British Holiday Camps
British Holiday Camps
This page from whatupay gives a brief account of the history of British Holiday Camps. The first holiday camp in Britain actually opened its doors in 1894 on the Isle of Man. It was called the Cunningham Young Men's Holiday Camp and by 1908 was very similar to the camps we knew which appeared a few years later.
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The all male campers slept in rows of tents which were candle lit but they had the advantage of a heated swimming pool, a large dining hall, shops, a bank and a concert hall. The toilets and washing facilities were housed in a miniature castle and the campers were encourage to take part in other activities which were provided, such as team games and community singing. This camp remained open until just after the Second World War.
After this first camp, many more started to appear in England. The first major camp was in Caister, Norfolk, which opened at the beginning of the 20th century and before long there were many assorted camps all within the same area. At one time there were 14 camps within a ten-mile radius. One of the early camps which are still open today was called the Potters Camp and, amongst other things, it offered brick chalets with running water, electric light and toilet facilities! A thing not seen much until that time.
The first camp in Wales opened in 1933 and was called the Golden Sands Camp in Rhyl. It was a 20-acre site and offered tents, chalets and a central pavilion which provided a dining room and entertainment. The Robin Hood Camp opened shortly after on the other side of town and both are still open today.
A number of non-profit camps also shot up, the first being in 1911 which continued right up until 1974 and all this activity happened before the likes of Butlins and Pontins came on the scene.
The "holiday camp" holiday took on a change when Billy Butlin opened his first camp in 1936 at Skegness, a very popular seaside resort. He took the industry to a higher level offering chalet accommodation, meals and entertainment and for both men and women. He offered more than anything had ever been attempted before with high-class interior features which had never been seen before. This impressive huge camp tradition continued with all the other sites Billy Butlin subsequently opened.
After the war the holiday camps increased more and more, helped by the cheap availability of unused military bases. Billy Butlin was then joined by two more familiar names, Harry Warner and Fred Pontin. In fact Harry Warner opened his first camp in 1931, five years before Billy Butlin. Pontins started in 1946.
By the early 60's there were approximately 100 registered holiday camps in the United Kingdom but Butlins were still in the lead with over a million visitors each year.
Major changed occurred during the 70's and 80's seeing many of the old camps disappearing. An interesting point though is that the ones who have survived are able to trace back their origins to the early pioneers. The holiday camps continue!!!