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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

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Original poster

Butins at Minehead - with a 4yr old and a 9mnth old. Your experiences please!

19 replies

LowFatMilkshake · 01/02/2007 21:19

We have booked for a 5 day break there in September and I would like to know how other people have found it.

We did Haven last year as it was good, but not brilliant. Butlins looks a lot nicer, despite DH reservations that Gladys Pugh will wakes us up with her xylophone.

Please let me know how you have found it with young children.

Thanx

OP posts:

bubbles4 · 02/02/2007 20:41

this takes me back to when i took ds1 and 2 there about13 years ago, my two were about the same ages as yours and the week before going found out that dh had to go on a really important course so went by myselfwithe the ds,s and had a really great time,butlins back then was so geared up to kids and im sure it hasnt changed much.allow plenty of time to get there as the roads to minehead arent brilliant.

Original poster

LowFatMilkshake · 02/02/2007 20:43

Thanks Bubbles. I ave family in Somerset so we'll be staying with them for the daybefore and after sort of resting after and before the long part of the journey as we in East Anglia

OP posts:

Hayls · 02/02/2007 20:45

WE went in 2005 with dd (almost 2) and it was fantastic. PLenty to do for the little people but afaik lots for the adults too (dd was in a strict routine so we didn't venture out after 7pm). FAcilities were great, lots of nice places to eat and accommodation fab. It was great for the kids during the day but agree the roads are rubbish and there's not much else to do in Minehead so you're stuck on the resort a bit (if weather is nice the beach is very close but if it's September..)

shazronnie · 02/02/2007 20:45

We went last summer - the Dc were 18mths and 3 yrs and we had such a great time we booked again for this year!

DS1 loved the little fair, and they both loved the pool.

My DH wasn't sure but he loved it because we got to go to the pub / out for a meal each night (albeit back by 930pm!! because the kids were exhausted..)

You can also walk into Minehead easily and the beach is right outside the camp.

Hayls · 02/02/2007 20:45

Oh and the swimming pool is amaaazziiing.

shazronnie · 02/02/2007 20:48

We visited a little children's farm about 15 mins drive away, and went on the steam train for a short journey.

We also went to a really good place called \link{http://www.tropiquaria.co.uk/Tropiquaria} which was about 30 mins drive.

shazronnie · 02/02/2007 20:48

\link{http://www.tropiquaria.co.uk/Tropiquaria}

chocolatebirdy · 02/02/2007 20:48

Ok we have been there a few times and the kids have always loved it, the only complaint is that there is so little time and so much they wanted to do you cant possibly fit it all in! As for the resort is is by far the nicest of all 3 but some accomadation can be a bit dodgy. What basis and accom have you booked?

shazronnie · 02/02/2007 20:49

Sorry; can't do it today!!

shazronnie · 02/02/2007 20:49

here

Original poster

LowFatMilkshake · 02/02/2007 20:51

we have booked the gold accomodation CB. As last year a friend booked standard at haven, on the understanding itwas just a base, and got ripped curtains and mouldy walls.

I know Butlins is not Haven but that sort of thought sticks with you!

OP posts:

chocolatebirdy · 02/02/2007 20:56

We booked silver s/c and was fine, clean spacious etc etc Did the same following year but on half board basis and asked for ground floor, It was grotty, tiny, miserable and very very HI-DE-HI! The rows of chalets are their old old old accom and to be hounest should just be knocked down!
You should be fine though in gold.

chocolatebirdy · 02/02/2007 20:56

honest even!!

Pixel · 03/02/2007 14:40

We went when dd was 4 and ds was 15 weeks and had a good time. The accomodation was very basic but it wasn't as though we were sitting around in there all day as we had too much to do. Dd loved the evening entertainment and ds just slept through it in his buggy. The beach is sandy and easy to get to and I agree Tropiquaria is fab if you want a bit of a drive out. There is also a childrens' farm and falconry centre at Allerford where you are allowed to hold the animals. I got to hold an adorable 3 month old meerkat! A ride along the coast on the steam railway is fun with little ones, plus you have the moors not far away. The view from Selworthy Beacon is stunning on a sunny day.

If you are self-catering and don't want to pay the prices in the Butlins shop there is a supermarket (Tesco I think) within easy walking distance of the camp. When you come out, just turn left at the big roundabout instead of going straight across into Minehead town.

Pixel · 03/02/2007 14:42

oops, sorry I think someone already said all that!

softmusk · 05/02/2007 11:08

my kids love butlins age 1 and 2 and me and dh love it cus kids happy and i dont have to cook one thing i would say is look at ur guide every night and decide what u going to do next day or u will end up missing shows and activity u want to do we going again this year for the tiny tots week cant wait

OrmIrian · 05/02/2007 14:08

pixel - ITA. We live about 20 miles away from Minehead so have never stayed in Butlins but it's a really beautiful area and it's worth a few trips out of the site. Specially love the farm place at Allerford

Pixel · 06/02/2007 20:45

Yes, we love it, try to get down there every year if we can. We've already booked our campsite at West Luccombe for summer half term. can't wait .

hazel1975 · 07/02/2007 14:05

We have been to Minehead for the last 3 years - DS is now almost 5
Have always had gold accomodation and last year went half board which only worked out an extra £7! food pretty good too.

So much to do on site but we did venture out a couple of times.
Is good pub in the town called the Hairy Dog I think which has a great play area out the back and is very secure.

Am sure you will love it!

Hazel

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