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The way we were - British holiday camps

  • <p>
	Before the advent of cheap package holidays abroad, British holiday camps were the go-to destinations for holiday makers seeking sun, sea, sand and light entertainment.</p>

    1.

    Before the advent of cheap package holidays abroad, British holiday camps were the go-to destinations for holiday makers seeking sun, sea, sand and light entertainment.

  • <p>
	Located in beach resorts up and down the country, the likes of Pontins and Butlins set the scene for a very British getaway featuring swimming pools, entertainment, fairgrounds, restaurants, ballrooms, chalets accommodation and beaches all in one place.</p>

    2.

    Located in beach resorts up and down the country, the likes of Pontins and Butlins set the scene for a very British getaway featuring swimming pools, entertainment, fairgrounds, restaurants, ballrooms, chalets accommodation and beaches all in one place.

  • <p>
	Variety shows were hosted by teams of entertainers by the name of Redcoats at Butlins, Bluecoats at Pontins and Yellowcoats in the classic TV comedy Hi de Hi.</p>

    3.

    Variety shows were hosted by teams of entertainers by the name of Redcoats at Butlins, Bluecoats at Pontins and Yellowcoats in the classic TV comedy Hi de Hi.

  • <p>
	An official guide directs a guest to the bathing pool at Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness in 1947.</p>

    4.

    An official guide directs a guest to the bathing pool at Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness in 1947.

  • <p>
	Beauty contests were de rigueur - Christina Siney was the winner of The Ideal Outdoor Girl Competition at Butlins Holiday Camp, Clacton in 1956.</p>

    5.

    Beauty contests were de rigueur - Christina Siney was the winner of The Ideal Outdoor Girl Competition at Butlins Holiday Camp, Clacton in 1956.

  • <p>
	Glamourpusses enjoy soaking up the sun at the Butlins Holiday Camp in Skegness in 1946.</p>

    6.

    Glamourpusses enjoy soaking up the sun at the Butlins Holiday Camp in Skegness in 1946.

  • <p>
	Two young women in bathing costumes run along the beach at Billy Butlins' first holiday camp in Skegness, back in 1947.</p>

    7.

    Two young women in bathing costumes run along the beach at Billy Butlins' first holiday camp in Skegness, back in 1947.

  • <p>
	Exotic elements were incorporated into the resorts to evoke thoughts of far-flung destinations as with the Tiki styling of The Beachcomber club at Butlins Holiday Camp, Minehead in 1964.</p>

    8.

    Exotic elements were incorporated into the resorts to evoke thoughts of far-flung destinations as with the Tiki styling of The Beachcomber club at Butlins Holiday Camp, Minehead in 1964.

  • <p>
	Ballroom dancing competitions were a mainstay of the British holiday camp and perhaps the forunner to our Strictly Come Dancing addiction.</p>

    9.

    Ballroom dancing competitions were a mainstay of the British holiday camp and perhaps the forunner to our Strictly Come Dancing addiction.

  • <p>
	Joe Stead and his wife Kathie, from Blackpool, took the Old Time Open Professional Dance Championship trophy in a competition at Butlins holiday camp, Filey, Yorkshire in 1951.</p>

    10.

    Joe Stead and his wife Kathie, from Blackpool, took the Old Time Open Professional Dance Championship trophy in a competition at Butlins holiday camp, Filey, Yorkshire in 1951.

  • <p>
	The camps were ideal family destinations with plenty of beach and poolside fun to be had within one resort.</p>

    11.

    The camps were ideal family destinations with plenty of beach and poolside fun to be had within one resort.

  • <p>
	Holiday makers sunbathe and swim at the luxury holiday camp at Butlins, Skegness, in 1948.</p>

    12.

    Holiday makers sunbathe and swim at the luxury holiday camp at Butlins, Skegness, in 1948.

  • <p>
	There was good clean adult fun to be had too as they were free to let their hair down. Holidaymakers enjoy a wheelbarrow race during sports day at Warner's Holiday Camp at Minster Sheppey in 1958.</p>

    13.

    There was good clean adult fun to be had too as they were free to let their hair down. Holidaymakers enjoy a wheelbarrow race during sports day at Warner's Holiday Camp at Minster Sheppey in 1958.

  • <p>
	Ladies having a splashing time at Maddieson's Holiday Camp in Littlestone, Kent in 1958.</p>

    14.

    Ladies having a splashing time at Maddieson's Holiday Camp in Littlestone, Kent in 1958.

  • <p>
	A chariot race during the sports day at Caister On Sea Holiday Camp, Norfolk in 1955.</p>

    15.

    A chariot race during the sports day at Caister On Sea Holiday Camp, Norfolk in 1955.

  • <p>
	A skating party of youngsters visit the fun fair at Butlins in 1963.</p>

    16.

    A skating party of youngsters visit the fun fair at Butlins in 1963.

  • <p>
	Fun at the boating lake at Maddieson's Holiday Camp in Littlestone, Kent in 1958.</p>

    17.

    Fun at the boating lake at Maddieson's Holiday Camp in Littlestone, Kent in 1958.

  • <p>
	Ladies pedal along the promenade at a Butlins Holiday Camp in 1946.</p>

    18.

    Ladies pedal along the promenade at a Butlins Holiday Camp in 1946.

  • <p>
	Ann Sidney, who was Miss World, goes for a pram ride pushed by Gerald Smith at Butlin's Holiday Camp in Bognor Regis in 1965.</p>

    19.

    Ann Sidney, who was Miss World, goes for a pram ride pushed by Gerald Smith at Butlin's Holiday Camp in Bognor Regis in 1965.

  • <p>
	Scenes on the boating lake at Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness, 1947.</p>

    20.

    Scenes on the boating lake at Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness, 1947.

  • <p>
	Health, strength and fitness were an important part of the Butlin holiday service and physical jerks were on the menu twice a day in 1949.</p>

    21.

    Health, strength and fitness were an important part of the Butlin holiday service and physical jerks were on the menu twice a day in 1949.

  • <p>
	Butlins in Skegness, 1950. What are your memories of British holiday camps? Where did you spend your summers? Let us know in the Comments below.</p>

    22.

    Butlins in Skegness, 1950. What are your memories of British holiday camps? Where did you spend your summers? Let us know in the Comments below.

Close thumbnails
  • <p>
	Before the advent of cheap package holidays abroad, British holiday camps were the go-to destinations for holiday makers seeking sun, sea, sand and light entertainment.</p>
  • <p>
	Located in beach resorts up and down the country, the likes of Pontins and Butlins set the scene for a very British getaway featuring swimming pools, entertainment, fairgrounds, restaurants, ballrooms, chalets accommodation and beaches all in one place.</p>
  • <p>
	Variety shows were hosted by teams of entertainers by the name of Redcoats at Butlins, Bluecoats at Pontins and Yellowcoats in the classic TV comedy Hi de Hi.</p>
  • <p>
	An official guide directs a guest to the bathing pool at Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness in 1947.</p>
  • <p>
	Beauty contests were de rigueur - Christina Siney was the winner of The Ideal Outdoor Girl Competition at Butlins Holiday Camp, Clacton in 1956.</p>
  • <p>
	Glamourpusses enjoy soaking up the sun at the Butlins Holiday Camp in Skegness in 1946.</p>
  • <p>
	Two young women in bathing costumes run along the beach at Billy Butlins' first holiday camp in Skegness, back in 1947.</p>
  • <p>
	Exotic elements were incorporated into the resorts to evoke thoughts of far-flung destinations as with the Tiki styling of The Beachcomber club at Butlins Holiday Camp, Minehead in 1964.</p>
  • <p>
	Ballroom dancing competitions were a mainstay of the British holiday camp and perhaps the forunner to our Strictly Come Dancing addiction.</p>
  • <p>
	Joe Stead and his wife Kathie, from Blackpool, took the Old Time Open Professional Dance Championship trophy in a competition at Butlins holiday camp, Filey, Yorkshire in 1951.</p>
  • <p>
	The camps were ideal family destinations with plenty of beach and poolside fun to be had within one resort.</p>
  • <p>
	Holiday makers sunbathe and swim at the luxury holiday camp at Butlins, Skegness, in 1948.</p>
  • <p>
	There was good clean adult fun to be had too as they were free to let their hair down. Holidaymakers enjoy a wheelbarrow race during sports day at Warner's Holiday Camp at Minster Sheppey in 1958.</p>
  • <p>
	Ladies having a splashing time at Maddieson's Holiday Camp in Littlestone, Kent in 1958.</p>
  • <p>
	A chariot race during the sports day at Caister On Sea Holiday Camp, Norfolk in 1955.</p>
  • <p>
	A skating party of youngsters visit the fun fair at Butlins in 1963.</p>
  • <p>
	Fun at the boating lake at Maddieson's Holiday Camp in Littlestone, Kent in 1958.</p>
  • <p>
	Ladies pedal along the promenade at a Butlins Holiday Camp in 1946.</p>
  • <p>
	Ann Sidney, who was Miss World, goes for a pram ride pushed by Gerald Smith at Butlin's Holiday Camp in Bognor Regis in 1965.</p>
  • <p>
	Scenes on the boating lake at Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness, 1947.</p>
  • <p>
	Health, strength and fitness were an important part of the Butlin holiday service and physical jerks were on the menu twice a day in 1949.</p>
  • <p>
	Butlins in Skegness, 1950. What are your memories of British holiday camps? Where did you spend your summers? Let us know in the Comments below.</p>
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