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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Butlins - Bognor

30 replies

febbabies2023 · 05/07/2023 16:03

I've searched threads and found a couple but they all seem to be about mine head and Skegness

We're taking our little one next week for his third birthday. I've never been before, so I'm looking forward to it (tentatively)

Tell me the best things about it, what is my little one going to love

I don't need to hear the negatives

Worst case we have an abroad holiday in September with the kids too so if this is a massive flop it's not the end of the world 😂

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OwlBasket · 05/07/2023 16:13

I’ve not been to the Butlins but have family in Bognor, it is a wee bit run down but I like like it there. Much nicer as a twin then Skegness for sure! The beach is gorgeous. Excellent fish and chips just across and to the right of the train station and Hotham Park is a gem, has a lovely miniature train you can ride that DS is bound to love.

I bet you’ll have a grand holiday!

OwlBasket · 05/07/2023 16:14

Twin=town

PorridgeFace · 05/07/2023 16:18

My little ones love the tots breaks. Swimming, shows and the fairground are favourites. Can't remember if Bognor has the little tykes race track but they enjoy that.
Play doh is also good but books up in advance; as does soft play.
Book all your shows in advance; there's usually room for everyone's but those who have booked on the app get in first.

LizziesTwin · 05/07/2023 16:20

Hotham Park has a great café - delicious food as well as the mini train & crazy golf. The park run there is v friendly and v close to Butlin’s.

FictionalCharacter · 05/07/2023 16:25

We liked it when we used to go with the dc. It’s right by the beach which is lovely. I’d forgotten about the little train, your tot will love that.

Scalessayeek · 05/07/2023 16:28

If you like nice food and you’ve not got a food package you have to go to the lobster pot. You exit out the day visit gate, walk up to the prom and walk along the left. It’s a short walk along the front. Amazing food (breakfasts are great too). Just make sure it’s a nice day as it’s mostly outdoor seating.

Scalessayeek · 05/07/2023 16:29

Also, depending on your location we usually hit Paultons Park on the way home on the Friday (home of Peppa Pig world) which is fab :)

OwlBasket · 05/07/2023 16:33

Scalessayeek · 05/07/2023 16:28

If you like nice food and you’ve not got a food package you have to go to the lobster pot. You exit out the day visit gate, walk up to the prom and walk along the left. It’s a short walk along the front. Amazing food (breakfasts are great too). Just make sure it’s a nice day as it’s mostly outdoor seating.

Yes! I wanted to recommend the lobster pot too but just could not remember the name

Scalessayeek · 05/07/2023 16:34

OwlBasket · 05/07/2023 16:33

Yes! I wanted to recommend the lobster pot too but just could not remember the name

Show quote history

I’m always torn between spreading the word and it getting too busy and keeping a cute little business going 🤣

Original poster
febbabies2023 · 05/07/2023 17:32

Ahh thank you all!

DS will LOVE the train, he's obsessed and always asking to go on them so I'll take him on this!

We didn't book dining with Butlin's as I know these type of places can be quite crap for food and always busy so we prefer to do our own thing.

Any other restaurant recommendations greatly appreciated.

It's his birthday the day we go so we will definitely be looking for somewhere for dinner then 🥰

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BluesandClues · 05/07/2023 17:45

As a family we love Butlins, and Bognor is our go to for a family holiday. Are you doing just for tots? We loved going when ours were that age.

The two p machines are always a hit, the fish and chip cafe is really good there as well. We’ve also tried the American diner as well which was a hit.

The new pool is lovely, and they have a really toddler friendly bit. I’d always advise going first thing if your children are up with the birds, or late afternoon (if you want to avoid crowds).

Take snacks, as they’re a bit overpriced at the resort. Defo do the ice parlour though!

Oh lots of supermarkets will do delivery to the gate of the resort, just make sure you take bags to pick it up.

My latest tip would be plastic boxes to put your things in, you get those airport luggage trolleys to help transfer your bits to the room/wherever you’re staying. They tend to be a bit unwieldy, and in previous years we’ve had issues with cases and bags falling off. After seeing a family take all their bits in such a manner, I copied them. I have to say it was a game changer.

If you’re self catering take salt/pepper/sauces and some decent washing up liquid. The stuff they supply is a bit rubbish.

This may also sound a bit deranged, but next time I go I’m taking a carpet sweeper. The carpets show up EVERY bit of stuff and annoys the living hell out of me.

BluesandClues · 05/07/2023 17:45

Oh also, we’ve done the catered packages. The premium dining package is so good. It was easily the best part of our break this year.

BluesandClues · 05/07/2023 17:47

Oh oh oh!! We always get a pool picture done, don’t ask me why it’s become a whole thing for us. But it’s a photo op that we’ve never really had to wait in line for.

Original poster
febbabies2023 · 05/07/2023 21:41

Thank you all!

I've just checked the booking for a few things and my partner has booked a room and not an apartment 🥲
So I've just added the premium dining plan so I'm glad you've said it was good @BluesandClues !
Thank you for all your tips as well

LO loves arcades, the ride on cars, trains and swimming so I don't think he's going to be bored

I'm very excited to spend time with him and see his little face 🥹
Our four month old just coming along for the ride bless her

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FictionalCharacter · 05/07/2023 23:15

febbabies2023 · 05/07/2023 21:41

Thank you all!

I've just checked the booking for a few things and my partner has booked a room and not an apartment 🥲
So I've just added the premium dining plan so I'm glad you've said it was good @BluesandClues !
Thank you for all your tips as well

LO loves arcades, the ride on cars, trains and swimming so I don't think he's going to be bored

I'm very excited to spend time with him and see his little face 🥹
Our four month old just coming along for the ride bless her

Oh yes, I second the recommendation for premium dining. We had some good food there.
One other tip - go to the spa if you can! It's really good. I've had some lovely treatments there and the spa itself is very nice. If your DH will have the kids for a morning, treat yourself to some relaxing time off.

restie · 05/07/2023 23:44

Its a good holiday with everything laid on.. I would take an extension cable ... as I found a shortage of plug sockets...

turtletum · 06/07/2023 11:01

Went last year and the kids loved it. We stayed in one of the hotels and did the premium dining package, which was good. Hearty breakfasts with so much choice and some good dinners.
Kids spent hours in the skyline pavilion, in the soft play, and on the little fairground rides. The tots shows were good but do prebook. We tended to go to the pool later in the day to avoid crowds, although it was still busy. Great area for littles, water spray section and several slides.
Enjoy!

MeeThree · 06/07/2023 11:04

You will have a great time. I went to one of the music weekends a year or so ago and all the kids stuff looked fab.

Original poster
febbabies2023 · 07/07/2023 09:06

Thanks all!

It doesn't look like I can book the shows. They're just turn up ones. The ones that are bookable are likely to old for the little ones

I'm excited now you've all put my mind at rest

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Apricotton · 07/07/2023 09:08

The fish and chips are really good there!

cocksstrideintheevening · 07/07/2023 09:14

My kids still LOVE Butlins and they're 12 now, the new pool is great, and the beach is lovely too. We always stay in the Wave hotel, when they were younger they loved the bunk room and we get the dining package.

We were last there in December and there was quite a bit of building work going, some kind of new playground which looked like it was going to be good.

We are lucky enough to have had same amazing abroad holidays but it is Butlins they talk about the most.

PrimrosesandPears · 07/07/2023 09:18

We went this spring, my kids were similar ages to what yours will be. My 3yo adored it and constantly asks when we can go again, it was the best holiday she has ever had. We spent most of our time moving from tots fairground to softplay and back (there are two, one for 1m and under and one for 1m+ so you can only do one or the other - she was too short for the big one but really wanted to go in it so that was a bit tricky but small one still good). Went to the beach one day, it’s pebbles but still nice. Pool is fab and family changing rooms were so good (eg chair to strap baby in whilst getting toddler dressed) but was super, super crowded which I found a bit overwhelming at times so definitely try to find the quieter times. Lots of outdoor parks dotted around too which were a hit. It’s so good for this age - enjoy it!

Original poster
febbabies2023 · 07/07/2023 09:36

@cocksstrideintheevening I love that they talk about butlins more than anything! We took DS to Florida last year which was his first holiday, and if he talks about butlins more than 'ma-mouse' I'll be annoyed 😂😂

Im fairness butlins is directed to children isn't it so it's all about them! Abroad holidays whilst are good for kids aren't 100% directed to kids

He's gonna have a lovely time I'm sure! His little face will be a picture

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742EvergreenTerrace · 07/07/2023 14:26

I enjoy Bognor and my kids do too. Lots to do, the food is middling but I expect it to be as it’s not a 5 star Michelin star establishment. The staff are friendly. You get your types on holiday that if you let them ruin your day they will, but just try to avoid. This isn’t exclusive to Butlins. I’ve never been to the beach there as my home town has a beach so it’s not so much of a draw. For me the best part of Butlins is the activities and shows on offer, your kids won’t be bored.

Original poster
febbabies2023 · 08/07/2023 11:49

@742EvergreenTerrace oh yeah I don't expect the food to be of that quality, as long as it's hot and tasty for what we paid im okay with that! I've seen the variety too which is ideal for the 3 year old. I mean I'll try and get some veg into him but I'm not feeling hopeful on that one. He'll love living on pizza / pasta / ice cream / fruit for an entire week 😬😂

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