Some people might say there are very few similarities between a Butlin’s and Center Parcs break, and while there are plenty of differences, they are both aimed at families who just want to have a lovely time with their kids.
In this post, we take a look at the positives and negatives to help you decide which might be a better fit.
I have holidayed at both resorts over the last few years, typically Center Parcs Longleat and Butlin’s Minehead, so I am basing this on my own experience.
This post is designed to give a quick and easy overview based on those stays.
If you enjoy this kind of content, take a look at my UK Holidays & Days Out Hub for more inspiration
Butlin’s Vs Center Parcs – Who is It Best For? Quick Summary
Butlin’s is best for:
- Anyone relying on Public transport – all three sites are much easier to access by public transport than Center Parcs and have additional offsite amenities such as supermarkets within easy walking distance.
- People on a budget – term time room only breaks can be as cheap as £60, and food and drink can be booked and paid for ahead of time using Butlin’s automated payment system.
- You love entertainment – Butlin’s offers an unrivalled amount of live shows, singers, pantos, magicians and entertainment for families.
- Beach Lovers – Butlin’s resorts are all by the beach, perfect if you’re looking for that classic seaside holiday feel.
- Prefer everything included – With Butlin’s there is loads included in the price of your break including the fairground, soft play, outdoor play areas, swimming, craft sessions, football coaching sessions and much more.
Center Parcs is best for:
- Scenic Setting – The woodlands feel tranquil and spacious for a relaxing break for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to explore nature. Better for couples.
- Wide range of activities – Center Parcs offers an enormous range of activities both indoors and out – some of which you’ll hard pressed to find elsewhere.
- You love to swim – Center Parcs Subtropical swimming paradise has so much to offer, from wild water rapids to entire areas designed with toddlers in mind.
- Less budget conscious – While it is absolutely possible to do Center Parcs on a budget, overall your holiday is likely to cost significantly more than a Butlin’s break.
- Premium experience – Overall Center Parcs does feel like a more premium experience with more up market accommodation, nicer restaurants and spa facilities.
Butlin’s Vs Center Parcs – Location and getting around
Butlin’s
✅ All locations are by the coast – perfect for a classic seaside summer break
✅ Smaller sites make it easy to get around without much walking
✅ All three resorts are accessible via public transport – ideal if you’re not driving
✅ Often closer to nearby towns and attractions if you fancy exploring beyond the resort
❌ Only three UK locations compared to Center Parcs’ wider choice
Center Parcs
✅ Woodland settings feel peaceful, scenic and more secluded
✅ Larger sites feel more spread out, so they’re less crowded even during peak times
✅ Six locations across the UK & Ireland offer more choice
✅ Everything is contained on-site, so you don’t really need to leave during your stay
❌ Public transport access can be tricky, driving is often the easiest option
❌ Getting around can take time, especially on larger sites like Longleat
Winner – It’s a tie
- Pick Butlin’s for classic seaside feel (especially if using public transport)
- Pick Center Parcs for a more immersive, scenic break
Butlin’s Vs Center Parcs – Cost & Pricing
Butlin’s Cost
✅ Very budget-friendly – midweek, room only term-time breaks can be as little as £60
✅ Summer holiday breaks are often cheaper than other well-known resorts
✅ Loads included for free – entertainment, parks, fairground rides & soft play
✅ All-inclusive style packages available for food & drinks, making budgeting easier
✅ Automated payment plans available to help spread the cost
❌ Cheapest accommodation doesn’t include a kitchen – you might spend more on eating out or need to upgrade
❌ You do get what you pay for – overall feel is less upmarket than Center Parcs
❌ Accommodation can feel quite compact – I’d personally avoid it for larger groups
Center Parcs Cost
✅ Overall location feels more upmarket
✅ Accommodation is more spacious and always includes a kitchen – most also have private outdoor space
✅ Amazing outdoor play areas for kids
✅ Prices don’t jump massively for extra bedrooms – great for sharing with family or friends while still having enough communal space
✅Also offers option to pay in instalments although this is not automated.
❌ Much less included for free – most activities come at an extra cost
❌ Eating out can be pricey, and the on-site Parc Market isn’t the cheapest
❌ Can get very expensive during school holidays
Winner – Butlin’s
Butlin’s is much cheaper overall and there is much more included for the price.
Butlin’s Vs Center Parcs – Check In & Check Out
Butlin’s
✅ Early onsite access so you can start using facilities before check-in
Easy to get settled into the resort and start using entertainment once available
✅ You can arrive onsite early (check your booking for exact time)
✅Accommodation is typically ready between 3–4pm
✅ Must leave by 10am
❌ Can be large queues on arrival days
❌ No option for late check-out
❌ Not much going on on the final day once you’ve checked out as Swimming pool, rides, and entertainment are often not available or limited until later in the day when new guest start to arrive
Center Parcs
✅ Arrive from 10am on the first day of your break
✅ Can stay onsite all day on arrival and departure days
✅ Starter grocery packs can be delivered to your lodge for arrival
✅ Full access to facilities (pool, activities, restaurants) from 10am
✅ You can use everything all day after check-out on departure day
✅ Staggered arrival times help reduce peak congestion
✅ Accommodation usually available from 4pm (some lodges may be earlier)
✅ Early check-in can be booked for an additional cost
✅ Must be out of accommodation by 10am on departure day
❌ Peak arrival time (around 4–5pm) can still mean queues
❌ Roads onsite can be busy on arrival and departure days
❌ No Land Train running at Center Parcs Longleat Forest during parts of arrival/departure day
Winner – Center Parcs
Despite it’s premium price, Center Parcs gives a full day of fun on both arrival and departure day.
Butlin’s Vs Center Parcs – Accommodation
Butlin’s
✅ Several options ranging from very basic rooms right up to more luxury-style chalets, as well as privately owned caravans.
✅Choose your location from around £20
✅ Wide range of accommodation types to suit different budgets
✅ Refurbishments are happening (slowly improving standards)
✅ Phone signal is generally good
✅ Bedding and towels are usually included
❌ Accommodation can feel quite dated in places
❌ Blocks are very close together, so noise can be an issue
❌ Self-catering facilities can be quite basic in standard units
❌ Storage space can be limited, especially for families
❌ No dogs allowed (except guide dogs or in some private caravans)
❌ WiFi is included but can be patchy and hard to access
❌ Typically cannot park outside accommodation to unload
❌ Travel cots and highchairs not included as standard (but are available on request)
What Is The WIFI Like At Butlins Minehead?
Center Parcs
✅ Beautiful woodland locations with private outdoor areas
✅Wildlife can often been seen right outside your lodge
✅ Accommodation feels more spacious and better laid out
✅ Lodges are well-equipped, usually including a dishwasher
✅ Better kitchen equipment and more storage space
✅ Generally larger than standard Butlin’s accommodation
✅ Up to two dogs allowed in some accommodation (around £130, guide dogs free)
✅ WiFi available in all lodges
✅ Higher-quality furnishings and finishes overall
✅ Travel cots and highchairs included as standard in most accommodation (usually stored in the boiler room)
❌ More expensive overall
❌ Choosing your lodge location starts from around £30 and can cost up to £90 extra for premium spots near the plaza (pool)
❌ Phone signal can be very limited
❌ Some lodges can feel a little tired despite the higher price
❌ Parking is not next to lodges and you must return your car to the main car park after unloading (unless you have access needs/dedicated parking eg. treehouse)
❌ Some lodges are a fair walk or cycle from central areas (up to 45 minutes)
Winner – Center Parcs
Overall, Center Parcs accommodation is larger and feels more premium, even for the basic options.
Butlins Vs Center Parcs – Swimming Pools
Butlin’s
✅ Large pools suitable for the whole family – a mix of swimming areas and fun pools with wave machines
✅ Waterslides and splash features are included in the price
✅ Outdoor splash zone open in summer months
❌ Some pools feel a bit dated (e.g. Minehead)
❌ Outdoor pools are small, not heated and with limited summer opening hours
❌ Opening hours can be restricted – not always open on arrival/departure days
❌ Toddler areas can feel limited (e.g. only one small slide at Minehead)
❌ Can get very busy at peak times
❌ Changing rooms aren’t always the cleanest, and lockers can be unreliable
Center Parcs
✅ Some of the best swimming complexes in the UK
✅ Huge variety: heated outdoor pools, rapids, slides, wave pools, hot tubs & more
✅ Great toddler provision – shallow areas, small slides & interactive water play
✅ Large kids’ pirate ships with water features and shallow splash zones
✅ Longer opening hours, including evenings for quieter swims
✅ Poolside café and plenty of seating for non-swimmers
✅ Cabanas available to hire for a more private, relaxed base
✅ Suitable for all ages and abilities – with free life jackets available for kids (one less thing to pack!)
✅ Digital lockers – no need for coins
❌ Can get very busy, especially on arrival days and the first day of breaks (Sat & Tues)
❌ Lots of features means occasional closures (rapids, hot tubs, toddler areas)
❌ Rapids usually close annually for maintenance (often September – worth checking before booking)
❌ Ride queues can be long at peak times, with no live queue-time system
❌ Changing rooms get very busy, especially for those wanting family spaces
❌ Pool temperature can vary – sometimes noticeably cooler on certain days
Winner – Center Parcs
For swimming, this is an easy win for Center Parcs – the scale, variety and all-ages appeal are hard to beat.
Butlin’s Vs Center Parcs – Free Activities
Butlin’s
✅ Skypark modern illuminated playground (Minehead & Skegness only)
✅ Smaller playgrounds dotted around accommodation areas
✅ Large main funfair plus a smaller ‘Little Stars’ kids’ funfair
✅ New Skyline Gang soft play at Bognor Regis (large indoor play area)
✅ Smaller soft play areas at Minehead and Skegness
✅ Meet & greets with popular characters and the Skyline Gang
✅ Redcoats run free games and activities throughout the day (dancing, limbo etc.)
✅ Swimming is included in the cost of your break
✅ Free football coaching sessions available
✅ All Butlin’s resorts are close to a beach
✅ Little Tykes Town available on toddler breaks (no booking needed)
✅ Seasonal free activities (e.g. Halloween themed characters at the fairground)
✅ Some free arts & crafts sessions included (but usually need booking)
❌ Popular free activities book up quickly and often need advance booking
❌ Meet & greet queues can get long
❌ Soft play areas at Minehead & Skegness are quite small and can get very busy
❌ Some rides are frequently down for maintenance, especially off-peak or term-time
❌ Lower staffing during term time can mean fewer rides open at once
Center Parcs
✅ Subtropical Swimming Paradise is the main free attraction
✅ Large outdoor play areas
✅ Smaller play areas dotted around accommodation zones
✅ Free land train (Longleat only) is a fun way for kids to travel around
✅ Bikes and scooters are a big part of the experience – bring these from home to save on costs
✅ Easy to create free nature-based activities (birdwatching, scavenger hunts, animal spotting, nature trails)
✅ Man-made beach area (bring bucket & spade)
✅ Soft play available in some restaurants
✅ Bowling alley and Sports Plaza play areas are free to enter (you may just buy drinks/coffee)
❌ No fully structured free entertainment programme beyond swimming and play areas
❌ Most organised activities are paid for rather than included
Winner – Butlin’s
Butlin’s wins it for offering far more for included in the price of your break.
Butlin’s Vs Center Parcs – Paid Acitvities
Butlin’s
✅ Wide range of paid activities including go-karting, bowling, snooker, pottery painting, laser tag and more
✅ Indoor and outdoor options – great whatever the weather
✅ ‘All Action’ activity pass available – includes go-karts, bowling, adventure golf, American pool and bungee trampolines for around £20
✅ Plenty of free activities too, so you can keep costs down if you’re on a tight budget
✅ Huge arcade with lots of games
❌ Activities book up very quickly – even on the day booking opens you can miss out on popular ones
❌ Some extras can still add up if you’re not careful
Center Parcs
✅ Huge range of activities – pony rides, hair braiding, high ropes, tree trekking, zip wires over the lake, tennis, football, sensory play, escape rooms, crafts and more
✅ Boating lake with its own dedicated activities
✅ Dedicated spa (expensive, but in my opinion worth it)
✅ Pottery painting includes firing and glazing – so you take home usable items
✅ ‘Stay & Play’ style sessions (e.g. Chocolate Chef Academy) give adults time to use the spa or relax
✅ Easy to cancel and refund activities via the Center Parcs app if plans change – full refund up to 12 hours before, and 50% charge after that (some exceptions may apply for special events or spa treatments)
✅ Activities are available year-round, with strong indoor/outdoor mix
❌ Generally more expensive than Butlin’s for similar activities (e.g. Build-a-Bear is around £10 more)
❌ Some activity locations are quite a walk from accommodation (especially outer lodges)
❌ A high proportion of outdoor activities means some are more likely to be cancelled or affected by bad weather
❌ Website isn’t always clear on whether adults attending with kid’s are chargeable
❌ Many activities are strict on age bands, not height
❌ Can be difficult to find activities for mixed-age siblings to do together
❌ Costs add up quickly and sessions are often quite short
❌ Some activities feel underwhelming for younger children (short attention spans)
❌ Some experiences can be recreated more cheaply at your lodge
Winner – It’s a tie
- Pick Butlin’s for budget friendly activities that when paired with everything free Butlins has to offer make for an amazing holiday experience
- Pick Center Parcs for a huge range of activities including things you might not be able to do elsewhere. Perfect for active adventurous families that love the outdoors.
Butlin’s Vs Center Parcs – Entertainment
Butlin’s
✅ Free entertainment is pretty much unmatched (in my opinion) – loads included in your stay and happening throughout the day and night
✅ Huge variety: live singers, branded shows (Gladiators, Stephen Mulhern, Peppa Pig), pantos, puppet shows & the Skyline Gang
✅ Extras like magic shows, dinosaur/animal shows, meet & greets, plus kids discos
✅ Evening entertainment for adults too – including things like Bingo Bango
✅ Seasonal themes throughout the year (Halloween, Christmas, etc.) keep it feeling fresh
❌ VIP passes are often needed if you want the best seats for shows
❌Queues for popular shows can be long, with people often queueing over an hour before the show is due to start
Center Parcs
✅ Low-cost options like quiz nights (around £2 per person)
✅ Sports bar showing live sports games
✅ Kids discos at some resorts
✅ Center Parcs tends to focus more on daytime activities (like swimming, cycling, outdoor experiences), so evenings are naturally quieter
✅ Better suited to slower evenings – ideal for family time, board games or relaxing together back at the lodge
❌ Much less entertainment available compared to Butlin’s
❌No live entertainment such as singers in the evenings
Winner – Butlin’s
There is simply no comparison – Butlin’s wins it for the sheer volume and variety of entertainment at it’s three UK resorts.
Butlin’s Vs Center Parcs – Food, Drink & Restaurants
Butlin’s
✅ All-inclusive style half board packages make life (and budgeting) much easier – breakfast and three-course buffet dinners included
✅ Choose your style of dining – basic canteen-style buffet or upgrade to live cooking stations
✅ ‘Dine Around’ option available – pre-pay to eat in selected restaurants and pubs onsite
✅ Buffet restaurants include dedicated kids’ sections (lower counters so children can help themselves easily – nuggets, sausages etc.)
✅ Drinks packages available – great value if you drink regularly and want predictable costs
✅ Buffet restaurants also available as pay-as-you-go depending on availability
✅ Off-peak dining times are cheaper – ideal for families who naturally eat early
✅ Easy access to local restaurants nearby (e.g. Brewers Fayre, Wetherspoons, cafes) for budget-friendly alternatives or mix-and-match dining
✅ Most accommodation includes a basic kitchen – handy if you prefer to self-cater some meals
✅ Takeaways onsite include Chinese, pizza and fish & chips, restaurants include pizza buffet, pub and Nando’s style chicken place
✅Offsite supermarkets often within easy walking/driving distance
✅ You can order via Just Eat to the main gate if needed
❌ Food quality can be variable depending on restaurant and time
❌ Buffet restaurants can get very busy and feel chaotic at peak times and choice can start to feel repetitive over longer stays
❌ Takeaways cannot be delivered directly to your accommodation
❌ Onsite Co-op is expensive and not always well stocked
❌ All members of your party must be included on the drinks package. Teenagers are charged at adult rates, even though they can’t legally drink alcohol
❌ Be wary of seagulls if eating outside
Center Parcs
✅ Wide choice of restaurants onsite, from casual to more premium dining
✅ While dining out can be expensive, set menus (especially at lunchtime) can help reduce costs
✅ Pancake House allows dessert-only ordering, making it more budget-friendly than a full meal
✅ Kids’ menus typically include three courses for around £10
✅ Co-op supermarket can deliver directly to your lodge if you spend over £40
✅ Starbucks accepts Blue Light Card discounts
✅ Sports Café does not need booking – just turn up
✅ Restaurant Runner service allows food to be delivered to your lodge – book your delivery early in the day to avoid missing out
✅ Uber Eats and similar services can be used, but you usually need to collect from the arrivals lodge
✅Many restaurants have play areas or a soft play for kids
✅Most accommodation has an outdoor BBQ area with seating
❌ Popular restaurants (like Pancake House) often need booking well in advance
❌ Food can be expensive and doesn’t always match high street offers or promotions for the same brands
❌ Center Parcs focuses more on sit-down dining – fewer quick, grab-and-go lunch options
❌ Restaurant Runner service can feel limited in choice and some prefer to leave site instead and collect from local takeaways
❌ Walk-up availability is often limited at peak times (especially Pancake House and Rajinda Pradesh)
❌ Co-op is well stocked but can still be expensive
❌ Need a car to visit local budget supermarkets
❌BBQ use may be restricted during dry spells
Winner – It’s a tie
- Pick Butlin’s for budget friendly, prepaid dining and drink options
- Pick Center Parcs for more variety and if you’re less budget conscious
Butlins Vs Center Parcs – Accessibility
Butlin’s
✅ Limited number of accessible accommodation units – booking must be done by phone so requirements can be checked and matched properly
✅ Some resorts are better equipped than others (Bognor Regis tends to have newer accessible facilities)
✅ Adapted lodges are limited and often sell out early, especially during peak times like school holidays
✅ Smaller, flatter sites generally make getting around easier
✅ Accommodation, entertainment and restaurants are usually close together
✅ Step-free routes across most of the resort
✅ Public areas are compact, meaning less distance to travel overall
✅Hoist available at the pool
❌ Not all accommodation types have an accessible option, which can limit budget choices
❌ Accessible accommodation cannot be booked online
❌ Busy/peak times can make navigation feel more crowded and slower
❌ Pool hoists are available but there are no hoists in the changing rooms – something to be aware of if both are required
Center Parcs
✅ Most accessible accommodation can be booked online, although guests with more complex needs may still prefer to call and confirm details with the Center Parcs team
✅ Much wider range of accessible accommodation – most lodge types have an adapted version
✅ Accessible lodges often include built-in accessibility features such as step-free access, handrails and adapted bathrooms
✅ Fully car-free villages – no traffic to navigate
✅ Dedicated parking space at your lodge, with no need to move your car back to the central car park
✅ Mobility bus service available via Guest Services for help getting around the site
✅ Wide, smooth, well-maintained paths suitable for wheelchairs, scooters and bikes
✅ Accessibility equipment available (hoists, pool access chairs, etc.)
✅ Changing Places standard changing rooms at the subtropical swimming paradise, not just adapted cubicles.
✅ Clear signage and mapped routes throughout the village
❌ Sites are very large, so distances between accommodation and activities can still be significant
❌ Outer lodges can mean 10–20+ minute walks to main areas (further at Longleat)
❌ Bikes, scooters or transport services are often needed to get around comfortably
❌ Multiple trips in a day can feel tiring due to the size of the villages
Winner – Center Parcs
Center Parcs is better suited for those with more complex accessibility needs, as it offers purpose-built adapted lodges, specialist accessibility equipment, and is typically less crowded.
However, Butlin’s is flatter and more compact, with everything closer together if ease and convenience are your priorities.
Butlins Vs Center Parcs – Which Is Better? Conclusion
I love holidaying at both Butlin’s and Center Parcs and, despite putting this post together, I’m still finding it really hard to pick a winner.
I love Butlin’s because there is so much to do onsite, and so much of it is included in the price of the break.
Booking the meal plan and paying in advance also makes life much easier there’s no thinking about where to eat each night, and it’s nice knowing we can just turn up whenever we’re ready to grab food.
Center Parcs has a very different vibe, but one we really enjoy. I love being in the woodlands, it feels so calming and tranquil. The pool is incredible and we can easily spend hours there every day. There are also plenty of restaurants to choose from when we do fancy eating out.
In conclusion, both Butlin’s and Center Parcs make for a fabulous UK break, and I’m sure most families would have a fantastic time at either.
You might want to factor in things like the amount of travel time needed and the fact Butlins isn’t open year round for family breaks to your travel planning.
Ultimately, it really comes down to the type of holiday you’re looking for, whether that’s a busy, entertainment-filled break or something a little more relaxed and nature-focused.
More Butlins Content:
Reasons We’ve Chosen A Butlins Half Term Holiday
Butlins Packing List (2026) What You Actually Need to Take
Butlins Minehead Gold Apartment Review (now comfort plus)
Butlins Minehead Comfort Apartment Review
What Is The WIFI Like At Butlins Minehead?
Butlins Minehead Review Spooktober Half Term
Premium Dining At Butlins Minehead Review
Things To Do Near Butlin’s Minehead
More Center Parcs Content:
5 Alternatives To Center Parcs
6 Top Tips To Save Money At Center Parcs
