7 Free Things To Do at Butlins Minehead

Planning a trip to Butlins and want to know what are the free things to do at Butlins Minehead to make the most out of the all inclusive facilities? 

In this post we’ll provide you with a 7 free things to do at Butlins Minehead if you don’t have loads of additional money to spend or you just want to make the most out of the all inclusive facilities you’ve already paid for. We also answer some of the most common questions around the free things to do at Butlins Minehead, including if you have to book the free activities at Butlins, if you have to pay for entertainment, and if the fairground is included in the cost at a Butlins resort.

If you don’t mind spending a little money on some activities while you’re at Butlins then there are plenty of other things to do. To learn more about everything there is to do at a Butlins resort take a look at our post on what we consider to be the best activities at Butlins Minehead.

What’s in this post? 

If there’s a part of this guide that you’re particularly interested in you can skip straight there by clicking on that section in the contents below. If not, then continue reading for 7 free things to do at Butlins Minehead

Where is Butlins Minehead?

Butlins Minehead is located in the south west of England, about 1.5 hours drive from Bristol or under 3 hours from London using public transport. 

We’ve written a full review of the Butlins Minehead resort with tons of additional information including if you have to pay for rides and swimming, all of the accommodation options, and if you can take your dog to Butlins. 

List of 7 free things to do at Butlins Minehead

The Fairground

The Butlins resorts all have a pretty cool fairground that (apart from the go karts) is completely free to use. At the Minehead resort the fairground is split into two sections for older and younger kids. The rides for older kids and adults outside through the sky pavilion, and the rides for younger kids is in a building to the side of the Sky Pavilion and opposite Reds

Outside you’ll find 8 bigger rides including the waltzers, bumper cars, and helter skelter slide. Where as inside you’ll find 6 rides including a multi lane slide, mini train and flying areoplanes. There’s also the soft play attached next door. 

Play in one of the parks or soft play

Minehead has recently opened their sky park which is a huge outdoor park with a maze of towers, tunnels and slides and interactive games. There’s something for kids of all ages and will keep them busy for hours! It’s also got some accessible and sensory details which make this park really special.

There are also a few other parks dotted around the site, including one in the garden of The Beachcomber Inn restaurant and there’s a small indoor soft play next to the fairground for younger kids that’s free to use. 

Splash World

Splash World is the swimming pool at Butlins and is completely free to use, you don’t even have to book a slot. The pool at Minehead isn’t as good as the pool at the Skegness resort but it does include a couple of water slides, a lazy river, a kids pool area and a small wave pool. 

Visit the beach and Minehead centre

The nearest beach is just across the road at the front of the resort. It’s a wide sandy beach that stretches for miles. If you follow the beach to the left you’ll walk all the way into Minehead town. This takes around 10-15 minutes and there’s a wide path that runs alongside the beach with 3 play areas that children can use for free.

Visiting Minehead town centre is around 10-15 minutes walk from the Butlins site and is a great way to spend an afternoon. There are so many different types of shops from standard high street shops to small independent ones selling children’s clothes, home decor, and even homemade marshmallows!

Book an activity

There are many free activities for both adults and kids at Butlins Minehead, including football club, mini bow and the character photoshoots. Most activities need to be booked so I’d recommend checking on the app and book where required. If you get an unexpected day on the resort and haven’t booked an activity you can chance your luck and turn up to the activity to see if they have any spaces but just be aware that if they’re fully booked they will turn you away. 

Painting and Planting

Painting and Planting is a fun activity in the craft centre where you get a small plant pot to paint during the session, then at the end you get to plant a little seed in your pot before you take it home. It is a bookable activity and will probably be busier if it’s a rainy day or you’re visiting during the school holidays but is completely free.

Catch a show

There are two main stages where you can catch a show at Butlins Minehead and both are free to enter. There’s the Skyline Pavilion which doesn’t need to be booked and is the main stage for kids entertainment. Then Reds which does need to be booked (unless you’re really lucky) and is more for music, game shows and family discos.  

FAQs for the free things to do at Butlins Minehead

Do you have to book included activities at Butlins Minehead?

Some activities – like the sports clubs, crafts and certain shows do need to be booked, however other activities – like the Splash World, arcade and fairground don’t need to be booked. The best way to check if an activity you want to do needs to be booked is to check on the Butlins app, you’ll be able to see if an activity should be booked, where to book it and how much it’ll cost.

Do you have to pay for shows at Butlins Minehead?

Whether it’s Justin Fletcher as Mr Tumble, an evening show at Reds, or live music at Studio 36 all shows at Butlins are included in the cost of your holiday.

Do you have to pay for activities at Butlins? 

While some activities are included – the fairground, swimming, entertainment, and the beach to name a few. There are also some additional activities that need to be paid for, including adventure golf, aerial adventure, football academy, crafting, and the go-karts

Is swimming included at Butlins?

Swimming is included at Butlins in their Splash World pool, complete with a lazy river, flumes and several smaller pools.

Do you wear wristbands at Butlins?

All adults have to wear a wristband at Butlins.

Do you have to pay for the entertainment at Butlins?

There is some entertainment that comes at a cost, like the arcades, go kart and some crafts or activities. However, the main kids entertainment programme in the Sky Pavilion is all included in the cost of your holiday.

Do you have to pay to get onto the beach at Butlins Minehead?

The beach at Butlins Minehead is across the main road out the front of the Butlins entrance so not a part of the Butlins resort. It’s a public beach and there is no cost to enter.

Is the fairground included in the Butlins price? 

The Fairground is free to anyone who is visiting and staying overnight or who have booked a day pass at Butlins. 

Final thoughts on the free things to do at Butlins Minehead 

The included activities at a Butlins resort is what makes the holiday such great value for money. From play parks, to the pool, or the fairground –  there are activities to suit everyone in the family. 

My number one tip if you’re planning a trip to Butlins Minehead and want to make sure you get the most out of your holiday but making full use of all the included facilities is to plan ahead. 

Information on all of the activities, if they’re included or not and if they need to be booked are on the app – you can even book the activities on the app too. The included things to do are popular, especially during weekends and school holidays so if you wait until you arrive you may find yourself limited in what’s still available.