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Original poster

Off to Butlins...now dreading it!

121 replies

SpringHasSprungGrassIsRiz · 15/07/2022 12:02

We went a few years ago to review it for Mumsnet and it was great for the kids, but it was a Just for Tots break, and we never got around to going back.

Decided to book a week in Minehead to kick off the summer holidays as the DC are older and thought they would really enjoy it.

Just made the mistake of checking the reviews on TripAdvisor, all of the most recent ones are horrendous!

Dirty, understaffed, overcrowded!

Now I'm stressed out!

I'm going to have to pack my marigolds aren't I?

OP posts:
Joeblack066 · 15/07/2022 20:16

alphapie · 15/07/2022 12:07

Has Butlins ever not been dirty and understaffed etc.

Most peoples idea of hell on earth (mainly due to the clientele)

Goodness me what a horrible thing to say.
Said to someone going to Butlins too!
So rude and downright nasty.
some of you are so very very nasty on here.

shinynewapple22 · 15/07/2022 20:23

We had several holidays at Butlins in Minehead and loved it. We normally had a gold apartment and it was always clean on arrival . This was a few years back though and I can see that current job shortages in the hospitality industry may have had quite an impact - I think a lot of the staff were from Europe so probably will be an impact from Brexit .

So yes - take your cleaning equipment with you but I'm sure your children will have a lovely time . If you are self catering there are 3 large supermarkets literally over the road - and a few eating options in Minehead itself too so if it's busy you won't need to use any of the on-site restaurants.

JellyBellyNelly · 15/07/2022 20:23

Joeblack066 · 15/07/2022 20:16

Goodness me what a horrible thing to say.
Said to someone going to Butlins too!
So rude and downright nasty.
some of you are so very very nasty on here.

Show quote history

The poster can’t help himself/herself and just likes to be noticed.

GenghisCalm · 15/07/2022 20:24

We have just got back from Butlin's at Bognor our chalet was spotless and cleaners came every day to see if we wanted them to clean or if we just needed needed new towels or bedding. As it was so hot we asked for fresh towels and bedding and they asked to arrange a time convenient for us and they would come back and change the beds.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/07/2022 20:31

The thing is people are more likely to use such websites to complain than they are to compliment

This is true, but then the same applies to every holiday place and they certainly don't all attract the level of negativity Butlins does. Absolutely nothing wrong with cheap and cheerful, but you expect it to be at least clean and IME they couldn't even manage that

Looking on the bright side, OP, the kids won't notice and it'll soon be over ... just pray they don't ask to go back!! Wink

TheCanyon · 15/07/2022 20:35

We're going to skegness next summer. Never been to a Butlins but last week was chatting to the security guard at haven and she recommended it as cheap for a family of 6 and brilliant for the kids.

I'm sure I'll have a moan about something but I'm pretty laid back

Goldfishjones · 15/07/2022 20:37

Butlins is a great holiday for young kids! You need to keep your expectations low, it's a budget holiday to entertain the kids and pass the summer, not a 5* hotel honeymoon location.

You'll have fun, we always do!

Mydogatemypurse · 15/07/2022 20:41

Skegness as a place is horrible but the butlins is ok. Clean. Tonnes of free and safe stuff for kids.
Minehead however has the location and beach and is a fab holiday with young kids. We were tired out and fast asleep by 9 everynight after days of swimming, beach and every activity under the sun
Lovely villages walks and national trust close by too.

iloveyankeecandle · 15/07/2022 20:43

I'm surprised as we went in whit week. Was lovely! Entertainment was fab! It was all pretty clean. Though did seem a bit under staffed.

PinkButtercups · 15/07/2022 20:44

I went in May to Minehead.
We go every year. Stayed in a seaside apartment. It was clean and couldn't complain.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/07/2022 20:48

Hedgesfullofbirds · 15/07/2022 19:26

Can't comment on Butlins itself, but I echo what @Westcoastlover said - as a base to explore some of Britain's most beautiful and undiscovered gems it will be fine. Lynmouth, Lynton with its water ballasted cliff railway, and the Valley of Rocks, Porlock Hill, the Doone Valley, Exmoor, the Quantock Hills, Blue Anchor Bay, Watchet, the A39 coast road from Lynmouth to Kilve with stunning views across the Bristol Channel to Wales and, if venturing further afield, Clovelly. Hope you all have a really good time and there is plenty to see and do in this stunning area.

But, before you go, have a look at the extraordinary true story of the 'overland Launch' and follow its route! Mindblowing human endeavour!

Such a lovely post.

If you are going to Minehead, do to into the town and see what it has to offer. Beautiful coastline, well worth stepping out of the camp for. Go to the harbour end of the beach. The sewage outlet is on the beach near the camp. Only discharges at high tide, but I’d avoid it.

GyozaGuiting · 15/07/2022 20:52

Went to Minehead a month ago, food was fab- salad bar was great and I had the most gorgeous poached salmon.
Bedrooms were clean and comfortable, staff were BRILLIANT with the kids.
They did football, archery, climbing, swimming, science workshop, arts and crafts, we saw some incredible shows, went on the fairgrounds 1000 times!
DH is a snob and even he loved it.
We also saw Andy from Andy’s dinosaur adventures which made the kid’s week!

tsmainsqueeze · 15/07/2022 21:00

Despite Butlins not really being my cup of tea i've been to the Minehead one 3 times .
It's purely a holiday for kids who totally love it , each time it was clean and well maintained ,my only negative was the prices on site for food / drinks had increased a lot from when we stayed 1st time.
The pool was very clean,and the site itself also ,i expected rubbish and yobs , i was pleasantly suprised.
Minehead is a nice little town with a lovely beach ,Dunster village just up the road is well worth a visit , gorgeous shops and a great castle which is national trust ,kid friendly.
Morrisons cafe is a cheap place to eat and there's a Mc Donald's ,much cheaper than eating on site.
The fairground is great and the entertainment is very good .
We were all knackered on our last day .

CornishTiger · 15/07/2022 21:03

I went years ago and hated it. I think we were just unlucky and in hindsight I was in a mood. Car had broken down on way, I was worried it wouldn’t start to go home. We didn’t leave camp except to go into the town and a vile woman blew smoke into my baby’s face ( she was in sling). I also think I had PND in all honesty.

However I’ve booked for autumn. We have the best accommodation. I’m going with a fun friend. We will plan. The kids will be happy. I’m looking forward to it.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/07/2022 21:16

I’ve only been once, and it was in February, but we had a really good time! We went to Butlin’s, and mainly for the pool, I have to be honest. My ds was 5 at the time and adored it.

And this was with storms going on at the time. Sure it would be even nicer in the sunshine!

I don’t think it’s cheap though. We went in Feb because that made it affordable for a hotel with dining plan but would never call it cheap.

Hohofortherobbers · 15/07/2022 21:24

Went to butlins Bognor in 2019 and had a fantastic week. Cheap chalet s/c about £500 for 5 days, 4 people, all day entertainment, excellent refurbished swimming pool with lots of slides. Kids LOVED it. Not my usual holiday choice but I honestly couldn't fault it

WontBeLong · 15/07/2022 21:29

Butlins Skegness seaside accommodation is lovely and near all the activities. Always found them to be lovely and clean.

User48751490 · 15/07/2022 21:40

Food expensive at the restaurants dotted within the resort. I felt ill from eating same type of meals for one week. No interest in returning even though all the DC want to return!

Gottoomuchgoingon · 15/07/2022 22:13

Just got back Monday. It was totally fine. Loads of staff around. Got into all the shows and did everything we wanted to. No issues at all. Go and see the panto. It was bloody hilarious we took 2 10 year olds and they loved it. Booked for next year while we were there too

Gottoomuchgoingon · 15/07/2022 22:20

safetyfreak · 15/07/2022 12:31

Butlins is cheap? really?

Haven is cheaper and has much better reviews.

You can't compare them at all. Haven is a basic craven holiday. Butlins has it all going on. It's cheap for the facilities & entertainment you get.

Seriously79 · 15/07/2022 22:26

I've been there twice and loved it. Clean, friendly staff, great facilities.

Lilyhatesjaz · 15/07/2022 23:09

Not been to butlins, but Minehead is lovely especially when the tide is in, there is a really nice park just off the town centre with putting.
Also close to Dunster Castle and exmoor

Confusedmeanderings · 16/07/2022 00:07

I can't comment on Butlins because I've never been, but Minehead is lovely. Some great suggestions from @Westcoastlover and @Hedgesfullofbirds . I'm from Somerset and they are absolutely the things I would suggest. The gardens @Lilyhatesjaz mentions are Blenheim Gardens. I spent many happy Sunday afternoons as a child playing on the putting green! Kilve is great for fossils. There are wild ponies on the Quantocks and also a great picnic site called Ramscombe where you can take along barbecues; it also has a shallow stream for the kids to play in. If you are of a literary bent, Wordsworth and Coleridge lived nearby and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is supposed to have been inspired by sailors in Watchet. There's a great statue of the Ancient Mariner on the quay side. You could get there by bus, or get the steam train. I'm not sure when exactly you are going, but the Dunster Show is on the 27th July, not sure about entry prices though. There is also a Steam Fair on the 6th and 7th August, its a bit further afield though (near Taunton) and the entry prices are a bit steep I think. Actually, thinking about it, I'm sure the children would enjoy walking along Minehead seafront to the railway station to see the steam trains just as much and that would be free!

DobbyTheHouseElk · 16/07/2022 08:55

Confusedmeanderings · 16/07/2022 00:07

I can't comment on Butlins because I've never been, but Minehead is lovely. Some great suggestions from @Westcoastlover and @Hedgesfullofbirds . I'm from Somerset and they are absolutely the things I would suggest. The gardens @Lilyhatesjaz mentions are Blenheim Gardens. I spent many happy Sunday afternoons as a child playing on the putting green! Kilve is great for fossils. There are wild ponies on the Quantocks and also a great picnic site called Ramscombe where you can take along barbecues; it also has a shallow stream for the kids to play in. If you are of a literary bent, Wordsworth and Coleridge lived nearby and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is supposed to have been inspired by sailors in Watchet. There's a great statue of the Ancient Mariner on the quay side. You could get there by bus, or get the steam train. I'm not sure when exactly you are going, but the Dunster Show is on the 27th July, not sure about entry prices though. There is also a Steam Fair on the 6th and 7th August, its a bit further afield though (near Taunton) and the entry prices are a bit steep I think. Actually, thinking about it, I'm sure the children would enjoy walking along Minehead seafront to the railway station to see the steam trains just as much and that would be free!

Ranscombe doesn’t allow BBQs anymore, or anywhere on the Quantocks due to the fire risk. The Quantocks are on high fire alert at the moment due to the weather.

But the wild ponies are still there.

mrsparsnip · 16/07/2022 09:28

We went to Butlins a couple of times when the boys were younger. What we found was that it turned out quite expensive because many of the activities that the boys wanted to do (they were perhaps 10-12 years old) had to be paid for, and even hiring bikes and so on was a bit pricey.

The boys enjoyed the breaks, but I did find the experience heavy on my pocket.