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Business Mayor
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
Inside abandoned UK Butlin's resort now transformed into £25m holiday village with poolside sauna, arcades & playground
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 Filey was one of Butlin's biggest resorts and was hugely popular after the end of World War II Credit: Newcastle Chronicle & Journal 9 Holiday makers could enjoy all sorts of activities at the resort Credit: Getty – Contributor 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. Read More Where cider houses rule in Spain: a tour of Asturias 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. Butlin's day pass deal: Kids go for just £1 By Catherine Lofthouse My family loves a Butlin's trip and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the latest day pass deal of just £1 for children. That actually makes it cheaper for me to take my three boys for a swim at Butlin's than at my local leisure centre, where I have to pay more than a fiver per person. Instead of spending £20 for an hour in the pool, I could spend £15 for an adult day pass and then £3 for the boys and enjoy a full day out at the seaside resort, with swimming, funfair rides and shows in the Skyline Pavilion all included. With the incredible Skyparks at Skegness and Minehead and the brand-new soft play at Bognor, now's a good time to head to your nearest site for a day to try out the latest family-friendly facilities, particularly if you have a school inset day in May, like we do. This deal is only available term-time midweek until May halfterm, so you need to be quick if you're going to take advantage. Prices for day passes in halfterm rise to as much as £33 for adults and £23 for children depending on the resort, so it could be a huge saving to go midweek in May. Read More K-pop tourism: how Tossa de Mar became a hot spot Read the full story here. 9 A contestant taking part in the 'knobbly knees contest' at Filey Credit: Getty – Contributor 9 Huge groups enjoy a mass fitness class by the sea Credit: Getty – Contributor 9 The Bay has been built where Filey once stood Credit: FILEY BAY DIRECT 9 The resort was forced to close in the 80s following the surge in popularity for holidays abroad Credit: Facebook 9 A group of holidaymakers playing leapfrog at Filey in 1946 Credit: Getty – Contributor 9 A young girl pours water over her sleeping father in 1953 Credit: Getty – Contributor
The Sun
13-05-2025
- The Sun
Inside abandoned UK Butlin's resort now transformed into £25m holiday village with poolside sauna, arcades & playground
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
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Daily Record
Abandoned Butlins resort now replaced by posh holiday village
The multi-million pound tourist village has lived many different lives over the years - from World War 2 camp to Butlins resort. 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. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "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.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
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. Do you have a story to share? Email us at yourmirror@ for a chance to be featured.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A Whole New Frontier: Frontier Texas adds new features to museum
ABILENE, Texas () – A local source of Old West history is turning new pages with updates and a new exhibit. Frontier Texas invited the public out to showcase some new features that the museum has to offer. One of those additions is a new exhibit hall, and Frontier Texas's executive director, Jeff Salmon, explained how it will bring some added variety to the museum. 'So, this space is designed to be able to allow our museum for the first time to really have temporary changing exhibits on an ongoing basis. Myself and our board have determined that we're going to try to host about two to three exhibits in this space every year,' Salmon shared. Pine Street Shootout reenactment in Abilene brings Wild West history to life Other additions include a renewed lobby area with longhorn cattle skulls from the official State of Texas Longhorn herd that've died from natural causes, additional parking for museum goers, and a conversion of their open-air pavilion to a closed one to give visiting schools an additional space for learning tours. A point that the co-chair of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce's Red Coats, Ashley Creager, said will help boost economic growth in Abilene. 'It has a major economic impact on Abilene with the tourism that does come in. It's not just Abilene that benefits from it. All of the surrounding and rural areas always bring their school kids over here to tour Frontier Texas, which is great to bring even more money into the economy. This renovation was much needed,' Creager said. Abilene pays tribute to Texas on anniversary of independence Another key improvement at Frontier Texas was the addition of an archive room, designed to better catalog and preserve the museum's artifacts. This new space also creates ideal conditions for hosting traveling exhibits, expanding the museum's offerings. Additionally, Frontier Texas plans to engage the public by inviting input and ideas for future exhibits in the new exhibit hall. 'We as an institution are really interested in hearing from the community about topics that they would love to see, and we like for that to come more organically from our community saying, Hey, we have a story that we think would be fascinating and other people would enjoy. Can we create an exhibit together based on that?' Salmon shared. The total cost for the improvements at Frontier Texas was roughly $4.2 million. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
