To go self catering in butlins

[Lennon80]

I’m about to book butlins - never been as an adult only in 80s as a kid. If I go self catering are there restaurants you can eat in and pay rather than go all inclusive? Shops on site? Also which is better Skegness or minehead? Thanks

Yes there are restaurants on site that you can just pay to eat in, if we go back that's what I would do. We went for the first time this year, DD loved it, I tolerated it but we had fun, it's just really full on.

The one thing we agreed we didn't like was the meal plan, we'd gone with the 'premier' one so it was a nicer restaurant and food choice than the basic plan but it was essentially just a really big buffet and it was busy from start to end so lots of queuing, every table full, kids weaving in and out around tables.

I needed something a bit quieter.

We went to Skegness, they had papa johns, an American diner, a fish n chip shop and an ice cream parlour that you could book a table in or do take out.

YABU to be going to Butlins

We do self catering, and normally pick up shopping from a supermarket on the way.
It works better than buying on site and is a lot cheaper.

It depends how old your kids are. I don't want to cook or wash up on holiday, but my kids aren't old enough to tolerate waiting in a restaurant, so the buffet is perfect for us.

We had several years holidaying at Butlins in Minehead when DS was younger . Last time was over 10 years ago so my response may not be up to date. When we went there were several restaurants on site you could go to - a fish and chip one , burger one , pub /carvery and a pizza place .

We used to get in some basic food for breakfast, sandwiches, snacks etc - either take with us or there is large Tesco very close plus something like a frozen pizza, bag of salad .

Minehead is about a 20 minute walk and has a couple of family friendly pubs and a Wetherspoons, cafes and chip shops so we tended to go into Minehead to eat a couple of times during our holiday .

There is (was) also a small convenience store onsite plus a coffee shop .

When you say go ‘self catering’ do you mean booking accommodation with kitchen facilities? Or going room only and eating out for every meal?
The classic / silver rooms (except for some top end ones) don’t have any kitchen facilities at all, no fridge etc so unless you’re planning on eating out, self catering would be tricky in the ‘room only’ type of accommodation. When you’re selecting accommodation you can see a tick list of what’s included eg a fridge, toaster etc
I have always found the cost of booking proper self catering accommodation with a kitchen so much more expensive, that it is better to either go room only or choose a meal plan so all you need to buy is snacks and lunch.
We have always been happy with the premium dining - yes there are sometimes queues at peak times and it can be noisy, but the range of options and quality is good value for money in my opinion. Been to Minehead Butlin’s 5 or 6 times now.
Hope that helps!

We have been to butlins ( Skegness) twice in sliver apartments ,we went shopping at the nearby Morrisons.

YABU for being rude and stuck up.

The OP wasn't asking your opinion on holiday destination, she was asking for advice on where to eat.

We had a fairground apartment at Skegness earlier this year. It had an under counter fridge, kettle, toaster and microwave but no oven or hob.

I'm v fussy about holidays but we've been to Minehead several times. Nowt wrong with it at all apart from the crowds so don't understand this comment

We always stay in at least a silver apartment so we have a full kitchen & living room as OH stays up later than me. We've never been all inclusive but went half board and found the food to be really good

My kids love butlins but I'd only stay in the hotels.

Been to Minehead self catering a few times, it was fine.

We went for the more expensive accommodation that included a balcony. It was called Gold one year and Seaside another. It had oven, hob, microwave and fridge and daily housekeeping.

There are restaurants and a Spar supermarket on site, but just across the road was a couple of supermarkets, including the biggest Lidl I have been to. I would have no hesitation in doing it again 🙂

We have always gone self catering but usually eat out. The chicken restaurant, Firehouse grill is nice. The pub's OK. A couple of nights we will throw a pizza in the oven in the apartment.

Never fancied the buffet, but u do think they have a dine around plan where you can eat in the normal restaurants rather than buffet?

We've been going to Minehead for 10 years, always with a dining plan (premium one) - plenty of choice and we've always easily found a table but I think that depends when you turn up.
But...this year we're going self catering and staying in the lakeside chalets because dc are a bit older so won't mind being flexible about meals. Minehead does have plenty of restaurants on site.
Also worth knowing - if you go self catering and change your mind then you can sign up to the dining plan while on resort.
Hope you have a great time whatever you decide. We love Butlins!

Butlins Minehead has caravan park attached/near that you can rent from private owners and I've seen most /some includes passes to Butlins so you'd have a proper kitchen in those.

The cafe at Minehead Morrisons was always rammed with Butlins holidayers.

Thanks all - booked Skegness and just gone for the buffet thing.
to the poster who said yabu going to Butlin’s - I’ve had luxury foreign holidays but I can’t go on those all year round and the summer holidays is six weeks!’ Kids love it - not going for me going for them.

We've been all over, to Florida, on cruises on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, Hard Rock Hotel...etc etc. My kids favourite holiday destination remains Butlins at Skegness! Have a brilliant time.

(For info, for next time- Minehead itself is lovely. The site isn't as good as Skegness, but the lakeside lodges are great and the surrounding area is really pleasant)

Went to Skegness on a music themed event - we did our own breakfasts and lunches - had pizza in the apartment one night - other nights we did an Italian meal, Nando’s type another night and a pub similar to Wetherspoons - saved a fortune

We did the food court plan thing where you get breakfast and dinner at the buffet. I liked this and thought the food was actually pretty good. There are restaurants there which you can just pay for...but I reckon it was cheaper for us to do the buffet then pay for dinner out each night.

Enjoy your holiday...my dc also love Butlins. Last year we went abroad and dd said she preferred Butlins!

Why? Kids love it. Heck my 17yo DGD still loves it! They love the swimming, the shows, the chalet- all of it. And I love seeing my family have fun. When did you last go?

No, YOU would BU to go to Butlins as you clearly don't care for it, however, guess what, different people like different things.
Except stuck up snobs, they are universally disliked 😊

We went to Minehead when DC were young and the facilities/activities available are amazing for the money, but my overwhelming memory is how loud everything is. We ate at restaurants nearby, but off site to get away from it for a bit.

Yes, I think they've recently introduced all inclusive where you can eat & drink at the restaurants