I start my story of Butlin's at my former home in North London. The estate was called Tyrellway in a place called West Hendon. Sadly, the estate and photo above are no longer here as it was demolished for a regeneration project. I remember that I would stare out of my bedroom window to see the traffic go by and wonder about any news about our next trip to Butlin's.
I would often daydream about that lovely location and never wanted it to stop as I loved it so very much. It was that one day when I and my brother would hear in a loud voice "MARK AND ROBERT (my brother), COME DOWN STAIR TO THE LIVING ROOM PLEASE". We wondered what was wrong as we got down to the living room to see my mum (Annette) and my dad (Paul) sitting down waiting for us to arrive.
I would stare at them to see if there were any clues as to why they wanted us here as I hoped for the news that I wanted to hear. Mum would look at us and say in a calm tone "so we have to tell you boys something and it will involve you doing a lot of chores" It was at this stage that I was thinking so very hard "please, please and please be Butlins" with a smile on my mothers face, she would say "you need to save up for pocket money as we have paid to go to Butlins"
The excitement that went through me is hard to explain but if I was to put it into words, I believe "YIPPEE!!" would be a good way to explain it. Racing back up to my room, I would look out that very window again and think "hahaha, I am going to Butlin's Somerwest World and you lot are not!" It was at this very moment that I would find it hard to think about anything else as I wished for the nights to pass very quickly. I wanted the first day here and now! Operation "Save Butlins pocket money" was in operation.
Anything that needed to be done was never challenged by me as I did everything I could to say for the pocket money I needed for our break away to Butlin's. Every night, I would think about the camp I loved so very much and what new areas might be planned this year. I would picture every moment of the break that was to come and the enjoyment of being there. I would see the chalets with me sleeping in the beds and waking up to the camp of excitement.
As each day got closer and closer, so did my excitement about the holiday. I was able to hide this excitement away from others, however, deep down my mind was in a party mood and high excitement. I just could not stop thinking about Butlin's as I wanted to be there today. Each day passes and the excitement would grow as I found it harder and harder to concentrate on anything else.
On the last night, I would look out the window and see the moon in the night sky. I found it so very hard to sleep that night as the joy of going to my second home was so very hard to contain within me. I knew that I needed to sleep however, my mind had other plans as I could not stop thinking about my Butlin's adventure. Eventually, I would go to sleep and hope that the night would go pass very quickly.
It's a new morning as I wake up to look out the window as I just start to realize...
IT'S BUTLINS DAY!!
I got out of bed as quickly as possible and dress up in new clothes that our parents got us. Brushing my teeth, I raced down the stairs to see my parents doing what is needed for our journey. I did everything that I was told to do. When it came to the moment we waited outside, I would look around the area and think that I was the world's luckiest boy and that everyone wanted to be in my position. The door would close behind me as my mum and dad would say "let's get going, we need to be ready for that train to Butlin's, come on boys".
Each journey to Butlin's would be different as we could either be using the London Underground, a cab or via a friend who is giving us a lift. No matter the method of the journey to Paddington Station, the memory was always the same. I would always look at the people as we went by and would think to myself "hahaha, I am off to Butlin's Somerwest World and you are all stuck here, I am so very lucky". Getting closer and closer, we would eventually drive into the station when there used to be a drive-through at the time. Going onto the main area of the station, I would smell the fumes and the sounds of the trains. I wanted to get on them straight away as the excitement level increased greatly. Following my parent's instructions, we would make our way to an area where we would wait to see our train appear on the display.
I would keep an eye on the board that had all the information about our train "which one dad?" "it's the 09:59 one", well maybe not that time but he would tell us "keep an eye on it Mark and get ready to go when its time". I remember looking around and thinking "they are all going to the same place as me, I need to make sure I get my seat as I want to make sure that I get there first". As I looked up at the board, I waited patiently for the board to flip over and tell us the platform. I was so very impatience at this time as I would hear the device flap over to show you the number "that's it, let's go!" We raced down the platform to our coach, which was always coach D as that was the smoking car (my dad smokes).
Arriving at the coach where the seats were reserved, I would look around to see my dad and mum walking towards us slowly. Inside my mind, I was shouting "HURRY UP" as I was convinced the train was going to leave now. As we go inside, we place the cases into the location supplied and sat down in our seats. The excitement was extremely high at this point as I would look to the platform and think "come on, move, what is the holdup?"
Wanting the train to start moving, I would see other people getting onto the train and thought "more people coming to Butlins with me, so many want to join us" Then the magic happened as the loud noise of the engine started and the train starts to move slowly. The platform was starting to disappear as my excitement grew much larger as I knew the journey to my second home was on happening, here and now.
The train was moving as I would see London starting to disappear from view as the countryside starts to replace the view. As the green grass shows off its pure beauty, I would start to love the feeling of working towards my second home. I made sure that I listened to all the announcements on the train "oh, only five stops until we get to Taunton" I would check the time and keep the count of each station. My mum and dad had always packed a feast for us for our journey to Butlins.
There were card games to play and we were allowed to go to the window if we wished at the doorway but we were not allowed to stick our heads out, it was very dangerous to do and never recommended to any person. I remember the wind hitting my face at an angle as I closed my eyes and enjoy the noise of the train and the feel of the fresh air from the countryside. Opening my eyes, I could see the fields as I knew I was truly in heaven, it's such a lovely feeling to have. Below is a video I made in 2014, showing you the feeling of the travel you see above.
Here is a video I made in 2014, showing you a similar feeling to the moment I had when I went to Butlin's Somerwest World in the 90's. Every time I do a trip like this to Taunton, this moment never changes and remains with me for many days to come.
It's a moment in time that I realize there is no pressure, no worries with just calm and mother nature showing me that there is more to life. As I am a fan of trains, it will come as no surprise to my friends I know personally that this was a very special moment for me.
Sitting down on my seat, we would continue with our family activity until we got the ten-minute announcement (I use to call it this) saying "The next station is Taunton". Oh my, I am actually getting excited now thinking about my feelings at this very moment. I would do anything that my mum and dad instructed us to do as the train starts to pull into Taunton station.
Standing on the platform, I remember looking around and feeling so very happy with being in the station knowing it was only a matter of time until I got to my second home. My mum and dad would check that they had everything that was needed for the next part of the journey. With a large noise, we hear the train engines starting up as the train starts to depart. As the train leaves the station, I would see the other families on the other platform.
They never looked happy as I thought "hahaha, I am going to Butlin's and you have just come from there". It never occurred to me that they might be going on a holiday or some of them were not even from Butlin's. However, to me, every person there was from Butlin's and was going home. Looking around, I take a deep breath and could only feel the magic in the air. The sun was shining as there was only one part remaining for my journey to be completed.
Mum and dad would then take us to the exit of the station and just outside was a special bus service that was available for the customers going to Butlin's. This was a direct bus from Taunton to Butlin's with no stops and was a double-decker green bus. The bus was already paid for as it was part of the travel plans as my dad would show the documents. All our luggage was taken to the back of the bus where there were members of staff at the emergency door. They would place it on the seats at the back on the ground floor and kept a close eye on how many customers they were allowed on.
Getting on to the bus, we would go upstairs and find a seat to sit down on. The bus was often very hot and most times, not very clean. However, we did not care too much about this as I looked out the window to see how many more people were getting on. There were moments when I had seen the train arriving at the station as I thought "come on, get moving!" as I really wanted to be there as soon as possible. Sitting the bus had only confirmed that I was in the final stages of my journey as my excitement was getting too much to handle.
The bus started to move as my excitement was so very hard to handle at this point. As we come out of the station, we take the right-hand turn towards the lovely town of Minehead. It was hot, the sun was shining but I did not care as the bus would work its way along the road. I would keep a close eye on the areas to give me an idea of how far I was to my second home.
There were many times when there was a person waiting at a bus stop putting their hand out with the driver not stopping. Sometimes, the crowd would cheer inside as many people love the feeling of being a special customer on route to Butlin's. It was near the end that you heard the excitement level in the bus increase as we had all seen that iconic landmark, Dunster Castle. This is where the story can split into two areas as I have memories of both.
The original route, via the top of the town
The bus would originally travel to the top of the town, where we had seen many houses until we reached the top of Minehead. I knew at this moment in time that I was there finally there and just at the bottom of this road was my favorite place. As the bus got closer to the bottom, we had all seen the sea and beach. So many of us would look in amazement as we said "wow, look at that" but for me, I was looking for that moment that would make me smile.
As we went around that corner, it was there and its pure beauty to see as it waiting for me to arrive. The Butlin's flags and the entrance were showing off its beautiful image as the excitement level was no longer controllable. I just wanted the bus to stop so I could get off and see my home.
The shorter route, cut through
I am unsure when they changed the way you could get to Butlin's and the bottom half of Minehead by creating a road that made it shorter to get to the location. The feeling was still the same with less start time to see my second home.
One thing is for sure...the place I love so very much was in front of me and the closest image I have to show you this is below
The photo above is from a postcard that I own, which is published by Golden shield (you can see more Somerwest World postcards by clicking on these words) and it shows you one of the key moments that I have on my mind with every visit that I make to Butlins. I know it's changed but this is all I can see at all times. The bus has one last task as the driver takes us into the main reception area and I could not wait until I got off. As I went down the stairs, the excitement and happiness were very hard to not be shown as I smiled so very much. Getting off and touching the ground, I could hear the excitement from the Sunsplash swimming pool and the smell of the sea air hitting me.
The only way to explain this moment is that I had zoned out and that I was truly at home. The joy is very hard to explain but I can tell you that I was not the same person who was in London, here...in Butlin's, I am who I want to be.
And to think, this is only the journey! I do hope this story of my special moment is something similar to how you felt about your Butlin's moment that helps spark that smile.
Thank you for reading my story, I hope it helps spark that memory.
