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Butlins vs Haven: Which UK Holiday Park is Best for Families?
Choosing the perfect holiday park for your family can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s difficult to know where to start. Two of the most popular UK holiday park chains are Haven and Butlins.
Both offer a wide range of facilities and activities, but which one is better? In this article, we’ll compare Butlins vs Haven across a range of factors, including entertainment, facilities, accommodation, price, and more, to help you make an informed decision.
Haven and Butlins are two of the UK’s leading holiday park chains. Both chains have a wide range of parks and resorts located throughout the UK, offering everything from beachfront locations to countryside retreats.
They both cater to families with children of all ages and offer a wide range of facilities and activities to keep everyone entertained. But which one is better? Let’s take a closer look now.
Initial Thoughts Butlins vs Haven – which is the best UK holiday park?
When you first think of Butlins and Haven, you might have certain preconceptions about each chain. Butlins is often associated with a retro feel, with its roots in the post-war era. It’s known for its daytime activities, including swimming pools, sports facilities, and funfair rides. That being said, it’s also known for some great nights out and entire weekends focused on adult groups.
Haven, on the other hand, is often associated with a more modern, luxurious feel, with a focus on evening entertainment and high-end accommodation. However, both chains have evolved over the years, and now offer a wide range of facilities and activities to suit all tastes. This willingness to evolve and adapt is what has made them two of the best UK holiday parks.
- Did you know you can buy Day Passes for Butlins (even if you’re not staying on the resort?) Click here to find out how.
The Main Differences between these two family holiday parks
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick summary of the main differences when looking at Butlins vs Haven:
- Haven is often more affordable than Butlins.
- Haven has a wider range of accommodation options, including more luxurious lodges and apartments.
- Butlins has a retro feel and a wide range of daytime activities, while Haven has a more modern feel and a focus on evening entertainment.
- Both chains offer a wide range of facilities and activities to keep the whole family entertained.
Butlins vs Haven – which of these family holiday parks is the biggest?
Both Haven and Butlins have a wide range of parks and resorts located throughout the UK. However, Haven has more parks in total, with 40 parks compared to Butlins’ 3. Haven also has a wider range of parks located in coastal and countryside locations, while Butlins has a more limited range of parks located exclusively in coastal areas.
While Haven has more family holiday parks, these vary in size. Some are sizeable while others are on the small side. Butlins resorts are all similar in size and they are, for want of a better word, big! These family holiday parks can cater for up to 7,500 overnight guests, and that’s pretty impressive.
A look at Butlins UK holiday parks
Butlins is a British holiday company that was founded in 1936. It has 3 holiday parks in the UK, that you’ll find in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. Butlins UK holiday parks are known for their family-friendly activities, including swimming pools, waterparks, funfairs, arcades, and children’s clubs. They also offer a variety of entertainment, including live music, comedy shows, and dance performances.
Butlins is most famous for its Redcoats. Redcoats are Butlins’ entertainment team, and they are known for their lively performances and their ability to get everyone involved. Redcoats are a staple of Butlins holidays, and they have been entertaining families for over 80 years.
Butlins is a great choice for families who are looking for a fun and affordable holiday. It offers something for everyone, and it is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Here are some of the things that Butlins is most famous for:
Big-name entertainment: Butlins is known for its big-name entertainment, including live music, comedy shows, and dance performances. Some of the biggest names in show business have performed at Butlins over the years, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Cliff Richard.
Redcoats: Butlins’ Redcoats are a staple of Butlins holidays. They are known for their lively performances and their ability to get everyone involved. Redcoats have been entertaining families for over 80 years.
Variety of accommodation options: Butlins offers a variety of accommodation options, including self-catering accommodation, hotel rooms, and apartments. It also has a number of campsites, which are perfect for those who want to get back to nature.
Family-friendly activities: Butlins is known for its family-friendly activities, including swimming pools, waterparks, funfairs, arcades, and children’s clubs. There is something for everyone to enjoy at Butlins.
Affordable prices: Butlins holidays are very affordable, making them a great choice for families on a budget. There are a variety of ways to save money on your Butlins holiday, including booking early, taking advantage of special offers, and staying in self-catering accommodation.
If you are looking for a fun and affordable family holiday, then Butlins is the perfect choice for you. With its big-name entertainment, Redcoats, variety of accommodation options, and family-friendly activities, Butlins is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Did you know you can save money on a Butlins holiday by staying in a Caravan on-site? Learn more about Butlins Caravans Here.
A closer look at Haven family holiday parks
Haven family holiday parks are equally well-known in the UK. Here are some of the things that Haven is most famous for:
Family-friendly activities: Haven is known for its family-friendly activities, including swimming pools, waterparks, soft play areas, kids’ clubs, and outdoor play areas.
Affordable prices: Haven holidays are very affordable, making them a great choice for families on a budget. There are a variety of ways to save money on your Haven holiday, including booking early, taking advantage of special offers, and staying in self-catering accommodation.
Variety of accommodation options: Haven offers a variety of accommodation options, including self-catering accommodation, holiday homes, and caravans. It also has a number of campsites, which are perfect for those who want to get back to nature.
Great locations: Haven parks are located all over the UK, in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. This means that you can find a Haven Park that is perfect for your family’s needs, whether you want to be close to the beach, the countryside, or the city.
Friendly staff: Haven staff are known for their friendly and welcoming attitude. They are always happy to help you with anything you need, and they make sure that you have a memorable holiday.
If you are looking for a fun and affordable family holiday, then Haven is the perfect choice for you. With its family-friendly activities, affordable prices, variety of accommodation options, great locations, and friendly staff, Haven offers a great holiday choice.
Butlins vs Haven – which UK holiday parks have the best entertainment?
When it comes to entertainment, both Haven and Butlins offer a wide range of options to suit all tastes. Butlins is known for its daytime activities, including swimming pools, sports facilities, and funfair rides. It also offers a wide range of shows and performances in the evenings, including live music, comedy, and magic shows.
Haven, on the other hand, has a focus on evening entertainment, with a wide range of shows and performances on offer. It does, however, also has a range of daytime activities, including swimming pools, sports facilities, and adventure activities such as climbing walls and zip wires.
Which of these UK holiday parks has the best facilities and activities
Both Haven and Butlins offer a wide range of facilities and activities to keep the whole family entertained. Both chains have swimming pools, sports facilities, and adventure activities such as climbing walls and zip wires.
Haven has a wider range of facilities and activities, including golf courses, fishing lakes, and indoor climbing centres. Haven also offers a range of nature activities, such as birdwatching and nature walks, which can be a great way to explore the surrounding area. Butlins, on the other hand, has a range of funfair rides and games, including arcades, bowling alleys, and mini-golf courses.
The big difference here is that, regardless of the resort you choose, with Butlins, you never need to leave the site. Each location has plenty to keep you entertained for your whole stay. With Haven, there’s still plenty to do, but just how much this will depend on the park that you choose. Some are more limited than others, so you need to take care when booking.
Butlins Family holiday parks and swimming pools
While both Haven and Butlins have pools on offer, it has to be said that Butlins comes out on top here. Here’s a look at just some of the reasons why:
Big, spacious pools: Butlins pools are big and spacious, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to swim and play. This is great for families with young children, who can splash around in the shallow end, and for older children and adults, who can swim laps or relax in the sun.
Variety of water slides: Butlins water slides are a variety of different shapes and sizes, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy, from toddlers to thrill-seekers. There are gentle slides for little ones, fast slides for older kids, and even a few slides that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy together.
Fun activities: Butlins swimming pools and water slides are surrounded by fun activities, such as water cannons, fountains, and play areas. This is great for keeping kids entertained, and it also makes the whole experience more fun for everyone.
Safe and secure: Butlins swimming pools and water slides are safe and secure, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday. There are lifeguards on duty at all times, and the pools are regularly cleaned and maintained.
If you’re looking for a fun and family-friendly swimming pool and water slide experience, then Butlins is the perfect place for you. However, don’t feel that you’re missing out on a swimming pool experience with a Haven holiday. The pools are still great, but just what’s on offer will depend on the park location that you choose.
Which of these UK holiday parks has the best reviews?
Both Haven and Butlins have received mixed reviews from customers, with some praising the facilities and activities on offer, and others criticising the quality of the accommodation and the level of customer service.
Customers often praise the quality of the accommodation at Haven, as well as the level of customer service on offer. With Butlins, on the other hand, you can find reviews that criticise the quality of the accommodation, with many customers complaining about outdated rooms and poor maintenance.
That being said, the overall picture is very similar. When looking at Google Reviews, Butlins scores a 4.3/5. The scores on TripAdvisor are around the same. When looking at Haven on the same review sites, it also comes away with a solid 4/5, so there’s almost nothing between them.
It’s always worth bearing in mind that reviews need to be taken with a pinch of salt. Generally, people will be far more vocal about a negative experience than they will about a positive one.
Butlins vs Haven and pricing
When it comes to price, Butlins is often more affordable than Haven (especially when you book a privately owned Butlins Caravan). However, the cost of a holiday can vary widely depending on the time of year, the location of the park, and the type of accommodation you choose.
Butlins offers a range of budget-friendly options, including basic chalets and caravans, while Haven has a wider range of accommodation options, including more luxurious lodges and apartments. It’s worth noting that both chains offer a range of deals and discounts throughout the year, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for special offers.
What’s Included in the Price:
Both Haven and Butlins offer a range of packages and options to suit different budgets and preferences. However, it’s important to check what’s included in the price before booking. Both chains offer self-catering options, which can be a good way to save money on food and drink. However, they also offer a range of dining options, from on-site restaurants and cafes to takeaway options. It’s also worth checking whether the cost of activities and entertainment is included in the price, or whether you’ll need to pay extra for certain activities.
Which of these family holiday parks has the best accommodation?
When trying to choose the best UK holiday parks, the accommodation clearly matters too. With Haven, you’ll find that most of this is offered in the form of caravans, although there is some space for those who want to camp too.
Haven has cheaper caravans that are known as Saver caravans. As you pay to upgrade through the bronze, silver gold and signature, you get more space and more features. All of the caravans offer you your own space and, usually, you can park next to your caravan.
At Butlins, the main offerings are a room and an apartment. The latter features a kitchen and lounge area. If you want a more luxurious experience, you can upgrade to hotel-style rooms or even lakeside chalets.
The downside with Butlins is that you need to park in the main car park. This means carrying your belongings to and from your accommodation, which is hardly convenient.
Butlins vs Haven – other considerations
One of the main differences between Haven and Butlins is the day pass option and the Hideaway option. Butlins offers a day pass option for non-residents, which allows you to visit the park for the day and enjoy the facilities and activities on offer. This can be a good option if you’re on a tight budget or if you’re only able to visit for a day.
Haven, on the other hand, offers Hideaway holidays that help holidaymakers keep the costs down. With these holidays, you pay for the accommodation only. You’re unable to make use of the things such as the swimming pool and other activities. This is a great option if you just want to use your accommodation as a base and explore your surroundings.
Final Thoughts on Butlins vs Haven, which is the best UK holiday park?
Choosing between Haven and Butlins can be a difficult decision. Both chains offer a wide range of facilities and activities to suit all tastes and budgets. However, there are some key differences between the two chains, including the range of accommodation options, the focus on entertainment, and the availability of day passes and Hideaway holiday options.
Ultimately, the best option will depend on your individual preferences and budget. It’s worth doing your research and comparing the options before making a decision. If you want an overall answer to Butlins vs Haven, which is the best family holiday park though, we think that Haven just has the edge.
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