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The Nation’s Host

Butlin’s celebrate their 80th anniversary with a gorgeous coffee table book

Lavishly illustrated hardback offers a delightful stroll down memory lane and a history of the British Seaside

Billy Butlin said he always preferred to dwell on the future rather than the past.

But when you celebrate your 80th anniversary - as his iconic holiday parks just have – where else can you look?

Butlin’s grand vision was good value holidays for Britain’s hard working population – “Our true intent is all for you delight” was emblazoned across their parks and hotels in Bognor Regis, Skegness, Minehead, Littlehampton, Clacton and beyond.

 Their true intent was all for you delight – and still is. Butlin’s are celebrating their 80th anniversary with a nostalgic look through their archive
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Their true intent was all for you delight – and still is. Butlin’s are celebrating their 80th anniversary with a nostalgic look through their archiveCredit: Butlins

It still is.

The parks weathered the challenge from overseas holidays – with their reliable sunshine and exotic food - and the three current resorts at Bognor Regis, Skegness, Minehead do just the same.

 Bultin's holiday parks bought healthy outdoor holidays to a nation in need of them
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Bultin's holiday parks bought healthy outdoor holidays to a nation in need of themCredit: Butlins

Butlin’s have gone from operating full service hotels to self catering chalets and back again, with the likes of the new Wave and Shoreline Hotels at Bognor Regis, not forgetting the Blueskies Apartments and Lakeview village in Minehead.

 Spot the difference: the new generation of Butlin’s accommodation, such as the Blueskies apartments in Minehead, waves bye-de-bye to Hi-de-Hi
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Spot the difference: the new generation of Butlin’s accommodation, such as the Blueskies apartments in Minehead, waves bye-de-bye to Hi-de-Hi

This official history, by historian Kathryn Ferry, is a rich source of nostalgia, not just on Butlin’s but the British seaside itself.

If you have ever had a holiday in the UK, a dip into this book will raise a smile and most likely a memory or two.

 Would you buy a holiday from this man? Millions did, despite the Terry Thomas ' tache and alarmingly pearly whites. And a new generation does the same.
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Would you buy a holiday from this man? Millions did, despite the Terry Thomas ' tache and alarmingly pearly whites. And a new generation does the same.Credit: Butlins

Buy yourself a copy for Christmas at and spend the big day reminiscing over your holidays instead of arguing about when to watch the Queen’s speech.

 Early Butlin's breaks took a more Military style approach to health and recreation
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Early Butlin's breaks took a more Military style approach to health and recreationCredit: Butlins
 The military approach became the norm during World War II, when soldiers were temporarily billeted at the resort
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The military approach became the norm during World War II, when soldiers were temporarily billeted at the resortCredit: Butlins
 Some things never change: in the Rock and twist Ballroom at Clacton-on-Sea, the ladies bust a move while the gents look on
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Some things never change: in the Rock and twist Ballroom at Clacton-on-Sea, the ladies bust a move while the gents look onCredit: Butlins
 How many thousands of photographs made their way from this lab into family albums? You many even have a few yourself
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How many thousands of photographs made their way from this lab into family albums? You many even have a few yourselfCredit: Butlins
 Butlin's chalets, such as these at Filey, promised comfort at a decent price
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Butlin's chalets, such as these at Filey, promised comfort at a decent priceCredit: Butlins
 The new Lakeview village in Minehead brings on site accommodation into the 21st century
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The new Lakeview village in Minehead brings on site accommodation into the 21st centuryCredit: Butlins

 

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