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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.
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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.
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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.
4.
An official guide directs a guest to the bathing pool at Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness in 1947.
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Beauty contests were de rigueur - Christina Siney was the winner of The Ideal Outdoor Girl Competition at Butlins Holiday Camp, Clacton in 1956.
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Glamourpusses enjoy soaking up the sun at the Butlins Holiday Camp in Skegness in 1946.
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Two young women in bathing costumes run along the beach at Billy Butlins' first holiday camp in Skegness, back in 1947.
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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.
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Ballroom dancing competitions were a mainstay of the British holiday camp and perhaps the forunner to our Strictly Come Dancing addiction.
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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.
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The camps were ideal family destinations with plenty of beach and poolside fun to be had within one resort.
12.
Holiday makers sunbathe and swim at the luxury holiday camp at Butlins, Skegness, in 1948.
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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.
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Ladies having a splashing time at Maddieson's Holiday Camp in Littlestone, Kent in 1958.
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A chariot race during the sports day at Caister On Sea Holiday Camp, Norfolk in 1955.
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A skating party of youngsters visit the fun fair at Butlins in 1963.
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Fun at the boating lake at Maddieson's Holiday Camp in Littlestone, Kent in 1958.
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Ladies pedal along the promenade at a Butlins Holiday Camp in 1946.
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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.
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Scenes on the boating lake at Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness, 1947.
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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.
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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.