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Original poster

Holidays like Butlins?

8 replies

surreygirl1987 · 01/02/2023 22:29

Hello! I'm looking to book a family holiday for a few days this summer. We've not gone on a proper family holiday before. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Looking for something self-catering (but maybe with options of restaurant etc), and lots of things for the kids to do (eg soft play, playground, pool). I like the look of Butlins, but it looks quite expensive. Pontins looks amazingly cheap, but I've seen awful reviews. Is there anywhere else anyone would recommend? I'm in the Surrey/Hampshire area and don't want to travel more than a couple of hours or so. Would be really grateful for recommendations. Many thanks!

OP posts:

SaltnPeppaPig · 01/02/2023 22:38

Haven/Parkdean are quite good but honestly there's nothing anywhere like Butlins apart from Seal Bay in Chichester which is similar price to Butlins usually.

You can get reasonable deals for Butlins outside of school holidays.

Original poster

surreygirl1987 · 02/02/2023 07:18

Many thanks. Teacher so school holidays are essential! I'll take a look at Seal Bay too, thanks.

OP posts:

SaltnPeppaPig · 02/02/2023 09:43

Ah I guess trickier to get cheap rates then. What I have found is that a week is a lot more than double the cost of Mon to Fri so that can make it cheaper and five days is still time to do loads.

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Original poster

surreygirl1987 · 02/02/2023 12:07

Wow that's crazy! Thanks for the tip!

OP posts:

Mammyloveswine · 02/02/2023 12:13

Haven is great! We've got a bank holiday weekend booked for may and it was only £200 for 3 nights so not too bad!

SongforWhoever · 02/02/2023 12:18

I would recommend Haven and they have sites in Sussex and Dorset so easy travelling for you.

BigBunkers · 02/02/2023 12:58

Absolutely DO NOT go to Pontins! It’s a hell hole.

Definitely look at caravan parks, there’s some nice ones on the Isle of Wight if that takes your fancy.

Also look at Bluestone in Wales or Centre Parcs or Landal sites

MrsMiddleMother · 12/02/2023 00:05

Butlins is great for young children but so I'd haven/park dean resorts. I've been to many different ones of the latter all over the country and they're fab.

Whatever you do DONT go to pontins! We went to camber sands 4 years ago and it was so dirty and vile we didn't even stay, as soon as we saw the place and went into the accommodation we turned back around and thankfully found a park dean down the round that was lovely. Luckily we got a full refund for the holiday as we didn't even stay a night.

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