[crashryan]

Spending most of my life in the US, I'd never heard of Butlins. Interesting that the story utilized a real commercial enterprise. I take it Butlins must have been the inspiration for the holiday camp in Tommy, especially the movie version ("It's all FREE, Ma!").

Link to the book: Super Detective Library 061 - The Toff at Butlin's

[The Australian Panther]

I'm Australian, so the concept is foreign to me, but I know that Playing music for dancers at Butlins was bread and butter for many musicians, including Ringo Starr who I believe had gigs there prior to his time in the Fab Four.  He co-starred with David Essex in two movies based on this experience, 'That'll be the day' and 'Stardust' both known for their soundtracks.A well-known english experience for those of a certain generation I believe.   
Link to the book: https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=74182

[paw broon]

For those poor souls who are in the dark about holiday camps, this movie might shed some light. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7apPKVCloSo
Filmed at (among other places) Butlins, Filey, Nth. Yorkshire.
There were a number of Butlins camps doted around the coast of the U.K.  There was another  group of camps, Pontins, and a number of individual camps. 
There's a Doctor Who story set in one, with Ken Dodd guesting - Delta and The Bannermen.
And I have to admit that I've never stayed in one!

[hoover]

I stayed at Butlins in Skegness in 1948 and 1949.  Don't remember much about it except that on part of the beach were still rusty spikes designed to stop German invasion.

For those wanting a light-hearted look at holiday camps I recommend that you have a look at some of the episodes from the first few series of 'Hi-de-Hi' which was a sitcom set in a camp.

hoover

[paw broon]

Oh yes, 'Hi-de-Hi' I'd forgotten about that.

[MarkWarner]

I only watch TV when I have my dinner, and it has now become a "project". Over a month or 2 I watched all the "Hi-de-Hi" back to back ... Very silly but good fun  (before that all "'Allo 'Allo" ... really enjoyed every "Lost In Space" and currently the working my way through the "A Team" just finishing series 2)

[Andrew999]

A Lost in Space boxset - now there's a thought for a great Christmas present!

"Danger Will Robinson!"