What "All in one" alternatives to Butlins are out there?

Posted by argentsquest@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 36 comments

As much as it hurts, serious replies please...

What "all-in-one" alternatives to Butlins are there, with things like the fairground and swimming pools?

Due to work ect I've not been able to get time off for a proper holiday for years now, but with redundancy looming and a month's paid holiday and bonus before hand, we'd like to treat the kids to a decent holiday if possible.

None of us have passports so international is out the question, it would be 2 adults, 2 teens and an 8 year old - they don't mind Butlins but if an alternative is out there, I'm more than happy to try that!

Thanks in advance.

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just-visiting-3955@reddit

If you’d consider getting passports Efteling (drive) or Energylandia (fly to Krakow and train to Zator) would be great options.

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knityourownlentils@reddit

Tattershall Lakes. Been twice, loved it.

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djjudas21@reddit

Unity resort, Brean

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PrincessPK475@reddit

Alton Towers for a few days getaway is fab and well worth the spend imo. It's not "Butlins" but activities for days and has the waterpark alongside! It's our go-to minimal fuss staycation for the kids.

Alternatively, screw the all in one to be more flexible and go down to Devon/Cornwall and do the Eden project, theme parks, beaches.... They've got more going on than you can cram into a week.

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Weezlecheesle@reddit

Why not Butlins? Have you been recently? We go every year and it’s fab. We’re back there for Feb half term and it’s cost us under £400 for 5 days.

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justdont7133@reddit

Some of the bigger Haven parks have loads to do, Hafan Y Mor in north Wales is brilliant

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Princes_Slayer@reddit

Dunno if it’s any good currently, but we did Flamingoland for a day when I was a kid and bumped into a school friend that was staying there for a week. I was very jealous.

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foozyfelt@reddit

They have a swimming pool and crazy golf too. I run dance festivals there it’s good fun.

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LittleSadRufus@reddit

I think you'd struggle for a week's entertainment. My 10yo can do everything in the theme park a day, and then there's just the zoo which is maybe three hours worth.

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iBungatz@reddit

Center parcs if you're in the higher price range. To expensive for us, would rather go abroad.

Haven's are decent (if you pick a decent resort) we 2A, 2C; 9yo boy & 7yo girl find them okay for a long weekend (wouldn't like to go for a week though); Craig tara is well worth the cost (our goto one), have visited some that are filled with riff raff and gobshites though. EHEM presthaven

Park dean resorts?

Pontins if they're still around?

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andycoates@reddit

Craig Tara takes me back!

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moomeymoo@reddit

Center Parcs have lowered their prices significantly I feel. We’ve booked to go and it’s half the price it was 3 years ago, I think post Covid their prices got ridiculous and they’ve had to lower them as people stopped going. Still expensive for a week though.

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Alyssa9876@reddit

We have done John fowler sites in Devon or Cornwall quite a lot, also love Somerset. Tbh we have also gone in a house or cottage in various spots over the UK. Never bothered about the site having lots of entertainment as we would be out doing stuff everyday and play games etc together. But we have 4 kids so always a big group of us together lol. Most sites have some kind of evening entertainment and a pool plus kids play area. We have done Haven-some sites are good some awful so read reviews before booking, John Fowler smaller but have mascots and entertainment and never had a bad experience with them, but no where near the size of Butlins. Park Dean are similar to John Fowler and again always had a good time, also done the odd independent site but we are actually fine with less entertainment, they trend to be much cheaper and we have always been happy to go offsite or make our own entertainment if we need to.

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Greedy-Fortune-3276@reddit

Parkdean resorts

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That_Weather_1169@reddit

My kids liked Woodlands near Dartmouth lots of waterslides etc, check their website to see if it's something you may be interested in, but it's camping not chalets they also have another site on the Midlands but I can't comment on that one as never visited.

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hedgehogofjustice@reddit

They do have glamping pods now!

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Pyriel@reddit

Centre Parks >Haven > Park Dean > Butlins.

We usually spend a week in a Haven or Park Dean, as we take our dog and child.

Never had a bad time, especially if its somewhere near lots of attractions (West Wales is fab)

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St2Crank@reddit

Potters or Centre Parks.

Realistically though, you’d probably be better off financially getting passports and going to Spain.

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supply19@reddit

Potters in Norfolk, seconding Havens - reasonably priced and centre parcs too.

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Obvious_Degree_4786@reddit

Bluestone in wales

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BasslineToad@reddit

Decent shout, we love this place but their kids may find it a little boring, definitely more geared to younger kids

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TonyBlairsDildo@reddit

Especially since Oakwood nextdoor has been closed. There are a few attractions in south west Wales for day trips though.

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jackgodby22@reddit

Just got back from Twitchen House in Woolacombe, Devon with three kids under 5. Cost about £500 for the week, got a really nice static home with a hot tub, access to 3 seperate pools, tons of free activities, entertainment for young kids, and just 5 mins from the beach. Would thoroughly recommend, we’re gonna go again next year cos it was such good value.

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argentsquest@reddit (OP)

Why waste time with an AI that generalises search engines when I'm after first hand recommendations? "Use AI" isn't a catch-all answer.

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