I went to Butlin’s new £2.5m attraction – a thrilling playground with six play zones and the UK’s longest swing

A £2.5MILLION playground has opened at a Butlin’s resort to make sure all its young guests have their share of fun.

The Skypark at its seaside centre in Minehead, Somerset, has been designed with inclusivity at the forefront.

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It means children of all abilities can play together and no youngster is left on the sidelines.

The playground features a 42-metre swingline – the longest in the UK – as well as a wheelchair-friendly seesaw and a wheelchair-accessible trampoline.

Young visitors can also enjoy a pair of intertwining slides, which light up as they zoom down, for an after-dark experience.

The Skypark has a section for kids up to the age of six and another for older ones, aged seven and above.

The playground is divided into six zones and each area is represented by a different colour to reflect the different “positive play emotions” including joy, calm, excitement, happiness, surprise and curiosity.

There are also sensory features and a Sound Domo, featuring sounds from nature, and peaceful areas for children to sit down.

Use of the playground is included in the price of a break or day pass, so guests won’t need to spend a penny.

Craig Goodwin, resort director at Butlin’s Minehead, said: “We believe it’s the UK’s most exciting playground.

"It’s absolutely transformed this corner of the resort into a truly inclusive playground filled with colour and light with fully accessible facilities and features.

“We’re always trying to be more inclusive and more accessible and that’s definitely something that we have been able to achieve here.

“Our guests are always looking for value for money, and things that are included in the cost of a break, so this ticks all of those boxes. It’s a fantastic facility.”

And while the children are letting off steam, the adults can keep an eye on them from the comfort of the Beachcomber Inn Terrace, which looks out on to the playground.

The revamped restaurant has been extended to provide a new terrace with outdoor seating.

Minehead is the largest of the three Butlin’s resorts – alongside Bognor Regis and Skegness sites – and the work is part of a £23million investment at the Somerset site this year.

This includes the renovation of 400 apartments, which were damaged by flooding in September 2023.

Craig added: “We’ve come a long way since the devastating floods last year.

‘Fast-paced’

“I am proud of all these new openings and what our resort has to offer our guests.

“Since completing the renovations, guest feedback for those staying in these units has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Butlin’s has a line-up of headline acts for the summer holidays, including The Masked Singer and children’s favourite Justin Fletcher, aka Mr Tumble.

TV host Stephen Mulhern will also be making regular appearances at all three sites –throughout the summer.

The Dancing On Ice presenter– who started his career as a Redcoat in Minehead – will be entertaining guests with his latest live show, Beyond Belief.

Mike Godolphin, entertainment director for Butlin’s, said: “This is a very fast-paced show.

“It’s a variety show, so there’s lots of magic, audience interaction and certainly lots of laughter.”