logo
Inside abandoned UK Butlin's resort now transformed into £25m holiday village with poolside sauna, arcades & playground

Inside abandoned UK Butlin's resort now transformed into £25m holiday village with poolside sauna, arcades & playground

The Sun13-05-2025

A ONCE-thriving Butlin's resort has been transformed into a £25million coastal holiday village with pools, saunas, an arcade, and spa.
Billy Butlin's Filey campsite was once a haven for thousands of post-war Brits hoping for some beachside R&R.
9
9
Nestled between Scarborough and Bridlington in North Yorkshire, Filey pulled in more than 150,000 guests every year.
Holidaymakers enjoyed swimming, sunbathing, dancing and amusement arcades at the seaside resort.
In the evening, if they hadn't retired to their simple, yet homely chalets, they were treated to entertainment laid out by the famous Red Coats.
The Butlin's campsite was so popular that it had its own branch and station on the north east railway - which is still open to this day.
Despite its popularity, it was no match for the boom in affordable trips to Spain in the 1970s, and bosses closed it down in 1983.
By 2001, it resembled a ghost town with the shells of abandoned cabins and drained swimming pools filled with rubbish.
Richard Bailey, a former staff member at Filey, paid the site a visit that year and shared his findings on social media.
"I was walking my dog along the beach towards Primrose Valley when I went in search of the remains of the old Butlin's holiday camp whereas an 18 year-old-art student I had worked in the summer holidays of 1968," he wrote.
"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."
But now there's almost no trace of the original staycation provider at the redeveloped site, which is now called The Bay.
The luxury complex has been described as a 'purpose-built holiday village on the clifftops.
The first beach house was built in 2012 and in 2021 The Bay expanded to include a new 'Meadows development'.
There are around 500 properties on the site, many are rented out by private owners.
According to its website: "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.
"Gardens are not enclosed partly to make it easier for our gardeners but also makes it a lovely communal holiday village."
At the centre of the village is a 20 metre pool with a baby pool and sauna and steam rooms.
There's also a gym for those who want to get the blood pumping.
The Bay has a beauty room for holidaymakers looking for a bit of pampering,
There's a pub on site, which serves food ad drink all day and in a slight nod to Butlins: a family entertainment centre with an arcade.
There's even a purpose-built shop selling all the necessities and souvenirs.
For kids under the age of 12, there's an adventure playground.
Despite its luxurious feel, Filey Bay prides itself on being perfect for those on a budget.
For a two-night stay in June, a two-bedroom apartment will cost £380.
On the same dates, guests can also stay at the Sea Urchins beach house, which has king-size bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen for £464 .
At the other end of the scale, a massive four-bedroom house with a sea view will cost £1,160.28 for two nights in June.
9
9
9
9
9
9
9

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

One of the UK's best seaside towns set to get new tidal lido on the beach
One of the UK's best seaside towns set to get new tidal lido on the beach

The Sun

time5 hours ago

  • The Sun

One of the UK's best seaside towns set to get new tidal lido on the beach

PLANS have been proposed for an outdoor tidal pool at one of the UK's oldest seaside towns. New plans have revealed a three-sided outdoor swimming pool, at the top of Scarborough South Bay. 3 3 If approved, the pool would have sand running into it and a sheltered beach and bathing area for children. The Scarborough Safe Sea Swimming Project's proposed site at Children's Corner is located near to the busy town centre, beach and next to the historic Scarborough Spa. A feasibility study was also presented to councillors, which was commissioned by North Yorkshire Council completed by outdoor swimming specialists and architects Studio Octopi. The study highlighted the potential boost to the local economy and benefits to well-being and health. The study also advised that there should be a pre-planning application "given the unique and rare nature of tidal pool projects". According to the BBC, Councillor Rich Maw said: "This idea began in the simplest of ways – with a letter from two local sea swimmers who asked me, 'How do we build a swimming pool?' "That one question has grown into a meaningful conversation, and now, the foundations of a community-led and deliverable plan. "Scarborough's South and North Bays are already loved by sea swimmers year-round. Cold water swimming is growing rapidly in popularity and for good reason." Scarborough was named one of the UK's best seaside towns by Conde Nasté Traveller last month, praising its reinvention of itself. Not only that, but Scarborough is the country's oldest holiday resort, dating back to the mid 1600s. New £4million lido to open in UK next year Even nicknamed 'Scarbados,' its long stretch of sand are the popular draw. There is also an English tidal lido right on the beach that you can only visit twice a day. Located in the historic fishing village in West Cornwall, Mousehole Rock Pool is open for 24 hours a day. However, when you can swim in the pool, depends on whether the tide is in or out. Due to being a tidal swimming spot, visitors can only have a dip twice a day. Essentially, during high tide the pool is exposed to the sea and fills with more water. But then during low tide, the pool can drain and will become shallower. The tide varies throughout the year, but in summer, Mousehole usually has two high tides a day - in mid-morning and the evening. Plus, a unique Victorian lido with outdoor lazy river to reopen with new £250k splash zone. 3

Planning a budget-friendly break? Butlin's now has Showtime family holidays from just £49 - plus an EXTRA 10% off for a limited time
Planning a budget-friendly break? Butlin's now has Showtime family holidays from just £49 - plus an EXTRA 10% off for a limited time

Daily Mail​

time3 days ago

  • Daily Mail​

Planning a budget-friendly break? Butlin's now has Showtime family holidays from just £49 - plus an EXTRA 10% off for a limited time

Looking to plan your next summer getaway? Well, good news, as Butlin's is currently offering an extra 10 per cent off their iconic Showtime Term-Time Breaks – with prices starting at just £49. Running throughout the year during term-time, Butlin's Showtime Term-Time Breaks showcase more quality entertainment than you can shake a stick at, and won't break the bank, either, making your next family getaway more affordable than ever. Butlin's Showtime Term-Time Breaks Looking to plan your next summer getaway? You can now score your next Showtime Term-Time Break with a whopping 10 per cent off, perfect if you're looking to save money on your next family holiday. Running throughout the year during term-time, Butlin's Showtime Term-Time Breaks showcase more quality entertainment than you can shake a stick at, and won't break the bank, either. From £49 Shop While an unforgettable getaway at Butlin's has always been excellent value for money, you can now score your next Showtime Term-Time Break with a whopping 10 per cent off, perfect if you're looking to save money on your next family holiday. But while your stay will cost less, there's no shortage of unforgettable experiences up for grabs during these term-time getaways. With everything from exclusive, West End-quality shows to thrills and spills in the huge Splash Waterworlds, there's plenty for the entire family to enjoy when you spend your holiday at Butlin's. Showtime Term-Time Midweek Breaks start from as little as £49 based on two adults and two children, and include a stay in a comfortable apartment with separate living and sleeping areas (ideal if you're catering to different bedtimes), and fully equipped kitchen areas to prepare your own meals. Holidaying with younger children? Butlin's are here to make your stay seamless with buggy parks, highchairs, child-friendly cutlery, baby food pouches included and travel cots available at selected locations, so you don't have to take the whole nursery with you. With stays of three to four nights up for grabs, and deposits for as low as £5 per person, you'll find plenty of activities included to keep little ones entertained, including mini discos, arts and crafts and unforgettable soft play zones. And these aren't called Showtime breaks for nothing… Also included in the price of your stay are a whole host of dazzling shows such as Snow White and Her Magnificent Friends, Peppa's Circus Celebration and The Butlin's Party Show Hosted by Mister Maker, none of which will be forgotten in a hurry. After all the excitement experienced during your Butlin's break, you'll no doubt have worked up an appetite. Luckily, there's plenty of dining options to help you and your family refuel throughout your break. Whether you opt for a dining plans that offer incredible variety at a great price, or pick and choose what you fancy each day, the Butlin's restaurants and grab-and-go outlets mean your action-packed days start and end with satisfied tummies. With so much to see and experience for the whole family, there's truly never been a better time to book an unforgettable getaway at Butlin's and treat your family to a magical holiday for less. Click here to find out more about what's included in your Showtime Term-Time Break, browse locations and dates available and secure your next holiday today.

Le Court wins stage one of Tour of Britain Women
Le Court wins stage one of Tour of Britain Women

BBC News

time4 days ago

  • BBC News

Le Court wins stage one of Tour of Britain Women

Kim le Court got the better of Kristen Faulkner in a two-up sprint finish to win the first stage of the Tour of Britain pair attacked and went clear of the peloton with 30km to go and then held off the chasing Le Court, 29, launched her sprint from the front with just over 200m to go and outlasted the American Olympic road race champion to the Wiebes led home a much-reduced bunch in third, five seconds behind, while British riders Cat Ferguson and Millie Couzens finished fifth and champion Lizzie Deignan finished 20th as she races in Britain for the final time before retiring. Last year Le Court became the first Mauritian rider to compete in the World Tour, and she won the prestigious Liege-Bastogne-Liege one-day race in April. The four-day Tour of Britain Women began with an 81.5km stage in North Yorkshire between Dalby Forest and riders faced two classified climbs, at Blakey Ridge and Langburn's Bank, with Le Court starting her attack at the bottom of the latter, with Faulkner in the lead pair the peloton split, with FDJ-Suez and Movistar leading the chase from a reduced group which was 34 seconds behind with 28km to almost crashed out of the race with 15km to go, misjudging a corner and narrowly avoiding a traffic island. Le Court waited for her to regain momentum and the two continued with their break until the finish, before winning the sprint to take the leader's second stage is over a 114.3km route between Hartlepool and Saltburn-by-the-sea.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store