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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask for opinions of Centre Parcs v Butlins

126 replies

homeishere · 20/05/2019 16:08

Hi all, plans for 1/2 term have changed (tradesmen in meaning we have to go!). Looking at Centre Parcs (Longleat, been before, know what you get) but it’s £1200 for a two bed lodge for me, partner, 3yr old and 1 yr old.

Butlins (never been) in Minehead is £400 for a Silver Apartment. Two bedrooms.

Seems like you get a lot more for your money at Butlins, but which is better for a 4 day break? Any advice gratefully received.

OP posts:

robinsarebins · 20/05/2019 16:58

I like butlins, but I'm working class so that might be why
Everything is included for little kids, I take my son every year and up until a couple of years ago never spent any money there except to buy wine and maybe a bubble gun or a toy in the shop, we go half board.

movingwiththelightson · 20/05/2019 16:59

We do both each year. I enjoy both equally in different ways.

Butlins is cheaper- the cost of a break at Butlins including the premium dining plan usually costs less than just the accommodation at centre parcs. Plus most of the activities and entertainment at Butlins is included unlike CP.

CP is more chilled out. At Butlins we are always very busy as there is tons to do all the time. The kids absolutely adore it and love the atmosphere though.

Both are good, I can’t stand the whole ‘chavvy’ Butlins and ‘nice middle-class’ CP attitudes on threads. Tbh I really don’t feel CP is particularly middle-class anymore either. There were all kinds of people and families there when we last went.

NeverTwerkNaked · 20/05/2019 17:02

I'm tediously middle class but loved Bognor Butlins. But then I'm not a raging snob.

Lovemusic33 · 20/05/2019 17:02

Haven, Devon cliffs.

Personally I refuse to pay centre park prices (could easily go abroad instead).

We tend to go to quieter hoseasons sites but the kids did like Devon cliffs.

user1471590586 · 20/05/2019 17:03

Definitely give Butlins ago. I have been to all three sites in the past when my kids were younger. The shows are great for them. They will love it. I wouldn't call Minehead chavy at all. Butlins has an app, download it to see what's on when you are thinking of going.

Antigonads · 20/05/2019 17:03

Was it a Butlins that someone had a thread on here about how dirty the chalet was?

I've done Centre Parcs (well the one in Cumbria before it was bought by Centre Parcs) and Haven. DD got a stomach bug in the pool at Haven.

I suppose it depends what you are looking for...

outsho · 20/05/2019 17:05

Butlins is fucking atrocious. My Mother dragged me there a handful of times as a child and I loathed it. Probably enjoyed it as a toddler but when she forced me to go at 13, not so much... Wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole now.

Center parcs all the way.

PrimalLass · 20/05/2019 17:05

We've loved all our holidays at CP. There's no need at all to pay for the extra activities or expensive meals out. Just go to Aldi in Warminster and stock up before you drive in.

x2boys · 20/05/2019 17:06

When did you last go outsho? Butlins has changed a lot in recent years .

chillychicken · 20/05/2019 17:06

Never been to Butlins but absolutely hated Center parcs. I thought the accommodation was abysmal for the cost. The sports bar was horrible too. Restaurants mostly shit and expensive.
I would also choose Bluestone, it’s really lovely there.

AspergersMum · 20/05/2019 17:08

I wouldn't be willing to pay that much for CP at that age.

Drivemecrazy1974 · 20/05/2019 17:10

Outsho (sorry, I don't know how to highlight the name) - you do realise Butlin's has had many upgrades since you were a child, right? You're basically judging the place on your crappy holidays as a teenager - it's a lot better now - although, some (my husband) would say it was better back in the good old days when the cinema was free and the drinks were cheap! LOL

Amanduh · 20/05/2019 17:11

Centre Parcs is single handedly the biggest waste of money I’ve ever spent in my life.

Verite1 · 20/05/2019 17:11

I would also suggest Bluestones. Been to CP a few times. Not a fan. But loved bluestones (and it’s a real trek from us as well). It’s like CP but prettier and more chilled. Never been to butlins.

UserFriendly14 · 20/05/2019 17:13

Another vote for Hoseasons here too- they have Park Resorts, Haven, as well as independents so a good variety and usually better priced.

Hopeygoflightly · 20/05/2019 17:14

CP - very middle class, with lots (IMHO) of entitled wankers who think that little Cosmo, Jacinta and Hetty deserve the best.
Butlins - much more WC and Cosmo’s parents wouldn’t dream of taking him there. More tattoos on show at Butlins too...

Hopeygoflightly · 20/05/2019 17:15

Having been to both there’s no way I would spend that money on CP. I would go back to Butlins.

Original poster

homeishere · 20/05/2019 17:18

Lots of good points here. Thanks to all.

I honestly didn’t mean to offend anyone, it’s hard on here to ask carefully and candidly, but I would rather know before going if it’s a more ‘do you want a smack?!’ type of place.

I’ll see if I can convince my other half. I’d like to give it a go as think the kids would enjoy it more. My 3 yr old would love the shows. I’ll have a deeper look on their website, didn’t realise you can get seaside apartments.

OP posts:

Smileyaxolotl1 · 20/05/2019 17:19

Centre parcs is relaxing and the accommodation is nice but it’s so expensive as nothing is included apart from swimming. And it’s not a nominal fee either for example table tennis is £6 or so. There are also no free kids activities - they are all more than £5 with lots being more like £10+

Butlins has loads to do with free shows on and off during the day as well as sporting activities and free rides for both toddlers and older ones. The accommodation is nowhere near as nice but in terms of activities and costs there is no comparison.
Haven or park dean resorts are also good options with pools (quite basic ones) and free daytime and evening activities for children and shows/cabarets in the evening.

Serin · 20/05/2019 17:19

God we hated centre parcs.
It's full of people who think they are middle class (but really aren't).
If you want middle class go to the Scilly isles, North Norfolk or the Hebrides.
If you want good honest unpretentious family fun leave your judgey pants at home and go to Butlins.
Oh and Bluestone in Wales is lovely!

5foot5 · 20/05/2019 17:29

If you want middle class go to the Scilly isles, North Norfolk or the Hebrides

Blimey I didn't know I was middle class but I have been to 2 out of 3 of those in recent years!

I have also been to a CP (in Europe) but I was only so-so about it. The accommodation was pretty basic and I felt it was expensive for what it was. Apart from the swimming (and I am not a natural water babe) abso-blooming-lutely everything else had to be paid extra for - even the children's playground.

On Butlins I have no opinion as I have never been. But I have been to Haven - never, ever again.

melissasummerfield · 20/05/2019 17:34

I love CP ( deffo not middle class btw ) so maybe biased but i think with dc your age you will be spending the evenings in the accommodation so they can go to sleep, which is why i would choose CP because it is so much nicer in that respect! Also you really don't have to spend a fortune there, dc your age will be happy to go swimming and exploring through the woods which is free

Islands81 · 20/05/2019 17:35

I’ve done both many times. I was at CP Longleat only yesterday . But I would say go to Butlins. Yes, it is more working class but hey, this is England and no one will actually talk to you, so does it really matter? Once you’re in butlins nearly everything is free, and there’s loads for little ones to do there (more than CP I would say). And you’ve got the beach right there if the weather is nice. Mine have grown out of Butlins now but they absolutely loved it when they were younger. Another thing to consider is that booking this late, you’re likely to get a villa in the arse end of nowhere at CP, and dragging tired kids/buggies on the land train is a PITA. Butlins is a lot smaller so everything is an easy walk.

Islands81 · 20/05/2019 17:36

Oh and I’ve stayed in the silver accommodation at Butlins and it was perfectly fine.

Abbazed · 20/05/2019 17:37

Mmm, @melissasummerfield are you assuming children do not sleep at Butlins? Why?

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