A History Of Resorts | Butlins Blog

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Skegness
1936 - Current

Butlin's Skegness is the original home of the Butlin’s holiday camp concept, and one of the most iconic seaside resorts in Britain. Its story begins in 1936, when Billy Butlin opened the very first Butlin’s camp on the Lincolnshire coast.

At the time, holidays were still a luxury for many working-class families. Travel was expensive, accommodation could be basic, and entertainment was limited. Billy Butlin wanted to change that. His vision was to create an all-inclusive holiday experience—somewhere families could stay, eat, and be entertained without worrying about extra costs. Most importantly, he wanted guests to feel welcome and looked after.

When the Skegness camp opened, it was an immediate success. Thousands of people arrived, drawn by the promise of affordable fun by the seaside. The resort featured rows of chalets, dining halls, swimming pools, and organised activities throughout the day. One of its most famous features was the introduction of the “Redcoats”—entertainment staff who hosted games, shows, and events, becoming a defining symbol of the Butlin’s experience.

During World War II, the Skegness camp, like many others, was taken over by the military and used for training purposes. After the war, it returned to its original role and quickly regained popularity as Britain entered a period of recovery and growth. Through the 1950s and 1960s, Skegness thrived, welcoming huge numbers of visitors each year and helping to define what a British seaside holiday looked like.

However, by the 1970s and 1980s, the rise of cheap flights and package holidays abroad began to affect traditional seaside resorts. Many Butlin’s camps across the UK closed during this period, but Skegness survived. Its ability to adapt and modernise helped it remain relevant, even as the holiday industry changed.

Today, Butlin’s Skegness is one of only three remaining Butlin’s resorts, alongside Bognor Regis and Minehead. While much has changed since 1936, the core idea remains the same: providing a complete holiday experience in one place. The resort now features modern accommodation, large indoor water parks, live entertainment venues, restaurants, and a wide range of activities for families.

Attractions like Splash Waterworld, live shows, and themed events have replaced some of the simpler activities of the past, but the focus on fun and accessibility is still at the heart of the experience. The Redcoats remain a key part of the resort, continuing a tradition that dates back nearly a century.

Despite the changes, there is still a strong sense of nostalgia at Skegness. For many visitors, it represents a connection to childhood memories and family traditions. For others, it offers a modern holiday with a classic British feel.

From its beginnings as a bold experiment in 1936 to its place today as a surviving symbol of British holiday culture, Butlin’s Skegness remains a unique and enduring part of the UK’s seaside heritage.

Clacton
1938 - 1983

Butlin's Clacton was one of the earliest expansions of the Butlin’s holiday camp concept and played a significant role in the growth of British seaside holidays. It opened in 1938, just two years after the success of the original Skegness resort, as Billy Butlin rapidly expanded his vision of affordable, all-inclusive breaks for ordinary families.

Located on the Essex coast, Clacton was ideally placed to attract visitors from London and the surrounding areas. Like other Butlin’s camps, it offered a complete holiday experience—accommodation, meals, entertainment, and activities all included in one price. Guests stayed in chalets and could take part in organised games, competitions, and evening shows, all hosted by the famous Redcoats. The formula proved hugely popular, and Clacton quickly became one of the most successful camps in the network.

However, its early years were disrupted by World War II. Like many Butlin’s sites, the Clacton camp was taken over by the military and used for wartime purposes. After the war, it returned to civilian use and once again welcomed holidaymakers, entering a period of strong demand during the 1950s and 1960s.

During these decades, Clacton thrived. It became a place where families returned year after year, forming traditions and memories that lasted a lifetime. The camp embodied the classic British holiday—busy, social, and full of entertainment from morning to night. For many, it represented a reliable and affordable escape to the seaside.

But by the 1970s, the popularity of traditional holiday camps began to decline. The rise of cheap flights and package holidays abroad offered British families new options, often with better weather and a sense of novelty. As a result, visitor numbers at camps like Clacton began to fall.

Despite efforts to remain competitive, the Clacton resort eventually closed in 1983 after 45 years of operation. Its closure marked a turning point, reflecting wider changes in how people chose to spend their holidays. Many former Butlin’s sites faced similar fates during this period.

Today, the original Clacton camp no longer exists in its original form. The site has been redeveloped, and little remains of the once-bustling holiday resort. However, its legacy is still felt. For those who visited, Clacton remains a powerful symbol of a bygone era—when the British seaside holiday was at its peak.

Although it is no longer operating, Butlin’s Clacton played an important role in shaping the company’s success and the wider holiday industry. It helped establish the model that would define Butlin’s for decades and contributed to a period when holiday camps were at the centre of British leisure culture.

Today, while the camp itself is gone, its story lives on through memories, photographs, and the continuing success of the remaining Butlin’s resorts.

Filey

1939 - 1983

Butlin's Filey was one of the most distinctive and memorable of all the Butlin’s holiday camps, known for its dramatic coastal setting and large-scale design. It opened in 1939, just before the outbreak of World War II, as part of Billy Butlin’s rapidly expanding vision to bring affordable holidays to the British public.

Situated on the cliffs overlooking Filey Bay in North Yorkshire, the resort was one of the largest and most ambitious camps ever built. It featured thousands of chalets, extensive entertainment facilities, and a layout designed to accommodate large numbers of guests. However, its early life as a holiday destination was short-lived. With the outbreak of war in 1939, the camp was requisitioned by the military and used as a training base, like many Butlin’s sites across the country.

After the war, Butlin’s Filey reopened to holidaymakers and quickly became a popular destination. The post-war years saw a surge in demand for domestic holidays, and Filey offered everything guests had come to expect—organised activities, live entertainment, dining halls, and the famous Redcoats who kept the atmosphere lively. Its clifftop location also gave it a unique character, with views across the bay adding to the experience.

Through the 1950s and 1960s, Filey thrived as part of the golden age of British holiday camps. Families returned year after year, creating traditions and memories that became closely tied to the resort. It was a place of community, where guests could relax, socialise, and enjoy a structured holiday environment.

However, like many Butlin’s camps, Filey began to face challenges in the 1970s. The rise of affordable foreign travel changed holiday habits, drawing people away from traditional seaside resorts. Visitor numbers declined, and maintaining such a large site became increasingly difficult.

In 1983, Butlin’s Filey closed as a holiday camp, marking the end of over four decades of operation. Its closure reflected the broader decline of the holiday camp model across the UK. For many former visitors, it signalled the end of an era.

Today, the site has been transformed into a holiday village known as The Bay Filey. While the original Butlin’s camp is no longer there, the area continues to attract visitors, now offering modern accommodation and facilities in a quieter, more relaxed setting. Some elements of the original layout and atmosphere are still remembered, even if the buildings themselves have changed.

Although it no longer operates as a Butlin’s resort, Filey remains an important part of the company’s history. It represents both the ambition of the early years and the challenges faced later on. For those who visited, it is remembered not just as a holiday destination, but as a place filled with shared experiences and lasting memories.

From its dramatic beginnings on the Yorkshire coast to its transformation into a modern holiday village, Butlin’s Filey remains a powerful symbol of Britain’s changing holiday culture.

Pwllheli

1947 - 1998

Butlin's Pwllheli was one of the most scenic and distinctive holiday camps in the Butlin’s network, set on the coast of North Wales with views across Cardigan Bay. It opened in 1947, during a period of renewed optimism following the end of World War II, as Billy Butlin continued to expand his vision of affordable holidays for British families.

Pwllheli was developed on the site of a former wartime training camp, which allowed it to open relatively quickly compared to earlier resorts. Like other Butlin’s locations, it followed the established formula—providing accommodation, meals, and entertainment all in one place. Guests stayed in chalets and had access to a wide range of activities, from sports and games to live shows hosted by the famous Redcoats.

What set Pwllheli apart was its location. Surrounded by mountains and coastline, it offered a more relaxed and scenic environment than some of the busier English resorts. This made it particularly popular with families looking for a quieter holiday while still enjoying the structure and entertainment that Butlin’s was known for.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Pwllheli thrived as part of the golden age of British holiday camps. Visitors returned year after year, forming strong emotional connections to the resort. Like other Butlin’s sites, it became a place of routine and familiarity, where families could escape daily life and enjoy a shared experience.

However, by the 1970s and 1980s, the rise of package holidays abroad began to affect domestic resorts. As more people chose to travel overseas, demand for traditional holiday camps declined. Butlin’s began to scale back its operations, closing or selling several sites.

Pwllheli was eventually sold in the 1990s and ceased operating as a Butlin’s resort. Unlike some camps that were demolished, Pwllheli continued to operate under new ownership. It is now run as a holiday park under a different brand, but still serves a similar purpose—providing accommodation and leisure facilities for visitors to the area.

Today, the site remains an active holiday destination, although the experience is quieter and less structured than during its Butlin’s years. Modern facilities have replaced much of the original infrastructure, and the focus has shifted more towards self-guided holidays rather than organised entertainment.

Despite these changes, the legacy of Butlin’s Pwllheli is still remembered. For many former visitors, it represents a classic British seaside holiday, set against one of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in the UK. Its continued use as a holiday park also reflects the lasting value of the location itself.

While it is no longer part of the Butlin’s brand, Pwllheli remains an important chapter in its history. It highlights both the success of the holiday camp model in its peak years and the way these sites have adapted over time.

From its post-war beginnings to its modern role as a holiday park, Butlin’s Pwllheli stands as a reminder of how British holidays have evolved—while still rooted in the same desire to escape, relax, and enjoy time by the sea.

Ayr

1947 - 1998

Butlin's Ayr was one of the most important holiday camps in Scotland and a key part of the Butlin’s expansion in the post-war years. It opened in 1947, as Billy Butlin looked to rebuild and grow his holiday camp business following the disruption of World War II.

Located on the west coast of Scotland, Ayr offered a seaside setting that was easily accessible to large populations in Glasgow and surrounding areas. This made it an ideal location for a holiday camp, particularly at a time when demand for domestic holidays was rapidly increasing. Families were eager to travel again after the war, and Butlin’s provided an affordable and structured way to do so.

Like other Butlin’s resorts, Ayr followed the familiar formula. Guests stayed in chalets, ate in large dining halls, and took part in a wide range of organised activities. The Redcoats played a central role, hosting games, competitions, and entertainment that kept the atmosphere lively throughout the day and evening. The camp quickly became known for its strong sense of community, where families could relax and socialise in a welcoming environment.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Ayr thrived as part of the golden age of British holiday camps. It attracted thousands of visitors each year and became a popular destination for Scottish families who wanted a reliable and enjoyable break without travelling far from home. For many, a trip to Butlin’s Ayr became a regular tradition.

However, by the 1970s, the holiday industry began to change. The rise of cheap air travel and package holidays abroad offered new alternatives, often with warmer weather and a different cultural experience. As more people chose to travel overseas, traditional seaside resorts in the UK began to see a decline in visitor numbers.

Butlin’s Ayr, like many other camps, struggled to adapt to these changes. Despite its earlier success, it eventually closed in 1987 after 40 years of operation. Its closure marked the end of an era for many families who had visited the resort over decades.

Today, the original site of Butlin’s Ayr has been redeveloped and is now known as Craig Tara Holiday Park, operated by Haven. While the Butlin’s name is no longer associated with the location, it continues to function as a holiday destination, offering accommodation, entertainment, and facilities for visitors.

Modern lodges and caravans have replaced the original chalets, and the experience is less structured than during the Butlin’s era. However, the core idea remains similar—providing a place for families to relax and enjoy a break by the sea.

Although the original resort no longer exists, its legacy is still remembered by those who visited. For many, Butlin’s Ayr represents a time when the British holiday camp was at its peak—busy, social, and full of life.

From its post-war beginnings to its eventual closure and redevelopment, Butlin’s Ayr reflects both the success and decline of the traditional holiday camp model. Today, while the site has changed, its history remains an important part of Scotland’s holiday heritage.

Mosney

1948 - 2000

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