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Original poster

To go to butlins and haven for holidays

43 replies

Yumyumcakes · 13/08/2023 18:58

Posting for traffic

Anyone been to Bognor butlins and Devon cliffs haven. Looking for 3 / 4 days at each one a weekend in sept and then over oct half term.
2 dcs 4 and nearly 2. What activities are included in each. What’s the pools like at each. Given the time of year is there enough to do?

ive heard mixed reviews I’ve heard people rave about them and then I’ve heard people say they are shit holes.

so aibu to consider it for my kids for a cheap hols?

OP posts:
DannyLaRuesBestFrock · 13/08/2023 19:02

Loved Bognor Butlins. Went a few times and stayed in the hotel.

Admittedly not been for a few years now, but we always had a fab time there when DD was little.

Also some nice beaches around if you're happy to drive off the site.

HappiDaze · 13/08/2023 19:03

Bognor Regis is ok so long as you stay and eat in the hotel or get a self catering apartment otherwise it's a shot hole

HappiDaze · 13/08/2023 19:04

*shit hole

Original poster
Yumyumcakes · 13/08/2023 19:06

HappiDaze · 13/08/2023 19:03

Bognor Regis is ok so long as you stay and eat in the hotel or get a self catering apartment otherwise it's a shot hole

So we were thinking the hotel, what’s shit about it? What are the activities that are include. Is the pool alright? I can’t take a grotty pool

OP posts:
Original poster
Yumyumcakes · 13/08/2023 19:06

DannyLaRuesBestFrock · 13/08/2023 19:02

Loved Bognor Butlins. Went a few times and stayed in the hotel.

Admittedly not been for a few years now, but we always had a fab time there when DD was little.

Also some nice beaches around if you're happy to drive off the site.

It would be oct half term so not really beach weather but we’d be happy to drive around. What sorts of activities are there that are good for 4 and under?

OP posts:
Tacocatgoatcheesepizza · 13/08/2023 19:08

We went to Devon cliffs in May and loved it. We had beautiful weather though so spent loads of time at the beach. It was a great site with loads to do and our caravan was a 5m walk to the beach. With Haven you get activity passes and then you can book activities on their app. Swimming is free but all the others cost between £6-12 per child. Mine loved the bungee trampoline, segways, archery and the tube slide. They also loved the massive arcade!

we would definitely like to go back but like I say, certainly for us the weather is a key factor because we love the beach.

There is a Facebook group called Haven Devon visitors chat that has loads of info on it.

RuLu · 13/08/2023 19:09

Love a Haven! So much to entertain children!

StaySpicy · 13/08/2023 19:09

We're going to Bognor Butlin's in a few weeks time with our 4yo. We have a self-catering apartment. I'm expecting a bit rough and ready, but with free soft play, free fairground rides, free swimming pool (it's recently been re-done), free shows, beach right there, loads of stuff in walking distance... 4yo will love it, be entertained and hopefully worn-out each day and I've already booked babysitters so we can wander over for some evening entertainment.

I've watched plenty of YouTube videos of people's recent visits to get a good idea of what it'll be like. We can't wait!

Tacocatgoatcheesepizza · 13/08/2023 19:10

Just seen your kids are pretty young - I think there were quite a few activities aimed at 6 and under but mine are older than that so I am not sure what they are!

ChimChimeny · 13/08/2023 19:11

Butlins is wall to wall entertainment, we've never paid for anything when we've been and never got bored. Especially when DD was a similar age, she loved the shows, characters, play parks, the.lot!
We've only been to Skegness so don't know about the specific pool but the one there is brilliant, there's slides.for older kids but a shallow pool as well.

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 13/08/2023 19:12

Love Butlins Bognor! We went every year when the DC were little, then went back last year with the (now adult) DC and the DGC - it was brilliant.

sweetheartyparty · 13/08/2023 19:13

The pool in Bognor is only a few years old and extremely good. Butlins is better imo because of what free entertainment is available

ChimChimeny · 13/08/2023 19:13

I forgot about the fairground rides, there are a decent number of rides which are perfect for your age kids,

JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue · 13/08/2023 19:13

In our experience, Haven Devon Cliffs is one of the better Havens, we had a good family holiday there a couple of years ago. Loved the direct access to a beach.

Nortam · 13/08/2023 19:13

Love Butlins there so much to do but the accommodation is absolutely disgusting.

Fartooold · 13/08/2023 19:14

I have taken my granddaughter to Spain, lanzarote, centerparks and and a 'posh' hotel for our 'special weekends'
Her favourites ever are Butlins and Hoburne (Cotswolds).

Go figure 😅

Just don't be snobby about it. It's what it is. Bloody brilliant for kids, and if they're happy.....

HappiDaze · 13/08/2023 19:14

I meant the other accommodation is shit

I like the Shoreline hotel best

Pool is fine but can get shut down all day when a DC shits or vomits in the pool

The evening shows are brilliant for young DC

Loads to do there

The wrestling is actually really fun and has its own separate arena.

The main large indoor area with cafes is like being in a shopping mall so I did not like that part which is a pain as they have younger DC entertainment there at times

It's well worth going to with younger primary school age DC as it's busy, entertaining with lots to do

Aliceinwonder1 · 13/08/2023 19:16

We've done Butlins a few times and I'd say for the age of your child it's absolutely perfect, they will have absolutely loads to do, rides, shows, characters. The pool would also be great for them as has a few shallow areas.
We've stayed in the apartments and done self catering which have always been fine..not amazing but ok for a few nights.

Fartooold · 13/08/2023 19:18

Nortam · 13/08/2023 19:13

Love Butlins there so much to do but the accommodation is absolutely disgusting.

I'm really sniffy, but have to disagree, we had a 2 bedroom apartment that was absolutely spotless, with a lovely terrace. I was amazed at how good it was to be fair. This was at Skegness.

HappiDaze · 13/08/2023 19:20

The accommodation varies significantly and will impact your enjoyment if you don't choose well

Original poster
Yumyumcakes · 13/08/2023 19:22

JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue · 13/08/2023 19:13

In our experience, Haven Devon Cliffs is one of the better Havens, we had a good family holiday there a couple of years ago. Loved the direct access to a beach.

We’re thinking mid sept so it’s in-line with eldest’s bday. Might need to get her a wetsuit to splash in the sea though. Day before she was born was the hottest day of the year, birthday dreary monsoon, that time of year is always iffy lol. Still worth it at that time of year?

OP posts:
HappiDaze · 13/08/2023 19:22

Do not under any circumstance choose a 'room' or 'standard or Silver' apartment. They are cheap and basic and have seen better days

DarkForces · 13/08/2023 19:23

We love Butlins/Parkdean/Haven/Away Resorts/Bluestone. It's so good to have loads on site, easy parking and a good range of locations.

HappiDaze · 13/08/2023 19:24

Haven is fine and they have decent pools and enough entertainment for little ones

Original poster
Yumyumcakes · 13/08/2023 19:25

HappiDaze · 13/08/2023 19:22

Do not under any circumstance choose a 'room' or 'standard or Silver' apartment. They are cheap and basic and have seen better days

Good to know, we were looking at the wave or the shoreline hotel rooms with a rented cot for the youngest? Is that alright?

OP posts: