Butlins review thread. Non-testers: Tell us what makes the perfect family holiday in the UK and you could win a £200 John Lewis voucher NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

This thread is for the ten lucky MN families who are going on a Butlins holiday over the next few months.

Butlins say “We have been providing family breaks for nearly 80 years, and although we’ve changed with the times, many people still believe that we’re old fashioned and run down. We’re looking to change these negative perceptions and show Mumsnetters that we’re a 21st century holiday destination, which offers brilliant family breaks at great value for money”

Testers are visiting the Skegness, Bognor Regis and Minehead resorts – check back to this thread to find out how they are getting on.
We have asked testers to add feedback at least twice - before they go and when they get back home.

Non testers: Butlins would love to know what makes the perfect family holiday in the UK. Everyone who adds a comment will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £200 John Lewis voucher, so that they can get stocked up for the holiday season.

Please note: comments may well be used by Butlins on social media and elsewhere. Your MN name will not be used.

Testers – please share on this thread your overall opinion and experience plus your responses to the following questions.

Before you go

• Where are you going? How far it is from your home?
• Who is in your group?
• Have you ever been on a Butlins holiday before?
• What are you looking forward to most? What are the DC looking forward to?
• How was the booking process?
• What are your perceptions of Butlins?
• What made you apply to visit Butlins?

When you are back

• Overall opinions from you and others in the family
• Describe your accommodation
• Describe your dining experiences
• Did your break meet or exceed your expectations?
• What activities have the kids enjoyed?
• What activities/entertainment did you enjoy as a family?
• Was there anything that surprised you about your break/Butlins?

How would you rate/ describe...

• Food
• Accommodation
• Activities
• Entertainment
• The Butlins team
• Things to do for adults
• Things to do for children
• Things to do as a family
• Would you return/ try out another Butlins resort?
• What did you think about the value for money – especially compared to other family holidays?
• Any other comments?

Please also do add a review on Mumsnet to the Self Catering pages.

Thanks
MNHQ

PS We've 'highlighted' the testers posts on this thread so we can see them!

Non tester: To have all the family together and lots of activities for all ages :)

Non- tester. What makes the perfect holiday is just to keep it simple, as simple as possible. The vital ingredients for our family h

Oops just sent too early by mistake! As I was saying, the vital ingredients for a family holiday are sun but not too hot, plentiful supplies of pizza and ice cream, playground and a swimming pool!

Non tester.
Best uk holidays for me are self catering.
Top things we have to have:
Good views with good access to off road running/walking in scenic unspoilt countryside with more good views.

Shop(s) within easy reach selling dairy free, as well as good quality local dairy and meat and a wide variety of fresh fruit and veg.

Some interesting, relaxing and safe things that teenagers will enjoy. Smoke free, late opening outdoor cafe in hot weather (with awning/roof for when it rains, maybe patio heaters) and a good atmosphere. If the cafe can be where parents can sit and watch their older children take part in daytime sports, then that is ideal.

Access to water/watersports, maybe horseriding, swimming, something for sporty as well as less sporty types. Somewhere to get creative, like a pottery or painting lessons, jewellery making.

What makes a perfect family holiday for me is spending time together, exploring new places as having a comfortable base at the end of the day!

Non Tester:

A great family holiday is best filled with lots of little activities that are free to do or cost very little.
We recently went on a UK holiday where the camp-site put on a little teddy bears picnic. It was £2 to go and kids got a little sandwich piece of fruit and a drink, they told stories and it filled up a good few hours and the snack they included was just an extra bonus to know that was one less thing to buy that day.

Non-tester. Within walking distance of a good beach. More importantly, to stay in a hotel with facilities for families, eg, laundry with drying room, kids adventure playground, access to kitchen at night for bottles, baby food, etc... (Makes all the difference)

Non-Tester

A perfect holiday in the UK would be one that was affordable and not silly money often costing more than a holiday abroad!!

Non-tester:

The perfect family holiday for us, is one which caters for our pre-schooler and our dog. It's not easy to find activities for both, so much our of holidays are on the beach.

Our base is important. Clean, plenty of room, facilities such as a dishwasher, washing machine, lovely shower and big enclosed garden.

Toys and books for our daughter is an added bonus too.

Just checking if it changes colour!

Non tester here:

Places to visit when the typical British weather turns... Ahem... British

Nice location, clean accommodation that is at least as comfortable as being at home

Restaurant or pubs close by (ideally walking distance) to get proper meals - I don't want to cook on holiday apart from breakfast. I would also like a children's menu that isn't just chips.

Communal play areas so that DC can meet and play with other children

Difficult to quantify but a 'safe' atmosphere where everyone looks out for each other and you feel that DC can have a bit of freedom.

Non tester - perfect family holiday for us is country or beach location, dry rather, dog friendly, activities on site such as swimming pool, tennis courts, nature walks. We often book self catering cottages either on their own or as part of a small complex. We like it to be quiet and to visit local attractions, as DC have got older they get harder to entertain so something for older teenagers could be a winner!

Non-tester
A perfect family holiday for us would be a holiday that caters for active children. I have an 8 year old and an 11 year old and they both love the outdoors with lots of activities to do like climbing, biking and places to explore.
Swimming and the beach are also a favourite for us. :)

Non tester. A perfect family holiday would be somewhere I didn't have to worry about child-proofing - no steep steps that plummet down to basements, for instance - where laundry facilities were available and where the weather was dry enough for the kids to run around and burn some energy off while me and DH could keep an eye on them but relax at the same time.

Non Tester

-Fab facilities mainly for when the sun doesn't shine. So a nice pool is high on that list.

-Near a nice clean beach for when the sun does shine. Well at least when its not raining.

-Cheesy kids entertainment in the evening not that I like to dance along too.

-Fun places to visit near by.

-Nice local restaurants. They don't need to be part of the complex but if they are even better.

-Clean place to stay. This includes the facilities too.

Non-Tester:

Must have good indoor facilities for poor weather
Must be in Scotland, not everyone lives in England!
Must have all basics

non tester:

• it must have great free indoor and outdoor activities.
• accommodation and facilities must be clean, I don't mind basic but I do mind dirty.
• staff need to be friendly and welcoming.
• nice local areas to explore is a big plus too

Non-tester
Indoor activities for all ages as well as outdoor activities as you never know what the British weather will do. Evening entertainment, a good pool with lots of slides and extras, clean comfortable accommodation that does not cost the earth!

Non-tester:
A lovely self-catering cottage, well equipped, child proof and with blackout blinds! Somewhere quiet but not isolated, with easy access to a park/play area.

Non tester.
For me, the perfect family break has something for everyone! Not just things for children where the adults sit around fed up messing around on their phones. We like to have access to enjoy ourselves outdoors, as well as being close to indoor activities in case of rubbish weather.
We enjoy holiday cottages that feel like a home from home, so we can cook a nice meal and watch a dvd if we feel like it instead of going out for every meal.
I like to come back from a holiday and feel rested, rather than that I've crammed so much in that I need another holiday to get over it!.

non tester
For me, it has to be easy to get to.
Easy access to outdoor space to cycle, play games etc
Access to a river for the children and dogs to get soaked in!
Outdoor cooking space - holiday BBQs are the best

non tester- I have never been to bultins but would love to visit sometime soon.
What makes a good holiday for me are: reasonable prices, child friendly, clean environment, and a home away from home atmosphere.

Non tester.

A tipi or yurt in a quiet field in the middle of nowhere. Plenty of wood for a fire, outdoor cooking and sunny weather. During the day exploring nearby beaches, bike rides or country walks. Evenings spent building a fire listening to dh playing a guitar under a moonlit sky. Perfect!

Non tester:
The perfect family holiday in the UK: not more than a 3 hour drive from home, clean and bright accommodation (whether a hotel room, self-catering apartment or a yurt), a beach to build sandcastles on, a sea to jump waves in, donkey rides, ice-cream vans, fish and chip suppers watching the sun go down. Simple pleasures with loved ones.