Let's all go to Butlins!

Butlins Skegness is amazing. 

Sir Billy Butlin had the right idea back in 1936 when he opened up his first resort on a field in Ingoldmells, which you now know today as Butlins Skegness. 

The anticipation of going along Roman Bank from the station, motorway, or wherever you come from never wears out. Things that signify that you're near Butlins for me are; The Lincolnshire Cooperative shop, the caravan parks, and, you guessed it, the Skyline Pavilion! It just all piles in to the excitement bag. If you don't get excited near Roman Bank then you can't be human (but I'm sure animals, and, aliens, are just as excited). 

If you arrive at Skegness by train like me, then you'll probably know how exciting it is getting off the train and seeing all of the buses marked via Butlins, or Butlins. The first thing on my mind is usually LETS GET THERE! The bus driver knows you're excited when you are waiting for him to open the doors, at the bus station which is conveniently situated so close to the station they may as well be hugging. Everyone is slotted into the bus like sardines in a can, luggage is at the front, people at the back, children on the roof. (Note to guardians, only put children on the roof of the bus at the drivers discretion, it's usually the naughty ones). Of course you know I mean on an open - top bus. When you're up there, Skegness certainly is bracing! It's pretty amazing being whizzed around the Vegas of the North, seeing all of the people, amusements, bingo, ice creams - and Seagulls. My goodness. If there was ever an annoying bird competition, the Seagull would win, hands down.

It's funny when you arrive at Butlins, or 10 miles away. If you get some busses, they stop about two minutes away, and not inside the resort, but, honestly, with luggage, it may as well be blooming Timbuktu. 

That area has a certain smell about it. It's nothing common, but it's identifiable to there. In the background you can hear very distinctive sounds. Whirring of the rides, balls banging on the Donky Derby, and "one and four, fourteen" Why they insist on blasting out the bingo on a loudspeaker outside the main entrance, I'll never know. The thing is, it's perfectly audible outside of the resort! I do, however, feel a certain amount for the man who does that. His voice is constantly on show, he's always calling bingo, and, let's be honest, he must be bored!

It's great though, upon arrival I take my luggage to left luggage, get a ticket, and go grab some lunch. It's almost certainly gonna be a Burger King. It's not cheap, it's not healthy, but my goodness, it's nice. I'm not a fan of this royalty, but at Butlins, it just seems to taste better. It's probably the air accumulated around it from the Skyline. Candy Floss (cotton candy for you across the pond), hot dogs, and coffee. Doesn't sound appealing, trust me, it's like heaven. Oh, that, and the background "audio". "Come on... join in, join in... the Little Big Club!".

Next it's off to waste a bit of time. Check in comes so quick though, because time flies when you're having fun! If you're staying in a standard apartment, I feel you're pain. Left luggage is at THE OTHER END of the resort to check - in. I hear you say, "Get a luggage trolley!". No. Can you seriously see one of those things and not instantly get on it? I just scoot along on them... Yep, it's dangerous, and yep, I've ran over 45, make that 50 people by doing this, but still, it's fun. When you've traipsed through the maze of Ocean Point, and finally got to where you're staying, it's like moving house, with the exception of checking for cobwebs and faults. I'm positive some people go on holiday to write reviews on TripAdvisor (they do!).

Unpack, coffee, turn on the TV, and take turns to shower, off for tea (or cook it) and then to see some shows. That's generally how the first night goes, unless you stay in. 

You all know how the rest is. Unless you've never been to Butlins before. To find out all of the details (in a normal perspective, not my warped one) click here to visit the Butlins website!

(JK)