Butlin’s Skegness Expansion: A 2026 Guide to the £150M Resort Makeover
April 11, 2026, will mark exactly 90 years since Sir Billy Butlin opened the gates to his first-ever resort in Skegness. If you haven’t visited the Lincolnshire coast recently, you might still picture chalet lines and knobbly knees contests. You would be mistaken.
Driven by a massive £150 million capital investment programme across its three UK sites, the Butlin’s Skegness expansion has transformed the site from a traditional holiday camp into a modern premium resort. With the launch of the £12 million Maple Walk village, a £2.5 million inclusive playground, and a permanent upgrade to its entertainment venues, the “home of entertainment” is unrecognizable compared to just five years ago.
Whether you are a family planning an Easter 2026 getaway or a group of friends booking a Big Weekender, this guide breaks down every aspect of the expansion, and whether the new premium price tag is worth it.
Maple Walk Village: The New Standard for Skegness Premium Lodges
The centrepiece of the recent investment is undoubtedly Maple Walk, a dedicated village of 128 premium lodges that opened in May 2024. Butlin’s has positioned this as a “peace and quiet” zone, distinct from the high-energy buzz of the main resort.
Inside the Lodges: Luxury vs. Practicality
These aren’t your standard static caravans. Manufactured by Willerby, the new Butlin’s premium lodges are built to the “Willerby GreEN Standard.” For the eco-conscious traveller, this matters: the lodges consume up to 28% less energy than standard models. This means better temperature control during those chilly Lincolnshire Octobers and less guilt about the carbon footprint of your stay.
The interiors reflect a shift towards self-catering luxury. Each detached unit features:
- Integrated Appliances: Including the “Big Weekender” holy grail, a full-sized dishwasher.
- Private Decking: A dedicated outdoor space with furniture, separated from the communal walkways.
- W-Fi & Connectivity: High-speed internet is standard, addressing a long-standing complaint about connectivity in older accommodation blocks.
Experience Sidebar: The “Dishwasher Debate”
If you are a veteran Big Weekender guest, you know the pain of the “Sunday morning cleanup” in a Silver apartment. The addition of integrated dishwashers in Maple Walk lodges fundamentally changes the final day. You can load up after breakfast and head to the checkout without the frantic scrubbing. It sounds minor, but for families and large groups, it’s a game-changer.
Location Strategy: How Far is the Walk?
A common concern with new expansions is distance. Is Maple Walk miles away from the action?
The Verdict: No. The village is situated on the perimeter of the resort but remains highly accessible. It is approximately a 5-minute walk to the Skyline Pavilion.
Pro-Tip: The “Pig & Whistle” Shortcut
Maple Walk is strategically located near the Pig & Whistle pub. If you are staying here, you have a “local” right on your doorstep for pre-show drinks, saving you from fighting the crowds at the Centre Stage bars immediately.
SKYPARK Skegness: More Than Just a Playground
Opened in April 2023, Butlin’s Skegness SKYPARK represents a £2.5 million investment into what the company calls “the UK’s most exciting playground.” Crucially, this isn’t just a slide and a swing set; it is an engineered zone designed for sensory inclusivity.
Accessibility in Action: The “Heart Line” Design
The playground is divided into six zones based on positive play emotions: Joy, Happiness, Excitement, Surprise, Curiosity, and Calm. Connecting them all is the “Heart Line,” a pulse-monitor style pathway designed to be fully wheelchair accessible.
Key features include:
- The Tower of Excitement: A 14-metre climbing tower providing panoramic views of the coast.
- Interactive Seesaw: At 24 metres, it is the longest in the UK and allows children of all physical abilities to play together.
- Sensory Towers: Low-level, tactile equipment in the “Calm” zone for children who may get overwhelmed by traditional noise-heavy playgrounds.
Night-time Illumination: The After-Dark Strategy
Most holiday park playgrounds become dead zones after 5 PM. SKYPARK flips this logic. The towers and slides are fitted with intricate lighting systems that turn the area into a visual spectacle at night.
Experience Tip: The 6 PM “Sweet Spot”
During peak school holidays, SKYPARK is packed from 10 AM to 4 PM. However, many families head to dinner or the early shows around 5:30 PM. If you visit SKYPARK during the “Illumination” phase (6 PM – 8 PM), the 10-metre light-up tube slide often has zero queues, and the lighting effects make for incredible holiday photos.
The 2026 Entertainment Revolution: Studio 36 Goes Permanent
During the pandemic, Butlin’s erected “Studio 36”, a massive, temporary structure designed to allow for social distancing during shows. In a significant move confirmed for the Butlin’s investment 2024-2026 cycle, Studio 36 has been upgraded to a permanent venue.
Why the Permanent Venue Matters for Guests
This isn’t just a marquee anymore. The venue now boasts air-conditioning/heating, permanent toilet facilities (no more portacabins), and a fully integrated bar foyer. With a capacity of over 1,600, it rivals many regional theatres.
The Audio Upgrade: One of the biggest complaints about the temporary structure was sound bleed. The permanent retrofit includes soundproofing and acoustic treatment, meaning the bass from the Big Weekender DJ sets stays inside the venue, while the clarity for live vocal acts is drastically improved.
90th Anniversary Highlights: What’s on in 2026?
If you are booking for 2026, you are arriving during the “90 Years of Fun” celebration. Butlin’s has confirmed a slate of exclusive events for the anniversary year:
- April 11, 2026 (The Big Day): A massive firework and laser display is confirmed to launch at 19:36 (marking the year 1936) on the main resort.
- Headline Acts: The 2026 roster includes Diversity, The Masked Singer Live, and for wrestling fans, Maximum Pro Wrestling.
- Adult Weekenders: A new “Country Weekender” has been added for 2026, alongside the return of the legendary Bugged Out dance weekend after a 10-year hiatus.
Comparing the Costs: Is the Expansion Driving Up Prices?
The Butlin’s Skegness expansion has undeniably pushed the resort upmarket. But does the new Maple Walk village offer value for money compared to the traditional apartments?
Here is a quick comparison for a typical 4-night mid-week break:
| Feature | Maple Walk (Premium Lodge) | Gold Apartment | Silver Room |
| Space | Detached (No neighbours above/below) | Apartment Block | Terrace / Block |
| Outdoor Space | Private Decking | Shared Balcony/Patio | None |
| Kitchen | Full (inc. Dishwasher) | Full (No Dishwasher) | Limited / None |
| Parking | 2 Dedicated Spaces | Main Car Park | Main Car Park |
| Best For | Families wanting quiet / Mixed Groups | Social Families | Budget Travellers |
Common Mistake: Ignoring the “Low Deposit”
Many guests assume the Premium Lodges are out of reach. However, Butlin’s 2026 strategy relies heavily on early bookings. They currently offer a low deposit scheme (often around £5-£25 per person) that allows you to lock in Maple Walk prices before the 90th-anniversary demand spikes prices in late 2025.
Sustainability and Local Impact: The £150m Legacy
The expansion isn’t just about guest experience; it’s a vital economic engine for Lincolnshire. The Maple Walk project alone created 50 permanent jobs in Skegness, moving away from the seasonal “hire-and-fire” model often seen in coastal tourism.
Furthermore, the shift to the Willerby GreEN Standard lodges aligns with a broader industry push for sustainable tourism. By reducing energy consumption by 28%, Butlin’s is future-proofing the resort against rising energy costs—savings that, hopefully, keep ticket prices stable for guests in the long run.
The Verdict on the “New” Skegness
The days of “Hi-de-Hi” are long gone. The Butlin’s Skegness expansion has successfully repositioned the resort as a serious contender in the UK staycation market, rivalling the likes of Center Parcs for facility quality while maintaining its unique high-energy entertainment focus.
For 2026, the value proposition is clear: if you want the nostalgia of the 90th anniversary combined with modern luxury, the Maple Walk lodges are the way to go. Just remember to book your entertainment slots on the app the second they open, because with Studio 36 now a permanent powerhouse, the headline acts will fill up faster than ever.
Planning your 2026 break? Check availability for Maple Walk before the 90th-anniversary April peak, spaces are already limited.
About the Author
