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The new Playxperience will be a fantastic addition to the area, but the memories and experiences gained at the Crazy Horse Saloon will always hold a special place in my heart. The Crazy Horse Saloon, my favourite club in Butlin's Minehead, was unfortunately demolished (from within) in 2023 to make way for the new Playxperience, which will offer a wide range of exciting activities. This page showcases the rich history of this amazing location, along with my photos and videos.
From my postcard collection
The Regency, an entertainment building located near the west entrance, was included in the new camp opened in Somerset, Minehead in 1962. As stated in an entertainment guide from 1967, the Regency housed the following:
Downstairs: Old Time Ballroom, Regency coffee bar, Regency bar and Neptune bar.
Upstairs: The heated indoor pool, Bingo lounge and Coffee bar.
1967 Entertainment guide showing the Regency Building
The opening hours of the Regency Bar and coffee bar in 1967 were specific and limited. The Regency Bar was open from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, then from 5 pm to 6:30 pm, and finally from 7:30 pm until closing time. The coffee bar had even more limited hours, namely from 8 am to 9:15 am, then from 10 am to 12:30 pm, followed by 2:30 pm to 6 pm, and lastly from 8:30 pm to 1 am. The Regency Kiosk, located in the building, was open from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to midnight. It was the perfect spot to enjoy a morning cup of tea or coffee. The shop also offered affordable vacuum flasks for campers who wanted to take hot beverages to their chalets.
1967 Entertainment guide showing the Regency Building
Entertainment at the Regency began promptly at 11:15 with a half-hour session of 'Dancing Instruction' in the ballroom, followed by 'Old Time Dancing' later in the day.In the evening, campers were treated to the captivating 'Old Time Dancing' performances by Reg Howard. Gender-segregated competitions were also held in the bar.
1975 Entertainment guide showing the Regency Building
The Regency building underwent minor name changes in 1975.
On the ground floor, visitors can enjoy the Regency coffee bar, Regency Show Bar, Sundae bar, and the Griddle bar.
Upstairs, guests can find a heated indoor swimming pool, a coffee lounge, a lounge bar, and an old-time ballroom.
Dancing at Butlin's Minehead was divided into two categories: Dancing instruction and Ballroom banding. The Regency building was the perfect place to learn Old-time, modern, and Latin dances. Ballroom dancing classes are held at the Prince building for various modern dance styles. The classes run from 10:30 am until midday and include expert instruction in Latin, old-time, and modern dancing, confidently led by the highly experienced Sally Bolt.
1982 Entertainment guide showing the Regency Building
The 1982 entertainment guide advertises Dancing as a holiday highlight. The Prince building offers beat, party, and modern strict tempo dancing, while the Regency Ballroom features both old-time and modern sequence dancing. The entertainment guide features a variety of activities throughout the day. Old-time dancing and Sequence are available from 11 a.m. until midday, followed by cash bingo in the Regency lounge bar from 2:15 until 5 p.m. In the evening, the Regency lounge bar hosts a family disco and dancing, while the ballroom offers old-time and sequence dancing.
1988 Entertainment guide showing the Sunsplash building
According to the 1988 entertainment guide, the building is named 'Sunsplash' and houses several amenities, including the Wessex bar, Candy bar, News shop, Fancy dress hire, and Wessex coffee bar on the
Downstairs: Wessex bar, Candy bar, News shop, Fancy dress hire and Wessex coffee bar
Upstairs: Sunsplash swimming pool, coffee bar, Gino Ginelli ice cream bar and Busby's disco
1988 Entertainment guide showing the Sunsplash list
The Sunsplash swimming pool is open every day from 10am and with numbers controlled during busy times. At 12.30 pm, the Wessex room would have meet the Redcoats and learned about the exciting events planned for the week, starting from Saturday. In the evening, we have a fun Disco dance time with Dezign and the Redcoat disco. At the Wessex coffee bar, Butlin's had the 'Wessex Special' which includes your choice of Mince and Onion Pie or Chicken Pie, a Jacket Potato with filling, and your choice of Mushy Peas or Baked Beans, all for just £1.60. If you're in the mood for a classic, Butlin's had Jacket Potatoes with butter and your choice of Mushy Peas or Baked Beans for just £1.60. If you're looking for something quick and tasty, they had a Hot Roast Beef Roll for only 99p, as well as a Cornish Pasty or Sausage Roll.
Butlins Holiday worlds entertainment guides
The building was renamed the Wessex Building, and later the Wessex Room was renamed Sundance. The club was then redeveloped into the Crazy Horse Saloon, offering daytime and nighttime entertainment as well as serving as the entrance to and from the funfair. Unfortunately, in 1999, the then-owners, the Rank Organisation, changed Butlins, and the Crazy Horse Saloon was no longer part of the plans. It was repurposed for cash bingo and other uses until it was eventually closed as a club. Arts and crafts were temporarily relocated here. However, in 2023, the area is being redeveloped into the PlayXperience. Unfortunately, the new maps no longer display the names of the buildings.
This image is copyrighted to Butlins, I do not own this. Click on it to see more.
The previous green baize underwent changes when it was transformed into a Lazer tag arena for a period of time. However, Lazertag was incorporated into the former Malones club. with the former Green Baize remaining empty. The Trading Post was also shut down and replaced by the Diner, which remains operational as of 2023. In 2021/22 (exact year unknown), the Crazy Horse Saloon was converted into an Arts and Crafts Centre where tokens could be exchanged for gifts. In 2023, the decision to repurpose the Wessex building was made. Unfortunately, this meant that the historic Crazy Horse Saloon had to be demolished within the Green Baize and Sunsplash swimming pool. Butlin's planned to reopen the building to offer the chance for customers to have fun with the Playxperience. To learn more, simply click the logo to see what's happening at Bognor Regis. A rich history as a building of wonder and to think that Sunsplash had been closed for 23 years with the Crazy Horse Saloon along side it. It's great to see that they are going to use it once again and allow it to entertain us all.
The Conga in Butlins Somerwest World Wessex room and what a great deal of fun that I had during this time. I certainly miss these days greatly and love watching the replays of a time no longer here. Click above or the button below to view this video on YouTube.
Another personal video showing the Wessex room entertainment.
This sign was on the wall on the right-hand side of the entrance both the swinging doors and main doors.
This area is at the end of the club, as you walk through the door, turn left and that is where this is located.
The little shop in the corner, walk around this and you will find the toilets.
Directly in front of me is the stage area where I had danced so many times with the Redcoats. Notice the light fitting from the ceiling,
The main entrance had changed in 2012
The light fittings were removed from the club with standard lighting in their place (the strip light. However, a couple still are there in the middle of this lane.
Looks strange with no chairs or tables, a great deal of memories. I have to admit that I was sad when I saw this and it felt that special was at an end. I guess I was in hopes when their chairs were still there.
The signs above the doors and Western-themed photos were removed.
That square whole there is where the DJ used to play music.
I was very lucky to be allowed access to the Crazy Horse Saloon and take these 360 video views. When you load the video, click on the pause button and use your mouse to move the camera around (fingers on tablet and mobile phone) and you will see all around the camera.
I was very lucky to be allowed access to the Crazy Horse Saloon and take these 360 video views. When you load the video, click on the pause button and use your mouse to move the camera around (fingers on tablet and mobile phone) and you will see all around the camera.
I was very lucky to be allowed access to the Crazy Horse Saloon and take these 360 video views. When you load the video, click on the pause button and use your mouse to move the camera around (fingers on tablet and mobile phone) and you will see all around the camera.
I was very lucky to be allowed access to the Crazy Horse Saloon and take these 360 video views. When you load the video, click on the pause button and use your mouse to move the camera around (fingers on tablet and mobile phone) and you will see all around the camera.
