I have just returned from a week's traditional British seaside holiday in Skegness ("It's so bracing!"). We stayed in good old Butlins, and as part of our holiday decided to zip up the road to Fantasy Island.

We had read various brochures on it, boasting the largest 7-day outdoor market in Europe, and free entry, so we thought it would be worth a day out. I came back with mixed opinions, all in all, it depends what you want to get out of the day.

I took with me my wife and toddler daughter (age 2 and a half), with pushchair. As did about 1,000 other people, negotiating hundreds of pushchairs in a crowded market is not great, but I wouldn't have liked her to be running around on her own either, as there were a lot of people.

The market stalls are varied in quality, again, it depends what you are going for. If you have a boy of about 8 years old, there are about 30 scooter stalls to choose from, all selling "Pepsi" scooters for a tenner, complete with box. As the week progressed at Butlins, so did the amount of scooters scootering around the site, so obviously many Dads had been conned out of their tenners!

Also, there were about 20 different stalls selling 3 "Top 40" chart CD's for £10. It was blindingly obvious that some big gangster bloke with a CD-Writer and a colour photocopier has employed all these minions to sell these CD's, now how they get away with this I do not know, but they were selling like hot cakes.

Finally, I stared with amazement at one bloke with a microphone selling all manner of electrical goods (fell off the back of a lorry springs to mind) including PlayStations and CD players. Now, I would not risk buying from these traders, but many people were.

We were very boring I'm afraid and only came away from the market with 2 lovely hand-painted plantpots (an unusual holiday pressie) and some colouring books.

However, the market is no
t the only thing that Fantasy Island boasts, oh no, as you wind your way through the market, you can't help noticing the huge rollercoaster which is actually rolling and coasting above the market stalls. There are many other fast rides too, the further into the island you get. These cost about £2 - £3 per ride, which is reasonable in today's prices.

As my daughter was too young to go on these white-knuckle type rides, we headed for the centre of the Island, which is, in her opinion, the best bit. There were many rides for her to go on, unfortunately the Jellikins ride was too fast (and had a height restriction). However, there were plenty more to keep her occupied, including one which takes 4 little passport sized photographs for £1 (bargain!)

Talking of the Jellikins, they featured in their own show on the stage, which was excellent, as did "Pinky and Perky" the pigs, and finally the "Old MacDonald Farm" characters (namely Moo Moo and Neigh Neigh for those of you without 2 year olds!!)

Around the stage there were plenty of eateries, with a Burger King, pizza place and jacket potato cafe. Access for wheelchair users and puschairs was very good, but the outside was rather cramped with all the people.

Another highlight was directly opposite Fantasy Island - a indoor play area for Tots, this was like a village with soft play apparatus, climbing frames, swings and slides galore!

Finally, one tip!!:
If you are staying at Butlins in Skeggy and plan to visit Fantasy Island - WALK!! It may be free to get in, but it is £4 to park your car! This is a cheek as it is only about 10-15 mins walk away! (Unfortunately, we learnt the hard way!) Remember, the kids will scooter their way back to the site!