Butlin's Term-Time Breaks: 'Just For Tots'

I hate January.

And February.

Although that last one isn't completely true, once we get to half-term then I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, with the approach of Spring and the warmer and brighter weather. However until then, everything is that bit more gloomy and grey. The bright lights of Christmas seem months ago instead of only a matter of days, and the promise of Summer is too far in the distance to even contemplate.

Obviously I am not the only one who thinks this as there are a plethora of holidays being booked at the moment; many families looking abroad to book some sunshine, etc.

However, as far as I'm concerned, you'd be hard pushed to find a better resort-style holiday than the Butlin's resort in Bognor Regis. I don't just say this because I am an ambassador for them, I genuinely feel that they are an excellent provision for good family fun. And the resort in Bognor Regis is set in the sunniest place in Britain, why go abroad and struggle with flights when you don't need to?!

We first started going two years ago and experienced the wonders of the Winter Wonderland, we were fortunate to return twice last year, once on our review break and once for an ambassadors' weekend. We actually weren't intending to go to the ambassadors' weekend, but had such a great time that we booked it on the way home in the car!

Butlin's has a wonderful mix of self-catering accommodation and hotels, entertainment for all ages of the family, and restaurants to suit all tastes. They are also very clever to offer breaks for specific types of groups, for example you won't find stag or hen parties on a dedicated family weekend, likewise families can't book on adult-only weekends. Every effort is made to ensure that both types of parties can relax in the appropriate environment.

New to the Butlin's packages this year are the 'Just for Tots’ little breaks. These are breaks held during term-time, to ensure families of pre-schoolers can escape the holiday rush, without older children dominating the facilities. These breaks provide little ones the perfect environment to show Mum and Dad just what they can do; everything from the accommodation and food right through to the entertainment and activities have been designed solely with younger children in mind. Stars such as Thomas & Friends™ and Angelina Ballerina™ will be part of a ‘free-to-play’ entertainment schedule where shows are repeated throughout your break with timings to suit early-risers and early bedtimes.

Some of the facilities available are standard during Butlin's breaks anyway, particularly the bespoke meals by Annabel Karmel which are available in the restaurant. However added to that are 'Pushchair Porters' to help parents transport their toddlers and belongings from the car to the room with minimum fuss, and nap-time buggy walks (customised quiet route maps to help little ones drift off through the landscaped gardens and out along the beautiful beaches that neighbour the resorts).

Additional features of the 'Just for Tots' breaks are:

• Drop-in style activity sessions and shows that are repeated throughout the break – so it doesn’t matter how long your little ones take to get their shoes on or finish their breakfast.
• Butlins will be offering “learn-to sessions” so everyone can see their little ones achieve big things like learning to swim and ride a bike.
• Wake-up activities every morning for early risers and bedtime stories with favourite characters to end the day.
• A pool party for pre-schoolers in Splash Waterworld with the big rides switched off and replaced with water toys to create a calmer atmosphere for your ‘water babies’.
• All their favourite TV heroes under one roof to cuddle and watch in specially designed shows that are shorter in length (perfect for easily distracted toddlers)

The first ‘Just for Tots’ short breaks will take place from April 28th at Butlins Bognor Regis and Skegness, with 4-night Monday to Friday breaks running across all resorts (Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness) until September this year.

For more information visit www.butlins.com.