Looking for a holiday where your children can splash and play away the day, and terrific entertainment is on tap? Then put away your passport and beat a trail to Butlin's, Bognor Regis!
Location
Forget the cliched image of run-down British seaside resorts and paint-peeling piers – Butlin’s has brought back to life the best of the Great British seaside, and everything here has been designed with family in mind. Its Bognor Regis site in West Sussex borders the beautiful South Downs National Park, with a lovely sand and shingle beach perched on its doorstep. So, whether you prefer the coast or the countryside – or enjoy a bit of both – you’ll find something to entertain the family during a visit here.
Accommodation
A far cry from caravans on stilts, Butlin’s, Bognor Regis, is home to three contemporary hotels that would be happily at home in any metropolitan city. Each has its own unique nautical design; we stayed in the stylish Ocean Hotel, which houses its own spa, too. Looking out to sea from the curved balcony you could be forgiven for thinking you were aboard a luxury liner! Our family room had its own separate annex with twin beds, ideal for tired-out tots to get a peaceful night’s sleep in. You’ll also find a range of apartments on site, if you prefer a home-from-home self-catering option, or need just that little bit more space. There’s something to suit every family and budget.
Dining
From buffet-style dining plans to grab-and-go options and fabulous family restaurants, Butlin’s has made mealtimes stress-free and simple. Dining plans, included in the cost of your booking, make budgeting for a family break extra easy. Enjoy a buffet-style breakfast and dinner in one of two restaurants, with a vast selection on offer for even the fussiest of little eaters. We found the food to be piping hot and plentiful! For tiny tots, you’ll also find Ella’s Kitchen pouches, plus bottle-warming facilities. Food allergies and intolerances are expertly catered for, too.
If you prefer to keep the food options flexible, you’ll find plenty of pay-as-you-go options as well, to suit every taste. Enjoy traditional fish and chips, dig into burgers and shakes in the American-style Diner, or enjoy pizza at Papa John’s. Many also offer takeaway options. You’ll also find glorious restaurants that are family friendly, offer indoor and outdoor seating, and are often situated near play equipment, so you can enjoy relaxed family fun.
No trip to the seaside would be complete without ice cream, of course – don’t miss a visit to the Scoop ice-cream parlour, where you can take your pick from a huge selection of ice-cream flavours, cones, toppings, and sauces.
Activities
Whether you’re entertaining just tiny tots, or have teens in tow too, there’s fun for all the family at Butlin’s. You’ll receive an entertainment schedule on arrival to make the most of your break, and it’s bursting with shows and activities. Most are included in the price, bookable on the resort, and free-flowing, so you can make your day as jam-packed or laid-back as you choose.
Enjoy old-fashioned fun in the traditional fairground – with helter-skelter, dodgems, a carousel, vintage stall games and more – or visit the penny arcades or hall of mirrors. You’ll also find a soft-play centre and plenty of outdoor park equipment scattered around. Little ones will get the chance to meet and greet favourite characters from Mr. Men to the Teletubbies, Paddington to Mr. Potato Head, during their stay, plus visit a host of live shows. There are arts-and-crafts clubs, animal discovery sessions, a tots’ disco, and football fun, all specifically aimed at under-fives. Come evening, enjoy pantomime classic Sleeping Beauty or Paddington at the Seaside!
But the jewel in Butlin’s Bognor’s crown has to be its brand-new swimming complex, Splash. With a £40m investment, it’s been beautifully designed to bring the best of the British seaside inside, with a Helter Skelter water ride, Stick-of-Rock slides, Seaside Garden rapids, a wave machine and much, much more.
Everything from the warm water to the traditional water fountain features has been tailored to families with young children. The Seaside Playground has a depth of 0.4m and is heated to a constant 30 degrees, perfect for the tiniest of tots. In the lido-style changing rooms you’ll find state-of-the-art underfloor heating and a range of cubicle and locker sizes, for families small or large. There are also seats to safely strap little ones in while you get changed, and parent- and child-height showers.
The thrill of the speedy slides may be over in minutes, but in this magical water wonderland, your children will make memories to last a lifetime!
The facts
Three nights (Friday to Monday) in a hotel at Butlin’s Bognor Regis resort during the school summer holidays start from £719, while four nights (Monday to Friday) is from £870. Both prices are based on four people sharing and do not include dining plans. The price of the breaks includes the use of the new Splash pool, the traditional fairground, live shows from the likes of Stephen Mulhern*, Diversity*, Paddington, Teletubbies and Mr. Men Little Miss – as well as a wide range of other daytime and evening entertainment and attractions. For more details, visit www.butlins.com (*dependent upon the date of the break).
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