Butlins?

[Blondie1984]

I’ve volunteered to look after my niece and nephew for a week in their school holidays and am debating taking them to Butlins (cos Centre Parcs is way out of my price range!) but have never been and don’t know anyone who has
Has anyone been? Would it be ok for two under 7s?

The children will absolutely love it, its geared up to appeal to kids. As for you it depends what you want from a break, if you're the sort who is happy so long as the children are happy then you'll be fine. If you're expecting five stars and a peaceful atmosphere then you'll be disappointed.

It will be very busy in the holidays though so if your budget stretches to it buy the queue jumper passes for the shows.

Yeah we go and we love it.

There's loads to do, even if it rains the whole time. It suits all ages and it's just good fun. But tiring!!

It's not the Ritz and you will experience people from all walks of life but it does what it says on the tin.

There the perfect age group for butlins. However there will be nothing for you to do so make sure you have plenty to entertain yourself.

Oooh I didn’t know about queue jumper passes - thanks for the tip! As long as they have fun then I’m fine with a book

It's great but you do end up with a near constant headache from all the noise

Get a bubble gun for the shows & send them to the baby mosh pit!

The swimming is great as well, even for small children.

If you want to do any of the free activities book as soon as you arrive as they tend to get booked up & take plenty of 2p coins for the arcades.

Oh and 4 days is PLENTY

Which one are you going to?

Kids love the place. It's not cheap but amazing value for money imo.......I'm waiting for the sourpuss snobs to descend on this place and direct you to the Cotswolds tho. 😂😂😂

If you're going self-catering and staying in an apartment rather than a room (apartment has a kitchen, room doesn't) then look at what supermarket is near to the site and do a click and collect order to pick up when you arrive. The little onsite supermarket is fairly expensive compared to outside supermarkets, it's good for little odds and ends but I wouldn't buy several days worth of meals there.

If you're going on a dining plan still take some snacks with you, I always take some multipacks of crisps, sweets/biscuits, fruit, etc.

For kids it's heaven. I don't live far and DS loves a day trip there

Make sure you get accommodations with a kitchen as their food is over priced beige.

But the kids will adore it

We have taken our two since they were 2. They are 5 now and they love it !!! It's a definite winner - constantly got stuff to do !

Good tip there hoik, we are booked for end of this month, I shall be arranging a click and collect, Thank you

2 of the 3 sites (Minehead and one of the others) have caravan sites with static vans privately owned but available to hire on them.

They usually cost the same as staying in the apartments but you get more space for your money and it’s quieter cos you’re not literally on top of another family.

I always pop on to the Butlins threads to suggest this! But after holidaying at Minehead for many years in the apartments, we discovered the caravans and it was a game changer.

Boswells that sounds great, we may do that next time x

We go every year and have since she was 1. She is now 10. For the past two years we have gone catered. Game changer! I take porridge tubs that just need hot water for supper, lunch in the pavilion, breakfast and dinner catered. They love it.

I go as i get far more holiday than my husband and it is an easy break to do alone. You don't need to drive anywhere and theres loads to do. Infant / preschoolers can be busy 9am-9pm.

Love Butlins. Brilliant place for children. I always stay Gold with a dining plan and fast passes. Gold accommodation tends to be quieter and the queues for shows are horrendous so the passes are brilliant. The kids will love the shows.

We love Butlins. I've taken DS on multiple holidays abroad and Butlins is his favourite. We've been to all three.