Butlin’s Bognor Regis, a holiday resort in West Sussex, is one of the most famous holiday parks in the UK and worldwide. Here’s what happened when Parul Sharma went to Butlin’s without kids.
As a UK resident, I was recently informed that a trip to Butlin’s is somewhat of a British tradition. Being relatively new to the UK, I had no clue what Butlin’s was. So naturally, I decided to spend a weekend at the nearest one post-haste.
For some background – I relocated from India to the UK in June last year and holiday parks were not a common concept back home. In fact, it would be quite a task to locate one, particularly on the same scale and reputation.
So off I went to Butlin’s Bognor Regis for a ‘quintessentially British’ holiday break. To set the record straight, Butlin’s isn’t a holiday park.
It’s a holiday resort brimming with all the bells and whistles to keep oneself amused within its (vast) boundary walls. Despite being a mere stone’s throw away from the beach, that’s not the unique selling point of Butlin’s, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The resort chain prides itself on offering enough activities within its grounds that guests don’t feel compelled to seek excitement at the beach.
Stepping into Butlin’s with my partner during the May Bank Holiday weekend, two things became immediately apparent. Firstly, my partner and I were possibly the only couple without children for miles around.
Secondly, it was shaping up to be a lively weekend.
The accommodation
Butlin’s Bognor Regis boasts three hotels within its grounds – the Shoreline, Ocean, and Wave Hotels – along with the Comfort range of rooms and apartments.
I had the pleasure of staying at the Wave Hotel, conveniently located near all the action and quite frankly, it was delightful. Upon entering the room, we were welcomed by a neon blue glow (as suggested by the name), yellow interiors, and an adorable junior room for children, complete with bunk beds and a quirky porthole on the door.
As a 30-year-old, I was thrilled at the prospect of a lie-in on those bunk beds, each equipped with their own mini-TVs. I could only imagine the excitement a child would feel having that space all to themselves.
Entertainment
Butlin’s iconic white tents are a world unto themselves. They house an arcade, a bowling alley, pool tables, a couple of bars, restaurants, and several stages for entertainment shows – it’s hard to envision anyone getting bored within these tented walls.
I must admit, I was completely taken in by the arcade games, enjoying myself as much as the throngs of delighted children around me. Upon closer observation, I realised I wasn’t the only adult partaking in the fun.
Watching parents in my vicinity revert back to their childhood selves was a joy to behold. After a spirited game of bowling and a few rounds of pool, I found myself reliving the bliss of my 11-year-old self’s childhood paradise.
For families with children, there was a plethora of live shows to enjoy, including The Masked Singer hosted by Mark Rhodes (known for Crackerjack and CBBC’s Junior Bake Off), featuring masked celebrity participants.
Other attractions included Electric Wonderland, Iconic, Snow White and her Magnificent Friends, Animals and Mythical Beasts, and even a chance to meet Gladiators stars Cyclone and Nitro.
These events were always bustling with attendees, and given the vibrant energy they exuded, it’s easy to see why.
The PLAYXPERIENCE
A new addition to Butlin’s Bognor Regis’ already brimming holiday resort is the PLAYXPERIENCE. Having opened its doors in October 2024, the PLAYXPERIENCE was certainly a standout feature of my inaugural Butlin’s weekend.
Spread across two floors and nearly 50,000 square feet, it’sndeniably a sanctuary for gamers and modern tech enthusiasts.
With a VR Cade boasting cutting-edge VR games, laser tag, techputt (mini-golf), digi darts, escape rooms, glow pong, shuffleboard, a batting cage, and neo games – this gamer’s paradise has something for everyone.
Featuring a bar and cafe on-site, I can safely say that me and my passion fruit daiquiri had a fantastic time while partaking in some neon mini golf. Another memorable moment was playing laser tag with playful kids and their equally spirited parents.
It appears that a dose of high-octane, ruthless competition is just the ticket to kick-start the day. As we divided into four teams, it became evident once more that the grown-ups were having as much fun as the youngsters.
That seemed to be the charm of Butlin’s.
Food and drink
The all-inclusive drinks package at Butlin’s seemed like a no-brainer. With an impressive array of cocktails, spirits, beers, ciders, wines, mocktails, Costa coffee, and soft drinks available – it’s almost worth donning a vibrant neon-orange wristband for three days.
The fact that most of the beverages are quite tasty and do the trick adds to the appeal. And with conveniently located bars and eateries scattered across the resort, we never had to wait too long for a drink or snack.
There was a wealth of choices to suit any budget, whether we fancied breakfast or a buffet dinner.
We opted for the premium dining package which covered our breakfast and dinner each day. Breakfast was served from 8am to 10:30am daily, and while the selection was broad and catered to both children and adults, I found the actual taste and quality of the food to be average.
But one can’t have it all, I suppose.
We were taken aback when we arrived at 10am on the first day – it seemed everyone was an early riser, and we certainly felt out of place, with people giving us double-takes!
The following day we managed to get there by 9.45am, but it still appeared that everyone was up bright and early for breakfast – not ideal for a late riser like me who prefers to squeeze in as much sleep as possible.
Fairground and Splash Waterworld
A charming little fairground was the icing on the cake of my Butlin’s weekend. From go-karts and adventure golf to mini-rides and a trampoline, the pre-booked All-Action Pass was a hit.
My inner Lewis Hamilton emerged during an exhilarating go-kart race (in which I triumphed – and no, it doesn’t matter that most of my competitors were children).
Although I didn’t take a dip, the sight of joyful families wandering around with damp hair and broad grins was enough to convince me it would’ve been a delightful experience (provided it wasn’t raining and excessively windy).
So, how did my inaugural Butlin’s trip fare in terms of holidays? Three days packed with fun, games, activities, and children. Lots and lots of children.
Perhaps my next visit will be when I have a little one of my own.
Book the holiday
Butlin’s is offering a three-night Showtime Weekend break, which includes accommodation in a two-bedroom Ocean Hotel room in Bognor Regis, starting from £269 on 11 July 2025. The price is based on two adults sharing and encompasses all live shows and activities, unrestricted access to the pool, unlimited fairground rides, and entry to PLAYXPERIENCE.
Dining packages begin at £24.95 per adult, per day, £14.95 per junior (aged 6-14), per day, and £6.80 per child (aged 2-5). For more information, visit www.butlins.com..