Billy Butlin as a young boy — painted portrait
The Boy
Billy Butlin at a fairground hoopla stall — painted portrait
The Making of an Entrepreneur
Billy Butlin as a young soldier — painted portrait
The Soldier
Billy Butlin in profile — painted portrait
The Showman
Billy Butlin laughing in a top hat — painted portrait
The Ringmaster
Sir Billy Butlin in a fedora — painted portrait
The Knight
Book One — The Making of a ShowmanBook Two — The Holiday Camp King

Billy ButlinThe Man That Made Summer

The official two-part novel drama based on the life of Billy Butlin, or Sir Billy Butlin. By Steven Hale.

Our True Intent

“Our true intent is all for your delight.” In April 1936, a former hoopla stall owner opened a camp at Skegness with that revolutionary promise. This is the story of how Billy Butlin kept it — and changed British life forever.

Share Your Butlin's Memories

Your Memories Are Part of British History.

We are building the largest online archive of Butlin's memories ever assembled — photographs, home movies, postcards, programmes, tickets and the family stories that made them matter. Selected photographs may appear in future editions of Book Two.

A Living Museum

The Golden Age of the British Holiday.

Book News · Archive Discoveries

Butlin's For Holidays — vintage British Railways poster
Butlin's Holiday Camp Skegness — Quicker By Rail
Butlin's Holidays — Wonderful To Look Forward To
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