Is there a posh UK version of butlins?

[Blort]

I do actually like Butlins before anyone comes for me! And recommend it.

But my parents in law want to go away with the kids. Due to their ill health it must be in the UK. Kids are older end of primary and somewhere with activities, a pool.

Have liked that Butlins had breakfast/dinner included, I'm thinking it would be better for everyone to get on if we weren't cooking etc.

Realise as I'm typing I'm probably talking of centre parcs but it's just never appealed, and I'm afraid it might encourage too much time stuck in the cabin?

Ideas welcome!

We had an amazing one night stay at Woolley Grange (normally we were on a camping budget but it was a present). However, I did feel it was focused on the adults rather than the kids which was why we enjoyed it so much

My in-laws bought into the Holiday Property Bond which is an absolute slam dunk for this kind of thing, if you take into account the lack of live entertainment. Our favourite sites as a family were St Brides and Merlewood.

Could you do butlins but the fancy option?
We stayed at the ocean something? hotel at bognor once with the all inclusive catered option. The food was really quite good, hotel spotless.

Cruise from Southampton? We did a disney one from Liverpool in 2021 and I said at the time this is the closest to an all inclusive but still in the U.K.

I’m guessing the PILs then aren’t Butlins regulars?

Your only options are Centre Parcs and Ribby hall, we’ve been to both and Centre Parcs was so much better, Ribby hall has a pool and slides buts it a quarter of the size of Centre Parcs. Your other option in a cottage ?

glamping
hot tub
and the company provides the most delicious all ready food in the evening

elmley reserve

the staff aren’t great but the environment and accom more than makes up for it. My children and I adored

Dalmeny Hotel, Lytham St Annes.

Bluestone is better for younger end of primary as is Woolley Grange.

I'd do a big house with indoor pool and games room, but I don't mind cooking. Some will have catering options, plus meals out and takeaways. Order a supermarket delivery.
But then I dislike hotels.

Definitely Potters in Norfolk (not the new one in Essex)

You like Butlins but CP has never appealed?

CP IS upmarket Butlins!!

Definitely Potters, been there 5 times. It's definitely a more upmarket resort. Expensive but so worth it. We think Mark Brewer and all the comedy team are funny.

You’re just describing a posh hotel that caters to families. Like Moonfleet Manor.

www.moonfleetmanorhotel.co.uk/family-friendly-hotel

Also recommending ribby hall near Blackpool/Preston and the Dalmeny in St Anne's, we actually got married there!!

Have you been to Butlins since COVID. Activities now have to be booked. Plus some of the shows. On the good side. Skeggy is having a new funfair and skypark.

I'm much more down market than my PIL

What a shame not been since 2019

Retallack resort in Cornwall? I haven't been but a family member went and said it would be great for a family holiday so worth a look.

At potters the vast majority of activities don't need to be booked, you are given a program of actives and entertainment when you arrive and then just turn up at the activity you want to do.
As far as I know the only bookable activities are archery and laser clays.

I do think it's probably suited to slightly older children. We always went to Butlin's until ours where about 6 or 7 but have been going to potters since and they are now teenagers.

Butlins does have some nicer hotels - in Bognor there’s one with a spa. We stayed last summer and we didn’t cook once.

Away Resorts is another alternative - some of the locations offer evening entertainment like Butlins.

I found CP a total snooze fest but love Butlins despite my mum always trying to put me off when I was younger

Centre parcs is the upmarket version of Butlins

@MajesticWhine I used to work there the reception staff were the most miserable people I have ever had the misfortune to know, they were awful and unhelpful to customers.

It was so badly managed was so glad to get out 😂

If you know a member, get them to book you in at Soho Farmhouse.

@Lolreally I don't really remember interacting with any reception staff - we must have had a lucky escape😁

i went to ashbury and manor hotel with family. Accommodation was very 70s but the activities on offer are amazing and all included in the price. No need to book them until you get there.

Placemarking