Butlin's facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Butlins Skyline Limited

Type	Private
Industry	Leisure
Founded	1 January 1936 (1936-01-01) (First site, Skegness) 9 April 2000 (2000-04-09) (As present company)
Founder	Billy Butlin
Headquarters	Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England
Area served	United Kingdom
Key people	Jon Hendry Pickup (CEO)
Products	Seaside resorts
Brands	Mattel Television characters
Revenue	£184.6m (2010)
Operating income	£17.2m (2010)
Net income	£12.2m (2010)
Owner	Harris Family Trusts
Number of employees	3,571 (2010)

Butlin's is a famous chain of large seaside resorts in the United Kingdom. It is officially known as Butlins Skyline Limited. Billy Butlin started Butlin's to offer fun and affordable holidays for regular British families.

Between 1936 and 1966, ten holiday camps were built. These included one in Ireland and another in the Bahamas. In the 1970s and 1980s, Butlin's also ran many large hotels. They even had a hotel in Spain. They also operated smaller holiday parks in England and France. Plus, they had a cool revolving restaurant in London's Post Office Tower.

Over time, it became harder for Butlin's to compete. Many people started taking cheaper holidays abroad. Also, running the camps became more expensive. This led to many Butlin's places closing in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, three of the original camps are still open. These are in Bognor Regis, Minehead, and Skegness. They are now owned and run by Butlins Skyline Ltd. This company is fully owned by the Harris Family Trust.

The buildings at Butlin's in Ayr in 1985. This style was common before places were updated. Notice the rows of small holiday homes called chalets in the distance.

History of Butlin's Holidays

Billy Butlin getting his Filey camp back from the RAF. The RAF used it as RAF Hunmanby Moor during World War II.

Billy Butlin got the idea for his holiday camps from a bad holiday. When he was young, he visited Barry Island. His bed and breakfast landlady locked him out all day. This was a common practice back then.

The first Butlin's holiday camp opened in 1936 in Skegness. Billy Butlin had already found success with amusement parks. A second camp quickly opened in Clacton in 1938. Building for Filey Holiday Camp started in 1939.

When the Second World War began, building at Filey stopped. The camps at Skegness and Clacton were used by the military. Other Butlin's resorts were also finished and used as military camps. These included camps at Ayr, Filey, and Pwllheli. The Ayr camp was later renamed Wonderwest World. It is now run by Haven.

After the war ended in 1945, Filey reopened as a holiday camp. The Skegness and Clacton camps opened in 1946. Ayr and Pwllheli opened in 1947. Mosney in Ireland opened in 1948. Butlin's became very popular after the war. Families could enjoy entertainment and activities for about a week's pay.

In 1948, Butlin bought two hotels in the Bahamas. In the 1950s, Butlin's also started buying hotels in England and Wales. These included places in Saltdean (1953) and Blackpool (1955). More camps opened in the 1960s. These were in Bognor Regis (1960), Minehead (1962), and Barry Island (1966).

The camps at Ayr and Skegness also had separate hotels. Later, more hotels were added in places like Scarborough (1978) and London (1993). In the 1960s and 1970s, the company also ran the Top of the Tower restaurant. This was a revolving restaurant in the Post Office Tower in London.

In 1968, Billy Butlin's son, Bobby, took over the business. In 1972, the company was sold to the Rank Organisation. Butlin's faced problems as cheap package holidays to sunny Mediterranean places became popular. Butlin's also had an image problem. Some people thought their holidays were too strict. Because of this, they almost stopped using the Butlin's name for a while.

Many camps closed in the 1980s. Mosney closed in 1982. Clacton and Filey closed in 1983. The Barry camp was sold in 1986. In 1998, the Ayr and Pwllheli camps were given to Haven, a sister company. All the Butlin's hotels from the 1950s to 1990s were sold in 1998. Most are still open today under new owners.

In 1998, the "Holiday Worlds" name was dropped. Butlin's went back to focusing on its main brand. In 2000, the resorts and brand were sold to Bourne Leisure. A new Butlin's logo was introduced in 1999. It has changed a few times since then. In 2011, Butlin's started using a logo similar to its original one. This was for their 75th anniversary. It is now the official logo.

In 2005, a new £10 million Shoreline hotel opened at the Bognor Regis resort. This hotel, with an Art Deco style, offered fancy rooms. It aimed to provide luxury alongside the fun of the resort. A second hotel, Ocean Hotel, opened in Bognor in 2009.

In 2022, the Harris Family Trust bought Butlin's back. They had originally owned Bourne Leisure. This means Butlin's is now back with one of its founding families.

Butlin's Locations: Past and Present

Butlin's has had many locations over the years. Some are still open, while others have closed or changed.

Butlin's also ran smaller holiday parks for a few years. These were called "Freshfields holidays." They were simpler parks with fewer facilities. They were for people who wanted a quieter holiday.

Butlin's also owned several hotels over the years.

Fun Facilities at Butlin's

Where to Stay: Accommodation Options

Blue Skies Apartments in Minehead.

Butlin's resorts offer different places to stay. You can choose based on your taste and budget. Options range from "Standard" rooms to "Silver," "Gold," and "Deluxe" rooms. These offer higher levels of comfort. Minehead also has "BlueSkies" apartments. Butlin's Bognor has three luxury hotels.

Butlin's was first known for its "chalet" accommodation. These were long blocks of small holiday homes. They were arranged in rows facing each other, with grass in the middle. Originally, chalets didn't have their own toilets. Campers used shared toilet blocks. The furniture was very simple. Many of these chalets are still used today. But they have been made bigger and much more modern. All chalets now have their own bathrooms.

One of the very first chalets is still at the Skegness resort. It is now a historical display.

Skyline Pavilion: The Heart of the Resort

The Skyline Pavilion in Minehead.

The "Skyline Pavilion" is a huge indoor area at each resort. It's covered by a big white fabric roof. These were built in 1998-99. They connect several existing buildings. This creates a large, all-weather space for activities.

Each Skyline Pavilion has a stage for children's shows. There's also a cafe and a bar. You'll find restaurants like Burger King and Pizza Hut. There's also an amusement arcade. An "infunmation point" helps you find out what's happening. Various shops sell souvenirs and groceries. Many other fun places in the resort can be reached directly from the Skyline Pavilion.

Splash Waterworld: Indoor Water Fun

Each resort has a big indoor waterpark called Splash Waterworld. These parks have several waterslides. They also have spas, a wave pool, and a lazy river. There's a shallow pool area for young children. Sometimes, there's also a pool for serious swimming. Minehead has an outdoor toddler pool open in summer. Guests and day visitors can use these facilities for free.

Skegness resort recently updated its Splash Waterworld. It now has new flumes like Jet Stream and Vortex. There's also a new dinghy ride called The Riptide. You can try the Captain's Challenge, a rope-walk. There's also a lazy river and a poolside cafe. It has a new outdoor fountain area too. The fountains dance to music and lights every hour.

Butlin's opened a new Splash Waterworld at Bognor Regis in spring 2019.

Entertainment and Activities

Butlin's resorts have many places for entertainment. These include two big show bars called "Centre Stage" and "Reds." There are also ABC cinemas and "Jaks" (a nightclub). "Hotshots" is a 10-pin bowling center with a bar. "Green Baize" is a snooker hall (now only at Skegness). There are also other bars, pubs, and cafes. Almost all entertainment is included in your holiday price. In 2013, the character theatre in Bognor replaced the cinema.

Famous Shows at Centre Stage

• Spider-Man The Musical (1999)
• The Mask Musical (1999)
• Casper The Musical (1999)
• Tweenies Live! (2004, Minehead)

Sports and Outdoor Fun

Butlin's resorts offer many sports activities and coaching. You can try archery, fencing, tennis, table tennis, and football. Most of these are included in your holiday price.

For general fun, there are multi-sports courts. You can play adventure golf or explore adventure playgrounds. Other activities include water zorbing, high ropes courses, and a funfair. There are also inflatable castles and go-karts. Minehead resort also has bumper boats and donkey rides. You can also use the nearby golf course. Most of these activities cost extra, but the funfair is free.

Skegness and Bognor resorts have spa complexes. Here you can get massages, facials, and other spa treatments.

Activities for Younger Kids

Butlin's has many attractions just for younger children. These include playgrounds and an arts & crafts room. "Bob's Yard" is a miniature funfair. There's a "Junior driving school" with small go-karts. A nursery can also look after children while parents enjoy other activities.

Butlin's Bognor Regis

Butlin's Bognor Regis in 1962.

Butlin's Bognor opened in 1960. It was later called Southcoast World until 1998. Now it's known as Butlin's Bognor Regis Resort. In 1999, it was updated with a Skyline Pavilion. In 2005, a new £10 million hotel called "The Shoreline" opened. A second hotel, "The Ocean," opened in 2009. A third hotel, "The Wave," opened in 2012.

Butlin's Minehead

A typical scene at Butlin's Minehead in October 2010.

Butlin's Minehead opened on May 26, 1962. It was greatly updated in the 1980s. It was renamed Somerwest World. In 1998, it was updated again with a Skyline Pavilion. Since 1999, Minehead has had more improvements. Most of the original buildings are still there. This includes almost all the original chalets. Minehead is the largest of the three Butlin's resorts still open. It is also the last one that mostly looks like Sir Billy Butlin designed it.

Butlin's Mosney

Butlin's Mosney, County Meath, Ireland. This was the first camp built outside Great Britain. It was sold in 1982.

Mosney was the first Butlin's camp outside the UK. It opened in 1948. In 1982, Butlin's sold the camp. It was renamed Mosney Holiday Centre. The camp continued without big changes. However, its last holiday season was in 2000. Fewer visitors and trouble finding staff led to its closure. In 2000, it became a refugee center. Mosney is now home to refugees from many countries. Like Minehead, most of its original buildings are still there. Mosney is the only camp that has changed very little since it opened.

Butlin's Skegness

Butlin's Skegness funpool in 1987.

Butlin's Skegness was the very first holiday camp opened by Billy Butlin. It opened in 1936. But it was used by the military from 1939. It was known as HMS Royal Arthur. The camp reopened for holidays in 1946. In 1987, it was updated with a modern fun pool. It was renamed Funcoast World. In 1998, it was updated again with a Skyline Pavilion. Since then, it has had more improvements. In 2011, new restaurants opened. In 2013, a new Splash Waterworld opened. Plans are being made for more updates and new places to eat and shop.

Butlin's Barry Island

View from the beach at Barry Island showing chalets.

Butlin's Barry Island was the last holiday camp Billy Butlin opened. It started in 1966 and closed 20 years later. It was sold in 1987 and renamed Majestic Barry Island.

Butlin's Ayr

Butlin's Ayr in the mid-1980s, before it was updated.

Butlin's Ayr was built by Billy Butlin as a naval training camp in 1940. It opened to the public in 1946.

In 1948, Butlin also opened a hotel and a train station there. In 1987, it was updated and renamed Wonderwest World. A new indoor fun-pool was added.

In 1999, the site was renamed Craig Tara and became part of Haven Holidays. Since then, many original chalets have been replaced with static caravans.

Butlin's Pwllheli

View across the boating pond at Butlin's Pwllheli.

Butlin's Pwllheli was built by Billy Butlin as a naval training camp in 1940. After the war, it opened to the public in 1947. In 1987, it was updated and renamed Starcoast World. A new indoor fun-pool was built. In 1999, the site was renamed Hafan Y Môr and became part of Haven Holidays.

Butlin's Park: An Early Amusement Park

In 1932, Billy Butlin opened an amusement park called Butlin's Park. It was in Littlehampton. This park is now known as Harbour Park.

Music Weekends for Adults

Butlin's hosts special music weekends for adults (over 18s only). These happen regularly at all three resorts. Each weekend has a different music theme. Themes include soul, alternative, folk, disco, and rock and blues. They also have weekends celebrating music from different decades, like the 1960s to the 2000s.

Famous acts have performed at Butlin's Music Weekends. These include Beverley Knight and Rick Astley. The band Madness has even held three special weekends at Minehead. They took over the whole resort for their "House of Fun" tour.

All Tomorrow's Parties Music Festival

All Tomorrow's Parties was a music festival held at Minehead. It was named after a song by the Velvet Underground. This festival was different from big mainstream festivals. It felt more personal and smaller. It was a festival without sponsors. The organizers and artists stayed in the same accommodation as the fans.

Bloc Weekend Music Festival

Bloc Weekend is an annual music festival. It focuses on electronic music and features both DJs and live shows. The first two Bloc events were at a different holiday camp. But the 2009 event moved to the bigger Minehead resort. This event, which could hold 5,000 people, sold out. Bloc returned to Minehead in 2010 and 2011, selling out again.

Butlin's and Dodgem Cars

Dodgem Cars are a type of bumper cars. Billy Butlin saw them in the US. He got the right to bring them to the UK. Because of this, the first Dodgems cars in the UK were at a Skegness funfair owned by Billy Butlin in 1923.

Butlin's Beaver Club on the Radio

In 1956, the Butlin's Beaver Club had its own radio show. It was called Butlin's Beaver Club – with Uncle Eric Winstrone. You could hear it in the UK and much of Europe. It aired on Sunday nights at 6:00 pm on Radio Luxembourg.

Reds TV: Butlin's Own Channel

Butlin's started its own in-house TV system in 1995. They used the then 'empty' fifth channel. A teletext system was set up. It played background music. This was sent to guests' chalets. It gave information about events. Later, a video camera was added. This allowed for interviews with celebrities and chats with Redcoats. The channel was first called 'Butlin's Channel 5'. Then it became 'BTV'. Now it's known as 'Reds TV'.

Butlin's Publicity and Souvenirs

Butlin's Badges: Collectible Memories

Butlin's Badge Skegness 1938.

Butlin's Badge Filey 1945.

When you checked in at Butlin's, you received an enamel badge. You wore this badge for your whole holiday. The badge let you re-enter the site if you went out. Campers wore their badges with pride. Many kept badges from past holidays and wore them all on a ribbon.

Each year, a different badge was made for each camp. It had the camp's name and the year.

The badges were made of metal, usually brass. They were shiny or chrome-plated. The colorful design was made with vitreous enamel. This is a process similar to Champlevé.

Each camp had at least one badge design each year. Larger camps often had several color versions. This helped with security. Sometimes, two different designs were used in one season.

Jewelry makers in London, Dublin, or Birmingham made each badge by hand. The quality and beauty of the badges mean many still exist today. They are often passed down in families and are very collectible.

A complete collection of one badge per camp per year would be 192 badges. But with all the color variations and special badges, a collection could have over 1200 badges!

There were also "Second Week" badges and Staff badges. "Concessionaire" badges were for visiting tradesmen. These badges had no enamel. Other special badges included Committee badges, Christmas badges, and Beaver Club badges.

Badges were not given out during the Second World War (1940-1945). This is because the government used the camps for war personnel.

Some famous badges include 'Skegness 1936' (the first one). 'Filey 1945' is also special. It has a 'V for Victory' design. This badge was an exception to the war years. The camp reopened just in time for the end of the season in August 1945.

The 'Holy Grail' of Butlin's badges is 'Barry Island 1965'. The camp didn't open that year as planned. The badges were made but never given out. A few examples still exist.

Original badges were issued every year from 1936 to 1967. In 2004, Butlin's started selling similar badges again. You can buy them in their souvenir shops. Some are modern designs. Others are exact copies of old badges. These new badges are just souvenirs. They don't identify guests. Many regular guests like to trade badges with Butlin's staff. Staff often have special badges not available to guests. You can also buy badge collection ribbons in the shops.

Members of the Premier Club (Butlin's loyalty club) get a free badge each time they visit. A new design is given each year.

Butlin's Slogans: Catchy Phrases

Butlin's has always advertised a lot. They've used many different slogans over the years:

• Early slogans (1930s-1950s): "Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight," "A weeks holiday for a weeks pay," "Holidays are Jollidays," and "Holidays with pay. Holidays with play!"
• 1960s: "You'll have a really wonderful time at Butlin's by the sea"
• 1970s: "Butlinland is Freedomland" and "A holiday that's out of this world" (this one had two blue alien characters called Toot and Ploot).
• Early 1980s: "A little bit of this, and quite a lot of that"
• Mid 1980s: "Butlin it once and you'll do it again!"
• 1990s: "Let yourself go, and you won't want to leave" and "No.1 for family fun"
• Around 1999–2002: "Come to life. Come to Butlin's"
• Around 2002–2004: "A million holidays. One Butlin's"
• 2005–2007: "Kids love it"
• 2007–2009: "Altogether More Fun"
• 2010: "Isn't it time you came round to Butlin's?"
• 2011: "Happy Days" then "Happiness is..."
• 2012 to 2014: "Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight" (a return to the very first slogan, inspired by William Shakespeare).
• 2014 to 2020: "Butlin's by the sea" (same as the 1960s slogan). "Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight" was still used around the resorts.
• 2020: "Ready to Butlin's"

See also

• Haven Holidays
• HIT Entertainment
• Holiday camp
• Pontin's
• Redcoats (Butlins)
• Resort