No buts, it's got to be Butlin's

"Are you ready to Butlin's?" ask prime time TV ads.

We were born ready, feverish family members attest, suggesting en route to Skegness schools out escape "No buts, it's got to be Butlin's" accompanying slogan.

Watchwords like "A week's holiday for a week's pay" and "Holidays are Jollidays" were fabric of old fashioned family fun, formulated almost a century ago by entrepreneur Sir William Heygate Edmund Colborne Butlin MBE, Billy to on-site Redcoats whose past ranks included star comedians Ted Rogers and Jimmy Cricket.

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"If you're appy and you know it" could today be further motto as modern guests tap into state of the art software supporting accommodation, entertainment and activity bookings, far cultural cry from UK’s first holiday camp 1936 launch here by Amy Johnson, first woman to fly England to Australia solo.

Have a ball at Skegness Butlin'sHave a ball at Skegness Butlin's
Have a ball at Skegness Butlin's

Glamorous grannies, lovely legs and knobbly knees - staples of Ingoldmells golden years bygone generation, blissfully unaware of woke snowflake political correctness to come - are there none now.

Yet family-friendly fun remains front and centre of current sophisticated shows, ranging from fresh Festivals Rock and Jukebox Musicals, Peppa Pig and PJ Masks capers to Transformers franchise fans' Optimus Prime ultimate meet and greet opportunity.

"We’re super proud of our rich heritage so you’ll find lots of original elements combined with 21st century facilities," confirm company chiefs.

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Showtime stars don't come much more spellbinding than former Redcoat Stephen Mulhern, familiar face from television favourites In For A Penny, Rolling In It, Catchphrase and Saturday Night Takeaway, captivating crowds with cunning tricks aplenty up his sleeves, endlessly energetic audience interaction illusions, amid loads of laugh out loud merriment, proving simply magic.

Swing out sister and brother Ella and Harry Trembath, aged eight and five, with granddad Chris "PP" PageSwing out sister and brother Ella and Harry Trembath, aged eight and five, with granddad Chris "PP" Page
Swing out sister and brother Ella and Harry Trembath, aged eight and five, with granddad Chris "PP" Page

Renovators have gone to great lengths to upgrade site centrepiece Splash Waterworld free flow facilities, boasting almost 3,000 square metres of spray play pleasure, courtesy whirlpool and wave pools as well as white-knuckle Jetstream Fast Flume, Family Riptide Raft Ride, Outdoor Racing Rapids and winding vortex slide, sending swimmers spinning into lukewarm waters beneath.

Newly-opened SKYPARK - hailed "UK's most exciting playground" - helps tire tiny visitors among epic climbing towers and thrilling tunnel slides, entered via The Heart Line playful pathway, pulsating with light as kids discover zones celebrating positive play emotions Joy, Calm, Excitement, Happiness, Surprise and Curiosity.

Soaring formidable 14 metres aloft, Tower of Excitement provides panoramic seagull's eye view and illuminated ten-metre slide as well as UK’s longest light fantastic see-saw, spanning impressive 24 metres.

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Sensory surprises, wide wheelchair-friendly walkways and ramps as well as disabled-friendly accessible trampoline and roundabout make it a must for all ages, heights and abilities.

Card sharp Stephen Mulhern, former Redcoat, makes magic at Skegness Butlin'sCard sharp Stephen Mulhern, former Redcoat, makes magic at Skegness Butlin's
Card sharp Stephen Mulhern, former Redcoat, makes magic at Skegness Butlin's

Café and outdoor terrace, ideal for parents' warming cuppas or something somewhat stronger, are also included in impressive £2.5 million investment, ensuring inter-generational extra value enjoyment.

Fairground attraction proves "Perfect" homage to seaside roots - cemented in many of our memories as the coastal resort's Jolly Fisherman's "So Bracing" welcoming posters - in yesteryear shape of vintage games.

All candyfloss and ice cream, hotdogs and doughnuts, tradition triumphs with dozen rides including newcomers unique Eclipse, Orbiter reaching heady heights atop 15-metre tower, archive-influenced Santa Fe Train and Super Swing swooping stomach-churning 27 degrees.

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We weren't alone in making most of adrenalin-fuelled outdoor attractions including high ropes, climbing wall, go-karts and freefall. And, should Lincolnshire climes cool as clouds cover summer sun, laser tag, bowling, arts and crafts all ensure rain never stops play indoors.

All aboard vintage Santa Fe Train at Skegness Butlin'sAll aboard vintage Santa Fe Train at Skegness Butlin's
All aboard vintage Santa Fe Train at Skegness Butlin's

Success on a plate comes in form of Premium Dining ample portions, including unlimited cooked and continental buffet breakfasts and delicious dinners, complemented by tantalising selection of taste bud-tingling starters, salads and sweets.

And so to bed, resting, relaxing and recharging at New England-style and multi-coloured Seaside apartments, inviting home from home boltholes, perfectly placed short walk away from daylight exertions.

Empire having shrunk from heyday ten locations, including Ireland and Bahamas, to this as well as sister Bognor and Minehead sites, conversely interest continues to grow in their trademark affordable fun for all the family amid current cost of living crisis.

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Never better time for all inclusive budget breaks ... no buts, it's got to be Butlin's.

Way to book

Showtime midweek term-time breaks from £49 (£12.50 per person)Butlin’s offers a four-night Showtime Midweek break featuring Butlin’s productions, Peppa Pig and PJ Masks staying in a two bedroom Silver Room in Skegness from £49 on October 2. Price is based on family of four sharing, including all live shows and activities with free flow access to the pool and unlimited fairground rides. Dining packages start from £22.75 per adult, per day, £13.65 per child (6-14), per day and £6.80 per child (2-5).

Festivals Rock celebrates masters of music at Skegness Butlin'sFestivals Rock celebrates masters of music at Skegness Butlin's
Festivals Rock celebrates masters of music at Skegness Butlin's

School holiday family breaks from £310 (£77.50 per person)

Butlin’s offers a three-night Summer Holidays break featuring The Masked Singer Live staying in a two bedroom Silver Room in Skegness from £310 on July 21. Price is based on family of four sharing, including all live shows and activities with free flow access to the pool and unlimited fairground rides. Dining packages start from £22.75 per adult, per day, £13.65 per child (6-14), per day and £6.80 per child (2-5). To find out more or to book either break visit butlins.com site.

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