Butlins Minehead Then & Now Part 3 of 4 

Just came back from a week at Butlins Minehead. I’ve been going for over 26 years, the old sunsplash swimming pool is still there! It’s still running and in working order. There’s so much space in that building is unreal that they don’t use it it’s the same with the other buildings though, where the cinema is and the main reception building. So Much unused space that they could use. Me and mum managed to check out the old pool and the space in that building, thinking of going back in October and will do more exploring and will upload a video. Also, a lot of the buildings and chalets are original here. Also noticed from wondering about looking for old gems that the chair lifts that were there, that I loved as kid the electric box I guess that powered them and the thing they used for the chairlift wire is still there behind the old everydays shop near the redcoat buildings. The little squares where the monorail once stood are still visible on the grounds. As soon as Bourne whoever they are got involved the magic was stripped away. I still loved the week there and felt as if I was 9 again! And felt very sad to leave. The magic is still there but not as much as it was when we were all young. I don’t know why they can’t bring back some of these things we all loved. The pool could be utilised and done up, such a shame and so very sad. I did feel very sad there and happiness, I’m really hopeful though considering a lot of them bright colourful colours are back so maybe they’ll do something in the future, one can only dream. It does make you question why they still have all these things? Maybe they’ll invest and bring back those magical things we all loved and cherished .

I loved the monorail, the chairlifts & the Beachcomber Bar the best.

Absolutely gutted that the monorail was demolished. That was one of my fondest memories of Minehead during my childhood. Screw this!

Fantastic series - brought back some wonderful memories and can see now where things used to be in our photos of our holidays now with our daughter in the skyline. Thanks for posting!

Butlins lost its magic when the big tents came.

yes remember playing in that fountain back in the 70s i used to call it a wedding cake fountain

Had some fab holidays there in the early eighties, and met some lovely people, even went swimming in the boating lake!

I stayed at Minehead a few times in the late 1960s and very early 1970s, so remember the monorail (in white and blue livery) ('heartbroken to see one carriage half-embedded in concrete here), the chairlift, outdoor pool with the paddling pool fountains and the lake (not forgetting the steam train, 'Beachcomber Bar' and indoor pool with vines and parrots overhead). I also remember a theatre and cinema. All long gone. Childhood holidays were much more exciting back then! Some odd things stick in my mind, too - I was strangely fascinated by machines outside the shop that dispensed waxed cartons of mild into a drawer at the base (a novelty as we, like most people, always had our milk delivered in glass bottles at home) and waste paper 'bins' that looked like toadstools and that sucked the rubbish in through a round hole in the stem! Outside the camp, Minehead itself and Dunster (with its castle) were also worth a visit.

I loved this walk down memory lane. I worked as a lifeguard in the Oasis and Sunsplash from 91-96 and me and the old lifeguard boys are having a 20 year reunion at Somerwest World in November. Its going bto be great to see everyone again.

When i used to go as a kid in the early 80,s the pond had some decent fish in it big carp , never caught one had a few tench but on the hot days you could see them basking , there were loads of perch in there as well .

Found this good for memories , but depressing to see it's all gone can anyone tell me which one had the trampolines in the ground xx

in Great Yarmouth, on Britannia pier they have an Arabian derby that still plays the music in this clip. :) x

I would just love to ride the monorail and chairlift, 2 of the best things

worked in the italn resturant in 90 91 92 loved it!

@ellieingorleston Hi there. The old Sunsplash pool (which was originally just a plain indoor heated swimming pool with underwater viewing windows is sitll there upstairs in the Regency building. If you ask one of the long serving staff nicely they might let you have a look. To view the underwater viewing windows you'll have to ask one of the funfair maintenance people.

The old pool is still full of water because it supplies the fire sprinklers throughout the Regency building and skyline, and I think even beyond that and into the Gaiety and Princes buildings too!

It seems as if the Skyline Pavilion is where the heated outdoor pool with the fountain and monorail used to be. I also remember the derby music towards the end.

very sad to see an old monorail just cemented into the ground.

@mowerben9 It is the tune played on the Arabian Derby / Kentucky Derby games that used to be in all the Butlins funfairs. Skegness still has one in the skyline, but it no longer plays the music.

Oh how sad to the monorail in its grave yard ... Gone are Red coats nobblyknees competions donkey rides. Butins a shell of its self

@ellieingorleston As for the monorail, it's at Minehead first school. Ahh, the memories! Are you going to the 75th anniversary break in March? They're bringing back a lot of the old entertainment and stuff for that so I can't wait! 28th March - 1st April 2011, but you do need to be a Premier Club member to be eligible to attend.

So much gone and not for the best. This now looks sp depressing. Who in their right mind would take the family on holiday here ?? So sad !!

the monorail was scapped.

Ellie, the outdoor funpool is where the skyline pavillion is and the indoor old funpool is still here today (abandoned) and is located on the upper floor of the princes building - the one closest to reception and front car park. I think you can get in through the metal stairs at the side of the building by the entrance of the skyline.

I bet butlins was better back in the day, as we went there this month and after 3 days it was getting boring showing the same thing over and over, 7 days was just to much

I was in Minehead butlins when Elvis died, has anyone got any photos from then

i used to work the derby in 95 for rank.

im sorry to bother you but this is really troubleing me where is the indoor funpool/heated pool nowadays and why cant people use it at first i fort it was splash but i no its not it might be hidden away somewhere i would love to check it out sometime what building is it now please reply some 1 many thanks x and allso to add to this where is the monorail abandoned as i would love to go and see it

That pool was manly

whats the song called on 7:33

they ruined butlins.....simple

Manky