haven or butlins for first cheap break with little kids

[oBoltFire]

Right this feels like a very mumsnet question but ive never done either so here goes. We’re thinking about doing a cheap uk break later in the year with the kids and I keep going round in circles between haven or butlins and cant tell if one is actually better or if theyre basically the same chaos with different branding. Kids are 4, nearly 3 and a baby so we’re not after shows or nightlife or anything fancy, just somewhere easy where there’s stuff to do and we dont have to get in the car constantly. Money is tight so it would be off peak and basic accommodation and I think that’s part of why I’m stressing because it feels like a lot of money for us if its awful. I keep reading reviews and half of them make it sound brilliant and half make it sound like hell on earth and I cant tell what’s realistic. Is one calmer than the other with little kids? Is butlins too full on and loud or is haven too boring? Or are they both fine if you go in with low expectations and accept it wont be instagram perfect. I think I’m just anxious about wasting money and ending up more exhausted than when we left but also really want to do something normal with the kids for once. If youve done either recently with small ones id really appreciate honest experiences and whether you’d go back or avoid next time.

definitely Butlins.

you will all love it

What do you enjoy? What sort of region are you thinking? Haven is more relaxed and loads of options. Butlins is full on, has all inclusive options and a huge range of entertainment. What's your budget?

Haven in Pwllheli is in our area. Family go on weekend deals occasionally. The grandchildren enjoy it very much. It's clean and well run. The little ones do like the shows. There's plenty to do and visit in the area.

Afraid I don't know any Butlins

Do a tots break at Butlins! The kids will have an absolute ball and you will feel relaxed because they will be constantly entertained.

We went to a Haven when my daughter was two.
We did use a car so went off site but if we had stayed on there were 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a play area, onsite restaurant (food style similar to a wetherspoons), an indoor arcade place and we were walking distance from the beach.
We wouldn't have wanted any evening "entertainment" type stuff so Haven suited us just fine.
There were some ducks that kept wandering around in the evening and my daughter loved to just follow them.
We also saw wild rabbits.

There is loads more to do at Butlin’s. The fairground, soft play, shows, more places to eat.
We love Butlin’s have been going since DS1 was tiny. DC are 7 and 11 now and want to go back this year.

Just for tots at Butlins. Mine used to love it and the basic self-catering accommodation is set up for families. You can walk everywhere and the site is car-free, making it perfect for pushchairs and scooters.

Haven is a mixed bag - not so full on, but if you pick the right area, they make for great base to explore. The deciding factor for me is rain: Butlins has done its best to mitigate that with indoor activities.

Oh and the pool!

We have been to loads of Havens too btw, no problem with them, but for things to do Butlin’s wins.

Butlins includes most of the entertainment costs such as rides, shows etc. Haven tends to be more added extras.

Id only go to Butlins for tots weeks, it’s too much for us otherwise. A good option if you are not wanting to use the car much.

Take food with you for both (unless included at Butlins) as expensive shop / eat on site.

100% Butlin’s. I did Haven first with 1 YO then Butlin’s with 2 YO and newborn. Haven just doesn’t have as many amenities, rides, fun kids things; only one park.

Butlins is a kids bonanza, a few play parks, the water park is so so big and fun, quite a few rides, indoor soft play, I’d even go as far as to say the food is better. Food is a bit basic but Butlin’s is moderately better, neither are exactly fine dining. But Butlin’s 100%. Also, Haven served me a raw chicken burger whilst heavily pregnant, and I’d eaten some before I realised. Was very lucky nothing awful happened.

I would maybe ease in with something more chilled and then go to Butlins next time. Haven is great, equally there are lots of similar companies - we loved, loved Seal Bay
in Selsey.

Tots week (it’s a specific week under 5 themed) at butlins are excellent! We did it with a sun holiday once but would recommend upgrading accommodation to something nice. Cheap enough in term time.

We do both but would definitely recommend a tots break at Butlins the last time I did a tots break we spent under a £100 whilst we were there for the whole week as majority of things was included in the price. My son was 4 when we last did the tots break and he enjoyed the shows, crafts and pumpkin craving (Halloween) Swimming (can go everyday), arcades and the fair rides are included as well as onsite parks. I know there’s soft plays and they do a lot of sporting activities.

Havens we tend to spend more time of site and spend a lot money. Spent close to a £1000 the last break we did. Although the accommodation is a bit nicer. Another cheaper alternative/ similar to haven would be park dean.

this is actually really helpful and kind of what i suspected. i think my fear with butlins was it being too loud and manic but i hadn’t clocked how much is indoors which is a big thing for me if the weather’s rubbish and i dont want to be dragging everyone in and out of the car. tots week sounds like it might be the key bit i was missing and i didnt realise how much was included either, i assumed you just got there and everything cost extra and you haemorrhage money. haven sounds nicer and calmer but also like you end up spending more or needing the car which i dont really want with three little ones. food wise we’d definitely take most stuff with us either way so that doesnt sway it much. leaning towards butlins now for this first go and then maybe haven another time when they’re a bit older and we want to go off site more. still nervous about it but this has made it feel less like a total gamble

Butlins is so much better than haven and I was pleasantly surprised when we went. The apartment was actually really nice and clean and for the price the facilities and entertainment were brilliant. Grand kids loved it!

If you avoid the 'Skyline Pavillion' at Butlins it won't be too manic.
Just do the pool, softplay, playground, mini fairground.
If you go to any of the shows I wouldn't bother queuing for an hour to get a front row seat, we always just go in 5 minutes before the show starts and sit a few rows back.

They’re both great for little ones. We’ve done both when mine were small.
im sure you’ll enjoy whichever you choose.
If you go for Haven, read up on all the sites as some have different facilities/sizes etc.

that’s actually reassuring because i had this picture in my head of it being grubby and chaotic and you’re all saying the accommodation was decent. avoiding the skyline pavilion sounds very doable and exactly my speed tbh, i dont need front row anything with a baby and two tired kids. i like the idea of just dipping in and out and not feeling like we have to do everything. i’ll definitely read up on haven sites properly if we go that way another time because i didnt realise how much they vary. butlins is feeling less intimidating the more i think about it and more like something we could actually manage without coming home more exhausted than we left.

Which Butlins are you going to? Bognor has a bigger splash/toddler area in the pool but Minehead is a nicer town with a great beach.

The only thing I would add is; agreeing with others Haven accommodation is a little nicer. And not all the accommodation in Butlin’s is the same.

the cheapest accommodation in Butlin’s is exactly that, cheap. Like student accommodation… not that great or clean. Would never book that again. We also stayed in the hotel rooms which were ALOT nicer and cleaner.

We went for mr tumble tots week and was great.

I would also suggest you look at Parkdean (a bit like haven I guess). We went to a lot of these in different locations when kids were young and they were perfect, pool,.play areas, evening entertainment that the kids loved and we could sit back and let them be entertained. Cheap and cheerful but can pick your level for accommodation. Didn't see where you are but we loved ruda in croyde bay, warmwell and Looe.

Hotel rooms at Butlins are definitely the best (at Bognor) but we have stayed in the Comfort/Comfort plus apartments a few times and they have been basic but fine and clean, very similar to Haven.

I've never been to Butlins, but liked Haven, Parkdean (some are cabins rather than caravans) and a chain in the new forest that seemed a bit more middle class and quieter.

We've had different levels of accommodation and sites differ quite a lot, especially the pools. So check what's there. Some vans didn't have heating but I suspect they have been replaced now.

I wouldn't book outside of the park chain with a private owned home. The cleanliness of that was variable, and seeing people's personal stuff doesn't make it relaxing for me.

Having a detached 'home' is lovely. You can chill and watch TV, great for baby nap time and breakfast is easy.

My kids never liked the entertainment but loved swings, pool and arcade, plus some activities like buggies, segways roller disco mini golf.

Another vote for Butlins Just for Tots break. We used to love taking DD when she was tiny and went several times. We used to go to Bognor and stay at the Ocean Hotel and have their meal plan which was brilliant. Happy days!

We loved a Butlins tots break, not too manic either, sounds perfect for you. Great value for money