VIP all-inclusive Butlin's Minehead experience review

The Herald Scotland

18 hours ago

We arrived at the seaside town of Minehead in Somerset, ready and raring to go, after breaking up the journey on the way down from Bury with a lovely overnight stay in Droitwich Spa just off the M5.
The site is right on the coast and we were soon through the drive-through check-in and checking out our seafront apartment which was a perfect base for a family-of-four.
Our Butlin's Minehead Bayside Apartment living area and bedroom (Image: NQ) But you don't come to Butlin's to sit around, and we were soon out and exploring all the site had to offer us for our four-night stay.
The great thing about Butlin's is that a lot of things are already included in the price, so you don't have to worry about how many times the kids want to go on the fairground rides, in the soft play or the vast swimming pool, as well as regular shows on the Skyline Stage.
Extreme Mountain Bike Show on the Skyline Stage (Image: NQ)
There are also more activities than you'd have time to fit in, at an extra cost, such as mini archery (£6), laser tag (£15), high ropes (£13) and pottery painting (from £10).
We also had an Action Pass each (£22pp), which we used towards two games of bowling, a game of American pool, and one go on the Go-Karts. Unless you know you're going to make use of every single pass, I'm not sure these are worth the extra cost. The kids didn't manage to make it onto the bungee trampolines as the queues seemed to shift slowly.
Bowling; party night at Reds; a full house of 1,500 in Studio 36 for The Masked Singer and Hotshots sports bar at Butlin's Minehead (Image: NQ) Which brings me nicely onto something I thought was an absolute game-changer – the Early Access VIP (from £29pp) pass that allows you to book onto shows three days before everyone else and entry 15 minutes before the rest.
The shows at Butlin's really are first-class and it was wonderful not worrying about whether we would be stuck at the back, with little ones getting bored as they couldn't see the stage properly.
On our first night, we were treated to a wonderful show called Animals and Mythical Beasts by The Animal Guyz whose motto is learning through laughter. Part comedy, part educational and all about the wonder of animals, it was a delight of a show.
A packed crowd enjoying Animals and Mythical Beasts (Image: NQ) Later in the week, 1,500 people packed into Studio 36 for a live version of The Masked Singer for which we had a prime spot.
The show was hosted by YouTuber Nathan Connor, bringing all the elaborate costumes and ridiculous guesses from Saturday night TV to a delighted live audience whooping 'Take it off!'
I won't spoil the surprise of who the two celebrities underneath the masks were but, let's just say, I was not disappointed and recognised them instantly…
Another highlight was Meet the Gladiators, for which a huge queue started forming well before the event was due to open.
The reboot of the '90s favourite has been delighting a new generation of fans and excitement was building in the huge venue as the host asked eager holidaymakers which Gladiators they thought would grace the stage.
Much to the delight of the crowd, it was Dynamite and Sabre – purring, 'I can't wait to meet the dads,' – who were unveiled.
Sabre on the big screen at Butlin's (Image: NQ) Families waited patiently to get photos with the glam pair, with snaps taken by a professional photographer at a cost of £8. A great price for something that is sure to be a lovely keepsake for many.
After all that excitement, it was time for a tipple or two for which the All Inclusive Drinks Package had us more than covered.
There was a range of drinks included, from pints of Madri, to wine, spirits and mixers and soft drinks for the kids.
The All Inclusive Drinks Package menu (Image: NQ)
From £25.95 per adult, per day, if you like a bev then this easily pays for itself and you can even add the package to your stay and pay monthly for the total using Autopay.
We also enjoyed Premium Dining (£32.95 per adult, per day) which includes all-you-can-eat breakfast and dinner options in a choice of two eateries – The Deck and The Yacht Club.
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Dining options - The Yacht Club and, the one we preferred, The Deck, where there are fresh food stations (Image: NQ) While The Yacht Club was more of a canteen style, we much preferred The Deck which had service stations offering food such as freshly-cooked omelettes for breakfast and pasta, burgers made to order and Chinese options in the evening.
The accommodation had everything we needed for our stay and it was lovely waking up each morning to the sounds of the sea.
The bed probably wasn't the comfiest I've ever slept in but, after full-on days, falling asleep certainly wasn't a problem. Some of the park could probably do with a refresh but the kids certainly didn't notice or care. If you're the kind of person who lets something needing a lick of paint spoil your holiday, then Butlin's probably isn't for you.
After a full-on and action-packed week, it was time to hit the road and head home. Holiday traffic meant it took seven hours on the return journey so I think my next Butlin's port of call will be the closer-to-home Skegness – once I've recovered from May half term.
Football and playgrounds aplenty to keep the kids entertained on site (Image: NQ)
Butlin's has three UK resorts, Skegness, Minehead, and Bognor Regis. Visit www.butlins.com
Summer Holidays from £475 (£119 per person)
Butlin's offers a four-night Summer Holiday break featuring Stephen Mulhern staying in a two bedroom Comfort Room from £475 on 21 July 2025. Price is based on a family of four sharing and includes live shows and activities with free flow access to the pool, unlimited fairground rides and the SKYPARK playground. Dining packages start from £24.95 per adult, per day, £14.95 per child (6-14), per day and £6.95 per child (2-5).
Summer Holidays from £1753 (£439 per person)
Butlin's offers a four-night Summer Holiday break featuring Stephen Mulhern staying in a two bedroom Bayside Apartment from £1753 on 21 July 2025. Price is based on a family of four sharing and includes live shows and activities with free flow access to the pool, unlimited fairground rides and the SKYPARK playground. Dining packages start from £24.95 per adult, per day, £14.95 per child (6-14), per day and £6.95 per child (2-5).