Once the butt of sitcom jokes, Butlins has re-invented itself for the 21st Century holiday camper. Lucy Richardson takes her family to test it out.

BREAKFAST with Bob the Builder, a dip in the pool, followed by a spin round a race track and front row seats at a pop concert. Just an average day for a four-year-old at Butlins.

Within the confines of three English coastal resorts, a tried and tested formula has produced a magical concoction. Whether visitors are one or 101, the legendary venue strives to create fun-filled days on practically any budget.

Until my husband and I decided to take our daughter, Maisy, to Butlins in Minehead, Somerset, for four nights, my only experience of a holiday camp was as an avid viewer of the Eighties’ sitcom Hi-de-Hi.

That, and stories my mother had told me of when she was taken to Butlins, in Skegness, by her parents as a child in the Fifites. As the oldest of three, she was forced to eat all her meals with strange families due to the “four to a table” restriction.

Not exactly one of her happiest memories, so when I told her where we were planning to go for our muchanticipated summer holiday, she scrunched up her nose in mock disgust.

Butlins may have retained its chalets, but it also has plush accommodation to rival a top boutique hotel.

We plumped for the silver dinner, bed and breakfast option last year, which, although we thoroughly enjoyed it, I would not choose again.

While our two-bed chalet was clean, but simple, I grew to dread eating with hundreds of others in the mass cafeteria that was more like a motorway service station.

The staff were fantastic and the food was freshly cooked, but the experience was nothing to write home about.

This year, we decided to try the Bognor Regis resort and stay in the Shoreline Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

Although more expensive, staying in a hotel made me feel that I was really on holiday this time. Our Columbus Quarters had a sea view with leather chairs, flat screen television and fridge.

The moment we walked into our room, Maisy’s eyes lit up as, not only did she have a bunk bed, but her own DVD player, too.

One of Butlins’ star attractions had a major impact on her last year and was one of the key factors in us deciding to return.

The Skyline Gang is the resort’s pop group, made up of five colourful characters who perform at least twice a day. After singing their catchy songs for a year, Maisy could not wait to become a groupie again.

Me neither.

The beauty of Butlins is that, once inside, most of the entertainment is free. For toddlers there are soft play areas, funfair rides, puppet shows, and regular shows by favourite characters, including Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina and Fireman Sam, and older children can explore beach sports and cinema listings.

The Splash Waterworld is one of the centre pieces at the Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness resorts with its flumes, wave machines and slides.

At night, the resort transforms from a playground into a premier nightspot. Along with pubs and bars, there are a variety of reasonably priced family restaurants for those staying in a hotel on site or in a selfcatering apartment.

Long gone are the days of being twirled around a dancefloor by an obliging Redcoat.

Top TV attractions this year include X Factor finalists and Britain’s Got Talent favourites, including the winner of the second series, George Sampson.

We have enjoyed two fabulous breaks at Butlins, the first mid-June and the second in early July, both out of the school holidays, and I would imagine it is much busier out of term-time.

My husband and I loved it, enjoying watching the never-ending delight on Maisy’s face, and for that, the experience was priceless.

We have never been anywhere else where from dawn until dusk, children are treated like the most important customers in the world.

We followed an daily itinerary of “must do” attractions, including a ballet class with Angelina Ballerina, a cuddle with Pingu, bowling and a sing-along with Dora the Explorer.

The Redcoats are more like children’s presenters than the sexy yellowcoats at fictitious Maplins, but maybe that’s why Butlins has survived more than 70 years. It may have downsized, but its resorts have moved with the times.

The BlueSkies timeshare apartments were launched in Minehead two years ago and the luxury Ocean Hotel was getting ready to open its doors in Bognor this summer.

The holiday camp stereotypes of Hi-de-Hi’s Ted Bovis and Gladys Pugh are as old-fashioned as a Hawaiian ballroom. I have no doubt that even my mother would be impressed.

For details, contact butlins.com or call 0845-0704734.