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Butlins at Bognor Regis

If you want a weekend away that won't break the bank, head to Butlins for an adults-only holiday, where the price of your accommodation includes entry to the evening entertainment

After a stressful week at work, some friends and I decided we needed some 'R&R' on the coast. Heading off to Butlins at Bognor Regis may not be the first place you'd think of for a relaxing weekend, but it certainly kept us entertained.

Where to stay

Having decided against the self-catering option, we checked in to the Shoreline Hotel. This large hotel offers great rates and is clean and modern inside. The 160 rooms are graded by size and view, with Hook's Cabins, Columbus Quarters and Nelson's Staterooms. We had Columbus' Quarters, which were large, comfortable rooms with a separate area that had two bunk beds for kids.

Somewhat bizarrely, the views from the hotel favour the car park over the sea front, but you can upgrade to a Nelson's Stateroom, if you want to get the most from your seaside fix. These have uninterrupted sea views and a separate room for children.

The weekend we visited was adults only, so the hotel was probably quieter than usual during the day, but it was definitely peaceful. You can stroll out of the resort and walk along the pebbly beach into Bognor itself, or indulge your inner child and enjoy all the facilities Butlins has to offer.

What to do

There's plenty to do by day. You can explore the fun fair, complete with dodgems, carousels, and other assorted spinning attractions, which are all included in your accommodation fee. For an additional cost, you can drive go-karts around a small track (but be warned, this may impress small children but lacked major excitement for adults).

An absolute must is Splash Waterworld, with its array of flumes and water slides. Here, you can hurtle down huge slides and be spat out the other side to the amusement of fellow swimmers in the Space Bowl, or test your swimming skills in the rapids, where the flow of water carries you round at quite a speed.

My favourites were the raft rides, which are a bit like a giant watery roller coaster that you travel around in a blow-up dinghy. There are also wave machines and water cannons, to complete your watery experience.

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