Start and build up your collection of Butlin's Minehead Postcards with eBay, here is some suggestions
The Yellow Camp using Butlins 2024 map
Positioned on the east side of the site, the yellow camp serves as the accommodation in the middle. With the help of Butlins' up-to-date map, you can pinpoint the original Yellow camp location in the highlighted area. This area showcased a combination of single and double-decker chalet designs. The Yellow Camp has a deep-rooted history in Butlins Minehead.
Taken from my 1967 Entertainment Guide
With my 1967 entertainment guide, we can observe the identical layout as mentioned earlier, displaying the yellow camp name. Chalets labeled A to O are single-story chalets, indicating that these chalet rooms only have one level. On the other hand, P to ZO are double-decker chalets, signifying that there are two stories of chalet rooms. Additionally, there are four rows ascending behind the number 12 building, which were also part of the Yellow camp.
Look at the map and you'll find a black circle with the number 10 at the top of the row. This is where "The Ironing Facilities" room is located. According to my 1967 entertainment guide, it was open every day from 10.00 to 12.30 and then from 14.00 to 17.00, so it was always staffed.
This photo is amazing and shows you the Yellow Camp double-decker chalets.
An excellent photo shared by Jane shows the former Yellow Camp as the cable car/chair lift comes towards the rear of the camp. Featured in this photo is the ski slope, which is now caravans as of 2024
Showing the map from the 1974 Entertainment Guide
The 1974 entertainment guide shows that the ironing facilities are now called the launderette. It's the sole spot on the campsite where guests can do their laundry, and surprisingly, it's situated among the chalets.
In this photo, you can see the launderette at the Yellow Camp, which was the only option for customers at that time. Positioned in row B within Yellow Camp, the launderette operated for several years before being transformed into chalet rooms. This screenshot is from the Johnsons Family Archives, and the link is provided below the photo.
Mitch, David and Elizabeth Untold Story Photo
Not until June 23, 2024, did Mitch from my Butlins Story Facebook group share his collection of Butlins photos. The collection is featured in Butlins Untold Stories and includes a photo of the Launderette building with Mitch's grandparents, Elizabeth and David Black.
David worked in the boiler room and Elizabeth had worked in the Nursery for a few years and then worked in the Launderette.
In this photo from my collection, you can see the exit/entrance to the cable cars which would return back to the front of the camp. The chalet lines in this photo are the former Yellow Camp.
In this marvellous photo from my collection, you can see the double-decker chalet lines of the Yellow camp. The miniature railway shown here is in its second location however not its last.
Memories from members of the Butlins Memorabilia group, click on the photo to see more
Was always in yellow camp nannies as they were called on bikes and would patrol the chalets you had to fill in a slip at the nursery to tell them where you would be if your children woke up Nanny reported where it was and it would be announced wherever you were Baby crying in Yellow camp and the chalet number .when we first started going to Butlins early 70s it was like Hi di Hi you had an early morning call there was a tannoy in the chalet Morning Campers
Taken from Mark's 1980 brochure
Taken from Mark's 1980 brochure
Taken from Mark's 1980 brochure
Taken from Mark's 1980 brochure
Taken from Mark's 1980 brochure
Taken from my 1974 Entertainment Guide
The Entertainment Guide continued in 1974 with the Do's and Don'ts of staying at Butlin's Minehead. Some of these rules remain in the current version of Butlins to this day.
Showing the map from the 1985 Entertainment Guide
The 1985 entertainment guide displays a clear image of the Yellow camp, providing an idea of the size of this area. The Launderette, located at number 17, was closed on Saturdays.
You'll notice the map displays a black circle with the number 17 at the top of the row, indicating the location of the "Launderette" room. According to my 1985 entertainment guide, it was open daily from 09:00 to 20:00, with the last wash at 19:15, except on Saturdays when it was closed.
1986
Butlins experienced major changes as the owners made large investments in the beloved brand. They reduced the number of camps to five and Butlins Minehead was renamed Butlin's Somerwest World. The camps were completely revamped to fit into Butlins' new era.
Shared by Nigel on my Facebook Minehead group
In 1986, Butlins underwent significant changes when the Rank organization invested in creating the Butlins Holiday Worlds era. One of the changes was the renaming of the Yellow Camp to "Yellowstone Park." The renaming was still the same location as the start of the camp's creation with only a new name given to the chalets.
Showing the map from the 1987 Entertainment Guide
Merely a year until we see the alterations in the former Yellow camp. After the Butlins Minehead camp was inaugurated, the individual chalets in the yellow camp have been rebranded as Beechwood, except for two. An interesting note is that the last two remaining single-decker chalets are still known as Yellowstone Park.
Showing the map from the 1988 Entertainment Guide
As you can see in this map from the 1988 entertainment guide, you can see that two single decker chalets still remain as Yellowstone park. I found this to be quite strange as it would of made sense (for me) to call them Beechwood.
Personal photo from 2021
From my personal photo, you can see the exact location of the single decker chalets and where the double-deckers begin. The single decker in the photo used to be one of the two Yellow stone chalets before being transformed into Beechwood.
Showing the map from the 1989 Entertainment Guide
Butlin's Minehead has undergone a transformation with the renovation of the old Yellow camp into the new Exmoor village. The double-deckers at the back were demolished to make way for this new design. The buildings now feature a mix of two and three stories, with two chalet rooms on each floor. Despite the changes, four double-decker accommodations were preserved and now serve as self-catering chalets. The remaining four double-deckers were rebranded as Beechwood, along with the two single-chalet deckers. The keys for Exmoor Village are easily recognizable with a yellow background (a reference to the Yellow Camp) indicating the chalet number and location.
Personal photo from 2022
I captured this picture in 2022, revealing the spot where the four double-deckers stood and the site of the newly constructed village. It's worth mentioning that the new village is painted yellow, paying homage to the old Yellow Camp. The name of this area has been updated, as indicated below.
Showing the map from the 1990 Entertainment Guide
In the 1990 entertainment program's map, you can see the updated layout with the former yellow camp now being shown as blue. It's interesting to note that the Exmoor village at the back is still depicted as yellow, a reference to its former name, Yellow Camp.
1991 Brochure (Mark's Collection)
This photo gives you a glimpse of a new accommodation at Butlins Minehead. There were two places that resembled this - Exmoor Village (seen above) and Somerset Village, located at the back of the main reception.
Butlins become resorts - copyright to Butlins
Butlins saw significant changes when the Rank Organisation, the owner at the time, opted to close all hotels and keep only three locations operational. Minehead was one of the selected spots to continue the Butlin's legacy, with all accommodations being renamed. The term "camps" was replaced with "resorts."
Showing the map from the 1999 Entertainment Guide
Butlins underwent significant changes in 1999, including a name change to Butlins Entertainment Resorts. The former Yellow camp also saw major transformations, with the former Exmoor village now known as Oyster Bay. The double-decker accommodation, Beechwood, was renamed Atlantic Bay, while the single-decker accommodation, formerly Beechwood, is now Pacific Wharf. Oyster Bay still features the yellow color scheme.
Personal Photo 2022
This image, taken by me in 2022, displays the double-decker in the yellow camp that later became Yellowstone, Beechwood, and Atlantic Bay. Despite alterations to the painting and structure over time, the block has remained consistent, with the balcony depicted in the photo. These double-deckers used to stretch to the back of the camp, facing the caravans (now Oyster Bay).
Personal Photo 2022
I took this photo in 2022, showing the single-story housing for Yellow Camp, which was later called Beechwood and then Pacific Wharf. The chalets in all rows except the last two were originally Beechwood until Exmoor Village was constructed, at which point they all became part of Beechwood. The photo has been updated with new paint and double glazing, but the layout remains unchanged from the Yellow Camp era.
This photo is really important because it shows the original design of the chalet build and includes markers that campers can use to find their accommodation. Specifically, the yellow circle with the letter Q and the faded large circle on the side were used for this purpose. Finding your way was easy: just follow the signs on the ground in your village until you reach this large marker on the side.
On the left-hand side, there's a launderette with staff chalets upstairs and stores at the bottom. On the right-hand side, you'll find the Oyster Bay Village.
This photo shows you the launderette building demolished and replaced with plants and a small bridge. The Oyster Bay chalets are the very same ones you have seen in the previous photo
This lovely photo was taken on the pathway that leads to the side of the former launderette building. If you walk down the middle of this pathway, you'll see the supermarket. You'll also find the former cable car/chairlift building pathway.
In 2014, the symbols were still present on the side of the former Exmoor village, with the original colours still visible. On the right-hand side, you can see the Atlantic Bay chalets, which were previously known as Beechwood.
This is the same location as the first photo
This photo shows you here the new village started and where the double-deckers remained.
This photo shows you here the new village started and where the double-deckers remained.
I have to say that I was so very pleased to see this middle pathway removed.
