The Bright Lights of Butlins
The Journey
On ‘Daddy’s’ recommendation we took the nine and a half hour ‘scenic’ route which took us through Whitby and Scarborough (amongst other places….many….other….places). The six and a half hour route thr AA recommends may be a better option if you’re travelling with children.
Games played en route – 7 (it felt like more)
Roads driven – 47 ? (I lost count at Kingston upon Hull)
“Are we nearly there yet mummy’s” – just 4 (a miracle)
Wee’s at the side of the motorway – 1
Times I considered divorce – several hundred (thousand!)
Day One
Well, what can I say, Butlins is FULL ON. There’s so much to see and do that by two thirty we’d seen two puppet shows, been to the arcade, the soft play and participated in an Angelina (or should I say Man-gelina) Ballerina dance class. Predictably we passed out during the afternoon and vowed to plan our days more wisely for the rest of our stay.
That evening Alex made a valiant attempt at getting back into my good backs and offered to do the bedtime routine. After washing the candy floss out of Erin’s hair it was time to use the archaeic hairdryer that is included in the ‘Gold’ apartments. A minute or so in and said hairdryer begins licking flames threatening a halloween halloween horror story of our very own. Shaken up but unsinged Erin and Alex emerge alive. Butlins were quick to replace the offending item with a replacement that was missing half the plastic shell off the plug (!), nevermind, at least they’re offering hand sanitizer at the restaurant.
Day Two
Erin enjoyed Bob the Builders Yard where there’s a selection of children’s rides. These are free as are a number of the attractions and the remaining activities and food are very reasonably priced, often cheaper than back home. Be in no doubt that Butlins is a childrens holiday, Erin loved the constant activities but Alex and I found that there was little we could enjoy, especially as we don’t drink.
Even though there is lots to do I felt the park was too busy to cope with the half term crowds. The shows and craft activities were particularly over subscribed which led to long queues and a few disappointments.
The swimming complex is large with several flumes, older children could probably enjoy a couple of hours there everyday. There is a small toddlers area which could do with being larger and having a bit more to do.
Day Three
We (Erin) enjoyed the opening ceremony and to give the redcoats credit they are highly motivated and enthusiastic, even in the morning, something I find difficult to comprehend.
Most of the fairground attractions are free, rides include a full size carousel (apparently “too slow” for Erin) and dodgems, although be warned they are the boring British-style ones where bumping is banned, you could probably pedal faster than they travel and a one way system is constantly in place, all the rules render this ride completely pointless and dull, you’ve more chancing having a ‘bump’ on the M6.
The Verdict
Overall Butlins is a good product but it won’t suit everyone. Chances are if you love Center Parcs you’re gonna hate Butlins and vice versa.
I can imagine Butlins being a teenagers dream with bowling, quasar, the fairground and above all the unlimited freedom.
There were a lot of multi-generational families enjoying time together but on the flip side there were some parents completely losing it, perhaps the sugar rush is a bit too much?
Butlins offers families value for money, and that, I would say is their main selling point. Although I won’t be returning to Butlins I think it’s a good holiday for many British families, and an institution that has stayed true to it’s core values of good fun at a price you can afford.
I've been blogging for four years and write about anything and everything that takes my fancy.
Above is me with my beloved Ernie in Port Aventura and left with our love child in Florida.
Themocracy
Sounds like my idea of hell.
… and what’s that about no bumping in dodgems? They should do it Spanish stylee!
Dodgems: Like chalk and cheese Laura. This safety first crap is getting ridiculous, you should have seen how slow they were going!
Are we there yet – only four. You are lucky. My daughter will ask that as soon as the car leaves the drive way adn we are still 4 hours away. hve fun
We were lucky this time, she only started asking during the last hour
I think the only thing that would drag me to Butlins would be the Marillion Weekend – and they have that off season and take over the whole place… sad prog rock geek that I am
I wouldn’t rule out an adults weekend
I’m with Moira. Sounds like hell on legs. And, wait, you don’t drink?…
That’s right, I make the odd exception on these blogger trips, you know, just to fit in
Oh I’m sorry it sounds like you had a bit of a poor time. Interesting to see how this compares to the shiny new PR hyped hotel at Bognor and how this is represented as a ‘new face’ of Butlins. I went to Skeggy a couple of years back and we did have a great time, but it was much quieter – February in the snow! We got upgraded and loved it.
A lot of it was down to the fact it wasn’t our scene, and I’ve tried to bear that in mind when doing the review. I think it’s a fair analysis though, and yes I think it would have been better for us if we’d gone at a quieter time and there was less hustle and bustle.
We live less than an hour away from Butlins at Skegness so me and the boys went as day visitors when our friends from Essex were staying. It was a couple of years ago now. I couldn’t have handled more than a day there – it was so hectic and noisy and the stupid rules and restrictions on he rides meant kids were upset as some of them could go on and others couldnt. We’re a family that loves going to theme parks so I don’t know why Butlins had this affect on me! Youngest son upset the snooker players by moving all their scores and I didn’t notice him until it was too late.
Sounds like it wasn’t a great day… We love theme parks too, it’s a completely different thing though I guess.