UK seaside town abandoned by Butlin's with posh holiday village now in its place
From a military base used in World War 2 to one of Billy Butlin's biggest holiday camps - it's fair to say this multi-million pound tourist village has lived many different lives
Revel in sweet nostalgia at this super luxury holiday village that used to home one of the country's biggest Butlin's resorts. Following the end of World War 2, the staycation boom was at its peak - resulting in millions of pasty Brits flocking to the coast every summer.
Filey, conveniently sandwiched in-between Scarborough and Bridlington, in North Yorkshire, was a popular choice. Here, travellers could find long stretches of golden sand, endless Fish & Chip shops, Victorian-style fairground rides and a mega holiday complex.
Previously used as a military base, Billy Butlin's Filey campsite pulled in more than 150,000 guests every year - and perfectly encapsulated the post-war holiday experience. Holidaymakers would enjoy nights of cabaret, dancing, swimming, and amusement arcades, all while being looked after by staff in the iconic Red Coats.
However, the Benidorm boom (which saw cheap flights to sunny destinations like Spain and Greece) quickly dampened Butlin's success. In fact, the campsite fell from grace rather quickly, and ended up closing its doors in September, 1983.
For years, the abandoned site remained deserted - attracting urban explorers and aspiring graffiti artists alike. It was a sharp contrast from the 50s, with decades of family fun being replaced with drained swimming pools filled with trash, and half-demolished buildings left in an apocalyptic-like state.
"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 Bay, which describes itself as a 'purpose-built holiday village on the clifftops' cleared the rubble and began building apartments and cottages. The first beach house was built in 2012, and 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.
"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.
"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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