'Two things instantly apparent when I went to Butlin's as a child-free adult'

As a recent arrival to the UK from India, I was intrigued when told that a trip to Butlin's was a quintessential British experience. Unfamiliar with the concept of holiday parks, which are not common in my homeland, I decided to embark on a weekend getaway to the nearest Butlin's - Bognor Regis.

Butlin's is more than just a holiday park; it's a full-fledged resort brimming with entertainment options within its expansive boundaries. Despite being a stone's throw away from the beach, Butlin's doesn't rely on this proximity for its appeal. The resort chain prides itself on offering a plethora of activities within its premises, eliminating the need for guests to seek excitement elsewhere. Upon arriving at Butlin's with my partner during the May Bank Holiday weekend, it quickly became apparent we were possibly the only couple without children and that we were in for a wild weekend.

Butlin's Bognor Regis boasts three hotels within its grounds - the Shoreline, Ocean, and Wave Hotels - as well as a range of Comfort rooms and apartments.

I had the pleasure of staying at the Wave Hotel, a delightful establishment conveniently located near all the action. Upon entering their room, we were welcomed by a neon blue glow (as suggested by the hotel's name), vibrant yellow interiors, and an incredibly charming junior room for children, complete with bunk beds and a whimsical porthole on the door.

As a 30-year-old, I was thrilled at the prospect of lounging on those bunk beds, each equipped with its own mini-TV. I could only imagine the sheer delight a child would feel having such a space entirely to themselves, reports Liverpool Echo.

Entertainment

Butlin's iconic white tents are a universe unto themselves. They house an arcade, a bowling alley, pool tables, several bars, restaurants, and stages for various entertainment shows - it's nearly impossible to envision a moment of boredom within these canvas walls.

However, I must confess, she was completely taken in by the arcade games, enjoying them as much as the throngs of ecstatic children around her. Upon closer observation, I realised I wasn't the only grown-up indulging in the fun.

Watching parents in her vicinity revert to their childhood selves was truly heartwarming. After a lively game of bowling and several rounds of pool, I found herself transported back to the blissful days of my 11-year-old self.

For families, there was an abundance of live shows to enjoy including The Masked Singer hosted by Mark Rhodes (known for Crackerjack and CBBCs Junior Bake Off) featuring masked celebrity participants, Electric Wonderland, Iconic, Snow White and her Magnificent Friends, Animals and Mythical Beasts, and even a meet-and-greet with Gladiators stars Cyclone and Nitro. These events were always bustling with excitement, making it easy to see why they were so popular.

The PLAYXPERIENCE

Butlin's Bognor Regis' holiday resort has introduced a brand-new attraction - the PLAYXPERIENCE. Since its public opening in October 2024, the PLAYXPERIENCE has been a standout feature of Parul's inaugural Butlin's weekend.

Spread across two floors and nearly 50,000 square feet, it's undeniably a sanctuary for gamers and modern tech enthusiasts. Featuring a VR Cade with 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 offers something for everyone.

With a bar and cafe on-site, I can safely say that I enjoyed my passion fruit daiquiri thoroughly whilst partaking in some neon mini golf. Another memorable moment was playing laser tag with playful children and their equally spirited parents.

It appears that a dose of adrenaline-fuelled, ruthless competitiveness is just the ticket to kick-start the day. As we divided into four teams, it was clear that the adults were having as much fun as the children.

This seemed to be the charm of Butlin's.

Food and drink

Opting for 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 almost justified wearing a bright neon-orange wristband for three days.

The fact that most of the beverages were quite tasty and did the job more than adequately was a bonus. With conveniently located bars and restaurants scattered across the resort, we never had to wait too long for a drink.

There was a wide range of options to suit any budget, whether we fancied breakfast or a buffet dinner.

We had booked the premium dining package which covered our breakfast and dinner each day. Breakfast was served from 8am to 10:30am every day, and while the selection was vast 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 strolled in at 10am on the first day - it seems everyone rises incredibly early, as we certainly felt like outsiders, with people gazing at us as if we were aliens!

The following day we managed to arrive by 9.45am, but I still believe everyone wakes up extremely early and fuels up - which for me, a person who prefers to maximise sleep and grab breakfast at the last possible moment, was far from ideal.

Fairground and Splash Waterworld

A charming little fairground was the icing on the cake of our Butlin's weekend. From go-karts and adventure golf, to mini-rides and a trampoline - the pre-booked All-Action Pass turned out to be a triumph.

My inner Lewis Hamilton emerged during an energetic round of karting (in which she came first - and no, it doesn't matter that I was one of a few adults competing against primarily children).

Although I didn't take a dip, the sight of joyful families wandering around with wet hair and enormous grins on their faces was enough to convince her it would've been a delightful experience (when it wasn't pouring down with rain and unbelievably windy).

So, how did my inaugural Butlin's visit measure up as holidays go? Three days of fun, games, activities, and children. Lots and lots and lots of children.

Perhaps the next time I will return when we have our own little ones.

Book the holiday

Butlin's is offering a three-night Showtime Weekend break in a two-bedroom Ocean Hotel room in Bognor Regis from £269 on 11 July 2025. The price is based on two adults sharing and includes all live shows and activities, unrestricted access to the pool, unlimited fairground rides and access to PLAYXPERIENCE.

Dining packages start from £24.95 per adult, per day, £14.95 per junior (6-14), per day and £6.80 per child (2-5). For more information, visit www.butlins.com.