[web 1] In 1928, Butlin had secured an exclusive license to sell Dodgem cars in Europe,[notes 1] and these were one of the first attractions in the shelter along with one-armed bandits.

It opened on 5 July and contained brown, black and polar bears, hyenas, leopards, pelicans, kangaroos, and monkeys.

The park had always had a shooting range and during the late 1930s the targets were replaced with images of Hitler, Göring, Goebbels, and Ribbentrop.

[news 2] During construction, one of the works that was required was the straightening of a stream known as the Aldingbourne Rife which formed a U shape onto the proposed site.

[notes 4] However, due to a particularly wet winter, the river burst its banks and flooded the site, leaving it deep in mud.

[notes 5] Those who worked on the site recalled vehicles becoming stuck due to the conditions, and mattresses in their plastic wrappings being used to form walkways throughout the camp.

Butlin offered his patrons the chance to be re-sited at the Clacton camp instead; however, a number of guests opted to stay and help; those who did received a free bottle of Champagne as a reward.

In 1987, the camp was renamed Southcoast World following a £16.5 million spend on new and updated accommodation, the addition of a new indoor water complex and a new miniature steam railway.

A Skyline Pavilion was added to the resort, providing a huge undercover area for year-round, weather-protected facilities.

The refurbishment also included further updates to the chalet accommodation, a redesign for the Redcoat uniform and the provision of a resort police constable to improve security.

It also provides a wide range of entertainment, aided by the formation of strategic partnerships with popular brands, including The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, Thomas & Friends, Brainiac: Science Abuse, Guinness World Records, Bob the Builder, Pingu and Angelina Ballerina.

[notes 10] Butlins Bognor Regis also served as the setting for the honeymoon scenes in the film The Leather Boys (1964) directed by Sidney J. Furie.

[web 3] The original Bognor Regis camp contained all the tried and tested Butlins entertainment ingredients: Butlins Redcoats, a funfair, a ballroom, a boating lake, tennis courts, a sports field (for the three legged and egg & spoon races and the donkey derby), table tennis and snooker tables, amusement arcades, a theatre and arcades of shops.