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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder who on earth can afford to go to Butlins?

90 replies

ChooChooLaverne · 26/04/2015 15:57

I've just had a look to see how much it would cost to stay in one of the new chalets they're building at the Minehead Butlins in the summer. The cheapest one available for 4 nights in August is £1275. FOUR NIGHTS!

That price doesn't include food or travel. It sleeps four people. It does look nice but wtf. Am I missing something?

OP posts:
Original poster
ChooChooLaverne · 26/04/2015 16:44

Hop surely June is still term time?

Maybe that's the point though - I know everywhere is expensive in the holidays but shouldn't there be some kind of limit?

If it costs £400 for four nights at Centerparcs the week before half term isn't it wrong morally to only let rich families be able to holiday there in half term by hiking the price up three times?

OP posts:
HopOnTheMonnerBus · 26/04/2015 16:45

OP, try looking at Ukcaravans4hire for private caravans at either Minehead or Bognor. They're usually loads nicer than the Butlins accommodation and a fair bit cheaper.

HopOnTheMonnerBus · 26/04/2015 16:48

Yeah we are going in term time again as we simply couldn't afford (nor want) to go in the summer holidays. I was just saying it's the most we've ever paid as we usually go a bit earlier in the year.

Original poster
ChooChooLaverne · 26/04/2015 16:48

Thanks Hop - will have a look at that.

OP posts:
HopOnTheMonnerBus · 26/04/2015 16:54

I've found a caravan at Minehead available in the summer hols for £700.

HopOnTheMonnerBus · 26/04/2015 17:29

Just spotted that the caravan we're staying in is available for 4 nights the last week in August for £500. Any good to you op?

Original poster
ChooChooLaverne · 26/04/2015 17:45

Aw, thanks Hop.

Can't do that week but thank you for thinking of me.

OP posts:
hannibalismisunderstood · 26/04/2015 18:17

We always hire a caravan by the lake at Butlins.... luxury caravan for 6 including passes and its cost us £850 in total for Fri-fri over May half term.... never book direct with Butlins!

yanniwoo · 26/04/2015 18:25

That's ridiculous. I'm taking DD away to France for 4 days during summer holiday - £45 return for the pair of us on the ferry, and £140 for 3 nights in a 2 star hotel (we just want somewhere to park our weary bodies so we're not fussed if it's a small room or whatever).

With the £1000+ we've saved on going to Butlins that a chuff of a lot of French cheese/choc/wine we could be bringing back for people!

CaptainAnkles · 26/04/2015 18:29

It only costs £600 ish to hire a cottage for a week. Sod Butlins. A shame that they've abandoned from affordable family holidays in favour of money grubbing stupid prices.

HopOnTheMonnerBus · 26/04/2015 18:31

With the cost of Butlins you're getting all your entertainment free though.

If you added costs of shows/parks/sport coaching/soft play/fun fair etc to your holidays abroad it would soon add up.

Yes it's expensive in the summer holidays but every other time of the year it's a bargain really.

emwithme · 26/04/2015 18:36

WTAF? DH and I went away for a few days last May with his parents. We did three nights in a fucking glorious hotel in the Lake District. Proper Posh - michelin starred restaurant, with a nine course tasting menu one night out of the three, lots of alcohol (LOTS), three course breakfasts, afternoon tea, spa sessions etc. Four adults for three nights came to £1800 (have I said we had LOTS of alcohol? we did. LOTS).

I would be so hideously pissed off to spend that amount of money on a midweek break at Butlins.

bluevanman · 26/04/2015 18:39

We're going in 2 weeks.. 4 nights, 2adults, 1 dc, in Skegness silver apartment - £300 food inc.
Paid about the same last year. DD (3) absolutely loved it and she still hasn't stopped talking about it.

But yes the price will triple in summer holidays, and we'll probably stop going when she's in school. Its simple supply and demand. The people keeping the price up are the people who pay it!

Dowser · 26/04/2015 18:40

I know I'm always banging on about it but if no one is prepared to pay those prices then they get the message and bring the prices down.

I want to go to w Wales next month . It's a little studio and they want £440 for four nights. There's breakfast included. I'm not prepared to pay that. I've just paid that for a week in Tenerife in a four star hotel for two people with swimming pools, gym, spa and mahoosive buffet breakfast and even bigger buffet dinner, children's club and entertainment. I know it's comparing apples and pears but really I'm just not that desperate to pay it.

SoonToBeSix · 26/04/2015 18:45

I am going the second week in July ( term time) £1400 but that's for nine people although three dc are free as under two. We are staying for seven nights and includes food so I think it's good value

AuditAngel · 26/04/2015 18:47

We are going away at half term. Center Parcs in UK is ridiculously expensive. We are spending 6 nights in Belgium at Center Parcs Eperheide for 5 people for €510 plus £164 for Eurotunnel to get there.

Original poster
ChooChooLaverne · 26/04/2015 19:31

Audit Center Parcs Belgium sounds like a goer. Do you have to book a long time in advance to get that price?

I've had a look for the week in August I can go and it's more than double that. I'd be happy to stay in the economy accommodation but suspect they get booked up quickly.

OP posts:
Choccybaby · 26/04/2015 19:36

We got a week at Duinrell (like Dutch centre parcs with a free theme park too) including over night ferry in August for less than that.
I always thought butlins was cheap and cheerful, but obviously was wrong.

Rabbishes · 26/04/2015 19:38

We're going the same week as soontobesix so still term time. For two adults and three children in a gold apartment with premium dining we've paid £547. That's including guaranteed ground floor room, a travel cot, and sky bar passes.

Was far cheaper booking for those dates than the school holidays, even factoring the in the cost of any potential fine for skipping school.

Why don't you tweet or facebook Butlins a link to the thread? They have a social media team who are usually shit hot at responding to stuff like this.

TheWintersmith · 26/04/2015 19:39

You need to look out for deals, butlins can be cheap if you get the special offers

lucycant · 26/04/2015 19:43

You are looking at the most expensive option OP. There are much cheaper options, even in August.
And people go to Butlins for the activities that are included. So the funfair, childrens activities and the pool are all free. Fairgrounds can be very expensive places normally, so having it included is a big draw for some families.

fairgame · 26/04/2015 19:50

I spent less to stay in a woodland lodge at centerparcs last august!

derek you shouldn't have to pay £700 for legoland hotel. I've stayed twice with DS in a premium room and it was £325 each time, both visits were in summer holidays but midweek so that might make a difference.

JimbosJetSet · 26/04/2015 19:54

We have gone to Butlins every year since our eldest was a baby and both children love the place. We are going again in June, the children are so excited, but the eldest starts school in September and it makes me feel a bit sad reading this thread and realising we won't be able to afford to go again Hmm

Tizwailor · 26/04/2015 19:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NorbertDentressangle · 26/04/2015 20:00

If you added costs of shows/parks/sport coaching/soft play/fun fair etc to your holidays abroad it would soon add up

I have to disagree with this. On the whole, if you're abroad, the weather is great and the surroundings are new, exciting and interesting to explore - the beaches are free, the sea is free, outdoor spaces like parks are free, lots of interesting hill walks/coastal walks are free, wandering around historic old towns or new and vibrant cities is free.....

For the price quoted in the OP we got 4 return flights and 10 days accommodation 2 mins from the beach in Mallorca last year.