Butlins’ quiet yet confident revolution has brought a UK tradition bang up to date
The caricature of knobbly knees and glamorous grannies is consigned to the distant past
WHEN it comes to Butlins, there are two types of people.
Those who think they know what it is all about, and the growing number of new devotees who realise the caricature of knobbly knees and glamorous grannies is consigned to the distant past.
You always know the first type by the reaction when you reveal your holiday plans: “Butlins, you say?”
A huge smirk from the uninitiated. An even bigger smile from those who have formed cherished family memories at Butlins in Skegness, Minehead or the flagship resort of Bognor Regis.
You see, Butlins has gone through a quiet yet confident revolution over the past decade.
Its core values remain those of founder Sir Billy Butlin when in 1936 he offered the people of Britain “a week’s holiday for a week’s wage”.
And today it still offers value for money.
Depending on the season, a family of four can stay in Butlins Bognor Regis for a surprisingly decent price — and in style.
Standard breaks are three-night weekend stays, four-night midweek stays or the full week-long getaway.
You can have self-catering apartments, rooms, or book into one of the hotels — the Wave, the Shoreline or the premium Ocean.
All choices are up to scratch. Accommodation is bright, colourful, clean and designed with families in mind.
The kids’ sleeping areas are separate from the parents’.
Bathrooms actually have baths — something families really value after a day at the seashore or having enjoyed beach volleyball, soccer camps and the fairground, which has dodgems, a helter-skelter and pirate ship.
There is a fantastic kitsch vibe to the fairground, thanks to Victoriana such as the hall of mirrors and duck-shooting gallery.
Paying extra for the inclusive dining plan is highly recommended when booking a hotel break.
The restaurant buffets take the pain out of breakfast and dinner.
The food is of a similar standard to family-friendly restaurant chains such as Harvester and Wetherspoons.
There is a decent salad bar, new starters every day and staples such as stir-fry chicken noodles, pasta dishes, roast meats and chips.
Neither kids nor parents will go hungry.
There are also restaurants such as Papa John’s pizzas, the Fifties- inspired Diner and a traditional fish and chip shop.
Of course, people don’t go on holiday just to eat and sleep.
Butlins almost forces families to play together — a novelty in this age of smartphones.
There are plenty of activities such as archery, football, arts and crafts, volleyball and play areas.
The huge Pavilion tent dominates the resort and it is where people congregate to play arcade games, watch shows, drink coffee or use the excellent Splash Waterworld swimming pool.
One thing that irks many parents is the frenzy for yellow ticket rewards on arcade machines.
Children get obsessed with winning these tickets, which can be exchanged for a plastic toy at the end of the break.
Tantrums will ensue when 50p pieces and Pounds are not handed over for tickets of little value.
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However, the entertainment is a constant reminder of a previous golden era.
The circus arrives during warmer months and the Redcoats are still alive and well.
Their live productions are quality pantomime-style singalongs, such as Cinderella Rocks, and feature entertainers such as CBBC’s Justin Fletcher and reality talent show performers from The X Factor, BGT and America’s Got Talent.
If it all becomes too much fun, the pebbled beach of Bognor Regis is at the front door, with some lovely cafes along the seafront to the east and west.
A few days at Butlins is like a family reset button.
The woes of the real world get lost in the furry embrace of resort mascot Billy the Bear — and the child and inner child are brought together again.
GO: BUTLINS
STAYING THERE: A three-night Easter Bank Holiday weekend break at any of the three Butlins seaside resorts – Bognor Regis, Minehead or Skegness – starts at £119pp, based on four sharing self-catering accommodation.
Easter Bank Holiday weekend breaks include an exclusive live show from Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity, as well as shows from the Teletubbies, Andy and the Odd Socks and Mr Potato Head.
The price of the break also includes the traditional Butlins fairground, Splash Waterworld and other shows and activities.
Visit or call 0330 100 6648.