Unmasks a reinvented Butlin’s in Skegness
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We loved filling a three-person dinghy to belt down Riptide Raft
Tom Hutchison
TAKE it off ! Take it off ! Take it off !” – the chant rang out across the packed room as fans clapped and screamed. A baying crowd of holidaymakers had made their celebrity guesses but now was the time for the big Masked Singer reveal.
And as the famous face lifted off the giant comedy monster head, the recognisable TV star – we can’t say who for spoiler reasons – emerged waving emphatically to a front row of delighted kids and parents all cheering and saying “I told you!” to their nearest loved ones.
This was the classic British Butlin’s holiday at its very peak.
Joy-filled families packed into a large stage-lighted theatre room, laden with tuck shop sweets, bright flashing toys, wrestling-style foam hands and wide brimming smiles.
Relishing in a live touring performance of their favourite Saturday night telly show, they were all reacting as one to a top-drawer gig on the well trodden boards at Skegness resort.
The Masked Singer is one of two big new experiences on offer at the Lincolnshire fun hub this year, alongside Skypark, a £2.5million playground designed specifically so children of all abilities can play together, shoulder to shoulder.
And while both experiences are about as far apart as they can be in design, they have one major thing in common – real-life interaction.
We’re all very aware nowadays how much screen time we’re having.
And, for parents in particular, there’s a constant guilt whenever the kids spend time on an iPad or a mobile phone in return for that much desired “few minutes’ peace”.
Butlin’s feels ever more an ideal antidote to the dreaded screen time.
It has the knack to keep reinventing itself. Evolving with the times while maintaining that quintessentially British holiday feel.
The focus this year is on physical fun and play, something that feels much needed in 2023, with Skypark being the central hub.
It’s a sprawling, colour-packed playground area just behind the central Skyline dome which brings both a daytime spacious open-air inclusivity but also a nighttime packed with lights and interactivity. You have six different zones celebrating “positive play emotions”. So it’s big towers to climb that give fantastic views across the nearby Skegness beach, tunnel slides for the explorers, the country’s longest seesaw which powers the lighting when kids work together and a computer-controlled beacon area with tap-thepod competitive games.
It all adds up to children running around in a whirl of excitement and laughter as they make new friends and role-play all kinds of dinosaur fights and space missions. Skegness resort has also completely revamped its fairground. On our Easter trip it was so new we were given stickers to say we were among the first to try out the sparkly new rides, such as gravity thriller Eclipse and tower drop Orbiter.
The go karts were highly popular with snaking queues of adrenaline junkies keen on a speed fix.
As was Super Swing, which gave the riders that odd but giggly, swooshing feeling in the pit of the belly, as it pounded around at a stomach-floating 27 degrees.
The mega sized pool was a popular draw too and our gang of four went every day, enjoying not only the lazy river and central whirlpool but also thrilling rides for all the family.
We loved filling a three-person green dinghy to then belt down Riptide Raft, a giant-sized flume that culminated in a huge splash and fits of laughter. Older ones should also try out Jetstream and Vortex, two high-speed water slides that snake outside the building at points before twisting and turning into an electric finish.
If all that excitement wasn’t enough the shows are top drawer. You’ve got the likes of Peppa Pig, Skyline Gang and PJ Masks for the
young ones during the day in the main pavilion with the bigger all-family affairs in Centre Stage and Reds bars in the evening.
As well as The Masked Singer we enjoyed a wonderful trip through the West End’s best current stage shows in Jukebox Musicals, a mix of instantly recognisable tunes.
The Butlin’s singers and dancers really put in an effort over the hour-long festival, belting out songs effortlessly while also sticking to first-class, polished choreography.
You’ve also got Festivals Rock, a full-on gig style celebration of rock ’n’ roll without the mud.
Plus the likes of Saturday Night Takeaway star Stephen Mulhern will return with a live magic show throughout the summer.
As they’re so popular, it’s worth paying a little extra for the new Early Access VIP wristbands that give you entry to the main event rooms 15 minutes before the crowd, allowing you to bag the best seats.
The accommodation at Skegness revolves around nostalgic chalet apartments. Standard rooms sleep up to four with all mod cons: shower, decent beds and TV in the master bedroom. Those willing to shell out a bit more can get closer to the main attractions by staying at the Seaside Apartments. These have the extra benefit of new towels each day, a bigger TV in the main room and a
general home-away-from-home vibe. You can also add on dining packages for all-you-can-eat breakfast and dinner throughout your stay.
Brekkie has all the traditional fry-ups and bacon sarnies that you can muster, plus teas, coffees, fruits and cereals.
Dinner is a different feast every night, offering guests full-on Sunday roasts alongside Chinese stir fries, made-to-request pastas and tasty cake treats to top it off.
And of course let’s not forget what lies outside the resort.
There’s the Blue Flag sandy Skegness beach right on your doorstep complete with donkey rides in the summertime and plenty of bucket and spade spots for children to dig.
The famous pier is a focal point for many a people-watcher wanting to while away the hours in the sunshine. And for those still seeking thrills after the Butlin’s rides, you’ve got the Fantasy Island theme park that offers 30 big rides such as The Millennium and Odyssey, both of which are hair-raisers that can compete with the likes of Alton Towers. Day wristbands there start from £14.50 ( fantasyislandresort.co.uk).
Butlin’s has been and remains a fantastic all-round holiday destination for all the family.
It is reasonably priced and packs in a load of activities and experiences. Whether its climbing high ropes, taking part in a Dance Academy with the Skyline Gang, or something simpler such as a round of crazy golf and a blitz on the 2p arcade machines, there really is something for everyone.
So with cash tight for so many families right now, there’s a lot to like in a classic, great value
British trip.