A great place to take your younger children (Butlins (Bognor Regis))

Member Name: chrisc92

Product:	Butlins (Bognor Regis)
Date:	26/06/09 (609 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Often discounts available, good choice of entertainment for younger children, 5* swimming

Disadvantages: Not enough for older children, food a little hit and miss as is the older (family) entertainment

Up until last year, I went to Butlins 3 times in 5 years - twice at Skegness and the last time at Bognor Regis. I never took my family to Minehead, partly as I used to live in Taunton, so to me was pretty local, but more what I placed on the location which was pretty run down, and until recently didn't even have a beach.

Since visiting Bognor Regis my family situation has changed dramatically, but this is a review as at the time.

It took approx 3.5 hours driving from Plymouth and is situated on the sea front - and from a previous experience is subject to sea spray when the wind is right. We booked online, which was a little difficult, as it took several tries to get a decent price - it was in the region of £750-£900 for 6 of us - my wife, myself and 4 children, which we eventually managed to split into 3 silver chalets for 1 week half board during July.

The chalets were in a good condition, my only complaint was that the chalets were on a slight incline - not their fault, but pushing my disabled wife up the slope proved a bit of a no-no. It was a little odd, but for some reason our accommodation's restaurant was placed on the opposite side of the camp next to the swimming pool.

Unlike Skegness, this is much more compact, but the skyline, and the shops etc seemed pretty much identical. There's lots for young kids to do with some indoor rides for those under about 6, and a play area for the really young and those from about 5 - my 4 year old daughter went on the older bit, but there were a few things she had difficulty with. There's also football, archery and other activities that the older ones can join in. I'm not keen on the idea that gokarts and a couple other activities are extra (unlike Pontins), but that's a personal choice.

There's also a few fun rides like dodgems, gliders, carousel and tugboat. For many (unlike me), the swimming pool seems to be essential - it has 3 flumes that you can zoom down, a ride around the inside of the pool (in a dinghy - master blaster?) and for some a more scary ride in which you eventually go spinning around what looks like a massive goldfish bowl until you fall out the bottom into 6 ft of water. It also has a standard pool area, rapids, a few slides, and bubbles. The area I didn't like was the walk in tidal area - and this is why: as I mentioned earlier I went with my disabled wife and my 4 year old as well (as her other children), and I had to use their waterchair to wheel her into this area on my own as the pool attendants wouldn't (as she was a little too heavy for them), within 10 minutes of wheeling her in they started the wave machine, but unlike Skegness it was much more powerful. Needless to say I left my daughter at the top of the slope (out of danger I thought) to help my wife who was by this time half-out of the chair. When I turned round my daugher was face down in the water, with not one pool attendant even aware. I hate swimming as it is, but their lack of any care was appauling. I did take my daughter in the outside pool and let on the slides, but never went back in the indoor one.

For the older kids, they have a club where they can go until 10 (or possibly 12), but on this occassion the oldest was 17 and felt like he was older than the ones running it! He unfortunately, got fed up very quickly and went home by train after just 3 days - which also impacted on the others.

The food was good overall, but unfortunately it was at times a little hit and miss, and there were a couple of times when the menu outside didn't match what they were serving. It was however, a little difficult choosing 7 seperate dinner meals, and breakfast was pretty standard. However, finding a table can often be a little hard.

The evening entertainment again is a bit hit and miss, they do have some good acts, and some for the young ones like sooty, but it really p'd me off on our last night that everyone except me wanted to see Chico, but I wanted to watch Dr & The Medics! I didn't watch them, but I did enjoy the Queen tribute, and they certainly have some very talented musicians (although they didn't even try mimicking Brian May).

In the skyline, there are often diverse acts, many aimed at the kids, but it's certainly worth looking in to see what's going on.

It's quite easy to walk out onto the beach which is literally just outside the camp.

I would certainly recommend Butlins to anyone with children under 11, but you may find Pontins might give you a slightly better alternative - things like quad bikes etc. They are expensive, but normally you can find an offer either kids going free or half price.

Have a good holiday

Summary: If you can find a discount and have young children, you won't find any better place to take them