New book to celebrate Butlin's 80th birthday

Written by historian and author Kathryn Ferry, The Nation's Host: Butlin's and the story of the British Seaside is a unique look into the history of a company long synonymous with the British seaside holiday.

A remarkable and unique look into the history of a company long synonymous with the British seaside holiday. Lavishly illustrated with never before seen images from the Butlin's archive, this is a celebration of 80 years of Britain’s favourite seaside retreats.

In 1936, with the opening of his first holiday camp in Skegness, Billy Butlin laid the foundations for a new era in the history of the British seaside.

The Nation's Host charts the incredible inside story of Butlin's, from its origins in a British society still reeling from the economic downturn of the 1920s, to its heyday in the mid-twentieth century and the challenges posed by the arrival of overseas package holidays.

From travelling showman to entrepreneur, Billy Butlin’s remarkable success lay in offering affordable luxury wrapped in a package of all-inclusive accommodation, meals and high quality entertainment.

Butlin provided something for every member of the family and took the lead in transforming expectations around what it meant to holiday at home by the sea.

Featuring timeless imagery from the Butlin's archives, the book offers a remarkable and unique insight into the history of a company long synonymous with the British seaside holiday.

Author Kathryn Ferry is an accomplished historian and author with a PhD from the University of Cambridge. Ferry specialises in seaside history, design and culture and has previously published books on topics including the evolution of the British seaside holiday, beach huts, holiday camps and bungalows.

Butlin’s has a long history of supporting and fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital, stretching back to as early as 1938, and will continue to support by donating a percentage of each book sale to the children’s charity.