Which Butlins is best? Bognor Regis vs Minehead Review

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Welcome to my Bognor Regis vs Minehead comparison review – which Butlins is best? When planning a family break at Butlins, it can be tricky to decide which of their resorts to choose. Both Bognor Regis and Minehead have a lot to offer, but they each bring something different to the table. To help make your decision easier, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect at each location, so you can pick the perfect Butlins holiday for your family – without breaking the bank!

Which Butlins is in the best location?

Butlins Bognor Regis is located on the South Coast in West Sussex, making it a great option for those coming from London or the South East – it’s easy location is why we’ve visited there multiple times. The resort is positioned next to a pebble beach, so you’ll have beautiful sea views on your doorstep. The town centre is only a short walk away and has plenty of shops, cafes and amusements. If you fancy a day trip, the nearby South Downs National Park offers stunning countryside to explore.

Butlins Minehead, on the other hand, is located in Somerset, near the edge of Exmoor National Park. While it might be a bit further away, for us at least, it’s worth the drive for families who want a blend of seaside fun and natural beauty. Minehead offers a long stretch of sandy beach, and the surrounding area is packed with attractions like Dunster Castle and the West Somerset Railway. The town of Minehead is within walking distance of the resort, and if you’re into exploring the countryside, Exmoor’s rugged moorland is just a short drive away.

Verdict: If you prefer a more traditional seaside experience with pebble beaches and easy access to London, Bognor Regis might be your best bet. But if you love nature and sandy beaches, and you’d like some days out too, Minehead is the better option. We prefer the local area at Minehead, but Bognor Regis is more convenient to get to.

Is the accommodation better at Butlins Bognor Regis or Minehead?

Both resorts offer a wide range of accommodation options, but each has its own unique features.

Butlins Bognor Regis boasts three hotels – the Wave Hotel, the Shoreline Hotel and the Ocean Hotel – with modern rooms, interactive features for kids and lovely sea views. Butlins Bognor Regis also has apartments for families wanting a bit more space and self-catering facilities but we’ve found that, whilst they’re perfectly functional, they often have more wear and tear than the hotels. We’ve stayed in a quite a few different accommodation types at Bognor Regis – check out my review for more info.

Butlins Minehead offers a range of accommodation types too, but it’s more focused on traditional chalets and apartments. The West Lakes Village is a newer addition, offering stylish lakeside lodges with lovely views and peaceful surroundings. Unlike Bognor Regis, Butlins Minehead doesn’t have any hotels but their accommodation is great for families looking for a space with full kitchen facilities. We stayed in a Comfort Plus apartment for our last stay and loved that it included towels, cleaning and a balcony too – find out more in my Butlins Minehead review.

Verdict: If you prefer hotel-style accommodation, Bognor Regis is the winner, and there are also more options there to suit a wide range of family types. However, when it comes to the quality of the apartments, we preferred the accommodation at Minehead and loved being able to eat outside on the balcony.

Which Butlins has the best facilities and activities?

When it comes to activities and entertainment both resorts are packed with things to do but, again, there are a few differences.

Butlins Bognor Regis has the better Splash Waterworld swimming pool complex, complete with flumes, a wave pool and water play areas, which are always a big hit with the kids. There’s also a fantastic fairground, soft play and plenty of stage / entertainment areas. They’ve recently built a large new Playxperience building with loads of activities there too. I think Bognor Regis Butlins is the best bet for a winter break as there’s lots to do indoors, and I think it suits older children well too with the types of activities on offer – though there’s loads of stuff to occupy kids of all ages.

Butlins Minehead also has an impressive Splash Waterworld swimming pool with flumes and a lazy river, offering hours of fun for all ages but it’s not quite as good as Bognor Regis. Though, like Bognor, Minehead also has a traditional fairground, children’s activities and plenty of stage / entertainment areas. However, Minehead has extra features which really suit the summer months – such as the outdoor paddling pool – and with the indoor rides area for younger children too I think it’s probably the best option if you’re visiting Butlins with toddlers.

Verdict: If your kids are water babies and you’re looking for the best splash park fun, Bognor Regis has the edge. I think it’s also the better option for a winter break with lots of indoor activities, and Bognor is probably the best Butlins for teens and older children too. But if you’re after a summer break with more to do outdoors (both on and off the resort) then Minehead is a better option for enjoying the sunshine and the beach – and I think of the two Minehead Butlins is best for toddlers and younger children.

Which has the best dining and food options?

Both Bognor Regis and Minehead have plenty of dining options to keep even the fussiest eaters happy. Both resorts offer traditional buffet-style dining, as well as a range of on-site restaurants, including American-style diners, pizza places, and cheaper options like fish and chips. So in the Butlins Minehead vs Bognor Regis debate there are good options at both sites when it comes to food. If you’d like it all organised for you, check out the Butlins dining plans.

Cost and value for money – Bognor Regis vs Minehead

The great thing about Butlins is that the holiday price includes so much. It can easily cost £100 for a family day out at a castle or to visit a zoo, but you get a lot for your money in comparison when you book a Butlins break – and there are no ‘per person’ prices either! Cost is always a big factor when booking a family holiday, so it’s worth checking both sites to see if there are any deals for the dates you’re after. If you can get an inexpensive deal, you do get a lot of bang for your buck.

Bognor Regis tends to be a little more expensive at peak times, especially if you opt for the posher hotel accommodation, or want to take full advantage of the newest facilities. Having said that we’ve had some insane term-time deals so it’s definitely not always the case. Last year’s stay at Bognor Regis (November 2022) was our cheapest yet! We paid just £88 for a Monday-Friday stay for the four of us – winter breaks can often be really cheap at both Bognor Regis and Minehead Butlins.

Minehead, on the other hand, generally offers more affordable accommodation in the school holidays, especially if you’re staying in the chalets or lodges. If you’re a larger family or just looking to stretch your budget further, Minehead might be the better option. Back in June 2023, we had our first visit to Minehead Butlins (Bognor is closer to us so we usually go there) – paying around £150 for our Monday-Friday stay – we really liked our apartment there and it was handy not having to bring our own towels too.

Verdict: For those seeking the most affordable family break, Minehead is often the best bet during the school holidays. But, having said that, Bognor Regis may not be any dearer if you’re booking off peak dates. But, whichever you pick, it’s really easy to spend next-to-nothing during your holiday as so many activities are free, including things like:

Fairground rides
A fantastic pool complex
Craft activities
Puppet shows
Day and evening entertainment shows
Soft play

So which Butlins is best – Bognor Regis or Minehead?

It’s hard to say which Butlins is best – choosing between Bognor Regis and Minehead really comes down to what you’re looking for in a family holiday. The activities, facilities and entertainment are similar at both sites, so it really comes down to the ages of the kids, the location and what time of year you’re visiting. It’s also worth checking all of the sites, including Skegness, if you’re looking for a cheap deal.

We preferred the local area in Minehead and you can get everything that you need on foot without needing the car. There were supermarkets, restaurants, fast food and the steam train within a few minutes walk, and it’s such a lovely seaside town. Being in Somerset, Minehead Butlins is generally a more scenic location too with lots of nice places to visit in the area – it’s a great family summer holiday spot.

But when it comes to which Butlins has the best swimming pool, Bognor Regis definitely wins as it’s newer and larger – the pool at Minehead is still lots of fun but the kids definitely prefer the Bognor pool. Out of the two sites, Finn and Lola prefer Bognor Regis, as I think it’s set up more for older ones, and it’s also ‘winter friendly’ – there’s a lot going on with the pool etc so visiting out of season isn’t an issue. I just can’t decide! 😂 But, whichever Butlins you choose, you’re guaranteed a fun-filled, family-friendly break that the kids will adore! Click here to head to the Butlins website to get prices for your dates. And, for all the info you need (and lots more photos), check out my full reviews of the Butlins Bognor Regis and Butlins Minehead resorts. Happy holiday hunting!