Butlins is one of those well-loved family resorts in the UK that has a lot to offer families wanting to enjoy a break and holiday without having to leave the country on a plane. It offers the family an opportunity to enjoy different locations and family entertainment that has been geared up to stimulate the young and the old amongst you.

How to get the most out of a Butlins Holiday

The perception of a holiday like Butlins is that they are pricey and that once you are there you can spend a small fortune. But it doesn’t have to be this way. I wanted to share with you some of the very best tips to book and get the most out of a Butlins holiday. 

Pick the right accommodation for you and your family

There are a few different options and upgrades when it comes to the accommodation at Butlins and while you may want to consider a budget-friendly option which is just a room, it is worth remembering that they won’t have access to a living area or a kitchen. Although it might be the better option in terms of initial costs, be mindful that you only have the option to eat which may mean you spend more overall.

For a little bit more you could look at an upgrade to an apartment where you get kitchen facilities. This way you can prepare snacks, enjoy breakfast before heading out for the day or even have a meal back in your apartment if the kids are tired. More flexibility and lower costs overall. 

Check out the offers page before booking

A great tip before booking your Butlins holiday is to check the offers page before searching and booking your stay. Sometimes you might find that there is a discount code that can be applied, or you may even be able to take advantage of an offer because you are willing to change when you go. The offers page sometimes gives you deals on dining packages that you may not be advertised when going through the main booking system. 

Be flexible with dates

The truth is, if you are flexible with your dates then you are always going to find yourself a good deal. There are a couple of examples that I can give you where you can save money. Firstly, if you want to have a break at Butlins in August then be prepared because it is one of the most expensive months for breaks. But, if you are flexible then booking the last week of August can save you money compared to the beginning or the middle of the month.

Another example of where you can be flexible is choosing a midweek break over a weekend break. Lastly, if you have younger children that are not of school age then take advantage of the off-peak offers. Booking during school holidays will sadly always cost that bit more. 

Do your research to seek out the free activities on offer

Butlins is a great place for a break and once you are there you will realise that there are quite a lot of free activities to enjoy within the resort. You can enjoy the fun fair for free, the swimming pools which usually have slides and lazy rivers, and the evening entertainment which is performed by the red coast or a visiting celebrity.

You can also pay for some of the other things such as mini golf, bowling, and some of the arts and crafts but making sure you embrace the free stuff will help to keep the cost down. Plus you can always head out of the resort to the beach if you are close to one, and enjoy exploring the local area. 

Join the Butlins Premier Loyalty scheme

Butlins have a Premier Loyalty Scheme and it is worth signing up for it. It doesn’t cost you anything but if you do plan to visit frequently then you can earn discounts or offers off future breaks. It doesn’t cost you anything but potentially could pay you back once you have visited three times in three years of a 5% discount off your next booking.

Many people make the most of this by booking off-peak breaks with children that are not of school age, and then using their 5% when they do need to take advantage of the school holidays. But even if you can’t take advantage of that, 5% just for attending your planned holidays isn’t something to ignore.

Buy your food outside of the Butlins complex

There is no hiding from the fact that food inside Butlins is going to be a little more pricey. The shops are more expensive than a supermarket would cost, so if you can, try and buy a few items that you will need outside of the resort. You can also take advantage of dining packages that can help to bring the overall cost down. But if you want flexibility, then making a few of your own meals can help to make some savings. 

Plan your time there

The more you plan your time at Butlins the better experience you will have. Planning your activities and what you do during the day, and your meals helps you to budget for what you can and will spend. It also helps to book things in advance so you avoid disappointment with certain restaurants or activities that you might want to do while you are there. 

Be early for the good seats when it comes to entertainment 

Everyone wants to have good seats when it comes to entertainment, especially as it is a free activity to enjoy with the family. However, be prepared to get there early if you want good seats. You can also buy B-Line passes that will help you to avoid the queues and get a decent seat as well. It could be worth it to pay for the passes, however, while you might queue and wait, you will still be able to get a decent view of the stage and the children will always be able to get involved. So don’t stress about it too much. 

I hope these tips help you to book and get the most out of a Butlins holiday.