Butlins-need at least two people for a day pass?

[SpikyCoconut]

This seems a bit unfair?

My friends and their children are at Butlins for a week and asked if I'd like to join them for a day-I had to miss the latest social gathering due to unforeseen circumstances. I've gone to buy a day pass and you need to be at least two of you to buy one. Seems a bit unfair on single or child-free people and I've never been 'told no' when going somewhere alone before.

I've never been to Butlins (or anywhere remotely like it!) however so I suspect I am getting it very wrong and this is a fairly normal thing.

Yes it's to stop perverts.

I didn't think you could go to butlins as an adult without children except on adult only weekends

We have a local country park which is very geared towards families with children. They also have this policy! People aren't allowed to buy a ticket for one person on their own.

I think I can guess why, but it does seem harsh in circumstances such as yours. What if you were an aunt or grandparent?

Why not get your friend to email and ask to add you to the booking? I’ve been to places where adults can’t buy a ticket unless accompanied by a child, presumably to stop weirdos turning up at children’s attractions. That’ll be what’s going on here I imagine. Obviously you have good reason to be going ‘alone’ but others may not.

I did think of this! Unfortunately. And of course It's important to protect children, not nice to be thought of as a potential pervert though!

That's what I mean! I am not a relative of the children but I have a good relationship with them all so It's kind of not-too-dissimilar, I am just an adult in their lives who'd like to spend the day with them (and my friends).

I'm not saying you are, of course not. But a blanket rule sadly.

You didn't post in AIBU but you are 100% not being unreasonable!

I think it's incredibly unfair and illogical, OP. Perverts don't always go around in isolation; one half of a couple, or two friends, or a member of a larger group could just as easily fall into that category as a single person.

I could understand a rule for a children's venue that said you couldn't go in without accompanying children, but at a venue which includes entertainment firmly geared at adults, such as pubs/bars, single adults should absolutely be allowed entry.

I would contact them. As your friend has a booking and you will be joining them there is probably a way around it.

I might do that. See if they can add me on and me just give them the money. Thank you.

You could try calling Butlins and telling them the name of your friend who has the booking and asking if you can buy a day pass over the phone or something.

I am going to ring them tomorrow thank you everyone.

I do understand it but, as a PP said it does seem a bit unfair on someone wanting to join a group for the day. I'd understand they can't let single people in willy-nilly as anyone wanting to go to a place aimed at children, by themselves is a bit odd-but as a PP also said this can't be the first time an aunt/uncle/gran/family friend has wanted to just join their family/friends for a day and I've gone to the bother of booking it off work too so yes, I'll see if they can give me any leeway.

I didn't know they did that. I was hoping to spend a day at one to use the spa, I suppose that isn't possible then?

I suppose not! I didn't even know they had Spas. I want to go even more now! I don't know anything about them.

We used to take the kids to Butlins when they were little, and I always used to treat myself to a spa session and some treatments. It was lovely.

They are doing you a favour, Butlins is an absolute shithole!

There are a million better places to go for a spa day. Like a puddle in the middle of the road, or a public toilet

I did imagine it was to be honest! A lot of it from what I have read on here-I'll be children love it though and It's a way to take them away on a budget I suppose.

The spa I went to several times was in one of the hotels on the site. It was very pleasant, a little oasis away from all the kids’ entertainment and arcades. The beauty treatments and massages were fantastic.

🤣😅😂 I've spoken to my friend now who's said they're quite nice, so I'm doubly disappointed, I didn't even know they had those but I'd have definitely made use of them if I could go.

But I can't. Ugh. I rang butlins and they won't budge.