Butlin

Butlin is a British brand known for its seaside holiday camps, established by Billy Butlin in the 1930s. The first camp opened in Skegness, Lincolnshire, in 1936 as part of a mission to provide affordable, all-inclusive holidays for working-class families. The concept offered accommodation, meals, and a programme of entertainment at a single price, with a focus on value and carefree leisure.

Across the mid-20th century, Butlin expanded to several other coastal towns in Britain, becoming a familiar feature of the country’s holiday landscape. The camps were notable for their on-site entertainment, swimming facilities, sports, and activities, led by a resident entertainment team known as Redcoats. The Butlin experience aimed to provide a self-contained holiday environment, appealing to generations of families seeking affordable recreation.

In later decades, shifts in travel patterns and competition from other forms of holiday provision led to changes in ownership and structure, with some sites closing or changing hands. Today, the Butlin brand continues to operate at three UK resorts: Skegness in Lincolnshire, Minehead in Somerset, and Bognor Regis in West Sussex. The resorts are owned and operated by Bourne Leisure, a private company that also runs Haven Holidays. Butlin’s remains focused on family-friendly breaks, offering a range of accommodation, entertainment, and recreational facilities designed for modern holidaymakers while preserving its historical identity.