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Which Butlins resort is best? Minehead, Skegness or Bognor?
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There are three Butlins Resorts in Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis. But which is best?
The short answer is that we think Butlins Skegness offers the best value for money. It was cheapest in several of our price comparisons and gets the best reviews thanks to its modern swimming pool and range of activities. However, all three Butlins resorts offer a seaside holiday with loads of on-site entertainment and attractions. We reckon the resorts sit alongside Haven in the mid-market for a busy family holiday in the UK - cheaper than Center Parcs or Landal but more expensive than Pontins. You can either go for self catering accommodation at Butlins or pay a bit extra to have a breakfast buffet and evening meals provided. Onsite at Butlins you get free access to a swimming pool/waterpark, lots of activities, a funfair and entertainments. There are also some activities and shows which you pay extra for. |
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In this guide, we'll also cover six alternatives to Butlins in the UK:
Anyway, without further ado, here's our comparison of Butlins in Skegness, Bognor and Minehead. We did this comparison in 2020, so bear in mind that things might have changed when you book your Butlins holiday:
- Haven is run by the same company as Butlins and is probably the most obvious alternative. In fact, Haven Hafan y Môr in Wales was a Butlins resort until the late 1990s. Haven offer self catering caravan accommodation in beachside locations as well as some posher lodges. Some of their larger parks get great reviews and have an impressive range of accommodation and large swimming pools. For example, Craig Tara in Scotland and Hafan y Môr in Wales have good-sized waterparks whilst Wild Duck in Norfolk and Doniford Bay in Somerset get better review scores than Butlins on TripAdvisor.
- Darwin Escapes has about 20 lodge parks which offer classy accommodation on smaller sites. Some resorts have a good choice of activities including Cheddar Woods Resort and Spa in Somerset, Piran Meadows Resort and Spa in Cornwall, Talacre Beach Resort in North Wales and Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa.
- Landal Greenparks is a Dutch holiday company with a few resorts in the UK. They are seen as an alternative to Center Parcs and have outstanding reviews. Their sites include Derbyshire, Northumberland, Cornwall & Scotland.
- Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales is a very large resort with a waterpark and plenty of other family activities.
- Center Parcs has five sites around the UK and about 20 sites in Europe. The UK resorts aren't cheap during school holidays but they has great swimming facilities and lots of activities which you pay extra for. Center Parcs Europe can be a lot cheaper if you do some research.
- Bunn Leisure is a large resort made up of four adjacent caravan parks in West Sussex. It's one of the largest holiday parks in the UK and, much like Butlins, it has a beach, funfair and swimming pool.
Anyway, without further ado, here's our comparison of Butlins in Skegness, Bognor and Minehead. We did this comparison in 2020, so bear in mind that things might have changed when you book your Butlins holiday:
Which Butlins is in the best location?
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Car journeys with children are as much fun as treading on a Lego brick, so the most important factor might be a short travel time.
Obviously, the most convenient Butlins depends on where you're travelling from but as a rough guide:
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Butlins in Skegness (image from Butlins)
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All three Butlins resorts are alongside the beach. The beaches at Butlins Skegness and Butlins Minehead are sandy whilst the beach at Butlins Bognor Regis is shingle and sand, so less suitable for family sandcastle competitions.
If the beach is the most important thing to you, I'd start by looking at Skegness, which has a massive sandy beach. Be warned though, it takes about three weeks to walk to the water's edge at low tide so swimming requires perseverance.
If the beach is the most important thing to you, I'd start by looking at Skegness, which has a massive sandy beach. Be warned though, it takes about three weeks to walk to the water's edge at low tide so swimming requires perseverance.
Which Butlins resort gets the best reviews?
On customer reviews alone, Butlins Skegness was just about edging it when we checked in 2020.
After many thousand reviews, Butlins Skegness averaged 4.4/5 on Google Reviews or 4/5 on TripAdvisor. Butlins Bognor Regis was within a cat's whisker on 4.3/5 on Google Reviews or 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
Butlins Minehead was competing with the others on 4.3/5 on Google Reviews but was behind on TripAdvisor with an average of 3.5/5. TripAdvisor gives ratings in half marks so the difference may not be as significant as it looks.
After many thousand reviews, Butlins Skegness averaged 4.4/5 on Google Reviews or 4/5 on TripAdvisor. Butlins Bognor Regis was within a cat's whisker on 4.3/5 on Google Reviews or 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
Butlins Minehead was competing with the others on 4.3/5 on Google Reviews but was behind on TripAdvisor with an average of 3.5/5. TripAdvisor gives ratings in half marks so the difference may not be as significant as it looks.
Which Butlins resort is cheapest?
Now here's the juicy part...
For our price comparison we looked at the cost of a week’s holiday at each Butlins resort for a family of four. We looked for the cheapest accommodation for two adults and two children in a self catering unit which included at least a basic kitchen.
We also looked at the cost of the cheapest buffet accommodation which includes four beds without any self catering facilities, but which gave you breakfast and evening meals out. We didn’t include extras such as activity passes, as there is enough free stuff to do at Butlins if you don't want to fork out.
Cheapest price for a family of four for a week in August 2021, from cheapest to most expensive:
A week during October half term 2021, from cheapest to most expensive:
A week outside of school holidays in early July 2021
So, Butlins Bognor Regis was the most expensive option in all six price comparisons. On one date it was more than £400 more expensive than the cheapest Butlins.
Butlins Minehead and Butlins Skegness were fighting it out as the cheapest Butlins with only £10-£20 difference on some dates but much more significant differences in price for other dates (Minehead was nearly £200 cheaper for one date we looked at).
Of course, this is only a snapshot but my advice would be to check prices at Minehead and Skegness if a cheap holiday is the main factor for you.
For our price comparison we looked at the cost of a week’s holiday at each Butlins resort for a family of four. We looked for the cheapest accommodation for two adults and two children in a self catering unit which included at least a basic kitchen.
We also looked at the cost of the cheapest buffet accommodation which includes four beds without any self catering facilities, but which gave you breakfast and evening meals out. We didn’t include extras such as activity passes, as there is enough free stuff to do at Butlins if you don't want to fork out.
Cheapest price for a family of four for a week in August 2021, from cheapest to most expensive:
- Butlins Skegness self catering: £818
- Butlins Minehead self catering: £827
- Butlins Bognor Regis self catering: £928
- Butlins Skegness with dining (breakfast and evening meals for four people at the cheapest buffet available): £1024
- Butlins Minehead with dining: £1039
- Butlins Bognor Regis with dining: £1251
A week during October half term 2021, from cheapest to most expensive:
- Butlins Minehead self catering: £665
- Butlins Skegness self catering: £676
- Butlins Bognor Regis self catering: £919
- Butlins Skegness with dining: £851
- Butlins Minehead with dining: £947
- Butlins Bognor Regis with dining: £1283
A week outside of school holidays in early July 2021
- Butlins Minehead self catering: £295
- Butlins Skegness self catering: £477
- Butlins Bognor Regis self catering: £550
- Butlins Minehead with dining: £592
- Butlins Skegness with dining: £735
- Butlins Bognor Regis with dining: £916
So, Butlins Bognor Regis was the most expensive option in all six price comparisons. On one date it was more than £400 more expensive than the cheapest Butlins.
Butlins Minehead and Butlins Skegness were fighting it out as the cheapest Butlins with only £10-£20 difference on some dates but much more significant differences in price for other dates (Minehead was nearly £200 cheaper for one date we looked at).
Of course, this is only a snapshot but my advice would be to check prices at Minehead and Skegness if a cheap holiday is the main factor for you.
Which Butlins has the best facilities and activities?
All three Butlins are roughly the same size and the range of activities on offer doesn't vary a huge amount between resorts. They all have a 'Skyline Pavillion' which is a covered area including several attractions.
Unlike Center Parcs, many activities at Butlins are included in the price of your holiday so there's a lower risk of public tantrums when you tell your children they can't do yet another activity because Daddy is getting panicky text messages from his bank...
There are certainly some things you pay extra for, but nowhere near as many as at Center Parcs. Sports like football tournaments and mini fencing are included at all Butlins resorts, as are things like circus skills, tots discos, soft play and some craft activities (see the latest list of included activities on the Butlins website to avoid disappointments/arguments).
Things you pay extra for include minigolf, pottery painting, go-karts, archery, target shooting and bowling. Prices vary, but I wouldn't say they are unreasonable - for example in 2020 it was an extra £5 per person to go to the circus.
All of the Butlins resorts have a 'traditional fairground' which is free to use. At the time of writing, there are 10 rides at Butlins Bognor Regis, 9 rides at Butlins Minehead and 8 rides at Butlins Skegness.
If you go for the inclusive dining option then you will probably eat from the buffet which you've paid for rather than eating out at a different restaurant. However, lots of people go for self catering and then eat out on a few nights. All three resorts have five pay-as-you-go restaurants onsite, so there's no notable difference there.
Unlike Center Parcs, many activities at Butlins are included in the price of your holiday so there's a lower risk of public tantrums when you tell your children they can't do yet another activity because Daddy is getting panicky text messages from his bank...
There are certainly some things you pay extra for, but nowhere near as many as at Center Parcs. Sports like football tournaments and mini fencing are included at all Butlins resorts, as are things like circus skills, tots discos, soft play and some craft activities (see the latest list of included activities on the Butlins website to avoid disappointments/arguments).
Things you pay extra for include minigolf, pottery painting, go-karts, archery, target shooting and bowling. Prices vary, but I wouldn't say they are unreasonable - for example in 2020 it was an extra £5 per person to go to the circus.
All of the Butlins resorts have a 'traditional fairground' which is free to use. At the time of writing, there are 10 rides at Butlins Bognor Regis, 9 rides at Butlins Minehead and 8 rides at Butlins Skegness.
If you go for the inclusive dining option then you will probably eat from the buffet which you've paid for rather than eating out at a different restaurant. However, lots of people go for self catering and then eat out on a few nights. All three resorts have five pay-as-you-go restaurants onsite, so there's no notable difference there.
Most attractions are included at Butlins...
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...whilst some things cost extra (images from Butlins)
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Which Butlins has the best swimming pool?
The swimming pools/waterparks at the three Butlins resorts are all called Splash Waterworld. They're all a good size and are included in the cost of your holiday.
Butlins Bognor Regis has the newest swimming pool/waterpark (it opened in 2019) and it also has the most rides and features such as flumes and rides (there are eight rides and features in all).
The Splash Waterworld at Butlins Skegness is the second newest, having opened in 2013. It's got seven rides and features.
Butlins Minehead has the oldest swimming pool. It's got four rides and features, but it's still a good size.
Of course, that just tells you the number of features rather than how good they are but it's a useful start.
Butlins Bognor Regis has the newest swimming pool/waterpark (it opened in 2019) and it also has the most rides and features such as flumes and rides (there are eight rides and features in all).
The Splash Waterworld at Butlins Skegness is the second newest, having opened in 2013. It's got seven rides and features.
Butlins Minehead has the oldest swimming pool. It's got four rides and features, but it's still a good size.
Of course, that just tells you the number of features rather than how good they are but it's a useful start.
Skegness Splash Waterworld (images from Butlins)
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Bognor Regis Splash Waterworld
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Minehead Splash Waterworld
Which Butlins holiday park has the best weather?
If you want guaranteed sunshine, I'd try Spain. However, if you want a slightly increased chance of sunshine, I'd picked Butlins Bognor Regis over the other two.
According to the Met Office, the South Coast (home of Butlins Bognor Regis) managed 1749 hours of sunshine in 2018, compared to 1625 in the South West (home of Butlins Minehead) and 1635 in the Midlands (home of Butlins Skegness).
Over a year, that means you'll average about 20 minutes extra sunshine per day in Bognor Regis compared to Skegness.
As I said, if you want guaranteed sunshine, try Spain...
According to the Met Office, the South Coast (home of Butlins Bognor Regis) managed 1749 hours of sunshine in 2018, compared to 1625 in the South West (home of Butlins Minehead) and 1635 in the Midlands (home of Butlins Skegness).
Over a year, that means you'll average about 20 minutes extra sunshine per day in Bognor Regis compared to Skegness.
As I said, if you want guaranteed sunshine, try Spain...
Other differences between the three Butlins locations
- Butlins Skegness was the original Butlins, which opened in 1936. Butlins Bognor Regis and Butlins Minehead both opened in the 1960s. I'd hardly say this is relevant in your decision making as they've all been improved over the years.
- According to Wikipedia, the Minehead resort is the largest of the three as it can hold up to 10,000 people. From above, the three sites look to be a similar size overall and they've all got enough to keep you entertained for several days.
- Again according to Wikipedia, Butlins Minehead hasn't changed as much over the years compared to Butlins Skegness and Butlins Bognor Regis ('the changes at Minehead were less extensive than at the other two remaining Butlins resorts, and most of the original structures and layout remained intact').
Conclusion
From the information we've dug out, I would say that Butlins Skegness is the best value of the three Butlins resorts.
When we checked, Butlins Skegness was getting the best reviews of the three resorts, although Butlins Bognor Regis was very (very) close behind.
However, Butlins Skegness was cheaper than Butlins Bognor Regis in all six price comparisons we did - sometimes by as much as £300-£400 for a week's holiday for a family of four. The difference is sometimes enough to cover the cost of catered breakfast and evening meals for the whole week, which certainly makes it an easier holiday for whoever does the cooking. As a child, I certainly made the most of the all-you-can-eat buffets at Butlins...
Butlins Skegness has a sandier beach than Butlins Bognor Regis, so it's better for sandcastle building which is surely essential on a British holiday?
Butlins Bognor Regis and Butlins Skegness both have modern waterparks/swimming pool having opened new facilities in 2019 and 2013 respectively.
Butlins Minehead offers a similar range of activities, but it hasn't had as much redevelopment over the years and was a tiny bit behind the other two on customer reviews. However, we did find it was the cheapest for half of our price comparisons so is worth a look for that reason. In some instances it was about £200 cheaper than Butlins Skegness.
Of course, travel time may well be the overriding factor. In our comparisons, a Londoner could save themselves about £100 or more by driving an extra 90 minutes to Skegness rather than Bognor Regis for a week's holiday in August. But once you've paid for petrol and endured an extra three hours round trip with children in the car, you might conclude it wasn't worth the saving...
When we checked, Butlins Skegness was getting the best reviews of the three resorts, although Butlins Bognor Regis was very (very) close behind.
However, Butlins Skegness was cheaper than Butlins Bognor Regis in all six price comparisons we did - sometimes by as much as £300-£400 for a week's holiday for a family of four. The difference is sometimes enough to cover the cost of catered breakfast and evening meals for the whole week, which certainly makes it an easier holiday for whoever does the cooking. As a child, I certainly made the most of the all-you-can-eat buffets at Butlins...
Butlins Skegness has a sandier beach than Butlins Bognor Regis, so it's better for sandcastle building which is surely essential on a British holiday?
Butlins Bognor Regis and Butlins Skegness both have modern waterparks/swimming pool having opened new facilities in 2019 and 2013 respectively.
Butlins Minehead offers a similar range of activities, but it hasn't had as much redevelopment over the years and was a tiny bit behind the other two on customer reviews. However, we did find it was the cheapest for half of our price comparisons so is worth a look for that reason. In some instances it was about £200 cheaper than Butlins Skegness.
Of course, travel time may well be the overriding factor. In our comparisons, a Londoner could save themselves about £100 or more by driving an extra 90 minutes to Skegness rather than Bognor Regis for a week's holiday in August. But once you've paid for petrol and endured an extra three hours round trip with children in the car, you might conclude it wasn't worth the saving...
Six of the best alternatives to Butlins
Butlins is a popular choice for an active and affordable family holiday in the UK but it isn't the only option.
1. Haven (30+ locations, caravan parks, beachside, swimming pools and activities)
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Haven is part of the same company as Butlins and they share a lot in common. Most Haven resorts are considerably smaller than Butlins, but there are a few which are certainly on the large side. Haven resorts are in good locations near to the coast and some get reviews of 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, which trumps Butlins.
Prices are fairly similar to Butlins, with a week's holiday for a family of four ranging from about £600 - £1100 when we checked compared to about £800-£900 at Butlins. Of course, because there are more than 30 Haven resorts compared to 3 Butlins there's a good chance that you can get to one quicker, so you won't spend as long stuck in the car. We've picked out 10 of the best in our Haven guide, but highlights include:
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Swimming pool at Haven Craig Tara Holiday Park
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2. Bunn Leisure, West Sussex (large coastal holiday park)
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Bunn Leisure in Sussex is one of the UK's biggest caravan holiday parks. It's made up of a number of adjacent caravan parks including West Sands, White Horse and Green Lawns. Much like Butlins, it has a fun fair, swimming pool, playgrounds, minigolf and restaurants.
When we checked, prices were similar to Butlins with a week self catering for a family of four in August 2020 starting at about £800. It also gets similar review scores to the three Butlin resorts (4/5 on TripAdvisor). Read our full guide to Bunn Leisure. |
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3. Center Parcs Europe (20+ locations, woodland lodges, waterparks, activities)
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Center Parcs UK is usually quite a lot more expensive than Butlins. In our price comparisons, a week for a family of four in August 2020 started at about £1700.
However, Center Parcs Europe can be much more affordable if you dig around a bit. We found prices from about £750 for a family of four for a week in August 2020. There are Center Parcs in Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands with about 20 sites in all. We've also found it is usually cheaper to book Center Parcs Europe through the French version of the website rather than the English version. Sometimes you can save more than £100 on a summer holiday with this trick. To get you started, we've picked four Center Parcs sites in Europe which we think offer the best value based on reviews, activities, price and travel time from the UK:
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Center Parcs Het Meerdal in the Netherlands
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4. Bluestone National Park (large lodge resort, waterpark, outdoor activities)
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Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales is usually more expensive than Butlins, but it has a good waterpark called Blue Lagoon and loads of activities.
When we checked, a week for a family of four in August started at about £1700 putting it on a par with Center Parcs and about twice the price of Butlins. It's a large site with about 300 lodges spread over 500 acres. There are about 100 different things to do, many of which you pay extra for with highlights including high ropes, archery, raft building and a wellness spa. |
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5. Landal GreenParks (woodland lodges, simple swimming pools, some activities)
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You might not have heard of Landal GreenParks yet but they're a big deal in parts of Europe and they've got a handful of resorts in the UK.
They certainly aren't on the same scale as Butlins but reviews at most sites are outstanding. They are a bit like mini-Center Parcs with woodland, lakes and a pretty good choice of activities. Locations in the UK include the Peak District (Darwin Forest and Sandybrook), Northumberland (Kielder Waterside), Cornwall (Gwel a Mor) and Scotland (Piperdam) |
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6. Darwin Escapes
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Darwin Escapes has posh lodges and caravans in about 20 locations around the UK. They're certainly nowhere near the scale of Butlins with something like 100 lodges at a typical Darwin Escapes resort. However, the accommodation is very good with hot tubs in the posher lodges.
Some resorts are very quiet and don't have any facilities, but others have kids' and evening entertainment, modest sized swimming pools, spa facilities and sports. Some of the prices are similar to Butlins. For example, a week in a holiday home at Sandymouth Holiday Resort was about £750 for a family of four in August 2020 when we checked. Several Darwin Escapes resorts offer several facilities and activities including:
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Sandymouth Holiday Resort in Cornwall
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