It is almost exactly 50 years since the first time I ever stepped into a Butlin’s Holiday Camp (as they used to be known back then) but today, all these years later and with the Sussex coast just across the road, I am settling in to the Butlins Bognor Regis Holiday Resort.
So much has changed at Butlin’s over the years. The freezing cold outdoor pool has been replaced by Splash Waterworld, a fully enclosed and heated water complex with flumes, slides, a wave machine and many other water based activities. The entertainment is a lot more sophisticated and the activities for children include zip wires, climbing walls and an aerial rope walkway.
At the same time, a lot of the “typical” Butlin’s features do still exist. The rows of chalets are still there, but they are light years away from the prefabricated barracks of the 1960’s. Today’s modern chalets and apartments are also supplemented with three very stylish and contemporary hotels, The Shoreline, The Wave and my “home” for the long weekend break, The Ocean Hotel.
On entering the hotel, the first port of call is the Butlin’s Butlers counter where Stephen, a very knowledgeable member of the Butler team helps us to get our bearings and to start organising our stay – and, to make the most out of our stay, his help proves to be invaluable.
He takes our party on a walking tour of the resort and gives very specific pointers as to the best places, and times, to eat, the best way to make the most of our stay and even drops in a few “trade secrets” that will ensure that a busy and fun time will be had by all.
For a Friday to Monday stay, check-in time is from 3pm, although hotel guests are free to arrive from 1pm so that arrival day runs smoothly and, by late afternoon, we are ready to head out on our own and have some fun.
The 1950’s themed fairground, right outside the Ocean Hotel, is a great place to start with a traditional carousel and dodgem cars, alongside more adventurous rides – although it has to be said that just about all of the rides are suitable for children aged six and up, so there is nothing too scary.
For those in the self catering chalets and apartments, meal times are very much at their own discretion whilst evening dining for hotel guests is a little more complex. Decisions need to be made as, although each hotel has it’s own main restaurant, as an alternative, vouchers may be obtained to dine at Papa John’s Pizza, The Beachcomber Inn, an all singing-all dancing 1950’s American Diner or even Turner’s Restaurant, with a superb menu created by celebrity chef, Brian Turner.
The Butlin’s Redcoats still have the same iconic status that they have had since Sir Billy opened up his first Butlin’s camp, in Skegness, way back in April 1936. Many well known entertainers started their careers in those famous red jackets including Ted Rogers, Des O’Connor, Jimmy Tarbuck, Michael Barrymore and, more recently, Stephen Mulhern. Even today the Redcoats are always addressed as Redcoat Lauren, or Redcoat Aaron (or whatever their first name may be), to reflect their status within the resort.
Entertainment forms the backbone of any Butlin’s resort but, once again, gone are the fabled knobbly knees competitions and donkey rides of the past. The 21st century resorts have full production theatre shows, live music and, throughout the year, themed weekends where you may get to see Diversity, Dick and Dom or the team from Brainiac – with some weekends reserved for adults only and usually with a musical theme, like the 80’s. Add to that the daily shows featuring Fireman Sam, Mike the Knight and Angelina Ballerina and you, quite literally, have something for everyone!
The list of all the entertainment for the weekend, that we are handed as we check in, is very handy with planning the weekend so that we can get the very most out of the entertainment on offer and still have enough time to play in Splash Waterworld, go to the on-site Circus, spend enough time in the fairground to keep the little one happy, visit the fantastic Ocean Spa (which features a disco shower and a genuine snow cave to step into after a sauna or steam) and still have time to enjoy all the delicious food on offer.
Part of me misses the in-room Tannoy that used to wake guests up at 7.30am with some gentle music drifting into the chalets (although I have discovered that 8 year olds do the same job, just not as gently) but it’s great to see that something as “traditional” as Butlin’s can move with the times and re-invent itself, while still holding on to the values that Sir Billy Butlin held so dear. Offering a holiday that brings families together and encourages them to eat, sleep and play together – just like families always have.