Skegness Butlins Review
Skegness Butlins needs no introduction. When Billy Butlin opened Butlins Skegness on 11th April 1936, he revolutionized the UK Staycation industry. Thanks to his forward thinking of what family holidays should look like, for more than 80 years Billy Butlin has given tens of millions of people happy and cherished memories.
When it was suggested to me to do a review of Butlins Skegness, it brought back lots of great memories. As a kid, the first Skegness holiday I had was at Skegness Butlins. I was around ten at the time, and for me, it was one of the best family holidays I went on with my dad. Later on in life, I had the opportunity to return to Butlins in Skegness, but this time not as a guest but as an employee. So, visiting the Butlins resort for a review was a no-brainer.
When I stayed at the popular Skegness holiday resort as a child the Skegness Butlins accommodation was a lot different. We stayed in a small Chalet, but for me, it was no small it was incredible. And, when I returned to work there, the Chalets got a little bigger and Butlins Skegness had been transformed. There was a big fair that I loved, and lots of great entertainment, and the one incredible thing that holidaymakers loved, was the monorail.
What Happened To Skegness Monorail
The Skegness monorail opened in May 1965, and it attracted people from all over the country. To be honest, the lucky few who were chosen to operate it thought they were the crème of the crop and at times were very smug. So, what happened to Skegness Monorail?
The Skegness monorail could carry 50 passengers at a time and would travel at around 15 mph going around the popular Butlins resort. Kids and adults alike loved the Butlins monorail, nearly as much as the team did driving it.
Sadly, the Skegness Butlins monorail stopped running towards the end of 2002 and was dismantled and removed in 2003. For me and many Skegness holidaymakers, it was a huge loss to the Butlins Resort. Over the years, many of those who loved the monorail have asked for it to come back, but sadly, Butlins have never listened. I must be honest and say that Butlins are missing out by not bringing back the monorail.
Read The Best Things To Do in Skegness
Skegness Butlins Today
It has been some years since I’ve returned to Butlins in Skegness Lincolnshire, so, when I decided to do a review of Butlins in January I was not sure what to expect, especially for the price I paid.
Here is the shock. I paid £59 for four nights and my Butlins accommodation, and wait for it, was New Style Silver 2-bedroom apartment. To be honest, when I saw the price, I thought it was some kind of joke. £59 to stay at Skegness Butlins, which was like £14.75 for two people per night in great accommodation, on a popular resort. You tell me where else you can have a Skegness holiday for that price, or a UK staycation for just £59 for four nights?
With the cost of living crisis, this special offer put on by Butlins helped a lot of families who otherwise would not have been able to afford some relaxing time away. So, from all those families, Skegness Butlins, and the other Butlins, you need a pat on the back.
Butlins have changed over the years, and for the better, and even now, they are pumping millions of pounds of improvements into the popular Skegness holiday resort. So, let me take you on a journey, and learn more about my Skegness Butlins review, and what the Skegness Butlins resort is like today.
My Butlins Skegness Review
When we arrived at the Skegness Butlins resort, we were directed to the check-in point for our accommodation. When we arrived at the check-in point we were greeted with a friendly face and given everything we needed, which included two keys to our Butlins accommodation. To be honest, for £59 I was expecting our Skegness Butlins accommodation to be a small room with just a bathroom, but when we entered the accommodation I was pleasantly surprised.
The accommodation was very modern with two bedrooms. We had the main bedroom which had a double bed, and another bedroom which had two single beds, which we used for our luggage. There was lots of wardrobe space and all the beds were made up. We tested out the beds and they were very comfy.
When we ventured into the bathroom which had one of the biggest showers I have seen when staying in hotels and holiday park accommodations. The bathroom was very modern and had everything we needed.
Next, we went into the main lounge area, or if you are from the North like me, the front room. The lounge area combined with a kitchen had everything you need for a family holiday. There was a nice comfy couch and a table in the kitchen. There was a modern cooker and there was also a microwave and a fridge with a small freezer section. And back to the lounge area, there was a TV with all the normal channels you would expect. The Skegness Butlins accommodation was so modern and so comfy and big, it was like a home away from home. Butlins really do put their customers first.
Skegness Butlins Daytime Activities
I must be honest, doing a review of Skegness Butlins in January, I was not expecting there to be much on offer entertainment-wise, how wrong was I? Skegness Butlins has so much going on for the whole family, there is no time to get bored. Even in January, there were lots of great things to do. That included the swimming pool, which is amazing, and if you can, do go to one of the pool parties.
You have the fairground, which at the moment is being redeveloped, but I have been told it will be bigger and better. There is a climbing wall, archery, football, high ropes, laser tag, and so many other great activities. Then you have shows running throughout the day for the kids.
Night Time Entertainment at Butlins Skegness
Even in January, Butlins in Skegness knew how to keep holidaymakers entertained. During our time at the Butlins resort, we never saw a show or entertainment we didn’t like. We were lucky to see the popular Take That Tribute Band Rule The World as featured on the Graham Norton Show. They performed at the Skyline Stage.
There are different entertainment venues for shows at the Skegness Butlins resort which includes the Skyline Stage, The Reds Experience, and Centre Stage. My two favourite venues were the Reds Experience and the Centre Stage.
The Centre Stage is the main entertainment venue for professional shows. We watched the Rag Dolls there which group that performs a show dedicated to Frankie Valli. To make sure you get a seat you need to book with the Butlins app.
The Reds Experience is a great family entertainment venue where you can enjoy fun and games and crazy bingo, and I mean crazy bingo. It is a wonderful atmosphere.
Dining at Butlins Skegness
There are lots of places to eat At Butlins In Skegness. You can choose the Butlins dining plan which you pay upfront for the length of stay, or you can pay as you go.
The dining options available include Rock & Sole, which is exclusive to Skegness Butlins, the Diner, Firehouse Grill, Ludo’s Italian, and The Beachcomber Inn. There are other options which include Burger King, and a great place to buy fish and chips. You will be spoilt for choice.
The Butlins Skegness Amusement Arcade
The modern amusement arcade was always full when we were there. It had all the machines that you would expect from a popular arcade from fruit machines for adults, to fruit machines and other types of machines for kids. There is also an adult zone which high jackpot winnings from £100 to £500.
Skegness Butlins Review Conclusion
Butlins in Skegness is a great place to visit for a family holiday in Skegness. It has everything you could possibly want for a great vacation. They are currently updating the site to add lots more attractions.
Although we only paid £55 for our stay, I would have paid a lot more and wouldn’t mind spending £600 for a week for two people in the summer or more for a family of four. Skegness Butlins offers value for money and puts the customer first. We had lots of fun.
I could not fault the Skegness Butlins accommodation. It had everything we needed and more. It was very clean and unlike a lot of places I have visited, the beds were very comfy.
It would be interested to visit the Skegness Butlins resort in the summer to see the new developments.
