going to minehead butlins - any recommendations from anyone? (please no negative Butlins comments here!)

[shazronnie]

We're going on 9 July for a week. Has anyone else been lately?

DS1 will be 3 and DS2 17mths. What can we do on and off the site?

they will love it esp bob the builder
will post more later im in work

any negative comments will have ME to deal with

thanks boris, will look forward to your words of knowledge

I have stayed there - We had no car so it was fantastic to have lots of things to do without much effort.

Had a fantastic time

If Dr and the Medics are on stage while you are there - You MUST GO!!!!!!!!!! Our favourite evening of our stay

I went about 5 years ago and loved it! Only negative is that if you are self catering then eating out every evening is majorly expensive and very limited - it's all bugers bars and fast food outlets.

The entertainment was cheesy but great in the way only Butlins can be, the kids spent most of the days in the pool and the park and when they were fed up of that there was the rides and trampolines.

Outside, there is a beach which I seem to recall was quite shingly (or am I thinking of somewhere else?) Can't remember going anywhere else tbh.

Although expensive for eating out, Butlins is totally fab - would love to go on a theme weekend if I get the chance!

QE we are self catering, but have budgeted to eat out a fair bit. can you remember if there is a tesco or similar nearby for basic supplies? don't want on rely on the on site (prob overpriced) shop.

Yup site shops are overpriced but useful if necessary
There is a tescos or similar in minehead town which is close by - and lots of other high street shops

A few years ago they improved the flood defences! and dumped a huge quantity of lovely sand on the beach - covering up the yucky mud

QE is right the onsite food is entirely junk food with jacket potatoes as the exception
But the self catering kitchen in your chalet will be fine for cooking when you want to

I bet you have a fantastic time
Im jealous!

thanks Busybusybee - I am soooo excited!!

Mostly the same as what the girls said

for the shows in the big arena, they do bob and a milkshake show i think and a pantomine, take your own food and drinks in your bag
they sell stuff there but it is all 90% sugar and expensive

there is a somerfield in the town, you will need to have a taxi back, will cost you about £5.
the shops onsight are too expensive

the boys will love the bob the builder place and the redcoats shows in the night

didnt go to the beach as it was in may

everything is far too expensive, and full of sugar, so try to take stuff out in the nights with you

but well worth the money, your sons will love it

Cheers - it was Bob the Builder who made us choose butlins in the first place!

busybusy- yes we loved Dr and the medics too, though in slightly different context (kids free adult only break with 'friends')

if you've got a car, drive over onto Exmoor and find a nice country pub. There's loads out there. Also visdit the West Somerset Railway (take apicnic), and Cricket St Thomas is noce although a drive.

We're going there next year for a few days, they take tents now and I grew up near (my parents still live there) so it will be nice.

If you have a car you can get to some beautiful places on Exmoor - Tarr Steps, Lynmouth. Tropiquaria is good for kids - just outside Watchet about 10 miles from Minehead. Really nice area. Enjoy!

went last summer with a 2yr old - it was full on - too much stimulation that we found it a very hard week but did enjoy it. bob the builder was great and the outdoor pool.

if you upgrade to full board (they may send you a deal a couple of weeks before) its worth doing it - breakfast is good full on english fare, evening meal ok, average but if you do - get there for the first sitting, theres more choice and its hot or arrive just before service closes. Our picky DD ate very well in here - eating everything she refuses at home.

DON't go up Porlock Hill - very very steep.

on site - DD loved the fun fair and the bit where bob the builder is - train ride. also liked feeding the 2p slot machines where you collect 2ps. Also they have lots of games where you collect tokens in exchange for pressies - spent alot of time of these because DD liked collecting tickets - not too much money spent though as most were 10p a go.

take your own mug as they only have those little cups.

theres a hire centre if you can't get you buggy in or need a highchair etc

Peachyclair - Dr and the medics are just sooooooooo cool!! We went pre kids and loved it

Word of warning to veggies - dont go full board (well certainly not the cheaper version) If you want veggie food you are likely to semi starve. If you make a fuss the best you will get is a ready meal heated in a microwave and dumped on a plate!!!! you have been warned

Otherwise we had a fabulous time

Re handy things to take with you
If self catering I reccomend a chopping knife and a plastic measuring jug, small chopping board might be useful too

Oh we always go up Porlock Hill, we like to live dangerously!

The steam railway is good fun. We saw the Hogwarts Express but I don't know if it is still there.

Agree Tropiquaria is brill. They have a big adventure playground, puppet theatre, zoo, and two full-sized pirate galleons in a huge sandpit. The kids can dress up as pirates and just go mad while you relax with a cold drink!

I can thoroughly recommend Burrowhayes farm at West Luccombe if you want to go horse-riding.

In Minehead high street there is a pub called the 'Hairy dog'. It has the best play area of any pub I've ever seen, plus the food and service are good and it's not too expensive.

There is a nice little place at Allerford (near Porlock) that does falconry displays etc. They have a big barn full of all sorts of animals that the children are allowed to handle. I even held a baby meerkat!

Anyway, if I were to list all the great stuff in the area you wouldn't see anything of Butlins . Can you tell I'm a fan? We're going down there in August. We have stayed at Butlins before and thoroughly enjoyed it but this time funds only allow for camping. I'm sure you'll have a great time.