Butlins Minehead Then & Now Part 1 of 4

[@luciferbox5577]

I was born in 1964 and can remember Butlin’s when it was probably at it’s peak. For me growing up, it was the equivalent of Disneyland and I was lucky enough to visit all of them, except for Bognor and Ayre. Minehead was always my favourite, closely followed by Phwelli. As a family, we used to go every year for our annual summer holiday right up until the early 90’s. Seeing Minehead now is pretty heartbreaking because it’s clearly not the place I remember. It just looks so bland and even tatty. So many things have now gone. Good things. The chairlift, the monorail, the miniature steam train that used to run around the lake at the back of the camp and ‘Puffin’ Billy’, the smokey, diesel fuelled ‘train’ that ran around the entire camp, where you could just on and off. I remember a roller skating rink, a boating lake, a dry ski slope on the playing field, where we used to slide down on tea trays and the swimming pool with the big glass viewing windows so you could see underwater at various places. I remember being taken into what seemed to me then, the magical Beachcomber Bar. For a young child to see a rainstorm and an erupting volcano in there was an amazing experience. It always had a smell that I can still remember vividly (although it was probably just stale alcohol). So many great things that I remember...and they’ve all gone. Some of the accommodation now reminds me of a pretty rough council estate, and as someone else points out, the other buildings remind you of an industrial estate. Thank God I was able to experience it when it was great.

[@neilhilton35]

I am 1964 vintage and share your thoughts exactly. I also loved Minehead and Pwllheli camps. I was filled with excitement as we drove up to the gates on arrival. It was a time when we appreciated what we had and didn't expect holiday chalets to look like expensive showhouses. The colour, the flowerbeds, the rides and shows. We were lucky to have enjoyed it all 😊

[@Wtf0069]

My sentiments exactly! Happy childhood memories of innocence and fun forever gone but never forgotten!

[@sphughes01]

I'm vintage 1962 and I went to all the camps apart from Mosney in Ireland. You missed a beauty in Ayr by the way that was my favourite camp. But Minehead was a close second. I have nothing but wonderful memories of Butlins and agree with everything you have to say. I have not been back to Minehead since the 1970s so I have no idea what state the camp is no now but I can tell you I saw at close quarters the decimation and destruction of Filey camp. It was heartbreaking and still brings tears to my eyes. It has been replaced by the Primrose Valley caravan site along with something called The Bay which is equally as horrendous. However, I would rather talk about the positives and Butlins was certainly that. We used to visit the camps with our neighbours at home and that also made it magical. The fun fair during the morning, swimming pool indoor during the afternoons and when it was possible the outdoor pool, if wet we also used to go and watch those brilliant American race meetings in one of the bars I think it was the Regency and put money on the horses for our uncle and dad. I remember the American commentator announcing, 'This is race number ...' and we would watch the films of the race cheering on the number that we backed. Then there were the competitions. Sporting Mastermind, Generation Game, Donkey Derby, although I was not to keen when I fell off one of the donkeys, the catch Captain Blood game I think it was when you had to catch the pirate and throw him in the outdoor pool, playing football on the main field, snooker, darts and we even used to go and play in the Whist drive competition although that also became a bit tiresome in the end. I have to devote on paragraph alone to that wonderful Beachcomber Bar for all kinds of reasons. Firstly, it became the first bar that I ever got drunk in even though at the time I had no idea that I was drunk. Here's the story. Me and my mate were only about 10 or 11 and one morning we took a short cut through the bar. However, it must have been early in the morning because nobody had collected up the spent glasses from the night before. We spied lots of glasses half full of every drink going. So we got started and played 'going to pub' which meant we drunk a wide assortment of alcoholic drinks. Boy did we laugh and laugh at ourselves as we mimiced the adults drinking. But all of a sudden I felt a bit sick so we stopped and made our way out of the bar. I came over all tired and made an excuse to go home to the chalet. As we had been provided with chalet keys by our parents we both went back and fell asleep for a few hours until second sitting lunch in the bunk beds. I woke up with a bit of a headache, now I know it was a hangover of sorts and then went to the restaurant for lunch. Once we got stuck into the food my headache disappeared and we continued to have fun in the afternoon. I then forgot entirely about this incident until years later when I was old enough to be drinking legally in the Beachcomber. And yes it was magical with the Hawaiian music and volcano erupting. Once we climbed behind the set to see what it all looked like which ended up being another bad idea because it was initially disappointing and we got soacked when the storm hit. Remember that! Those days will never return. Sigh.

[@lizoliver4407]

My favourite place was the Beachcomber bar. Loved the thunderstorms.

[@terrycollett1461]

Went to Pwllheli in the 50’s had photo taken with Billy Butlin.Went to Minehead in recent years became gold members.Made a lot of friends.We loved it then and we love it now.Changed a lot but still great.I’m eighty now.Happy Days.

[@cafsixtieslover]

I last went there in 1966. The accommodation would have improved vastly but it looks like all the life has been taken out of it. I used to love those cable cars.

[@FunFindervids]

Butlin's has just changed with the times as it had to. Loads of life still though!

[@BarryCroucher]

What an amazing piece of work. Thank you so much. I met my wife to be in 1986 and went many times with our children, so there are lots of great memories here !

[@nottsjules100]

I've had this all ready to watch for ages now.... but know I will get a bit upset, so I am awaiting the right moment..... Went every year almost from '71 to '86 as a kid. Happy times. Glad it's still there at least and been back for a music weekend twice recently and spent more time looking for the old sections than the music lol....

[@cafsixtieslover]

I came here in 1966 when I was 12. It was the full Hi di Hi experience, chalets like garden sheds, woken every morning at 7.00 with a jingle over the loudspeaker, chairlifts, huge funfair and pools everywhere and a disco every night. I spent the whole day going around on my own. Loved it. Have never been back so have nothing to compare it with.

[@wezzywitch]

Absolutely amazed to hear The Singing Piano by Tolchard Evans! That was the wake-up song for me at Butlins as a kid in the sixties. I worked at Minehead in the 1970s - met my wife there - great, great memories. Excellent video, thank you.

[@christopherfree4181]

wow.....just come back from 5 days......absolutely amazing time.....my parents took me when I was a baby every year or maybe twice a year.....now I take my children.....wonderful staff....great food and entertainment is never ending. the smell of chlorine and bleachy chalet smells brings back every memory.... great walk up the town...as long as butlins is around....I don't think I will go abroad again.

[@blueroses7935]

I went to Bognor, Pwllheli and Minehead as a child in the mid-80s/early 90s but was barely more than a toddler when we went to the first two (though I'm thankful for the photos and vague memories). I was slightly older when we started going to Minehead, so I remember it more clearly. My most memorable Butlins holiday was Minehead 1990 when I was 7. (I know the year from a Grumbleweeds programme that has the date on it.) It had also become Somerwest World by that point, so that's the branding I'll always remember - especially the Sunsplash pool. It's so surreal to see it still there but with no people. I envy anyone who's managed (or had the guts) to go in there. I also loved the Beachcomber, though that wasn't specific to Minehead. It seemed so magical and exotic. 🍹🐠 I keep thinking about revisiting Minehead even though I know it will carry a lot of sadness and mixed emotions. There are loads of negatives (Beachcomber demolished, no monorail, fun pool paved over, flatlets destroyed etc.). However, there are only 3 Butlins left and, from what I hear, Bognor and Skegness (which, sadly, I never visited) are unrecognisable. Apparently Minehead is the only Butlins where you can walk around and still recognise it as it used to be, with some of the main buildings and chalets there, and both of the pools still intact (the Oasis having been expanded but not demolished). Since that's the camp that I remember and liked the best, it seems positive by comparison. I'd also like to do the nerdy stuff like find the old points where the monorail stood, signs of the old chairlift, the lake at the back of the camp etc. I have the feeling that Minehead is on borrowed time and that I should go there at least once before the demolition of what's left occurs. 😔 (Unless it already has. I looked at some 2022 videos and it doesn't seem as though there have been any major changes since I last looked a few years back.)

[@FunFindervids]

Thanks for your detailed response. As with anything if you want to see something in the hope of revisiting old memories the sooner you do so the more likely some old memories will still remain. Butlin's has recently recognized the importance of its heritage and taken numerous steps to recognise that (for example all resorts now have a new Beachcomber venue)! However I'm very wary of what Butlin's new owners might do when they take over next year.

[@blueroses7935]

​@@FunFindervids Thanks for your reply. (My response to this video was so rambling, but I find it hard to be concise about something that I care about and haven't really 'spoken' about before.) I didn't know that Butlin's is due to have new owners, but that makes me even more wary about Minehead. The other two camps have changed so much; it's surprising how much Minehead has retained its original layout (to some extent). I can't see it staying that way indefinitely. There's only so much money that can be invested into Bognor before 'they' (whoever they are - I don't know about the business-side of things) move on to Minehead.

[@FunFindervids]

@@blueroses7935 a lot will depend on who takes over next year. If it's a business that just wants a quick profit then that's a problem. Hopefully it will be an organisation that understands the value of Butlin's as Bourne Leisure have done.

[@andybbeck2043]

Yes the old butlins was great as a kid .loved the chair lift .and lake pool happy times

[@garyshethers9834]

I have been going to butlins for 11 years this month returning in August cant wait

[@FunFindervids]

I've been going for over 46 years, and still go now even though I live in Australia!

[@garyshethers9834]

@@FunFindervids Oh my. You have seen many things come and go from somerwest world, the monorail, chairlift and the landtrain that went outside the camp

[@nothanks1239]

I used to go there as a kid in the early 90s. I remember the red dragon coaster, mono rail, the saloon. I remember you had to walk through the ten pin bowling area to the kids entertainment hall with the red coats. I also remember the race horse game where you had to get the balls in the holes. My mum loved playing bingo there as well lol. My mum got the butlins babysitters to watch me a couple of times and I used to love the baby sitters, they always let me stay up later than I was allowed lol.

[@Aitch_154]

I was there in August '88 and it looks like a detention centre now! So much to do as a 15 year old keeping an eye on my 8 year old brother too, we had a great two weeks in one of the "Country Suites'" and saw Bernie Clifden and Keith Chegwin perform. So much colour and character back then.

[@Walthur13]

My brother and I went in our early teens in1964. That's where I lost my, erm, innocence! Great time!

[@jasonlabross2774]

I went on holiday here every summer when i was a child and loved it that much I didnt want to go home,so I went for a long weekend as it had been nearly 32 years since I had been there,I nearly cried as to how much it has been ruined and changed for the worse,totally heartbreaking at least I have my memories :(

[@carlhamilton8531]

Jason Labross Get over mate for fucks sake. Everything changes in life.

[@independentpuppy7520]

Carl Hamilton He's right though. I know things change but there was no need to go tearing everything to pieces. It was better how it used to be and Billy Butlin must be turning in his grave if he saw what they have done.

[@carlhamilton8531]

Neal Wilson Ok, mate. That's a fair comment and I take your point. I also spent my Childhood holidays at Butlins at Clacton, Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis. Loved every minute of those holidays. I've heard that it's ll changed now.

[@jackiecomrie5410]

Jason Labros

[@nottsjules100]

Exact same here! Went every year as kid 1971 to 1987.... then went back for a long music weekend (70s/80s) 2011/2013 and spent more time re tracing the old parts from memory than the gigs (lol). And yes.... got a little upset too. Monorail post holes anyone (yes I do have the photos ha!).

[@paulmiles9102]

sorry 4 the long over due delay there been busy with things thx u so so much 4 this info thats made my day that has Andy.

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Nice shots of Car Parks

[@23rdjune]

During the summer season here in 1965, a cabaret trio called 'Ricky Harrison and the highlights' played one of the lounges, while in the 'Rock and Roll ballroom' a young pop group called 'The Spectres' blasted out the latest pop tunes. Ricky Harrison (real name Richard (or Rick) Parfitt, used to finish his set with 'Highlights (twin girls called Jean and Gloria Harrison), and nip over to listen to The Spectres finish their evening session. Rick stayed friends with the group who were comprised of Francis Rossi, Alan Lancaster, John Couglan and Roy Lynes and two and a half years later joined The Spectres after they had just changed their name to 'The' Status Quo. The rest is history.

[@mamouthgavioli1909]

I first went in 1979 I cant really remember that year as I was far to young but I went every year in the 1980s and 90s and loved it so so much fun the ride I loved the most the Mexican Hat and I was sad when it was not up and watching the swimmers behind the glass sadly in 2016 I went and am so so sad how awful it looks now so untidy I will never return as I liked it before all the changes happened theres a great video on here from 1990 about 43 mins long but it brings back lots of fun times for me

[@garyn8893]

Late 80s and 90s family holidays . Every year. Was proberly the best days of my life . then they built the skyline the money pit, and got rid of all the things that made butlins the family holiday it once was .

[@AlvinEarthworm]

Was randomly thinking about Minehead today and the fond memories I had of when I went there as a kid over 30 years ago. Now I find out almost everything I remembered is gone and the place is just a shadow of its former self. Is nothing sacred? 😔

[@angelsone-five7912]

Regretably no.

[@dandyfireman]

Had some great times at Minehead in the eighties. Took my own kids there for a day trip a couple of years ago and nearly cried at what they've done to it. NO MONORAIL???? NO CHAIRLIFT????? And there was far too much you had to pay extra for. Great video for a bit of nostalgia!

[@FunFindervids]

So glad you enjoyed it Paul. In Part 1, the main soundtracks are "Singing Piano"by Tolchard Evans (one of the songs played over radio Butlin to wake campers up each morning) and "Supermans" plus "It's a Lovely Life" which were both on a special floppy record released for Butlin's in 1985 by "Blazing Billy and the Butlin Boogie Band". Intermixed are a few live recordings from Radio Butlin announcements in the 70s.

[@bigtone1348]

It's all corporate now. Franchises as far as the eye can see. I went to Minehead in 1963 and have been again several times since then. It seems like the innocent fun has been wrung out of it over the years.

[@Rayrazer]

best memory for me was butlins minehead in August 1992.the manhattans playing in the Beachcomber Bar.John and Graham i think their names were.Lovely blokes and some classics they played,great fond memories .I was only 14 at the time.

[@superselena]

god this is sad butlins was once it's own brand now it's all about money. looks like the life has been sucked out of the place. I only went to minehead once in about 95. but visited skeggy and bognor many many times! would love to see a vid like this for those camps. however this is awesome thank you x

[@Jack-ex4gq]

👍

[@hjp1hjp22]

Went to Butins, Minehead as a child in July 1985 and had the honour of having the very last chalet, number 760.

[@marcusbondi]

Great video! Why oh why did they 'bland' it down so much? Surely there would now be a market for Butlin's 'nostalgia' holidays!

[@papapiers1588]

What a great idea... count me in

[@farr64]

What a shame its lost everything i liked ...Great video's .....

[@pda3095]

We used to go in the late 60’s and all through the 70’s, still my favourite holidays and massive part of my childhood,sad it’s so different now but things move on. My daughter is taking her kids next year to Minehead,I know they will love it but it’ll never place the old Butlins😢

[@kennyk7858]

On a recent visit to Butlin's after a 32 year break I found it is now to commercialised and all about the money rather than the intension it was set up for in the first place by Sir Billy Butlin. That was to provide a family all inclusive holiday for the working man who couldn't afford an all in holiday. The Red Coats were the icon of Butlin's and were able to talk to guests and their family's but now they are required to do so much work they have very little time to socialise with the guests. We had a Red Coat walk right by us with no greeting or smile, probably to worried if he would be late or had a bad night the night before. Speaking from my new experience with Butlin's was disappointed with the general upkeep as a lot of things were in need of repair. Seems that all Butlins is about now days is money and with the profits they made last year seems a shame that so much has changed for the worse.

[@perky26hughes]

kenny speake Well said 👍🏻

[@nov3019892008]

When did you visit? 15 years ago? Butlins has spent a lot on upgrading chalets and has expanded the site facilities abd spent a lot on general upkeep. You certainly havent been in the last decade

[@freddie4376]

Except their shows their shows are spectacular (Well some one them) ((Particularly the pantomimes)

[@stephenmcgonigle3238]

Thank you very much for sharing. My nearest was Ayr, Scotland. Whenever I visit (haven caravan park) I still cant figure out the new place and what I remember of Butlinland.

[@MrGarratt1]

I worked there in 1994. The best time of my life as an 18yr old. I have been back since and enjoyed a weekend away. Sad to see a lot of it go. Times move on, the business moves on and has to accommodate the modern family.

[@ONLYFOOLSNVIDEOS]

I think that was the year I went as a kid. First and only time. I remember seeing babies day out there. Eurgh

[@nothanks1239]

What did you do there? I went to butlins that year, I would have been 7 years old.

[@FunFindervids]

@watsername What is now Treasures was part of the "Rothmans" walkaround shop, along with Spar and Toybox. So one big shop has been split into three smaller ones. The great things is that the Rothmans Walkaround shop sold sweets, souvinirs, toys, and a few basic groceries. In other words, even though the walkaround shop has been split into 3 and has new names, it still sells essentially the same things it always did!

[@LightningLassTCB]

Just home now and my kids loved it!!!! They thought it was the best week ever! I loved it, yes it’s a wee bit expensive but if you can say no to the kids.... the free shows, and entertainment oh and swimming that’s in with the holiday price is fabulous!!!! We took enough spending to let the boys have a good try of most things, but it was a no to going overboard. For example.... the new VR ride was £12 for 4 of us and it’s a quick ride. We tried it but dfo had to say to the boys. Once is enough lol xxx

[@paulmiles9102]

it breaks my heart to see what has become of butlins now its all been demolished. as a young boy and indeed into my late teen i went here every year with my parents and all my best childhood youth was spent here i fondly remember the princess balltoom molly malones which starred the tigras sound a very funny guy on the drums and guy on the keyboard nmaes were dave allan and ralph charles. also barnums showbar the fairground the arcade which led out to the fairground.

[@thehazelandabbyshow]

that made me even more excited to go now thank you because i am going on july the 1st i can not wait :D

[@pudsteveing]

The “then” photos make me so happy 😊 The “now” photos make me so sad 😢 what happened?

[@StuG-f3v]

went there many times as a kid,now 44 lol,last went to barry with my wife,just before it closed,happy times...great to look back

[@watsername]

Thanks to this i have finally placed my then and now memory! (I think..) (pre skyline) was what is now Treasures a sweet shop in the mid 1990's? I just have a memory of buying flying saucers and watching the slush puppy machiene at the end of a shooping alley but I'm pretty sure it wasnt the other old shopping alley that is now closed...

[@crsbt]

They have killed our Pubs.. Holiday camps.. Churches.. Boys brigade.. Social clubs.. Local business.. What's next ?.

[@dickeyboyenglishnotbritish2462]

Man

[@bobbywilliams9953]

Loved MINEHEAD back in the 70s 80S and christmas time when I was a child .donkey Darby monerail train to take you round the camp .I could go on .BILLY BUTLIN 2 AS THE MAN FOR FAMILY HOLIDAYS NEVER BE A MAN LIKE HIM AGAIN .been to Minehead camp just to see what it was like now not a patch on what it was .to many machines and game rooms taking money of you mind you I hear MECCA have it now just kept BUTLINS name .In my opinion not the same at all everything as we new it gone .would go again got pics and memories from the days when it was BUTLINS 👍👍👍👍👍

[@paulmiles9102]

this is so well put togeather id love to know the music piece playing throughout this video also the sound at the end its a lovely life love to know who sings that towards the end and also the musical score throughout the video here.

[@carlhamilton8531]

Fair comment. I agree and I apologise,

[@miniporter2000]

good video : )

[@eddyfinkful]

@nealthedude My memories of Butlins Skegness, goes back some sixty years! We were met, at the train station,by an open backed lorry, for the suitcase & men & boys rode on the lorry,, & an old coach, for the ladies! I was about four or five, Im 66 on 26th,&, today, was asked to play Fred Quilley, in Hi Di Hi, in an amature production, in May 2012!

[@ross6615]

i went there the other day for a week and had food at that fingas fast food place was ill and i still am now

[@the_useless_photographer]

Haven't seen this place for almost 40 years. I went as a lucky young lad on holiday with a friend. I remember the glass bottom pool with I think a restaurant underneath (bizarre), the Mexican hat ride and the 3 water chutes. Also had a holiday romance haha. I still have a photo from a photo booth I went in with my mate and girls (not the romance girl just friends) near the swimming pool. Sadly it looks ruined now and I'd never go again and destroy my memories. Young love hey...being an adult is rubbish.

[@dills488]

There's So many thing's I Remember when i was 7, Now i'm 25 with my Daughter & all the Things that i Know she'd love have Disappeared :-(.

[@markholroyde9412]

...and now you are 34...tick tock LOL

[@cerysb8497]

My childhood in one video

[@FunFindervids]

@marcusbondi Yes it was certainly a whole lot better in the 80s. Still though, at least this March / April they're running the nostalgic breaks to celebrate their 75th anniversary, I'm really looking forward to the knobbly knees contest, silly as it may seem to some!

[@TheSolow79]

Does anyone who worked there in the early 90's remember a bmx show here by(I think) two brothers. does anyone remember their names??

[@chriscrouch7576]

The 1990s version of Butlins from 1990-1998 was the best

[@PaulRoseGuitar]

Simpler times friends.

[@jaycannau]

Where did you find the music they used at the resort?

[@annfirkin7602]

Funfinder what has happened to part 2 pf 4 please

[@cmpillred277]

It's been put up now I'm looking at it.

[@FunFindervids]

@BarryCroucher Glad you like it Barry!

[@watsername]

@bloobloo2 Ah yes that makes sence. :) I think i got some wizzy world armbands from there once.would make sence being so close to the old outdoor pool. :)

[@deggsyuk]

I worked there in 1994 I was a cleaner infront of house main area great times

[@perky26hughes]

I also worked there in 1994 (until 1998) as a cleaner on 2- meal accommodation.

[@paulmiles9102]

sorry 4 the spelling mistakes there ment to say the names of the 2 people in molly malones and also princess ballroom very happy days indeed.

[@lootllama1681]

Rest in piece skymaster

[@sian1524]

It looked a lot different back then cause the first I went was last year

[@lordofbude]

whats the music called

[@richardking518]

The Singing Piano by Tolchard Evans.

[@kainesweet]

I got the Summer time special record

[@wyb80]

Well!.....they've ruined that then! All the character ripped out of it!

[@FunFindervids]

@nealthedude Sad but pretty much true at Skegness. Have you been to Minehead lately? It's not as good as it used to be but it's still much better than Skegness.

[@darknesscomestome]

i remember the best part of minehead in 1982 was you could see the pool from inside the club so when i was swimming i could see my mates dancing that was ok but the boys thought it was hilarious to give us a moonie

[@Chopper894]

4:44 Black Lace and a holiday camp.. Life dont get better

[@papapiers1588]

Ok... that made me feel depressed

[@parkersammy97]

Its inn on the green

[@brianfindsall]

I can remember when it was a FARE weeks holiday for a fare weeks wages, When butlins WAS BUTLINS. They used to be proud of giving value for money. CONSTANTLY FINDING WAYS TO ADD MORE ENTERTAINMENT AND VALUE. .....Today all they do is take things away and then charge more for a holiday..Sad, But like all things owned by greedy business men and sharholders Less is more when it comes to the product and the customer..Now its just a place where people go for a change, And pay double the price for a drink and watch mediocre entertainment..then have to go to bed at 11 o clock like good little children....yes adults and all...…...absolute disappointment to be on holiday and have to sit and watch childrens entertainment then go to bed at 11 o clock..Is this a holiday camp or a prison camp ????????? ...it was like the latter to me......Red coats today are just that......very young unskilled kids wearing Red coats.....no more talent competitions no noble knee contests. no adult entertainment at all ardley…..maybe 45 mins at most each day for adults...……………..ALASS DEAR OLD BUTLINS IS NO MORE...……….JUST A MEMORY, A NAME, A FORMER SHADOW OF WHAT ONCE WAS...…...It was so very good...….

[@Paulsiphone4s]

The only part I remember is the medical centre as I got chicken picks the day we got there the first time then the second time I was I'll again and had to go home on second day :( sad to see it all going into disrepair

[@greatlambrini8722]

Could do without the four hours of title.

[@paultidswell6290]

it just looks so boaring and bland now

[@DJ-Brownie-UK]

now it is just a kids casino and gambling under 16 is accepted

[@rydellynch8824]

Skyline gang DUDE BUD SPROUT MIMI CANDY PIP RAINBOW

[@bradleynewson4860]

It's still 10,000,000 times better than Pontins.

[@parkersammy97]

Its bot the swinging shilliee

[@FunFindervids]

@tuffty76 Not for those with a real interest in Butlins history it's not!

[@jessicabell8356]

shame they hat to change it:(