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'Butlin's Holiday Camps' were founded by (later Sir) Billy Butlin to provide economical holidays in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Between 1936 and 1966, nine camps were built. Three resorts remain in use by the Butlins company today in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness.
Butlins are noted for their famous "Redcoats" who provide entertainment and organisation at every level.
There was a UK TV satirical sitcom during the 1980s based on a Butlins-style holiday camp called ''Hi-de-Hi!''. More recently a fly on the wall documentary series called ''Redcoats'' followed redcoats through their seasons at Butlins.

Contents

History

Locations

Current Butlins resorts

Previous Butlins resorts

Facilities

Main facilities

Single facilities

Bognor Regis Camp

1980s refurbishment

1990s major redevelopment

''Shoreline Hotel''

Minehead Camp

1980s refurbishment

1990s major redevelopment

''Exmoor Adventures''

''BlueSkies'' apartment

Music festival

Adult Party Weekends

Skegness Camp

1980s refurbishment

1990s major redevelopment

''The Spa''

Spring Harvest

Butlins and Dodgem Cars

Butlin's Beaver Club on The Radio

Wizzy World & Billy Bear

See also

External links

History

The first of the Butlin's holiday camps was opened by Billy Butlin in 1936 in Skegness following his success in the development of amusement parks. A second camp quickly followed in Clacton (1938) and construction of a third began at Filey (1939). With the outbreak of World War II, building at Filey was postponed and the camps at Skegness and Clacton were given over for military use. Wartime use of Butlins camps continued with resorts at Ayr, Filey & Pwllheli being completed and opened as military camps.
In 1945, with war over, Filey opened as a holiday camp. The camps at Skegness & Clacton (1946), Ayr & Pwllheli (1947) followed and a new camp was built on the east coast of Ireland at Mosney (1948). Butlin's became popular in post-war Britain with family entertainment and activities available for the equivalent of a week's pay. Further post-war camps were opened in the 1960s at Bognor Regis (1960), Minehead (1962) and Barry (1966).
In 1948, Billy Butlin acquired two hotels in The Bahamas and in the 1950s, Butlins began opening hotels in the UK: Saltdean, Brighton (1953), Blackpool (1955) and five in Cliftonville (1955-1956). In later years, they were joined by further hotels in Scarborough (1978), Llandudno (1981), London (1993), a sixth hotel at Cliftonville and one in Spain (1983). The camps at Ayr and Skegness also had separate self-contained hotels within the grounds. In the 1960s and 1970s, the company also operated the ''Top of the Tower'' revolving restaurant at the then-named Post Office Tower in London.
All the Butlins hotels of the 1950s-1990s were sold in 1998 but the majority are still open today under different ownership. In 1998, camps at Ayr and Pwllheli were also sold following the closure/sale of camps at Clacton (1983), Filey (1983), Barry (1986). The lease on the ''Top of the Tower'' restaurant expired in 1980.
In 1968 Billy Butlin's son Bobby took over the management of Butlins and in 1972 the business was sold to the Rank Organisation for £43 million. The company was later sold off to Bourne Leisure in 2000.
In 2005, the new £10m Shoreline hotel was unveiled at the Bognor Regis resort to expand on the existing variety of apartments on resort. The hotel, styled with an Art Deco theme, aimed to offer luxury accommodation inconjunction with the entertainment and facilities at the resort. Each of the 160 rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, king-size beds, leather chairs, widescreen TVs, DVD players and en-suite facilities, some also include sea-views, telescopes and balconies.

Locations

''listed alphabetically''

Current Butlins resorts

★ Bognor Regis (1960—) - known as Southcoast World from 1987 to 1998.

★ Minehead (1962—) - known as Somerwest World from 1986 to 1998.

★ Skegness (1936—) - known as Funcoast World from 1987 to 1998.

Previous Butlins resorts

★ Ayr (1947–1998) - known as Wonderwest World (1988–1998); still open, but operating as Haven Park (1999—)

★ Barry Island (1966–1986) - operated independently until closure in 1996

★ Clacton (1938–1983)

★ Filey (1945–1983) - operated independently for six weeks in 1986, but the venture failed and the park closed

★ Mosney (1948–1980) - operated independently until closure and conversion into an Irish Government refugee centre for asylum seekers in 2000.

★ Pwllheli (1947–1998) - known as Starcoast World (1990–1998); operating as Haven (1999—)

Facilities

There are many facilities to use at Butlins:

Main facilities

★ 'Skyline Pavilion' - At all three resorts, the ''Skyline Pavilion'' is considered to be the "heart" of the resort, the size of Wembley Stadium with a white roof covering. In the ''Skyline Pavilion'', people can enjoy many shows, celebrity guests and circus acts. There are also many shops and restaurants in the ''Skyline Pavilion''.

★ 'Splash Waterworld' - At all three resorts, the ''Splash Waterworld'' is the swimming pool. Facilities at the ''Splash Waterworld'' include a space bowl, master blaster, wave machines and a shallow water area.

★ 'Bars and Restaurants' - At all three resorts, the ''Bars and Restaurants'' offer a range of food and drink services. There is also an exclusive Pizza Hut restaurant in Minehead and Papa John's Pizza restaurants in Bognor Regis and Skegness. Bars at all three resorts include ''Centre Stage'', ''Reds'' and ''Bar Rosso''. In 2006 Skegness opened a new bar called ''The Front Room''.

★ 'Sports' - At all three resorts, the ''Sports'' has a range of sports facilities, including archery, fencing and football.

★ 'Hotshots' - At all three resorts, ''Hotshots'' includes recreation activities including bowling and pool.

★ 'Nursery' - At all three resorts, the ''Nursery'' includes toddler activities including role-play and messy play.

★ 'Fun Fair' - At all three resorts, the ''Fun Fair'' includes many; bumper cars and major rides.

★ 'Accommodation' - At all three resorts, there are four types of ''accommodation'' to choose from. There is gold, deluxe (not available at Skegness), silver and standard accommodation.
A lot of the activities listed are included in the price paid for the break.

Single facilities

★ 'Ex More Adventures' - At Minehead, the ''Exmoor Adventures'' have a range of facilities to choose from. For more, see Minehead Camp.

★ 'Shoreline Hotel' - At Bognor Regis, the ''Shoreline Hotel'' includes a cafeteria, 160 rooms. For more, see Bognor Regis Camp.

★ 'The Spa' - At Skegness, the spa includes many facilities for adults. For more, see Skegness Camp.

Bognor Regis Camp

Situated in the small seaside town of Bognor Regis, Butlins Bognor first opened on the 2 July 1960 at a cost of £2.5 million. The camp quickly became popular, accommodating around 5,000 campers and another 5,000 day visitors.

1980s refurbishment

Butlins Bognor was refurbished through the 1980s. In 1987, the camp was renamed ''Southcoast World'' following a £16.5 million spend on new and updated accommodation, the addition of a new indoor water complex and a new miniature steam railway.

1990s major redevelopment

In 1998, as one of Butlins three remaining camps, Bognor again underwent major refurbishment. The camp's Southcoast World identity was dropped, and £45 million was invested in redevelopment. A ''Skyline Pavilion'' was added to the resort, providing a huge undercover area for year-round, weather-protected facilities. The Skyline Pavilion contained new shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment areas. The refurbishment also included further updates to the chalet accommodation, a redesign for the Redcoat uniform and the provision of a resort police constable to improve security. Butlins Bognor was relaunched by pop star Ronan Keating in May 1999. The redeveloped resort had an increased capacity of 5,800 beds.

''Shoreline Hotel''

In 2005, further work was undertaken to update the camp with the introduction of the 'Shoreline Hotel''. £10 million was spent on the hotel and its surrounding landscaped gardens. With big porthole windows, and a ship-like prow, the four-floor hotel was designed with a slightly nautical feel. The hotel provides 160 rooms of three different grades, each including hi-tech equipment and luxurious furniture. Guests staying at the hotel can enjoy the sea-views, room service, modern bistro restaurant and cocktail bar, in addition to the regular Butlins facilities.

Minehead Camp

Chosen for its flat landscape and good rail links, Butlins Minehead is located on the Bristol Channel coast in Somerset. The camp was opened on the 26 May 1962 at a cost of around £2 million and was the largest of the Butlins post-war camps.

1980s refurbishment

Butlins Minehead underwent its first set of improvements during the 1960s, when problems with flooding were fixed and a miniature railway, chairlift and monorail were added to the camp in 1964, 1965 and 1967 respectively.

1990s major redevelopment

In 1986, Butlins Minehead was the first of the Butlins sites to undergo major redevelopment work as part of the 1980s investment programme. £10 million was spent and this renovation which saw the refurbishment of the indoor swimming pool as well as new chalets and flatlets. Following the redevelopment work, the camp was renamed ''Somerwest World''.
Through the late 1980s to mid 1990s, the monorail, chairlift and miniature railway were removed from the park. In 1993, the amusement park was reopened by Lady Dolly Butlin following a move to the front of the camp.
In 1998, Butlins Minehead was selected as one of the three sites to remain open and again underwent major redevelopment. A Skyline Pavilion was added to the resort and the name Somerwest World was dropped. From 1999 further development work saw the modification of Minehead's chalet accommodation and the addition of Europe's largest high ropes course to the site.

''Exmoor Adventures''

Butlins Minehead developed the Exmoor Adventures which include a climbing wall, diving courses, horse riding, Land Rover Safari, fly & sea fishing, sailing, canoeing and coasteering.

''BlueSkies'' apartment

In 2007, further work in the Minehead resort has been undertaken with the creation of new timeshare apartments. The website contains further information.

Music festival

From December 2006, the Minehead resort has hosted the All Tomorrow's Parties music festival.

Adult Party Weekends

The ''Adult Party Weekends'' at Butlins, is dedicated to over 18s only, spread across all of the three resorts, around 42 weekends in the year, are closed to families and children in the form of themed music weekends.

★ '80s Madness

★ 'Rock and Blues

★ 'Festival of the 60s

★ 'Disco Inferno
United Kingdom of Dance is in its second year at Butlins Bognor Regis, first being known as United Kingdom of Ibiza in 2006. Ibiza clubs, such as Eden and Miss Moneypennys, host club sessions with DJs such as Dave Pearce, Jeremy Healy and Judge Jules.

Skegness Camp

Butlins Skegness was the first of Billy Butlin's holiday camps. The camp opened in 1936 but was taken over for military use in 1939. The camp reopened in 1946.

1980s refurbishment

In 1987 the camp underwent refurbishment and was renamed ''Funcoast World''.

1990s major redevelopment

In 1998, as with Bognor and Minehead, Butlins Skegness again underwent major refurbishment. The camp's Funcoast World identity was dropped and a new Skyline Pavilion was built.

''The Spa''

In 2004 'The Spa' opened at Butlins Skegness with a swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, fitness suite, spa, sauna, steam room. The adults-only facility offers a range of treatments including manicures, pedicures, facials and massages.

Spring Harvest

Spring Harvest, the largest Christian conference in Europe takes place at the Minehead and Skegness sites every Easter. The event attracts some 55,000 Christians from a range of denominations and plays host to many renowned preachers, Christian musicians and dramatic artists. While there, attendees can make the most of the Butlins facilities in addition to a range of activities for people of all ages put on by Spring Harvest.

Butlins and Dodgem Cars

Dodgem Cars, a brand of bumper cars, were manufactured in the USA by the Dodgem Cars Ltd. Billy Butlin saw them and obtained the UK franchise. As a result, a Skegness funfair owned by Billy prior to going into Holiday Camps saw the first Dodgems cars in the UK in 1923.

Butlin's Beaver Club on The Radio

In 1956 'Butlin's Beaver Club' - ''with Uncle Eric Winstrone'' was heard in the United Kingdom and much of continental Europe on Sunday nights at 6:00 PM over the famous '208' wavelength of Radio Luxembourg).

Wizzy World & Billy Bear

The ''Butlin's Beaver Club'' ceased to exist in the 1980s and was replaced by ''Wizzy World'', featuring a number of different character's including the friendly bear ''Red Rollo''. ''Wizzy World'' itself was dropped at the end of the 1998 season as Butlin's went through a major relaunch.
In 2002 a new children's character was launched ''Billy Bear'', the friendly bear is a junior ''redcoat'' and has his own theme song ''The Billy Walk''. Children are also currently entertained by ''Bob The Builder'' who replaced ''Noddy'' in 2005.

See also

★ ''Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight: The John Hinde Butlin's Photographs'' edited by Martin Parr (London: Chris Boot Ltd., 2003), a collection of postcard images of Butlin's camps from the 1960s and 1970s.

External links

★ BygoneButlins Butlins History

★ Wizzy World - The Official Wizzy World Website

★ Butlins novel, by Paul Wojnicki

★ Butlins: official site

★ ButlinsBarryIsland.com : The history of the Barry Island Camp

★ bbc.co.uk/somerset: The Minehead Meander

★ Butlins Memories

★ ''South Wales Echo'' story about Butlin's early career and first holiday camp

★ Spring Harvest website