Butlin’s has just lifted the curtain on a whopping £15 million indoor activity centre, perfect for fun-seekers of all ages.
This cutting-edge facility has been set up at the Butlin’s Bognor Regis resort, transforming a former car park into a 50,000 square foot hub of nine different activities. Guests can indulge in an array of attractions including TechPutt, escape rooms, VR-cade, glow pong, shuffleboard, laser tag, a batting cage, ‘Neo Games’ and ‘Digi Darts’. Not to mention, there’s also a cafe and bar for those looking to relax.
When Cyann Fielding of Lancs Live attended a preview event, she said: “Upon entering, visitors are greeted with a warm purple glow and a variety of vibrant destinations to explore. Each corner turned reveals something exciting and new. Every gaming zone offers its own unique theme and immersive experience.”
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Jon Pickup, the CEO of Butlin’s, has previously shared the vision behind the new zone. He said: “We thought, how do we bring it together and make it Butlin’s type version of that? And after all that time, this [Playxperience] came together.
“While the Playexperience is currently exclusive to the Bognor Regis location, there are ambitions to roll it out to other sites in the future. “Minehead will be the next one which will be sometime around 2026.”
Playexperience is proud to host the UK’s first fully immersive and interactive built-in Neo Games arenas. Encapsulated within a single space, the play space features state-of-the-art interactive walls to offer guests a range of games.
From Angry Birds Smash to interactive football games, Neo Games whisks you away into an alternate reality.
Neo Games
Playexperience is also home to the UK’s first fully immersive and interactive built-in Neo Games arenas. Neo Games, a gaming universe contained within a single space, utilises cutting-edge interactive walls to offer guests a variety of games.
From Angry Birds Smash to interactive football games, Neo Games transports you into an alternate reality.
TechPutt
Butlin’s-inspired TechPutt offers approximately 27 holes across three courses. These include a backlight course and a wheelchair-accessible course with adapted putters.
Cyann said: “The Vegas course is a casino-themed challenge, the music, and sound-themed course caters to all ages, and the final UV-lit course provides a darker environment for adults to socialise and have fun.
“The courses, similar to crazy golf, feature varying levels of difficulty, with some holes easier than others. Additional tricks, such as shots that earn more points, add to the excitement. What sets these three courses apart is their innovative score-recording system. A small chip inside the ball registers each hit and senses when it enters the hole.”
The traditional pencil and paper scorecard is a thing of the past now with players’ names and scores displayed on a screen above each hole thanks to the ball and putt.
Laser Tag
Feeling sentimental, Cyanns said: “As a youngster, I have fond memories of frequenting my local bowling alley to partake in its laser tag arena. The adrenaline rush I experienced while darting around in the dark was unparalleled.”
Butlin’s new laser tag area is a sight to behold, with its ingenious laser lighting, neon decor and interactive screens at each base station. It’s an experience suitable for both adult groups and those with children.
The laser tag boasts the world’s top phasers, targets, video bases and audio-visual special effects – all custom-made for Butlin’s.
Glow Pong
Table tennis is currently undergoing a revival, with ping pong pop-ups turning the sport into a fun social activity. Butlin’s glow pong uses the latest UV LED technology to create a captivating glow-in-the-dark experience.
This immersive UV environment is designed to be accessible for children as young as five.
Shuffleboard
Unlike traditional versions of Shuffleboard, Butlin’s Shuffleboard features electric scoreboards and a unique concave playing surface, enhancing the overall gaming experience. No Playxperience would be complete without shuffleboard.
It’s a family favourite, and its location in the bar area makes it perfect for families where the adults need a break, but the kids want to keep having fun.
Escape Rooms
Escape rooms have traditionally been a no-go zone for younger children, but Butlin’s Playxperience is shaking things up. They’ve launched three escape rooms suitable for kids aged seven and above, and one for those aged five and up, making it an activity the whole family can enjoy.
The themed rooms include 221B Baker Street, Area 51, Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Escape the Seven Seas. The creativity of these rooms is worth experiencing, not to mention the ingeniously designed escape games.
VR-Cade
The VR-cade is a cutting-edge virtual reality emporium, featuring everything from the popular game ‘Beat Saber’ to a VR ghost train. It’s a gaming paradise, offering 60 minutes of playtime with 11 different experiences.
However, it might not be suitable for those prone to motion sickness. The Batting Cage uses AI technology Batfast, allowing guests to participate in various sports while their loved ones watch.
Whether you want coaching or competitive play, this feature has got you covered. Plus, video replays of your best moments can be sent to your email.
In the tennis game, for instance, a ball is shot out of a small hole in the screen. Impressively, the cage can adjust to accommodate different ages and skill levels.
Digi Darts
Augmented Reality darts might seem a bit out of the ordinary, but this classic pub pastime has been given a digital makeover, featuring a variety of game modes and displays, as well as automatic scoring on the dartboards. In addition to traditional darts, there are also themed games like Shanghai and Robin Hood.
Cyann confirmed that all games require tokens to play: “If you purchase between 20-200 tokens prior to your visit, each token is priced at £4.95.
“This means that the various activities can cost anywhere from £4.95 to £19.80. For example, if you wish to take part in an escape room, it would require four tokens, totalling £19.80 for a group of two-to-six players, assuming you bought a minimum of 20 tokens in advance.”
The Playxperience has also generated 30 new jobs and took 18 months to construct. Moreover, eight of the nine activities are accessible.
The new Butlin’s PLAYXPERIENCE opened its doors on Monday, October 7 at the Bognor Regis site. Online bookings are now being accepted here.