Are you “Ready to Butlin’s?” It is a phrase I have heard many times over recent years, and the advertisements and social media posts were always alluring and tempting. However, it was 2007 since we last visited a Butlin’s resort, despite holidaying there many times as a child in the now-closed Barry Island resort. Good times.

But when it became apparent that our much-longed-for trip to Disneyland Paris wasn’t going to be possible, it was rearranged, and we needed something epic to take its place for July 2021. After all, it was the month I turned 40, and all my other plans had been changed. We booked our holiday for 3 to Butlin’s Skegness and let the excitement build.

Booking a Mid-Week Break to Butlin’s Skegness

When we booked, all restrictions were still in place, meaning that despite us having booked, the likelihood of seeing any of the shows was slim due to how close to the date we booked. It wasn’t an issue. Except then the announcement that restrictions were being lifted on the 19th July came, and it meant that we had a chance of booking into seeing some of the shows advertised everywhere.

*When we arrived, I wasn’t planning on blogging about our trip, so I didn’t get pictures of all areas or amenities. All links included are done for your convenience and are in no way associated with Butlin’s by the way paid or requested collaborations*

Arriving at Butlin’s Skegness

So on a sunny Monday morning, we headed out to breakfast before hitting the road to Skegness. It was approximately a 4-hour drive, and I was ready ish. We set off about half 10 and arrived just before 4. Upon arriving, we headed to our designated check-in point and collected our keys.

We booked one of the basic silver rooms as the choice was slim 3 weeks before our arrival. There were 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. Nothing special but clean and tidy inside, if not a little tired and shabby looking outside. However, we were placed right next to the tennis courts and pretty much right in the middle of the action. A picnic table outside of our room was perfect for a makeshift relaxing area, and after dumping our bags, we headed out to explore and get a drink and some food after our long trip.

As there were no kitchen or cooking facilities in our room, and we didn’t book any of the dining packages, we needed to eat out pretty much every meal. Not an issue, and it didn’t take us long to discover all the places you can eat and drink in Butlin’s Skegness. I, for one, needed a nice ice-cold pint. There is something about a long drive in the heat that requires a refreshing pint upon arrival!

Places to Eat in Butlin’s Skegness

We toyed with the idea of booking a dining plan; there are a few different dining plans for Butlin’s Skegness, but we decided as it was just the three of us and we were only there for three full days, we would just head out each day and see what was available. Plus, there were two different stores on site to buy food and drinks from if you are going self-catering and had facilities in your room to cook.

We used the BServe app to order all of our drinks and meals at every venue we visited. I honestly preferred it and felt it was a great addition to our stay. All you need to do is install the app on your phone, and it uses location tracking to identify which of the parks you are on and the venue as close as possible. Every single table was listed within the venue, along with a menu for food and drinks. All you need to do is choose what you want, enter your table number and pay. You can store your card details for ease of checking out, meaning no going to the bar and queuing for your drinks.

We ate at the following places, and not once did we have an issue with the food or service, and the venues were all clean and tidy too.

• Beachcomber Inn
• Ludo’s Italian
• Firehouse Grill
• Rock and Sole
• Burger King

We, unfortunately, didn’t get to eat in the diner, but we were only there Monday to Friday.

Are the meals expensive at Butlin’s Skegness?

Personally, I wouldn’t say they are much more expensive than you would expect to pay at most high street restaurants and definitely not as expensive as I thought they would be. For example, we chose the all you can eat buffet at Ludo’s Italian for £11.99 per person. My big veggie breakfast was £6.95, with a kids breakfast being £3.95.

Drinks were pretty much a standard price across the board too with special offers n a double Gordon’s gin and lemonade being £4.95 or a pint of Carling at £4.25

Entertainment at Butlin’s Skegness

Butlins is known for its abundance of entertainment all year round, and despite us going on the first week of our summer holidays while other schools were still in term time, we weren’t disappointed, and there was still a lot to do.

Initially, when we booked our holiday, everything had to be booked via the app, and as it was so close, everything was booked up fully.

However, due to changes in rules the day we arrived, we managed to get booked onto most of the shows we wanted to see, except the musicals. And the shows we did see? From the Adele tribute act to the Harlem Globetrotters, Twist N Pulse, Fleur East, and my favourite, Stavros Flatley! They were all superb.

Despite the resort being busy, many times it didn’t feel so busy, and there was so much to do on-site the crowds were spread out between the children’s daytime shows, and amenities including 2 arcades, a bowling alley, crazy golf, a high wire course, football pitches, swimming pool, games rooms, fair and more. The resort is also located on the beach, with its own beach entrance open from 9 to 5 daily with places to get food and drinks from too.

Would I Revisit Butlin’s Skegness?

I absolutely would. In fact, even though we are going to Disneyland Paris in February 2022, we are looking at booking for Butlin’s Bognor Regis for the summer. If not, we will definitely revisit Butlin’s Skegness. Personally, I found the whole site to be clean and tidy and well maintained. The service in all the venues was great, and there was plenty of room for everyone to sit comfortably watching the shows without being too close to other families.

Next time we definitely won’t be leaving it for so long until our next visit!