Abandoned Butlins resort now replaced by posh holiday village
A luxury UK holiday resort was once the biggest ever Butlin's resort in the country. The Bay, in Filey, which is built on the previous Billy Butlin's Filey campsite, is sandwiched in-between Scarborough and Bridlington, in North Yorkshire. It describes itself as a 'purpose-built holiday village on the clifftops'
Travellers can now enjoy the chance to revel in sweet nostalgia at the once abandoned popular site - but things look very different from before. Instead of endless fish & chip shops, Victorian-style fairground rides and a mega holiday complex, tourists are offered a more luxurious experience.
Butlin's Filey campsite, which was previously used a military base in the Second World War, closed its door on the site in September 1983. The park used to pull in around 150,000 guests per year, with families flocking to enjoy a post-war holiday. However, the Benidorm boom (which saw cheap flights to sunny destinations like Spain and Greece), quickly pulled guests away from the resort.
Staff in their famous Red Coats were slowly put out of a job as guests number dwindled, forcing management to shut up shop for good.
For years, it's remained deserted - attracting urban explorers and aspiring graffiti artists alike. Looking very different from the family fun site, drained swimming pools were filled with trash, and half-demolished buildings left in an apocalyptic-like state.
Property developers took over the land in 2012 and the first beach house was built. The site expanded even further in 2021 to include a new 'Meadows development'. Now, there are around 500 properties in the complex, many of which are rented out by private owners, reports the Mirror.
"When I visited in 2001 there was still plenty of evidence of what had once been a holiday camp, including the chalets, fountains and remains of the outdoor and indoor pools," reflects Richard Bailey - a retired lecturer and previous Butlin's enthusiast who shared his photos of the site with Chronicle Live back in 2021. However, in 2007 an ambitious project, reported to have cost around £25 million, aimed to completely transform the site.
"The developers paid great attention to the look and feel of The Bay, including boules courts, courtyards, grassed areas all around the development to make it a lovely setting."
The Bay states on its website. "Gardens are not enclosed partly to make it easier for our gardeners but also makes it a lovely communal holiday village.
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"In the [village] centre, you will find a 20 metre pool with baby splash pool, poolside sauna and steam room. There's also a fitness suite and a beauty room where you can book treatments. The John Paul Jones pub serves food and drink all day, with inside and outside seating. In the internal courtyard you will also find an arcade, also known as the Family Entertainment Centre, a shop selling groceries, household items, alcohol, beach items, souvenirs, and more."
Other amenities in the posh complex include a pharmacy, tennis court, and an 'adventure' playground for children under the age of 12. It really is the Hamptons of Yorkshire!
There's a wide range of accommodation in Filey Bay, meaning it's great for those on a budget - as well as travellers wanting to really push the boat out. For example, a two-night stay (Friday, June 6-8) in a two-bedroom apartment will set you back £380.
However, if you want to stay in the Sea Urchins beach house, which comes with an open plan kitchen, king-size bedrooms, and two car parking spaces, expect to pay £464 on the exact same dates. A huge four-bedroom house with a balcony and sea view will set you back a staggering £1,160.28 for the same two nights.
Filey is located around 236 miles from London, meaning it'll take you around five and a quarter hours to drive there. However, trains from London (which usually include at least one change) can slash the journey time in half. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £61.
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