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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
