Short break to Butlins with son but dont want to break the bank!!

flammingstarr_2

Hi everyone,
Was hoping that someone could offer some advice/tips for my forthcoming break/holiday with my little one who is 17 months.
It's his first break/holiday so I want it to be really special but I don't want to go mad and break the bank either. :T
We are going self catering because we had a great deal on a room only. However, I have heard that the resturants etc in Butlins [Minehead] are very expensive. My little one has a fantastic appetite and does eat quite a bit for a baby, he also has 3 regular meals per day at home, so im worried that eating out 3X per day will cost a fortune. I just went to download and print the pizza hut 2 for 1 voucher but it specifies its not for use in Butlins. Arrrgghh!
Has anyone been to Butlins minehead, and have any advice or tips please. I am a single parent and I do not want to blow all my savings on a break for a week! :eek:Thank you in advance.

susancs

Welcome to MSE. If you are self catering you could do a shop at one of the big supermarkets on the way and top it up with extra provisions like milk from the onsite supermarket, it wouldn't cost you any more to eat than usual. I see the resorts current shows features Bob the Builder and I would get a cuddly toy of him in advance as it will be dearer in the resort. Also when ours went To Bognor Butlins (not been to Minehead) as babies we brought their swim rings with us. There should be a lot of free things to do onsite such as puppet show, centre stage shows, kids shows, swimming etc to keep your little one entertained.

paddyrg

You'd be surprised, I found the catering on site to be very remarkably normal prices - maybe more motorway services prices than wehterspoons, but the chain places (and it is all franchises) cost just about what you'd expect a franchise place to cost, beer is a similar price to my local pubs, etc.

alfieroux

Hi flammingstar,

I've not been to Minehead, but at Skegness we had a kitchen area so did all our meals back at the apartment. To be honest the little ones needed a break back at the flat at lunchtime so we could plan our afternoon.

We took all our own meals but made them treats - ie Pizzas, sausage rolls etc. We also took our own treats - fruit shoots and packets of sweets/chocolate biscuits and crisps... all the things that they don't get at home.

Buying them at the supermarket and taking them with you is much cheaper than the impulse buys. We did get the bus into town for fish and chips - the bus trip was the highlight of their holiday:rotfl:.

Also take any "presents" with you too - bucket and spade, kite, football, etc all picked up from pound shops rather than on site.

We avoid the slots (I don't understand half of them!) but there is loads to do that is included and at no extra cost.

Finally, we told our lot that they could choose something on the last day as long as they didn't badger for things throughout the holiday. It immediatley stopped any "I wants..." and they really thought about what they did want, the excitment buillt and they really appreciated the money that we did spend on them (in the bear factory outlet - an outfit for each of their teddy bears!)

Hope some of this is of use
Mrs Alfie

meki_j

Hi,

There is a Morrisons and a Tescos within walking distance of the Butlins, Morrisons is closer and probably cheaper, so I wouldnt worry about buying stuff before you go, just pick it up when you get there.

Cheers