ELSIE’S ADVENTURES • TRAVEL & HOLIDAYS
Surprise! We’re Going to Butlin’s Minehead! 🎪
Three nights, one big surprise and a rather unexpected journey home!
📅 By Happily Ever Elsie • 21 October 2026
The Big Surprise! 🎉
Imagine being told you’re going out for the day, spending nearly three hours in the car, and then finding out you’re actually going on HOLIDAY!
Well, that’s exactly what happened to me!
Mum and Dad had secretly booked us three nights at Butlin’s Minehead in Somerset, but they hadn’t told us anything about it. As far as we knew, we were just going somewhere for the day.
After what felt like FOREVER in the car, I was starting to get a little grumpy. Seriously, how long does a day out take?!
But when we finally arrived, Dad told us we weren’t just visiting — we were staying for three whole nights!
Suddenly, I wasn’t grumpy anymore. I was SO excited!
Three Nights of Holiday Fun
We arrived on Friday and had until Monday morning to enjoy ourselves.
Unlike some of our adventures, where we’re rushing around trying to squeeze everything into one day, this holiday was a chance to relax, explore and enjoy being away together.
We stayed in a two-bedroom Comfort Suite, which had a lounge, kitchen and dining area, so we had somewhere to relax between all the excitement.
Dad says it wasn’t the most luxurious accommodation we’ve ever stayed in, but for me, the important thing was that we were on holiday!
A LITTLE DETOUR
A Castle Adventure Too!
Saturday wasn’t actually spent at Butlin’s because Mum and Dad had another adventure planned for us.
We were off to Watermouth Castle!
And if you think castles are just old buildings full of dusty furniture, think again. This one had loads of unusual things to discover, and I particularly loved the tube slide!
From exploring the castle to discovering all sorts of unexpected surprises, it was a brilliant day out.
We’ve already written a whole adventure about our visit, so you can read about our trip to Watermouth Castle in our separate blog post.
After exploring the castle, it was lovely knowing we still had Butlin’s to return to and more holiday fun waiting for us.
The Masked Singer
One of the highlights of our stay was watching Butlin’s very own version of The Masked Singer.
We all really enjoyed the show, trying to work out who was hiding behind the costumes.
And Dad was rather pleased with himself because he correctly guessed who Baby Dino was — Suzanne Shaw!
I’m not entirely sure whether that’s impressive or just means Dad is getting old. 😂
Either way, it was a brilliant bit of entertainment and something we all enjoyed together.
Making a Splash! 💦
On Sunday, we headed to the swimming pool.
There was a main swimming pool, some rapids and a waterslide to try.
The rapids weren’t quite the wild adventure you might imagine — they mostly went round in a circle — and the slide had quite a wait, but it was still another chance to get in the water and enjoy our holiday.
Dad had a few things to say about the condition of the pool, but I’ll leave those for his verdict later!
Food, Fun and Family Time
Our holiday included breakfast and dinner, which meant we didn’t have to worry too much about organizing meals.
There were plenty of different things to choose from, and although Dad wouldn’t describe it as fine dining, we certainly didn’t go hungry!
But one of the best things about this holiday wasn’t actually a ride, a show or an attraction.
It was simply being away together.
We could wander around, enjoy some entertainment or just relax without having to rush off somewhere.
And sometimes that’s exactly what makes a holiday special.
I Didn’t Want to Go Home!
By Monday morning, our little holiday was coming to an end, and I really didn’t want to leave!
But Mum and Dad had one final surprise planned before we headed home.
We were going to Brean Beach, the very first beach I’d ever visited when I was little!
We left Butlin’s at around 11am, and Brean was only about 45 minutes to an hour away, roughly in the direction of home.
It sounded like a lovely way to finish our holiday.
Except our car had other ideas!
A Bang, a Blowout and One Last Adventure!
While we were driving through Bridgwater on a dual carriageway, one of our tyres suddenly blew out!
I’m not going to lie, it was scary!
Definitely NOT the kind of excitement I was hoping for on the way to the beach!
Luckily, Dad knew the area quite well and knew some of the local stores. After a couple of phone calls, some waiting around and an unexpected bill (which I don’t think Dad was very happy about!), we were finally back on the road.
Our holiday wasn’t quite over yet!
Eventually, we made it to Brean Beach, where we spent around two hours enjoying the seaside.
It was lovely visiting the very first beach I’d ever been to, especially now that I’m old enough to appreciate where it all began.
Then it really was time to head home, back to our dogs and the dog sitter who’d been looking after them.
What a weekend!
A surprise holiday, a castle, swimming, The Masked Singer, a trip down memory lane and a tyre blowout thrown in for good measure!
Would I do it all again? Absolutely!
Although perhaps next time we could skip the exploding tyre! 😂
A PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE
Dad’s Verdict — Is Butlin’s Minehead Worth It?
Right, Elsie’s had her say. Now it’s Dad’s turn!
First things first: we genuinely enjoyed our weekend. It was a refreshing change to have a relaxed British holiday without the pressure of trying to fit a hundred activities into every day.
And seeing how excited Elsie was when we revealed the surprise made the trip worthwhile before we’d even unpacked.
However, looking at the resort from a parent’s perspective, I do think Butlin’s Minehead needs some serious attention.
Accommodation
We stayed in a two-bedroom Comfort Suite with a lounge, kitchen and dining area.
It was adequate for our needs, but cleanliness could have been better, and the inside bathroom door handle was coming loose.
Nothing that ruined our holiday, but certainly not the standard I’d expect given the price of some Butlin’s breaks.
Swimming Pool
The swimming facilities were another mixed experience.
The main pool was fine for a swim, but the rapids were underwhelming and the waterslide queues were quite long.
More concerning was the condition of some of the facilities. We noticed rust, flaking paint and rubber rings with damaged handles.
The pool complex would certainly benefit from refurbishment.
Food & Drink
Our package included breakfast and dinner, and the food was reasonable, with plenty of choice.
It wasn’t gourmet dining, but it did the job perfectly well for a family holiday.
The included drinks selection, however, felt quite limited.
Value for Money
We paid over £500 for three nights, including our meal package.
Was it worth it? Possibly, when you factor in the accommodation, food, entertainment and the enjoyment we got from being away together.
Would I pay that amount for the accommodation alone? Absolutely not.
Anyone considering booking should compare prices carefully. Last-minute offers can be attractive, but some advance prices are considerably higher, and I’d struggle to justify paying a premium given the condition of the resort during our visit.
Facilities & Entertainment
The Skyline Pavilion and arcades looked particularly tired during our visit.
Worn carpets, areas held together with tape and generally dated surroundings gave parts of the resort a rather neglected appearance.
The arcades were disappointing too. We found the grabber machines especially frustrating, and they certainly didn’t give us much confidence that we’d be taking home any prizes!
One thing I particularly noticed was the lack of Redcoats. Having experienced Butlin’s in the 1990s, when Redcoats were such a recognisable part of the atmosphere, I was surprised by how few we encountered over the weekend. I think we spotted around three during our entire stay.
The fairground wasn’t particularly appealing either. There appeared to be only a handful of rides, mostly aimed at younger children, and it wasn’t always obvious whether they were operating. We didn’t bother using them.
There’s also a children’s play area called SKYPARK that reportedly cost around £2.5 million to develop. While it’s nice to have additional facilities for younger visitors, I personally struggled to see that level of investment reflected in what was there. Butlin’s also reported investing £23 million across its Minehead resort in 2024, including accommodation renovations.
And then there’s the old swimming pool building, which has stood unused for almost 3 decades, closing in 1997. It’s difficult to understand why such a prominent part of the resort has remained that way for so long.
On a more positive note, The Masked Singer show was excellent. We all enjoyed it, and it’s exactly the sort of family entertainment Butlin’s should be celebrating.
THE FINAL WORD
Would We Go Back?
Butlin’s Minehead gave us a lovely family weekend, and Elsie had an absolutely brilliant time.
The entertainment and relaxed atmosphere were enjoyable, but some of the facilities are showing their age and could do with substantial investment.
We’d happily return for the right price, but I’d be much more hesitant about paying a premium.
And ultimately, that’s the interesting thing about family holidays.
Elsie remembers the excitement, the surprises and the fun.
I remember the loose bathroom handle, the tyre bill and the cost of the holiday! 😂
Would we recommend it? Yes, particularly if you find a good-value deal and go with realistic expectations.
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF
Watch Our Butlin’s Adventure!
Want to see what we actually got up to? Watch our full Butlin’s Minehead adventure, including the surprises, entertainment and plenty of holiday fun!