Exploring The Lost Butlin's Filey Holiday Camp | The Buried Elephant!

[@shirleylynch7529]

You have me in tears about Charlie. How sad. Whole film so nostalgic. So many memories. First class documentary. This should be on t.v.. excellent work.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Shirley. Much appreciated

[@dwrowley]

This is better than some of the stuff on TV at the moment

[@mal_752]

Fabulous vlog. Well done 👏 ✔ 👍

[@gavinreid8937]

Cant help feeling an excavation of or a plague for Charlie is long overdue rather be lost in a field.

[@shirleylynch7529]

@@gavinreid8937 I agree

[@teacupalice]

Poor Charlie, that’s so sad, that man must have treated him so well for him to pine for him so badly

[@lindseykaine-walley6339]

It makes you wonder why we can't have these places back again. We have lost so much from the past. The future isn't always so good. Loving your videos.

[@AdventureMe]

It is a shame. Thanks for watching.

[@extremeways2930]

Nothing wrong with nostalgia. So many happy memories. Unfortunately commercially its a non starter. Its decline was due to decline in footfall. Cheaper holidays abroad with guaranteed (almost) hot weather. More money in peoples pockets to spend on holidays. A time gone by after the war when people seemed far more sociable. It was of its time.

[@mrlister2000]

Such a shame that there is no memorial for Big Charlie. Now that you've located it, perhaps you could approach the site owners and ask them to honour him? The thought of developers coming along, digging up the site, finding where he was laid to rest, and scooping the bones off into a skip, is no way to respect his life. First comment today too! Another brilliant video, and the attention to detail is amazing.

[@AdventureMe]

I already did years ago. They knew where it was but had no interest in marking it.

[@petey6415]

The music you use is so haunting and the way you super impose what it looked like. 10/10.

[@robbie73vespa]

Hauntingly beautiful it is it's so fitting isn't it 👌

[@nataliehorsley6820]

It's the photo fades for me 🙌🏽

[@chrismccartney8668]

Billy Butlin understood what people wanted especially after the hard grey days of WW2... We now go abroad but many stunning coastline in the UK to enjoy...

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@jeffallinson8089]

Can't wait for episode 3! This was a massive nostalgia trip for me as I stayed at Butlins Filey as a child. Wonderful to see Sir Billys holiday home, I had no idea it was there! I love its art deco architecture, just typical of that era. Would be amazing to stay there.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. Wish I had seen it as an adult.

[@bunkerboy02]

Billy would never have given the go ahead to the closure of Filey.

[@jaktag]

Loved this! When i was a kid we often went to Primrose valley, every morning we heard the loud speaker coming from Butlins and someone saying good morning campers 🤣 and i remember a big wire fence in between Primrose Valley and Butlins this was around 1965. Happy days😆

[@chrismccartney8668]

Sad story but glad to hear was well looked after and his change of mood after the death of his best friend and keeper shows how like humans elephant society is...

[@DigitalJunior2003]

Great nostalgic video of Britain's biggest holiday camp. Use to love going to their rival - Pointins

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@steveg7718]

Perants took us on Holiday to Primrose Valley about 1984/5, We stayed in that Whitehouse for 2 weeks....Great Holiday.

[@heartland96a]

The overlays are beautifully matched , sad that it's been almost completely erased.

[@fill7t1]

What a sad ending to Charlie's life.... I hope they don't develop over his burial site and possibly create a memorial to him.

[@umbongonights]

A really great video series, I love your narration and the way that you superimpose the ‘Then and Now’ images to help us to ‘see’ the past today! I was glad to see that Charlie’s final resting place is covered in wildlife rather than concrete or some kind of structure! Looking forward to part three and anything else you produce in the future.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Phil. Lots of exciting things already filmed and coming.

[@jamesziggy1615]

Wow, I’m not often glued to a KZbin video from beginning to end but this one got all of my attention especially as I had no idea Butlins had it’s own elephant and it was sad to hear that after his keeper died he pined for him so much that he also became ill and was eventually buried where he lived. At least the elephant was treated very well as circus animals were often maltreated back in the day. The editing of this video is on par with any professional broadcast I’ve seen and I’m surprised a news network hasn’t picked it up and used some or all of it in a local feature. I can’t wait to see part 3….👍👍👍

[@Dan_Whitehead]

Ohh the chairlift pictures take me right back and oddly enough the turning circle for the little train! Thank you Darren, it's great to be reminded of some awesome holidays we had there.

[@petew8388]

Darren you are managing to bring tears to my eyes again. I just want the original camp to still be there where I had my best childhood hols. Change is often depressing. Once again thanks for a brilliant video. We need a Butlins Filey appreciation society with meets or does one already exist ?

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Pete. There's the Butlins Filey appreciation Facebook page.

[@neilmasters9914]

Excellent and informative video. When we owned a property on The Bay we were told that Charlie was buried in the area of the main fishing lake on The Bay site. I think that fits with your research. It is surprising given the holiday camp infrastructure that not more remains of the old camp, it has been a very thorough redevelopment which has all but erased the Butlin’s site even where the areas have been returned to grassland. I don’t think the wooden sleepers used extensively across The Bay originate from the old railway line, I think they were sourced from all over by the developers. Keep up the good work, really breaths life into the modern day archeology of the site.

[@Al-qv5vs]

I can just echo what others have said. Brilliant, extremely well done. Thank you.

[@Pstep75]

Remeber going to Butlins just before shut, then exploring the former site during frequent summer holidays to Primrose valley. Just one of those memories that stick in you head despite the years gone buy but as a young boy it was adventure overload!!!!!

[@ScottfromNP]

Very well put together. Is it a coincidence the winding path on the Elephant House site winds around? Maybe, just maybe, it respects something buried beneath by going around it?

[@JAY-lo3sx]

A Truly fantastic watch. Thank you. Bless you Charlie❤

[@bunkerboy02]

What a fantastic video about Butlins Filey. It’s hard to believe that Butlins used to have an elephant on site and how sad that the poor animal never got over the death of the man who looked after him. A sad sad story all round. Again, great use of photos and video to show how things used to be. I feel immense sadness yet again that this site did not remain as a Butlins. Billy must be turning in his grave.

[@joannadavison7491]

Staying at The Bay. My parents stayed at Butlin's & we stayed at Primrose Valley, as young teens, the year before Butlin's closed. Daughter & I walked the path from The Bay to the beach, I realised the turning circle was something Butlin's related, saw the other paths you mentioned & saw Billy Butlin's house from the beach. Also spotted the 2 WWII pill boxes from when RAF Humnanby took over the camp during the war.

[@vincentcarroll7315]

I love these videos, I am also fascinated by the history of butlins, I went there in 1972 with my auntie & cousin, best weeks holiday of my life 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Vincent

[@stevencockroft6455]

I went there in 1978 & 1979 and I had some happy holidays with my brother & my dear grandma who passed away in 1989 I can't believe how it's changed so much happy days ,

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Steven.

[@nonsuchandy]

Thank you. Absolutely love your Butlins films. I had many great Butlins holidays as a child.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you like them! More to come

[@azalphaskinhead659]

Bringing back Loads of memories.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. More to come

[@fennecfox8623]

08:10 - “...of brick work, and stones...and dog poo” lol Another great video Mr D - I especially love the now and then fade ins and outs 😀

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate.

[@TheLucreziia]

Excellent thank you for your hard work on the story of Charlie. It was such a different time and a different world, some things have changed for the better some things are worse. Hopefully, as time passes the treatment of wild animals will be much better. Poor Charlie I think the loss of his keeper was too much for him. 🙏

[@keithmyers7309]

Brilliant video went there as s child and my dad was in the talent contest as a barber shop quartet called the cockroaches great memories.Remember playing football on pitches and receiving medals in gaiety theatre.

[@chrisgee5675]

I worked at Butlin's Filey as a student in 1972 and 1973 and these three videos are fascinating and very well put together. Thank you Darren for your informative work.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Chris. Glad you liked them

[@MattyRasker]

We've come to Bay Filey for our holidays with no knowledge of this. Since watching this video on first day I've been completely obsessed with finding everything you spotted (my wife thanks you for that 😂). We're staying at one of the lake lodges and Charlie is just over the water. Love history,thanks for sharing.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad it contributed to your holiday there. Hope it was fun.

[@MattyRasker]

​@@AdventureMesure did. Just visited Charlies grave to pay my respects before we leave tomorrow

[@jakestown1952]

Holidayed at the cabins at the White House 2 years in a row with my wife and two young boys. Gorgeous. I love Filey ❤️.

[@AdventureMe]

Amazing. Good history in that house.

[@Lynne-x2w]

I remember the chairlifts, happy memories thank you

[@kerriesharpe5402]

Thankyou, I went to butlins Filey many times in the 70s as a child. Great memories 👌 ❤

[@davetp101]

A band I was with worked Butlins for the '81 season and 'Rocky' was the entertainments Manager then. I also worked at Primrose Valley for the 82 season as stage manager at that time both camps were owned by Rank Leisure along with Reighton sands and Barmston Beach . The entertainments staff at PV had staff passes issued by Rank head office and got me into Butlins many times during it's last full season and on one visit panicked Rocky as security contacted him to say someone from Ents head office was on site :)

[@alanrogers1937]

The work you have put into this is incredible. I have great memories of both Butlins and Primrose Valley for our family holidays. Thank you so much for your amazing work.

[@markosmith8037]

Excellent video, great narration, photos and music. This feels like a condensed history lesson in videos that are so easy to watch. Fantastic work - a pleasure to watch

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Marko

[@jordylyons4648]

On holiday but still had my coffee and watched this fantastic video👋❤️

[@AdventureMe]

Lucky you Jordy.

[@AlanSpooner-h9w]

What a fascinating piece of social history. Well done, sir.

[@Matt26200]

Would love to see this done for all previous Butlins holiday camps. Very interesting and love the superimposed pictures from new to old. Brilliant!

[@willbee6785]

Memories. I loved my holiday there. It gives you that feel-good factor.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@gps-gps]

Superb video again.

[@tristanlewis5436]

Fabulous little film thank you. So important to keep the history celebrated - Butlins means a lot to a lot of people x

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Tristan

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the tour and chat. Cheers Darren.

[@shaunparkin3167]

What a wonderful beautiful invite to my childhood when I visited Filey buntlines and now the times of change ….. thanks so much for sharing your work as this brought a very big smile on. My face 😊👌

[@lizzieburton5276]

A brilliant part 2, your knowledge, commentary & insertion of old footage gives it a great feeling of nostalgia. Thank you for sharing

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Lizzie. I try my best.

[@douglasthompson296]

Darren, fab post again this week. Now you should have taken Barney with you and told him to 'find' and he would have dug big Charlie's carcass!. As you say the original Primrose Valley was just a field with private caravans on, basic ones as compared to nowadays, no clubs, entertainment, the beach was the entertainment there. Oh happy days as a kid there. Would love to see pics of the inside of the White House as it was when built. The Billy Smarts circus family personal travelling caravan was magnificent and came up on EBay a few years back in a very sorry state. Nostalga, you have the knack of doing it to us that still have memories!!!! Cheers DougT the Mancs pensioner

[@AdventureMe]

Yes Barney would have found it. Only if he could eat it.

[@douglasthompson296]

@@AdventureMe he's smart, those bones would keep him going for a while 😈

[@brianvickans4339]

Worked there summer 1981, great camp fond memories

[@neilbethell2299]

Fantastic video, poor Elephant no need to put him down. Presume no Zoo's would take him then.

[@adrianjewell5995]

We’ve stayed at The Bay Village & wondered where Butlin’s was. The way you’ve superimposed the old over the new Ariel shots has answered that brilliantly. We never went to Butlin’s Filey but still feel nostalgic about it! Thanks!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Adrian

[@shanekelley7682]

Brilliant videos mate, really enjoyable. I do like photos overlaid with the original.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Shane

[@MrMistoffelees]

Just an aside - Mugdock Country Park near Glasgow includes the former site of Craigend Zoo, Charlie's previous home. The coffee shop there is named after him.

[@tailendcharlie5055]

I am currently here with my family at The Bay, I literally had no idea it was a Butlins camp until I saw that plaque at the JPJ last night. You'd never have known it was here, looking around. I wondered why there are so many sleepers everywhere. My kids love the beach. Thanks for the guide, I intend to explore some more this week.

[@AdventureMe]

Enjoy exploring. Thanks

[@MrJasdog107]

You have done a great job with this trio of films . The story of Big Charlie is one i will be tell my children and grandchildren.

[@PhilJordan-y3m]

Love your videos of Butlins, takes me back to late sixties and early seventies when I used to come every year. Do you know Butlins even had a unique Smell to it, just like a proper seaside boarding house. It was a fabulous place.

[@malcy34]

Brilliant, really loving this series,thankyou for bringing it to us.

[@AdventureMe]

No problem. More to come.

[@MalcolmKerr1963]

Hi mate I’ve just subscribed to your channel I really enjoy your videos about Blackpool and The former Butlins sites . Having visited them in my youth particularly the butlins site at Heads of Ayr Scotland went on out first family holiday June 1968 incidentally billy butlins retired that year and when we went back in 1974 the site was slowly changing and by the early 80’s it wasn’t the same it’s now a haven. Caravan park . One day in the next few years it would be great if you go do a feature video similar to the Filey Butlins video of Butlins Ayr . Keep up the good work mate lol forward to your Blackpool and other videos you do very interesting.

[@WiggysanWiggysan]

You before & after photo work is like nothing else my friend. OUTSTANDING. The level of research is mind blowing. Darren, you are on another planet. Brilliant. Keep them coming.

[@darrenpickering247]

fantastic videos of the old Butlins camp

[@angelsone-five7912]

Another excellent video Darren. Your merging of "what was" over "what is" is absolutely brilliant giving a real sense of history. Charlie`s story was sad but hey ho it happened. Looking forward to part 3.

[@rockabilly375]

Another brilliant video documenting the sad closure of a fantastic Butlins holiday camp. The fade in fade out pictures are fantastic. Thank you.

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks

[@busterboy7505]

Great video, we have been to the pub on the bay complex but didn’t realise it was holiday homes on there, and never knew about Billy Butlins home, what a great spot for a home, 👍👍👍👍👍.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad to help.

[@drivetrain1746]

Great video. As an owner on The Bay site for over 10 years you have opened my eyes to how Butlins used to be in regards you overlays. Never was sure where Charlie's grave was but next time I'm there I will have a wander up. Our house/cottage is just on your video as you get to the pub on the right (end one). You may have noticed all the painted pebbles outside that my 8 year old daughter does when we stay. Again Great video 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. You are very lucky to have a place on there, it's lovely.

[@adamsmees4250]

as a lad we had 2 holidays in the white house, I did not know it was billy butlins house! it was awesome, we literally woke up at sunrise and ran outside straight on to the beech!

[@tiger175]

Excellent series (2 of 3 so far). Used to live close by and visit on day trips - sometimes without my parents knowledge! Would spend all day in the amusement park (Wild Mouse) or take the chairlift down to the beach over and over.

[@AdventureMe]

I wish I had experiened all of that.

[@stephen4912]

Really enjoyed watching this looking forward to the 3rd filey/butlins was way before my time but love watching what was the grand camp now gone looking at remains etc keep it going

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate.

[@davidneal9368]

Good to see the site still being used as holiday homes

[@charlottedevere4876]

Top class filming with so much feeling . Very interesting facts and sights. Can you do a Blackpool film , so much to explore

[@AdventureMe]

Ive already done a few Blackpool series on the channel. I've covered the Pleasure Beach and Winter Gardens so far.

[@graemehannam3950]

An excellent video thanks Darren, looking forward to the next instalment on the old butlins holiday park, it's now slightly ironic that haven who own the primrose holiday park has now gone into partnership with the remaining butlins holiday parks, or so I've been informed, stay safe and keep up the good work with your videos Darren

[@davidm3maniac201]

He said that in part 1

[@dancedecker]

Thank you Darren for such a well produced, informative and inspiring video. Your attention to detail is excellent and the fade in and out of then and now is so helpful in picturing just how huge it was and where the iconic and welll loved attractions were. And it has certainly inspired me to look at staying in Sir Billy's former house sometime. Thank you.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@benmarshall787]

Great video again Darren, I've shared some of your local to me videos, with my Mum and Dad, who in turn have shared them with my Auntie and Uncle, they're all very impressed. My mum said today that a relative used to work and live at or near Battyeford Station as she remembers visiting as a child. My aunt and mum also used to live very close to the "Ringway" aka The Leeds New Line and remember the Petroleum Double Header that passed through the line, before then changing to terminate at the Hargreaves Fuel Terminal just off the A62. Indeed this terminal was why the line remained open til 1986. Just as a further point, after watching that video I took my 8yr old daughter Poppy to do some "exploring" on the Ringway. She was fascinated as she'd seen it with you on the telly!! We even had a giggle looking for abutments! I shall be recommending the Butlins video to my parents, I thought after watching Andrews video (Yorkshire Wanderer) that the elephant had drowned in the Pool or something tragic like that? Anyway great video, as usual, loved it, and I've found mysen looking at the Middleton Railway gates and route near the bottom of Dewsbury Road whilst working today passing 6 times, as well as the Morley Station Bridge abutments, the Morley tunnel chimney vent and indeed the abutments at Howden Clough near the old white horse pub which sadly is a housing complex. Of perhaps of interest to you Ive come across some Train Simulator footage posted on KZbin of the Leeds new line. Keep up the good work. Best wishes. Ben 🚌🚍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🌈🙏

[@groovydonkey]

It must take you ages to research all of this and love how you super impose the images of where things use to be,. So much detail and fascinating commentary.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks again!

[@johnogsii7976]

Fantastic video, loving this series!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks John. More to come

[@dalecleeve38]

As a regular visitor to PV, I will be walking and exploring through different eyes in future. Love history and love Filey. Can’t wait your next video. Great work

[@michaelmiller641]

Very interesting, Darren, as usual!

[@Eurobrasil550]

Another interesting video That chairlift infrastructure must have taken some maintenance, imagine the lashing it would get during winter storms and gales on the East Coast !

[@AdventureMe]

Yes i can imagine it wasn't very nice.

[@richardhalliday6469]

Brilliant Darren, I'm looking forward to next week's episode.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Richard.

[@frankwilson3265]

Newly discovered your channel and I've got to say how much I love your work. The British holiday camp will always hold a place in my heart and form a part of my childhood just as the industry was winding down large scale. So much nostalgia in your videos and great that someone is taking to time to piece together what still remains so that its memory is not forgotten.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching, more to come.

[@frankwilson3265]

@@AdventureMe Loving it. Part of my nightly wind-down is a watch of one of your videos.

[@ljts7587]

They can’t just build over that part where Charlie is buried. If they extend the park then they should also put some mark of respect for Charlie and why he was their hence remembering the Butlins Filey site also. They could even make a gift shop with a little museum of the history of its site. Gives the site the history it needs and be part of a marketing tool as a attraction for residents and guest to the park. I know if owned a site like that I’d bring back some of the building with the architectural design that they had back. Why cover over heritage of something that was meant for joy the same reason your business is set up. Honour its history. And great vid again,,,I do like your vids. Thank you for doing the research you do and the content your bring. Love it.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. I agree with them not building on it. They could at least have a little memorial.

[@jeffnaylor4838]

Fantastic work. Really like the way you've overlaid old photos and shown the maps to pinpoint where you are. Been to Primrose Valley and the Bay many times, and been past the White House, never knew it belonged to Billy Butlin but makes sense now. Like the way you are respectful to the sites you visit too.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Jeff

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Great overlays and interesting story. Thanks.

[@markpearson8941]

WOW this series really took me back to when I was about 12 back in 1988 when we as a family took our first holiday to Primrose Valley walking over the beach to Filey can remember something about Butlins but can't for the life of me remember what. Only found your channel yesterday and love it! Great vlogs mate well done.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mark. Glad you liked. Welcome aboard

[@stevebee5840]

Great video hell of a lot of research to put this together…well done.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Steve

[@tracya4087]

hiya , part two is just as great , in fact with the music and pictures , it s a work of art . thank you very very much for this , all our very best from nick and tracy in wigan . still the pie capital of lancashire

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you very much!

[@Tenpin23]

Hi Darren, Really enjoyed part 1 and part 2 of Butlin’s Filey Holiday Camp. When will you release part 3?

[@bunkerboy02]

Next week he said at the end of the video.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes this Sunday.

[@danielross7221]

Great stuff again Darren. It’s so difficult to believe nowadays what used to be there

[@AdventureMe]

Sure is strange when there.

[@sonnieM]

I enjoyed it so much im on to part 2!😊

[@AdventureMe]

Yay! Thank you!

[@StevieG-zb3rh]

Wonderful video Darren. Many thanks for filming this and sharing it with us all. You paint such a wonderfully evocative picture of what the camp would have looked like. Well done sir!

[@tracya4087]

does nt he just , smashin bloke

[@AdventureMe]

You are very welcome

[@davependrill2897]

Brilliant video Darren,been following this short series.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks dave. More to come

[@ChrisSheader]

Next level overlays there...... well done again for this vid - so many memories... Tons of holidays in PV when I was a kid...

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Chris. One more to go.

[@colintwist2686]

Hi mate, loving these filey videos I have worked at primrose valley for years and now work at the bay running the John Paul Jones. I remember going though the fence as a kid and going round the old site

[@tweetypie25]

Again fascinating, well made, and very, very interesting.Never knew about the elephant, I wonder why they didn't put a marker on his grave?

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Joseph. I don't think they wanted ivory hunters digging it up.

[@tweetypie25]

@@AdventureMe that makes sense

[@shanegreen2583]

Great informative flog. Can see you’ve put a lot of effort and years of research into that

[@saraclayton-smithson5083]

Poor Charlie!! That will be an interesting archeological dig in centuries to come!! I think the White House would make a fantastic holiday location… you will have to book it and film the views from the top balcony for us. Loving the series, can’t wait for next week now….

[@AdventureMe]

Now there's an idea. But it's very expensive to book right now.

[@MJARTBYDAY]

Another great video with a lot of info about where the Elephant house was and the chalets. I've got photos of me and mum and my brother standing outside the chalets. Thank you so much for taking us back in time to wonderful memories.

[@AdventureMe]

No problem, thanks for watching.

[@sixtysecondsofstephens2386]

Great research. Amazing how past things like this fascinate many people.

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you. I really enjoyed doing this one. Lots more exciting things to come soon.

[@Design2winLew]

Another fascinating explore Darren , looking forward to part three . Tragic story about Charlie .

[@AdventureMe]

Yes it was. Very sad.

[@markST24]

@8:26 I stayed just last week on the same pitch (Cormorant 10) as the caravan to your right behind you...Me and my Mrs joked "I'll go this way you go that way" around the turning circle on our way down to the beach...Wish I'd known now what significance it had and the area around...Still a great site and totally clean beach with stunning views...We love Filey Bay...

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching