GETAWAYS: Butlin’s Bogner Regis by Paloma Lacy

Chaos at the airports, multiple flight changes and cancellations has put me off travelling abroad this year.

Thankfully, my family is happy to holiday in England. Well, nearly all of us.

My four-year-old is disappointed not to have taken flight as yet so maybe we’ll give it a go next year.

Marking the start of summer with a trip to Butlin’s, we made our way down to sunny Bognor Regis on the hottest week of the year so far.

This was our second visit so we rectified a few rookie errors, booking better accommodation, more suited to our needs, and jumping on the activities booking system as soon as our slot became available.

There’s no need to book swimming and we made several visits after 2pm when it was quietest.

We were lucky enough to secure bookings at all our first choice activities and met all my daughter’s heroes – PJ Masks, Pepper Pig and Thomas The Tank Engine.

All the shows are free, with the choice of paid activities, like pottery painting, archery, mini golf, go karts, bungee jump as an add-on. Much of our days were spent at Billy’s Play Garden and all the other parks.

Butlin’s has experienced something of a renaissance in the last few years and it remains hugely popular with families.

Those with pre-schoolers can take advantage of the midweek deals, which is kind on the pocket and allows you to avoid the holiday hoards.

Butlin’s prides itself on having everything a family might need to feed, water and amuse itself.

A week before a visit, holidaymakers can go online and book entertainment and activities.

The main event for many is the slot machines, arcades and rides in the Pavilion.

Little one was less interested in this, during this trip.

The big tent also houses a couple of theatres, which host nightly shows for the whole family, like tributes to Abba, Ed Sheeran and Queen. All were excellent and of course, free.

Accommodation is functional but above all clean.

Learning from our mistake of booking a second floor apartment last year, our ground floor gold apartment worked so much better, with the added bonus of the patio acting as a sun trap.

Reviews of food at Butlin’s are very mixed, going to show that it’s difficult to please everyone.

You can tuck into big name chain pizza, fish & chips, pub grub, and American diner fayre at the Food Court.

Then there are the canteen-style restaurants – serving a little bit everything, with daily specials.

The food wasn’t fancy but did the job. I liked the daily roast – a midweek roast always feels like the height of luxury.

We went for the DineAround Dining Plan, assigning a restaurant to take breakfast and dinner.

For lunch we were left to our own devices or headed back to the apartment and rustled up a sandwich.

The beach is opposite the resort and this natural joy is easily missed if you allow yourself to disappear down the Butlin’s hole for the entirety of your break.

For those who like a little adventure, a train will take you off in the direction, but not quite to, Bognor’s Pier, with lots of family-friendly entertainment, including a play park and attractions.

In the other direction lays Felpham, a charming village with lots of eateries and pubs, offering jaw dropping sea views.

It’s worth checking out The Lobster Pot or Blake’s bar & Beach Terrace, part of Beachcroft Hotel.

Pictures: Butlin’s