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Original poster

Can you tell me about Butlins Minehead

27 replies

AndSoFinally · 28/06/2022 10:23

Booked back before the cost of living rose quite so much, and now worrying slightly about the budget.

We are going self catering in August.

Can you give me a rough idea of what we need to pay for? Are most of the activities included? If not how much?

Roughly how much do you think we'll pay for two courses in the restaurant per person? Ice creams during the day?

And what should we prioritise/what are the "must do's"?

Thanks in advance ☺️

OP posts:
Lavendersquare · 28/06/2022 10:31

The food in these places is well overpriced so stuck to doing as much catering yourself as you can, packed lunches etc.

There is a McDonald's outside the gate and plenty if reasonable eateries in Minehead if you want a change. There's also a Wetherspoons so you can get really cheap meal there.

From memory most things were free, swimming, fairground entertainment etc, however what I didn't like was all the arcade rides and machines that the kids love and cost a fortune, so be prepared for that. Also I didn't like how the free soft play was shut around 5pm which meant DC wanted the arcade machines even more.

Best value we're the 4 person bikes you can hire we all loved those. Obviously the beach is free although I'm not sure if the water of that part of the Bristol Channel is the best for swimming in.

Rest assured your DC will love it there.

Original poster
AndSoFinally · 28/06/2022 21:07

Thank you so much!

(Bump) Anyone else have any experience?

OP posts:
SpellitwithaY · 28/06/2022 21:14

Our two love it there. If you're on a budget you can cater for yourselves mostly. The shows, pools and fairground are all free with a few things being extra like.go carts. The beach is right over the road and is long and sandy. Lovely fish and chips at Dana's.

Yes the arcades can work out a bit spendy but a £1 lasts ages on the 2p machines

GigantosaurusRex · 28/06/2022 21:16

We took our scooters/skateboards as there are no cars on site and lots of pavement/walkways on the beachfront. We wasted hours playing around! Swimming is free, there are outdoor playgrounds and I think some of the fairground rides are free. We self cater as its cheaper, there is a morrisons, tesco and aldi (or lidl) within walking distance.

BlancmanegeBunny · 28/06/2022 21:17

There is a large Morrisons very close by. I would arrange a click-and-collect order for when you arrive and cater for yourselves as much as possible, the food on site is expensive and poor value for money.

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 28/06/2022 21:19

Funfair, pool etc is free. As are organised activities such as circus skills workshops. All shows are free. Soft play is also free.

There are paid for activities such as bowling and pottery painting but tbh these are easily avoided........we didn't find food that expensive tbh. The supermarket has a.hot food counter, we'd often buy drinks and hot food in there and sit watching the shows. If you're a fan of the odd burger King they do the.king meal deals in there, you have to ask for the King meal as it isn't advertised but they're loads cheaper. I think they're £3 as opposed to £8 or whatever

limitededitionbarbie · 28/06/2022 21:19

It was lovely when we went a couple of years ago. Fab flowers everywhere. Food is expensive there if you eat out and it wasn't worth the price really but we had a ball.

We went when covid restrictions were slightly lifted and we had to pre book everything so when you get your log in etc pre book everything if this is still the case or you won't get in for anything

Dontlickthetrolley · 28/06/2022 21:21

We went last year without a food plan or a kitchen (room only) I took brioche rolls and cereal. Morrisons is walkable so we would buy a pint of milk and 3 meal deals for the day I forgot bowls so they ate out of the mugs provided! There's a pizza/pasta buffet which we had at lunch time as gets busy at night. We wanted to go to the Diner but it wasn't open. Also did Burger King and the Fish and Chip shop. 1 adult, 2 kids, probably spent £100 on main meal and snacks at Butlins and another £40 in Morrisons for 3 nights.

choochoomama · 28/06/2022 21:23

Hi, we went during Easter holidays. Self catering too. I think there is a tiny freezer compartment in the fridge and you could possibly fit those little ice pops.

Lidl, tescos and morrisons are a 5min drive away. I think you can actually walk to the LIDL. We went to premier inn for breakfast one day as a treat. Kids go free. Its about 8mins drive away.

There is still a lot for kids to do that is free. Swimming is great fun. They even did a night time swim 7-9pm I think one day of the week. Also fairground opens late one day.
The seaside is a very short walk away, we toom our own buckets spades etc.

The free activities do get booked up quickly, so book as soon as the app allows you. We did a last minute trip and I still got a few events. People do cancel last minute, if there is something you really want. As for the shows. I didn't book and just showed up just before it started and had no queues, yes we sat towards the back but they had several screens that you can see easily.
There is a couple of outdoor play areas and a sand pit area that are free. Loads of outdoor space for picnics. I bought bits from wilkos/poundland like bubbles, balloons and treats as they are expensive. Kids had a blast!!!! I'm sure you'll enjoy it😀

Dontlickthetrolley · 28/06/2022 21:24

Make sure you download the Butlins Minehead app, for certain shows you have to book (we did AT Skegness beginning of the month) and they were checking. Plenty to do, set a budget for the arcades and walk out when it's spent. Mine are not 9 and 11 and would bankrupt me there if they thought they could get away with it!!

Nat6999 · 28/06/2022 21:44

Be careful with the food, we got food poisoning from the Burger King outlet when we went to the Skegness one, ds started while we were there & exh & I started when we got home, we think they weren't wiping the tables & high chairs down after use.

Original poster
AndSoFinally · 04/07/2022 14:32

Thank you all for all the tips!

OP posts:
Pinklimey · 04/07/2022 14:35

There is a Tesco just off the site. With the funfair and swimming being free, I envoursge you to visit them a lot. Our downfall was the penny pushers, which can be a bit addictive!

GiveMeNovocain · 04/07/2022 14:35

Loads of activities are included. You can self cater if you like or head into Minehead for Wetherspoons. You could upgrade to a food included package if you want to know exactly where you are spending wise. It's a great holiday with kids. Good pool/slides/shows and activities/lots of play parks and a funfair all included

Bemyclementine · 04/07/2022 14:44

I went to butlins skegness and the only things I paid fir were crazy golf snd bowling.

carboneleven · 28/07/2022 18:41

Hi, I know I'm bumping a slightly old thread, but I'm going next month. Have you downloaded the app yet? Everything seems to be fully booked (or not bookable), I'm not sure which. Have you managed to book onto things?

Are there other things to do that you don't need to book for?

MouseTheDog · 28/07/2022 18:49

If anyone is going and has NT membership nearby Dunster Castle is fantastic for kids plus a stream and park in the village.

SpellitwithaY · 28/07/2022 20:26

carboneleven · 28/07/2022 18:41

Hi, I know I'm bumping a slightly old thread, but I'm going next month. Have you downloaded the app yet? Everything seems to be fully booked (or not bookable), I'm not sure which. Have you managed to book onto things?

Are there other things to do that you don't need to book for?

You'll get an email about 2 weeks before you go letting you know when things are available to book.

OwlNoisesInHerFace · 28/07/2022 20:51

We're not at Butlins but we're in Minehead at the moment. The beach is great, long and Sandy. Just pay attention to the tide times as when it's out it's quite a way out and the low tide sand is quite sludgy. Much better on the beach when the tide is in.

Tropiquaria and Dunster Castle are good local days out.

There's crazy golf at the Jubilee Cafe at the other end of the seafront to Butlins.

And Styles ice cream (either from the kiosk at the Butlins end of the seafront near the little play area or they have another one at the other end opposite the Jubilee Cafe) is excellent.

loveslife · 28/07/2022 21:18

I definitely wouldn't go in the sea at minehead! The swimming pool at Butlins is fab though

Original poster
AndSoFinally · 01/08/2022 21:25

One more question please. How does unpacking work? I know it's a car free site but can you take vehicles on at a certain time to unload or do you have to carry it all from the car park? I've been to bluestone before which is also car free, but there's a couple of hours window for unloading outside the cabin.

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 01/08/2022 21:32

The sea is perfectly clean. It has a good rating. Loads and loads of locals use it daily. They wouldn’t if it was a problem.

It’s not a natural Sandy beach, the sand was imported 20+ years ago. It does have dangerous mud at low tide. Don’t wander too far at low tide.

Lots of good pubs and eateries in the town. The further away from Butlins the better the pubs are. The exception to the rule is Dana’s. The chip shop is really good.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 01/08/2022 21:33

It’s the second highest tide in the world. The tide comes back very quickly.

mnistooaddictive · 01/08/2022 21:36

There are bug trlets you use to move your bags from car to apartment. They all get hidden away (by other guests) the night before you leave so be prepared for this!

mnistooaddictive · 01/08/2022 21:37

I really can’t type! Big trolleys!