UK Villages

Specialist Reports Holiday by Accommodation Holiday Villages UK Villages Butlins 

	Butlins
tel: (0870) 242 1999; special needs (0870) 242

NOTE The following information is correct to the best of our knowledge but the company has not felt able to fact check the entry.

A revamped version of the original resorts with investment of £139 million. Singles parties of four or more under 30s are banned and almost all changes have been made with children and families in mind. Entertainment is laid on pretty much non-stop - though that can mean noise, but staff - the old redcoats - are praised by visitors.

The brochure list breaks cinema-style:
U for families with children of all ages, and feature entertainment specifically for children, as well as evening shows geared towards the whole family.
PG for adults with older children, and are more focused on themed entertainment rather than children's activities.
18 only for adults with themed entertainment, with no children on-site.

Where

Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness.

Accommodation

Apartments for up to four without kitchen, and self-catering for up to eight. TVs feature among other channels the in-house Reds TV.
Toyland themed accommodation includes a second bedroom with themed wallpaper, beds and duvets, a Noddy play table and Toyland video cassette and player. Toyland young guests also receive activity packs and are invited to a Noddy welcome party.
Note that no towels, soap or toilet rolls are provided. For self-caterers there is an in-house supermarket.
In-house meals are at set times - breakfast 8am and the evening meal 5.30pm (unlicensed).

Facilities

A weatherproof Skyline Pavilion with 'street' cafes and live entertainment. Decorated with six to eight metre high replica maple and silver birch trees. Food outlets include names like Burger King and Harry Ramsden's.

Activities

All weather multi-sports courts for sports from soccer and volleyball to basketball and netball. A crazy golf course and funfair, plus swimming complex with wavepool, flumes, waterfalls and water ride technology, all free. Snooker, darts, Odeon cinema, 10-pin bowling, American pool and go-karts cost extra.

Entertainment

Yes, including tribute bands and cabarets and West End style musicals.
Centre Stage and Reds host events including the Smash Hits Pop Party Tour with bands such as allSTARS and girls@play performing and meeting their young fans.
There is also Dinomime, a musical extravaganza with Dino the Dinosaur and Darwin the half-bird, half-dinosaur.
In addition, there is a summer panto with a matinee performance at each resort during the summer season with TV personalities like Kirsten O'Brien, Danielle Nicholls or Dominic Wood. Guest have the chance to ask the presenters questions in a special 'In The Spotlight' section.

For Children

A Toyland mini-town with Noddy, Mr Plod and Noddy's car offering rides, Tessie Bear's Teacups etc. A Kids 'Rumble in the Jungle" outdoor adventure play area includes three themed sections. For younger children a soft play area. There is also a shallow pool play area for younger children.

Child Entertainment

Including musicals and a show with children's TV personalities. There are also Fox Kids Character appearances, and a Stunt Show featuring Popeye, Olive Oil and Brutus.

Equipment

Mothercare, including cots and high chairs. Nappies and baby toiletries on sale.

Childcare

Day-time nursery services from 3 months to five years. Babysitting in the accommodation at £5 per hour and a Night Owl service in the nursery for babies 3-9 months £2 per hour 8-11.45pm. Parents using this second service will be given a bleeper so can be contacted quickly if necessary.
Parents have to provide the name, address and phone number of a GP who knows the child's medical history.

Children's Activities

Noddy's Toyland Rides, Fox Kids Club for 5-8 years, Puppet Castle and puppet characters, Digimon Characters and a Jellikins Disco Party.
For teenagers there is The Zone Teen Club (no adults allowed) with Ibiza Night with Baleric beats from the resident DJ, a Splash Pool evening, film making, DJ and TV presenting, and sports competitions.
It is pointed out that children remain the responsibility of their parents at all times, regardless of the care or supervision being provided.

Sample Price

For a seven night break in May start from £65 per person based on four people sharing a self-catering studio apartment in Skegness, Minehead £67, Bognor Regis £77. Single parents travelling with one, two or three children will get their own entrance at the same price as the children's.