ICONIC holiday giant Butlin’s has invested £13 million in Splash Waterworld at its Skegness resort, writes Teresa Green.

And judging by the broad smiles and excited squeals, every penny was well spent.

On an overcast May afternoon we expected to be packed like sardines in the pool and its associated attractions but there was plenty of space for kids, parents and grandmas looking on from the loungers.

Depending on your water confidence levels, there are two flumes and a riptide raft ride to dive into plus – my favourite – the outdoor river rapids.

Alternatively, there’s a central whirlpool to lie back and relax in and dedicated areas for youngsters. My mum had to drag me out at closing time – and I’m 45.

Home for me, mum, dad and my son Nicholas for a four night stay was a spacious, three bedroom gold apartment with kitchen, flat screen TV and housekeeping service.

Breakfast and evening meal times were spent at Skegness ‘newbie’, The Deck restaurant. The choice was impressive, from pancakes and breakfast baps to chargrilled dishes, curries, stir fries and pasta. Mum tackled her first chicken Madras while Nicholas loved acting as our waiter and bringing us drinks from the self-service machines.

During our stay, we also enjoyed a whirl on the fairground, an impressive performance by Take That tribute Beautiful World and Iron Man 3 in the cinema.

If you want to venture beyond the resort, Skegness offers the usual seaside amenities and the wonderfully named Arnold Palmer Putting Course with nine and 18 hole crazy golf courses. We also visited nearby National Trust property Gunby Hall, a charming country house with links to the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Charles Darwin and composer Ralph Vaughan-Williams. Three nights start from £40 per person per break during term time, and £85 per person per break during the school summer holidays.

Prices are based on a family of four sharing a silver self-catering apartment and include accommodation, all live entertainment and access to multi-sports courts, Splash Waterworld and the funfair. To book, call 0845 070 4730 or visit www.butlins.com