Butlins Minehead

Butlins

If you are looking at this site then your probably know what Butlins is and what is available - if not have a look at the official website for more details as they explain it all far better than I can

So what I will do is explain here WHY we chose to buy a 'retreat' at Butlins and what we as a family like about the place and the local area

Until a year ago I was one of the many people who sniggered if anyone said they were going to Butlins. But our children begged us and begged us to take them and so last Christmas we gave in and booked a cheap Christmas break. After all - holidays where children are happy and are kept amused all the time are usually more fun for us parents!

So we arrived one very cold December day feeling rather apprehensive and telling ourselves that at least the children would have a Christmas treat to remember and that we would be home in three days..
We checked in to our chalets and then the fun began. I had planned to spend the time reading a book in the chalet whilst the children went off and had fun - but found there was so much to do, even for boring old me, that I only ventured in to the chalet for meals and to sleep!

We had a great holiday and seeing how happy the children were was probably the best part. They were never bored once. Plus, we didnt have to spend any money to keep them happy. We told them that we couldn't afford to pay for any extras so they had to choose from the free activities - and there was more than enough.

Butlins is an all-year round holiday resort and our caravan is available to rent from March to January each year (when we are not using it)

Our favourite things are

	Bob The Builders Yard for the littlies - undercover and full of fun rides which keep them amused for hours. Plus special visits from the characters themselves!
	Proper full-sized fairground rides for the larger children (not me! I don't 'do' upside down!) which are all free!
	Non stop shows and fun in the Skyline - we got to see characters from the children's favourite TV shows and there was also interactive fun with the Red Coats
	Splash Waterworld is like nothing on earth - there are parts of the pool to suit all ages and abilities. Toddler pools, shutes, waves and more. Plus it's all free. In fact it's probably our main reason for visiting - the kids spend all day there!
	Free kids clubs where they can take part in various arts and crafts and activities

Across the road from Butlins itself is the beach. So you don't need to drive to the sea and park-up. It's all within walking distance.

Further afield (but not too far) you can visit Exmoor (please don't drive up Porlock Hill in a heavy vehicle as we did - it's the scariest thing ever! There is a toll road!!), the Steam Railway, The Quantock Hills, Watchet and Williton, Dunster Castle and you can even drive easily to Devon.

You can also get discounted rates on the adjacent gold course if that is your thing

Directions

Here are details on how to get there http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Butlins%20ta24%205sh
An aerial view! http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=51.204036&lon=-3.455881&z=16.2&r=0&src=msa

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Minehead

http://www.minehead.co.uk/

Well worth a walk round. It really is worth getting out of the complex to explore.

	Next to the park there is a McDonalds
	Also next to the park is a large Tesco with 24 hour petrol - cheaper than the onsite supermarket