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Which Butlins Resort Is Best? Minehead, Skegness Or Bognor? (2024 Guide)
There are three Butlins Resorts in Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis. But which is best?
**The short answer is that we think Butlins Skegness is the best Butlins - but it's also the most expensive. It was the most expensive option in our price comparisons but it gets the best reviews thanks to its modern swimming pool and range of activities. It's also worth mentioning that two ex-Butlins sites have been turned into large Haven resorts with great swimming pools. Haven Craig Tara in Scotland is often cheaper than Butlins. Haven Hafan y Môr in Wales has similar prices but gets slightly better reviews than all of the Butlins resorts.**
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 but more expensive than Pontins.
It's also worth saying that our conclusion has fluctuated over the years. Some years we have found that Bognor was cheaper than Skegness, but in other years it has been a different story.
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.
**The short answer is that we think Butlins Skegness is the best Butlins - but it's also the most expensive. It was the most expensive option in our price comparisons but it gets the best reviews thanks to its modern swimming pool and range of activities. It's also worth mentioning that two ex-Butlins sites have been turned into large Haven resorts with great swimming pools. Haven Craig Tara in Scotland is often cheaper than Butlins. Haven Hafan y Môr in Wales has similar prices but gets slightly better reviews than all of the Butlins resorts.**
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 but more expensive than Pontins.
It's also worth saying that our conclusion has fluctuated over the years. Some years we have found that Bognor was cheaper than Skegness, but in other years it has been a different story.
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.
Butlins Bognor Regis came second to Skegness in our study of the best value resort for a 2023 Butlins holiday
Which Butlins is in the best location?
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:
Obviously, the most convenient Butlins depends on where you're travelling from but as a rough guide:
- If you're travelling from London, Butlins Bognor Regis is the most convenient. It'll take you about two hours from Central London compared to about 3 1/2 hours to either Minehead or Skegness.
- If you're travelling from Birmingham, there's very little difference in travel time between the three resorts. It will take you just under three hours whichever Butlins you choose (unless you're stuck behind a caravan, of course).
- If you're travelling from Manchester, Butlins Skegness is the quickest journey at about three hours. Butlins Minehead and Butlins Bognor are more than four hours drive. Butlins Skegness is the most convenient from anywhere north of Manchester.
- If you're travelling from Cardiff, Butlins Minehead is quickest at about two hours. Butlins Bognor is about three hours whilst Butlins Skegness is well over four hours' drive.
Butlins in Skegness (image from Butlins)
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 is in first place (as of November 2023).
After many thousand reviews, the scores look like this:
TripAdvisor gives ratings in half marks so the difference may not be as significant as it looks.
After many thousand reviews, the scores look like this:
- Butlins Skegness averages 4.3/5 on Google Reviews or 4/5 on TripAdvisor - a total of 8.3/10
- Butlins Bognor Regis scores 4.2/5 on Google Reviews or 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor - a total of 7.7.10
- Butlins Minehead also scores 4.2/5 on Google Reviews and 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor - a total of 7.7/10.
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 2024, from cheapest to most expensive:
A week during October half term 2024, from cheapest to most expensive:
A week outside of school holidays in early July 2024
We also added together the six prices at each resort for our own curiosity and worked out the average cost:
So, Butlins Skegness was the most expensive option in four out of six price comparisons. On one date Skegness was almost £500 more expensive than the cheapest Butlins whilst on other dates there wasn't as much in it.
Butlins Minehead was cheapest on four out of six dates, but there was one surprising week at October half term where Minehead was slightly more expensive than Butlins Skegness.
Of course, this is only a snapshot. My advice is to check prices at Minehead, Bognor 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 2024, from cheapest to most expensive:
- Butlins Minehead self catering: £971
- Butlins Bognor Regis self catering: £1368
- Butlins Skegness self catering: £1480
- Butlins Minehead with dining (breakfast and evening meals for four people at the cheapest buffet available): £1407
- Butlins Bognor Regis with dining: £1804
- Butlins Skegness with dining: £1916
A week during October half term 2024, from cheapest to most expensive:
- Butlins Skegness self catering: £761
- Butlins Minehead self catering: £856
- Butlins Bognor Regis self catering: £892
- Butlins Skegness with dining: £1197
- Butlins Minehead with dining: £1292
- Butlins Bognor Regis with dining: £1328
A week outside of school holidays in early July 2024
- Butlins Minehead self catering: £347
- Butlins Bognor Regis self catering: £574
- Butlins Skegness self catering: £675
- Butlins Minehead with dining: £723
- Butlins Bognor Regis with dining: £950
- Butlins Skegness with dining: £1051
We also added together the six prices at each resort for our own curiosity and worked out the average cost:
- Butlins Minehead average price for the six dates above: £932
- Butlins Bognor: £1152
- Butlins Skegness: £1180
So, Butlins Skegness was the most expensive option in four out of six price comparisons. On one date Skegness was almost £500 more expensive than the cheapest Butlins whilst on other dates there wasn't as much in it.
Butlins Minehead was cheapest on four out of six dates, but there was one surprising week at October half term where Minehead was slightly more expensive than Butlins Skegness.
Of course, this is only a snapshot. My advice is to check prices at Minehead, Bognor 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 2023 it was an extra £7.50 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. It is also worth mentioning that Butlins Skegness has a new Skypark which is a great big playground with big climbing towers, an extra-long tube slide and 'the UK's longest interactive seesaw'.
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 2023 it was an extra £7.50 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. It is also worth mentioning that Butlins Skegness has a new Skypark which is a great big playground with big climbing towers, an extra-long tube slide and 'the UK's longest interactive seesaw'.
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...
Which Butlins holiday park has the best accommodation?
All three Butlins resorts give you a choice of either 'rooms' (i.e. a bed and a bathroom) or an 'apartment' which also includes a kitchen and living area.
If you go for a 'standard apartment' (which is what a lot of people do) then you won't notice a vast difference between Bognor, Skegness or Minehead.
However, there are some differences in the upgrades which are available at each resort. It can be a little confusing, as there are so many options (see our full guide to the different grades). The main differences are:
If you go for a 'standard apartment' (which is what a lot of people do) then you won't notice a vast difference between Bognor, Skegness or Minehead.
However, there are some differences in the upgrades which are available at each resort. It can be a little confusing, as there are so many options (see our full guide to the different grades). The main differences are:
- Butlins Skegness has a more limited choice of upgrades for 'rooms' compared to the other Butlins resorts. You can only have 'standard rooms' or upgrade to 'silver rooms' which are a bit more modern. You can't get a 'suite' which is a room with extra living space (those are available at Minehead and Bognor).
However, Skegness has six different grades of 'apartment' including some fairground themed apartments which you'll only find at Skegness Butlins. It also has some 'New Style Silver Apartments' which are more modern than those at Minehead.
Fairground themed apartments with wobbly mirrors are only available at Butlins Skegness
- Butlins Minehead has a better choice of different types of 'rooms' than Skegness and Bognor. As well as a basic 'standard room' or more modern 'silver room' you can also pay extra for a 'silver suite' or deluxe suite' which is a room with a bonus bit of living space. That means you don't have to sit on the bed to watch TV.
Minehead is a better option than Skegness if you want an apartment with a view or lodge-style accommodation. It is only resort with Bayside Apartments which overlook the beach, Seaside Lodges which are more spacious than most apartments and West Lakes Chalets which overlook two lakes.
Butlins Minehead doesn't have the more modern type of standard apartments that you get at Skegness and Bognor. However, it is the only Butlins which has bungalows, which tend to be popular with people with mobility issues.
Butlins Minehead is the only Butlins resort with these chalets overlooking lakes
- Butlins Bognor Regis is the only Butlins resort with 'hotels', as well the usual 'rooms' and 'apartments'.
There are three different hotels spread across the Butlins Bognor Regis resort. Each one is aimed at a different age group. The Shoreline Hotel is aimed at under fives, The Wave Hotel is aimed at junior school aged children and The Ocean Hotel is best for teenagers and adults. The hotels tends to be amongst the most expensive accommodation for a Butlins holiday, but they are modern and some rooms have sea views.
The cheaper hotel rooms don't have living space, but they have more modern decor than the rooms at other Butlins resorts. The more expensive hotel rooms are more like apartments as they have a bit of living space.
The hotels have their own restaurants and places to meet up with other people.
Butlins Bognor Regis is unique in having three hotels on the resort - including The Shoreline Hotel for preschoolers
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, it seems that Butlins Skegness is the best Butlins - but it's also the most expensive. We are going to give it our 'best value award' for 2024, but Minehead and Bognor will probably offer you a cheaper holiday.
Honestly, our 'best value award' is a close run thing. In 2022, we concluded that Butlins Bognor was the best value, but in 2023 and 2024 we gave it to Skegness.
Butlins Minehead was the cheapest Butlins by about £200 a week when we worked out the average price in our comparisons. However, it isn't as simple as saying that Butlins Minehead is always cheapest. In some cases, Butlins Skegness was cheaper than Butlins Minehead.
The difference is sometimes enough to cover the cost of catered breakfast and evening meals for several days, which 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 most of our price comparisons so is worth a look for that reason. In some instances, it was about £500 cheaper than Butlins Skegness.
Of course, travel time may well be the overriding factor. In our comparisons, a Londoner could save themselves about £130 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...
Honestly, our 'best value award' is a close run thing. In 2022, we concluded that Butlins Bognor was the best value, but in 2023 and 2024 we gave it to Skegness.
Butlins Minehead was the cheapest Butlins by about £200 a week when we worked out the average price in our comparisons. However, it isn't as simple as saying that Butlins Minehead is always cheapest. In some cases, Butlins Skegness was cheaper than Butlins Minehead.
The difference is sometimes enough to cover the cost of catered breakfast and evening meals for several days, which 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 most of our price comparisons so is worth a look for that reason. In some instances, it was about £500 cheaper than Butlins Skegness.
Of course, travel time may well be the overriding factor. In our comparisons, a Londoner could save themselves about £130 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...
Seven 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 (38 locations, caravan parks, beachside, swimming pools and activities)
For a while, Haven was 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 peak time holiday for a family of four ranging from about £600 - £1100 when we checked, compared to about £1000-£1500 at Butlins.
Of course, because there are nearly 40 Haven resorts compared to three Butlins there's a good chance that you can get to one quicker, so you won't spend as long stuck in the car.
You can either go for the full Haven experience with access to the swimming pool and activities (Haven Holiday) or you can just book accommodation and use it as a base (Haven Hideaway). Read our guide here.
We've picked out 10 of the best in our Haven guide, but highlights include:
Prices are fairly similar to Butlins, with a week's peak time holiday for a family of four ranging from about £600 - £1100 when we checked, compared to about £1000-£1500 at Butlins.
Of course, because there are nearly 40 Haven resorts compared to three Butlins there's a good chance that you can get to one quicker, so you won't spend as long stuck in the car.
You can either go for the full Haven experience with access to the swimming pool and activities (Haven Holiday) or you can just book accommodation and use it as a base (Haven Hideaway). Read our guide here.
We've picked out 10 of the best in our Haven guide, but highlights include:
- Haven Hafan y Môr in Wales is a very large Haven resort that used to be a Butlins until the late 1990s. It's had a lot of investment recently including a big swimming pool/waterpark.
- Haven Devon Cliffs is the largest Haven resort, according to Haven. It's got a surf school, three swimming pools and 12 restaurants.
- Haven Craig Tara Holiday Park in Scotland is another very large Haven caravan park. It's got a large swimming pool/waterpark and other activities. It enjoyed a previously life as Butlins Ayr.
- Haven Hopton Holiday Village and Wild Duck Holiday Park are both in Norfolk. They certainly aren't on the same scale as Butlins but they get better review scores on TripAdvisor.
- Doniford Bay Holiday Park in Somerset is another Haven resort with very positive reviews as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
Swimming pool at Haven Craig Tara Holiday Park
2. Parkdean Resorts (60+ locations around the UK)
**Parkdean Resorts Black Friday: 1000s of holidays from £69 + up to 30% off 7 night holidays (expires 04/12/23)**
Parkdean Resorts owns more holiday parks around the country than any other company. They've got 66 resorts, but they do vary in size significantly.
For a large Parkdean Resorts holiday park that offers an alternative to Butlins I would start with Trecco Bay Holiday Park in Wales or Camber Sands Holiday Park in East Sussex.
They're both right by excellent beaches, but Trecco Bay is a fair bit larger than Camber Sands. Both have had major investment in 2021, with £3m spent at Camber Sands and £3.5m spent at Trecco Bay.
Trecco Bay has a good sized indoor swimming pool and a long list of paid for activities such as archery, climbing walls, hoverboards, high ropes, playgrounds, a sports court, crazy golf, bungee trampolines, laser tag, crafts and drone piloting. There are also water activities, such as a Total Wipeout style inflatable course and kayaks.
Camber Sands has many of the same things, so you may decide to go based on whichever is closest to you.
For a large Parkdean Resorts holiday park that offers an alternative to Butlins I would start with Trecco Bay Holiday Park in Wales or Camber Sands Holiday Park in East Sussex.
They're both right by excellent beaches, but Trecco Bay is a fair bit larger than Camber Sands. Both have had major investment in 2021, with £3m spent at Camber Sands and £3.5m spent at Trecco Bay.
Trecco Bay has a good sized indoor swimming pool and a long list of paid for activities such as archery, climbing walls, hoverboards, high ropes, playgrounds, a sports court, crazy golf, bungee trampolines, laser tag, crafts and drone piloting. There are also water activities, such as a Total Wipeout style inflatable course and kayaks.
Camber Sands has many of the same things, so you may decide to go based on whichever is closest to you.
Parkdean Resort's largest holiday park is Trecco Bay in Wales
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Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands is another very large resort which competes with Butlins
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3. Bluestone National Park (large lodge resort, waterpark, outdoor activities)
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 £2000 which is less than Center Parcs but about £500 more than 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.
When we checked, a week for a family of four in August started at about £2000 which is less than Center Parcs but about £500 more than 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.
Bluestone in Wales is a large resort which is similar to Center Parcs
4. Center Parcs Europe (20+ locations, woodland lodges, waterparks, activities)
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 2024 started at about £2100.
However, Center Parcs Europe can be much more affordable if you dig around a bit. We found prices from about £1100 for a family of four for a week in August 2024.
There are Center Parcs in Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands with about 25 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 EU 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:
However, Center Parcs Europe can be much more affordable if you dig around a bit. We found prices from about £1100 for a family of four for a week in August 2024.
There are Center Parcs in Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands with about 25 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 EU 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:
- Center Parcs Het Meerdal in the Netherlands (£1141 in our comparison for a week in August 2024 for four people)
- Center Parcs De Vossemeren in Belgium (£1205 in our comparison)
- Center Parcs Park Bostalsee in Germany (£1495 in our comparison)
- Center Parcs Le Bois Aux Daims in France (£1556 in our comparison)
Center Parcs Het Meerdal in the Netherlands
5. Seal Bay Resort, West Sussex (large coastal holiday park)
Seal Bay Resort in Sussex is one of the UK's biggest caravan holiday parks. It was previously called Bunn Leisure and is made up of a number of adjacent caravan parks including West Sands, White Horse and Green Lawns. Much like Butlins, it has a funfair, swimming pool, playgrounds, minigolf and restaurants.
When we checked, prices were slightly cheaper than Butlins with a week self catering for a family of four in August 2024 starting at about £850. It also gets similar review scores to the three Butlin resorts (4/5 on TripAdvisor).
Read our full guide to Seal Bay Resort.
When we checked, prices were slightly cheaper than Butlins with a week self catering for a family of four in August 2024 starting at about £850. It also gets similar review scores to the three Butlin resorts (4/5 on TripAdvisor).
Read our full guide to Seal Bay Resort.
Seal Bay Resort in Sussex is made up of several different caravan parks (it was previously called Bunn Leisure)
6. Landal GreenParks (woodland lodges, simple swimming pools, some activities)
You might not have heard of Landal GreenParks but they're a big deal in parts of Europe and they've got about 20 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) and Cornwall (Gwel an Mor).
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) and Cornwall (Gwel an Mor).
Landal Gwel an Mor in Cornwall scores 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor
7. Darwin Escapes
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 whilst posh lodges with bells and whistles will cost you two or three times as much.
Several Darwin Escapes resorts offer several facilities and activities including:
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 whilst posh lodges with bells and whistles will cost you two or three times as much.
Several Darwin Escapes resorts offer several facilities and activities including:
- Sandymouth Holiday Resort and Piran Meadows Resort and Spa in Cornwall.
- Cheddar Woods Resort and Spa in Somerset
- Talacre Beach Resort in North Wales
- Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa
Sandymouth Holiday Resort in Cornwall
Images are from Haven, Darwin Escapes, Landal, Parkdean Resorts, Butlins, Center Parcs Europe and Bluestone.
