laser tag in PlayXperience was the stand-out – we all agreed it was the best activity we booked. It was great fun being on a team together and playing against other families, and it felt like a proper shared experience rather than something just for the kids.

The Splash Waterworld waterpark was also a big hit. It’s fully indoors, with plenty of slides and a lazy river, so it works whatever the weather and it was perfect for the one rainy day we had. It’s worth bearing in mind that towels aren’t provided for the pool, so you need to bring your own or pick some up from the on-site mini supermarket where they're available for about £10.

Outside, there are small fairground rides including a waltzer, helter skelter and other traditional fairground rides, which my teens loved making the most of - these are included free with all stays, and unlimited. The go karts are extra and you can book ahead or queue, but they're well worth taking for a spin, with proper old-fashioned diesel karts on a small figure-of-eight circuit.

PlayXperience as a whole felt like a nice bonding opportunity. The activities there felt fresh and designed to appeal to older kids as well as parents. I like that it's in its own, ultra-modern building away from the plentiful activities aimed at younger kids - it felt like a teen-friendly haven.

What's the accommodation like?

We stayed in the Wave Hotel, in a sea view balcony room. The main part of the room was comfortable and spacious, and the balcony had beautiful views of the sea and Bognor seafront, which made it a lovely place to sit and decompress between activities.

The kids were in a small nautical-themed bunk room. It was comfortable but a little on the small side for teenagers and it did get very warm in there at night without a window. For families with older children who want more space, it’s worth knowing that there are larger family rooms with twin beds available in the Ocean Hotel, as well as self-catering chalets and apartments that sleep up to eight.

Unlike Butlin's in Skegness and Minehead, there aren't caravans at the Bognor Regis resort. But there’s still plenty of choice of accommodation – from hotel rooms with sea views to larger apartments – so you can pick something that suits your family’s preferences, ages and budget.

How's the food and drink at Butlin's Bognor Regis?

We had the premium dining all-inclusive pass, so breakfast and dinner were included at The Deck. There were vegetarian options each night, though not a huge variety. The pizza is very popular and gets snapped up early, so you do need to be quick if that’s a favourite for your kids.

For lunch, there are several fast food options on site, including Subway, Burger King and Papa Johns. The pricing is OK but not cheap, and the queues are long if you go at peak lunchtime.

We also had the all-inclusive drinks package. One thing to be aware of is that what’s included varies slightly from venue to venue, which can be a bit confusing at first. That said, overall I was impressed by the range of food and drink available - I knew every time we went out to eat, there'd be something to suit both the fussier and more adventurous members of the family.

There were new options for dinner each night and a great range for breakfast - from a full English to American pancakes, and kippers to porridge - and the staff everywhere were so friendly and helpful that it really added to the experience.

Does the entertainment live up to the hype?

The entertainment was one of the best parts of the break. The shows were genuinely high quality and felt like a real event rather than something tacked on at the end of the day.

Electric Wonderland was our favourite show, Animals and Mythical Beasts was also particularly spectacular. The Masked Singer Live and Butlin's Panto Snow White and her Magnificent Friends were laugh-out-loud funny. Every show we went to was packed, which added to the atmosphere.

We used the pizza delivery to our table via the B-serve app in the Centre Stage venue, which was a brilliant addition to the experience and meant we didn’t have to miss anything while queuing for food.

The flip side of how popular the shows are is that you do need to plan ahead. Shows are included in the price, but you need to book them in advance and turn up early if you want good seats. Even with our premium package, which allowed us to skip certain queues and arrive early, there were still queues for the bar.

What’s Butlin's like for families?

The resort itself is quite compact and easy to get around, which worked really well with older children. I felt relaxed letting my 13 and 15 year old go off together or independently – they went swimming, to the fairground and for lunch by themselves.

There’s an on-site mini supermarket where you can pick up things like towels if you forget them, along with basics and snacks.

One thing that really stood out was how welcoming and sensitive the staff were to young children and children with SEND. There’s a wristband scheme for children who struggle with queues, and I saw this in action several times. In one laser tag session, a younger child didn’t want to join in in the usual way and the activity leader took it completely in her stride, letting him be a marshal alongside her instead. It was a small thing but really lovely to see, I was so impressed.

Overall, between the thoughtful inclusion, the compact layout and the sense of safety on site, it felt like a very family-focused environment - they even offer tailored Single Parent Holidays.

Does Butlin's offer good value for money?

Butlin's offers a huge range of options to suit all budgets. While all-inclusive food and drink packages, and some activities, are an extra expense, the amount of entertainment included in the price of a stay is really impressive.

There's a range of amazing value deals for Butlin's stays including festive escapes and half-term breaks.

What's included in the price of a stay?

• Accommodation with tea and coffee (hotel) or kitchen facilities (chalets/apartments)

• Unlimited fairground rides

• Most entertainment and shows

• Splash Waterworld entry

• WiFi

• Parking

What is there to do nearby?

Bognor Regis is a classic, down-to-earth British seaside town. Butlin's is just a 15-minute walk from the town's train station, with direct trains to and from London Victoria every half hour.

The beach runs the length of Bognor, with a buggy-friendly prom stretching all the way to Aldwick in the west and Felpham to the east. It’s a shingle beach, so it doesn’t get as packed as nearby sandy West Wittering (about a 30-minute drive away).

Along the seafront you’ll find all the traditional staples: arcades, fish and chip shops and a small pier. Two standout eateries are The Brunch House for brunch and Pink’s Parlour for ice cream.

Bognor itself is very low key, with a small town centre and an independent cinema. Right next to Butlin’s is Hotham Park, which is well worth a visit for a ride on the mini railway. If you’re arriving by train, Heygates secondhand bookshop in the station is a lovely place for a rummage.

From the resort, it’s very convenient to get to the seafront – the holiday park is right next to it, so you’re only ever a few minutes’ walk from the beach.

How we reviewed Butlin's Bognor Regis

I stayed at Butlin's Bognor Regis with my wife and two teenagers for three nights in October half term. We stayed in a sea view balcony room in the Wave Hotel, and premium dining, all-inclusive drinks and the all-action pass were included with the trip.

The holiday was a gifted PR stay but this review is an honest depiction of my experience at Butlin's Bognor Regis.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the places and products Mumsnet users swear by, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans.

Covering multiple locations in the south of England, Poppy also reviews family-friendly hotels and days out, including Moonfleet Manor, Bedruthan Hotel & Spa and New Park Manor.

About Mumsnet holiday park reviews

All Mumsnet holiday park reviews are written by real people after extensive hands-on testing. We travel with children to test out how each property caters to families and assess whether it's genuinely geared up for kids. We test the beds, amenities and food, and explore the local area to highlight stand-out features and address any concerns. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. We may be hosted on a complimentary basis and sometimes we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage and we will only ever publish an honest review.