Billy Butlin established the famed Butlin brand of sizable coastal resorts in the UK in 1936 to offer affordable vacations for common British families. Ten camps, including one in Ireland and one in the Bahamas, were created between 1936 and 1966, with the first site being established in Skegness. In the 1970s and 1980s, the corporation also ran several sizable hotels, including one in Spain, many smaller vacation parks in England and France, and a rotating restaurant in London's Post Office Tower.

Butlin's has survived and thrived despite competition from foreign package tour providers and shifting demand. Three of the original camps are still operating today in Bognor Regis, Minehead, and Skegness under the Butlins brand. Butlins Skyline Ltd., which is fully owned by the Harris Family Trust, is the company that owns and operates these resorts. The resorts provide a range of lodging choices, from basic rooms to premium apartments, to suit various tastes and price ranges.

The extensive choice of entertainment and recreational options offered by Butlin's Resorts is well-known. Each resort has a sizable indoor waterpark, multiple sporting events, coaching, and entertainment options. Playgrounds, a supervised arts and crafts area, a kid-sized funfair, and a nursery are available for younger visitors. It was revealed in 2022 that Butlins had been sold back to one of the original founding families of Bourne Leisure for £300 million by the Blackstone Group, which had acquired the resort in 2021. This is evidence of Butlin's brand's ongoing popularity and toughness.