Exploring The Lost Butlin's Filey Holiday Camp | What Remains?

[@jacquelinehunt7794]

Brings back so many memories of my dad who passed away 8 years ago today.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed

[@susanbartle9802]

Our family went 2 years running in 1973 and 1974, I remember the steps down to the beach and getting the sky lift back to the other side where our chalet was!, remember getting my 1st ever knicker blocker glory in the ice cream parlour and thinking I was so special

[@misstakenot9582]

The use of the Radio Butlin "wake up" music was a nice touch.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. Very appropriate I thought.

[@willrichardson9532]

I will never forget our family holiday in 1966. My mum had sadly passed away in summer 1965 leaving my dad, me, my brother and sister. Our first holiday away together since mum died was at Butlins ,Filey in summer 1966. This video brings back so many memories. I remember Charlie, the huge elephant, fair rides, theatres and the massive canteen where we ate our meals. Also, the holidaymakers cheering when an unfortunate waiter or waitress dropped a plate or 2 whilst serving a meal.!!! This wonderful video has brought back so many happy memories. Thank you so much! And guess what! This summer, my mum’s great grandchildren,grand children and son are holidaying at The Bay, Filey, previously unaware of the close historical connection with Butlins…We are so looking forward to it 😊

[@gordonsinclair9947]

I was a summer temp cashier at Filey in 1963 and 1964 during my student holidays. On Saturday changeover day, when the arriving campers paid the balance of their holiday, the takings amounted to over £100,000 - £1.9 million today, with inflation. All banknotes had to be bundled, wrapped and with the Queen's head facing the same way. We worked late on Saturday nights! My secondary job was relief limelight operator in the theatre - Eddie Calvert "The Man With the Golden Trumpet" topping the bill. By 1983 I was an airline captain, flying Scottish passengers on their foreign holidays. The Corfu flight took us on an airway segment between Newcastle and Amsterdam, just off the east coast. I used to look down at the bright lights of Butlin's Filey of an evening, smile fondly and think "Still going!" The following year there were no bright lights and of course with it the realisation that my industry had played a major part in its downfall, which made me sad.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes so true. It lost its charm I think.

[@Dad3601]

Brilliant vintage documentary that took me right back to being 5 again travelling in car with my mum dad and Sister saying are we there yet all the way from edinburgh i remember seeing the flags swishing in the wind And just being so excited ahh memories those steps down to rock garden took me right back thanks again

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. More to come

[@christinamurray2912]

When I was 15 in 1989 we stayed at primrose valley I was so bored and wandered off .. found myself at a chain link fence with security signs.. so like you do I wandered in 😂 I found myself wandering around an abandoned holiday park!! Chalets still had furniture with beds made & curtains blowing in the breeze there was an old shop with walls ice cream signs and coke signs (I remember very well as it was hot & I was thirsty) some areas had already been started to be demolished like the theatre as it’s roof was coming in I still remember the theatre had massive light fixtures and there were garlands all around! I had no idea it was an old butlins or that my mum had taken me there in the early 70s! If ONLY we had the technology back then! I could have taken pics but obviously cameras were expensive for a poor 15yr old 😂 but I still have my memories 👍❤️

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. I really regret not doing this earlier. Much more to be found back then.

[@TheHighfeilds]

Brilliant story but such a shame this pleice of amazing history was just removed like that wish id been too butlins. I love the style and look of the inside of the buildings i love old things it would been great if u too had phtos.

[@bunkerboy02]

This is a great story. If only we could turn back time. I do think this place could have been preserved and turned into a Butlin’s Beamish type of museum of how the holiday camp used to be.

[@jaynestag95]

😭 so sad....Butlins had real magic in the 70s. Tech has ruined it now, nothing is a surprise to children. Just memories now.

[@Eurobrasil550]

@@bunkerboy02 On a much smaller scale I remember reading somewhere one of the still existant Butlins camps has a couple of Chalets preserved in their original state, Skegness I think it is?

[@kerrytk5768]

I hold very special fond memories of Butlins at Filey. This video brings tears to my eyes knowing it was never preserved 😪 we came from 79-82 from Scotland. I wish it was still there for my now children to enjoy too ❤️ I'd love to come back to see & touch what remains.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@christineannechristou5388]

Had 3 wo derful holidays at Butlins in the 70s, people dont have those kind of holidays anymore, they were unforgetable, happy days always something to do somewhere to go, kids were active all day, slept all night, happy kids ment happy parents. Thank you for the memories, such a shame they destroyed everything..?

[@ravinloon58]

Went to Filey in the 60s, 70's and 80's then Skegness and lastly Minehead in the 80's and 90's. So glad my kids got to experience Butlins when it was still something special. I was quite surprised at the feelings your video brought out of me.

[@Quinnysings]

And It Was Cleaned properly every day !!! Thanks For The Info

[@janbryan8165]

Went to Butlins Filey many, many times as a day visitor - most of them sneakily for free as my dad was a refrigeration engineer and he used to repair all the Walls and Lyons Maid ice cream fridges on site. If he had a job to do there I'd go with him in the van, and then head into the funfair on the rides while he was working. I also have a fair chunk of Butlins attached to my house. When they started to demolish the site, Trevor Guy set up an area where you could go and buy reclaimed building materials and other items from around the camp. My dad built a workshop so we have bits of timber, doors, window frames and wall boarding all from some part of Butlins Filey. Your video is bringing back lots of memories.

[@bunkerboy02]

That’s a fascinating story! And to think you’ve got some of the Butlins Filey site at your house is amazing.

[@macraghnaill3553]

I was there as a 12 year old in 1966, loved it

[@Dreamcatcher-1962]

I went there for holidays in late 60s, 70s as a child...loved it back then.

[@wingco111]

I worked at Filey in the summer of 1970 as a student on summer vacation having worked at Butlins Pwllheli the year before. Dishwasher, Waiter, Barman, Gridlop. It was a great times with a whole bunch of people of a similar age together with the many seasoned Butlins workers. I well recall dancing away in the disco to '250624' (Chicago) and 'All right now' (Free) in my dishwasher overalls and wellies! Drove by about 16 years ago to witness the place disappearing fast. A really fascinating video, thanks for helping bring back some amazing memories.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. The Pwllheli camp I saw before and after. What a change.

[@StevieG-zb3rh]

Love the old photos faded in and out. Gives you a real sense of how the holiday camp used to look. Love things like that! Thanks for filming and sharing!

[@SWR112]

Absolutely it’s the wee bit more effort you appreciate. Would love him to do that place in Scarborough above the outside swimming pool Mr Marvels above the open air theatre. I walked through it a few years back and some of the stuff was still there but very little. One of the Volcanos from the Dinosaur area I visited while a kid. When your Seven you think what was probably poor to an adult amazing 😁

[@jerrywallop5647]

Gave me goosebumps that………Great memories……….Well done & Thankyou…

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching,

[@OmarAlohaDude]

Imagine all the happy family memories made here!

[@mickgreen-tg1zp]

I went there with some school mates in 1969........brilliant video,so very well done.

[@shirleylynch7529]

My goodness me. All these people at Butlins. Once upon a time I was one of them. What a journey through time this is. So nostalgic. Thank you so much. You have a gift Darren. That’s for sure. Well done.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Shirley. More to come

[@jetsons101]

You use of old B&W photos fading in and out with "today" shots is top notch. It really helps with the story, almost like being there. Now to watch part 2 and 3......

[@Turnbull50]

I went to this camp in 1973 with three friends and had a great time. I really like the way you superimpose the old with the present photos and videos.I remember entering a singing contest but came nowhere and the four of us made a 45 rpm record of us singing on top of old Smokey. Great times with friends who are sadly gone now.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. More to come

[@JillGreen-d4q]

Absolutely loved this video about Butlins Filey 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A fascinating slice of social history, well researched and imaginatively recreated. Thank you!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Malcolm. More to come.

[@alisongawthorpe695]

Your welcome

[@miked8623]

Brillaint .Thanks for taking the time .Had great holidays in the early seventies ..Remember Karen williams of pennyeford in wales .from 1974 if you ever see this get in touch.

[@iainmcgaw1947]

Honestly. One of your best yet

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Ian. I really tried on these three. Took me weeks.

[@trevorharrison9617]

wonderful video never went to Filey Butlins but after watching this i feel i have been there thankyou

[@lindsaypeterholden2701]

I keep returning to this Brilliant Production!!!!!!!!!!! What fantastic memories, the fading Photos Present to past are just, well, Terrific indeed.and Your passion for Butlin's Filey comes over very clearly.Beautifuly done.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks guys. I really enjoyed this one. A pet project of mine

[@alanb5370]

Splendid. Stayed here with my family in the summers of 1956 and 1959, for a week. We travelled from Church, an extended part ofcAccrington, Lancashire. A journey which took a long time in a 1948 Austin 8.

[@AdventureMe]

I bet it did lol

[@alanb5370]

@@AdventureMe Something must have stuck, as for 33 years we had a flat on Esplanade in Scarborough, not as a holiday home but as an extension to the house we had in Ilkley. For the past eight and a half years we have lived in the old Max Jaffa house, north of Scarborough.

[@anthonyskelton9728]

My family were there in the final week of operation at Filey Butlins. 9am sharp on the last saturday morning, a knock on the door of our apartment. They were taking the TV's away from all the apartments. I remember being absolutely terrified on the cable car that went from the centre of the camp down to the beach when it stopped midway. Right up against one of the pylons over some chalets. It was good old Yorkshire weather that summer. Dull and very windy. Not nice for someone scared of heights as i was. Great video Darren. Excellent!!!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Anthony. Good memories.

[@bunkerboy02]

That’s some story that. You have been there right at the end and for them to come and take your tv away it’s like a final takeover. Fascinating stuff.

[@martinporter4980]

@@bunkerboy02 Maybe they were going straight back to the rental company! I went to this camp with my family in 1975, if memory serves me right. I remember riding on the miniature railway with my late Mum but did not realise the site had its own railway station. (We arrived by car so maybe that was the reason).

[@bunkerboy02]

@@martinporter4980 I think you’re spot on with the rental company idea. They will have been rented back then for sure and that’s where they will have headed after being collected.

[@Eurobrasil550]

An interesting story, assumedly as the final guests departed that Saturday the place was made secure, and most of the reusable equipment like the TVs you mention was subsequently removed?

[@theoneandonlydill]

What a shame it had to close. I went there in 1972 with 3 mates, we had just left school and I remember one day when we were playing football an announcement over the Tannoy saying that Leeds United's Paul Reaney would be coming to visit and take part in some games. I was over the moon as I am a Leeds fan and I ended up playing along side him in the blistering hot sun, I got his autograph and photos of the game. A great holiday I'll never forget.

[@Al-qv5vs]

Loved it. Really interesting but sad.

[@tonkoopman7885]

Ton Koopman (Netherlands) In 1975 I worked for 6 weeks as a foreign student from Holland on this camp. Lots of memories. Had a great time!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for sharing

[@petew8388]

This video is brilliant my friend. I am 60 now and visiting Butlins at Filey with mum and dad are some of the happiest most memorable times of my childhood. I have recently been looking at a lot of Butlins memories vids and they bring tears to my eyes especially the Filey ones. I have somewhere a great book called "Butlin's Filey, thanks for the memories" and have desperately been trying to find it. Sorry to the Author for not remembering your name. I am from Lincolnshire and remember having the shock of my life back in the eighties when I happened to go for a day out to the Filey area with my girlfriend at the time and witnessed the camp being bulldozed, it was an horrific site. Anyway looking forward to your other vids. Thank you so much!

[@AdventureMe]

No problem Pete. Glad I helped to spark some fond memories. That's the whole point of doing this. And the book was by Paul Wray. I have it too.

[@br164]

It’s sad. Never went, I was born in 91 but I’ve been to primrose valley and the bay. Never knew it was an old butlins. All the happy memories of millions held within that land, it’s quite moving

[@kevdouglas1461]

Best butlins documentary I’ve seen defo brings back memory’s

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Kev. More to come.

[@sparkle935]

My grandad was one of the original drivers of the mini railway, after retiring as driver of the flying Scotsman , we had some wonderful holidays at filey butlins in the 60s 🤗☀️🍹

[@Braveheart-1300]

I worked at Butlins Ayr Camp in 1978, 1981 and 1982 with my brother George and it was without doubt one of the best jobs ever. We met so many good people and forged friendships that will forever remain with us. George and I never got to visit Filey but i do accept that each and everyone of us were all connected regardless of which camp we worked at. Butlins Ayr is now called Craig Tara which sadly is a shadow of the original camp. I feel a heart-felt sadness with the people who worked at Filey.and this video no doubt touches all those who worked and visited there. Filey like Ayr may have gone but the memories born there will live on. Thanks for sharing. Bill

[@davidthornton9214]

I've already seen a few videos of this site, so was expecting more of the same. I was wrong. Well done Darren. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks David. Glad it was different.

[@steburkes4254]

I went there in the very early 80s with my mum and dad great memories love it 👍👍

[@webrarian]

When you're reading your script your presentation is impeccable. Perfect speed and perfect intonation. Such a joy to listen to in age when fast is meant to be exciting.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Chris. My first time doing something scripted in a video.

[@tracya4087]

hear hear , smashin bloke , what he does for all of us

[@Eurobrasil550]

Very true, I am quite fluent in English, but it is not my language of daily use, and I can understand perfectly.

[@tracya4087]

perfect

[@alanwann9318]

A good video, I went to Filey 1950,s 2-3 times .I have happy memories thanks to Billy Butlin.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. More to come

[@davewright4380]

Great video, the intro superb. Very moving!

[@jonstorey6414]

Hi. I remember going to this place in the late 70s. On School day out. I totally loved the day and wanted to go back sometime. Only to hear the sad news of the place closing. Glad to have memories of the old place.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Jon.

[@grahamdouglas6752]

A wonderful nostalgic trip down memory lane! I went there in 1969 with a group of friends just after I had done my GCEs. I have a photo of one pal and I (he is now sadly dead) sitting at our table in the main dining hall. It evokes such wonderful memories of starting to holiday without my parents - a 'right of passage' into young adulthood, a fabulous week chasing anything and everything that wore a skirt! Many thanks 'Adventure Me' and I look forward to the next films.

[@markdenson575]

Great video looking forward to watching the 2nd one Thank you

[@gearjunkie8681]

Your video brings back many memories, when my Father, brought us all here. I especially love the way you superimpose old images over today's images. It was so sad to see the Demise of Butlins. It had so many memories for me. Your images brought a lump in my throat and it was a honour to see that there are still a few sections of the old Butlins left. We visited Primrose Valley a few years ago and also noticed they are chipping away at what is left of the old Filey Butlins, for their own expansion. Thankyou for taking the time to make the video, it was lovely to look back at what was a lovely experience.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Plenty more to come. The fade ins I do a lot in my videos.

[@erdishzane472]

Was there in the summer of 82. Awesome holiday, great memories

[@janepartis2626]

Loved this. Brought back lots of faded happy memories. Being from Bridlington my family came here often for the day in the 1970s. I used to live swimming in the outdoor pool here. My now deceased grandfather had a job here as a night watchman/ security guard at the gates on the main road to Scarborough. Look forward to the next instalment 👍

[@leewilliamson4783]

Loved staying there 81/82, the snooker tables were fantastic but couldn’t get a game as I was too young.But if I hung around long enough the gents who were playing would give me the odd shot and were amazed at how ‘good’ I was. Didn’t have the heart to say it was a fluke 😄. The high board of the pool outdoor was a challenge, bloody high and the water was freezing so you broke the speed record to get the side.Thanks for posting this was great to reminisce and see the old place again. Looking forward to seeing other snippets from the past.take care and stay healthy.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. More to come

[@martinmarsola6477]

Very sad to see what became of this fabulous sight. Thanks for the update on the sight. That pin your dad gave you was the highlight of the day. Thank you Darren for the tour. Cheers mate. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍🇺🇸

[@iansellers406]

Excellent research really enjoyed watching ! I worked as a barman when i was 18 ,lots of funny moments .

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jordylyons4648]

Showed this to my dad he absolutely loves this series thanks mate👏❤️

[@ashlynnerutter9487]

stumbled across this video while searching for something else. wow i never knew there was a butlins at Filey, i would of been eight years old when it closed. My parents never really bothered with holiday camps when i was that age but as ive grown older ive stayed at primrose valley in a caravan several times and have seen the lake and roads many visits but i did not know that about the tennis courts and ofcourse that road leads to the beach (which brings back is own memories) Im somewhat local to the area too, about an hours drive away perhaps one day i shall go back and revisit the areas in this video, thank you for an amazing tour.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@johnpaddock01]

I used to go to primrose valley in the 90s with my parents, the main entrance used to be the touring caravan entrance and I think it was one of the entrances for butlins originally, behind the tennis courts (which may have been the old butlins ones) was a raised up area with a small set of steps up to it, and behind there was a fence surrounding the almost flattened butlins site, I remember going and looking through and could make out the old blue fountain up in the distance, would have loved to have climbed through and gone for a nosey but I didn't dare unfortunately (I was only 10 in fairness) but like you say there was so much more left back then, ace video Darren, can't wait to see the next ones, loving all the local history you've done round east/North yorks so far!!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. More to come

[@kmag7122]

very interesting I when there when I was 13 happy days happy memories ❤

[@jamesziggy1615]

That’s one of the best ‘before and now’ videos I’ve seen on here in a long time. Superbly edited and the fade in and out was a nice touch. As a child in the 70s, our family went to Butlins Pwllheli in North Wales for many years. It closed a long time ago and is now a Haven Holiday/caravan park. I went back there couple of years ago and there is still a lot you can see of the old park amongst the new. Then mini railway platforms are still there in the undergrowth and some of the original Butlins roads and pathways are still there. I’d love you to go there and do a video….keep up the good work mate 👍👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. That's my intention. I went to Pwllheli many times as a kid so remember it quite well. The before and now thing I do quite a lot in most of my videos.

[@jamesziggy1615]

@@AdventureMe I came across your channel by total accident and am slowly working my way through all your videos. I’ve sent the link to a couple of friends and they’ve now subscribed because some of them brought back a lot of memories so well done and we can’t wait to see the others….👏

[@doctorsocrates4413]

Impeccable presentation..superb work thank you.👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@alicebutler2007]

Brilliant! Can't wait for the other installments. Love the fade ins, you can really see where everything once was, it brings it all to life.

[@RossCompose]

I agree.

[@tracya4087]

@@RossCompose me too

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you, more to come.

[@rossi6113]

VERY interesting. Thank you.

[@philatkin2261]

Great stuff shared with butlins staff group on fb

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Phil. Much appreciated

[@angelaelsender5190]

Brings back memories of a good childhood and teenage years x

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Angela

[@anthonyellis987]

I love that you use old pictures of the camp. It's hard to imagine what it looked like withoutb them. Can't wait to part two.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. More to come.

[@deborahrower1729]

Fabulous video. Brought back memories. I worked at Butlins in 1980. Thankyou for showing that.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Deborah

[@simonthackray9726]

Site as there was no security then, we even found redcoats in the staff chalets, it was unbelievable how it was left but very fond memories of the place. Rgds Simon.

[@algomaone121]

Hooray for time travel montages! Fascinating!

[@ritagordon7028]

Holidayed at Butlins Filey in 1947. I was 9. Had my first taste of rockmelon when served as desert. Spent many happy hours in the paddling pool. 1947 was a very hot summer. Had a blue badge for years. Still remember chalet number F14

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Rita

[@allanbarton9217]

i just love this kind of video WELL DONE and so sad because of cheap air travel.

[@michaelrender1584]

Absolutely 💯💯brilliant 👏Darren all ready looking forward 👍to the next one 😀

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Michael. Coming next week.

[@littleannie390]

My family used to have a caravan at Reighton Sands back in the 70s. I can remember taking the bus into Filey that called at both Primrose Valley and Butlins, but we never went in. I loved that stretch of coast and the huge beach stretching for miles.

[@angelsone-five7912]

Excellent video. I have long had an interest in the Filey camp and have watched all the vieos I could find of it. Your mini series is the cherry on the cake as I love stories of what-was-then and what-is-now. I have never even been near the place but it fascinates me all the same. Keep `em coming.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks hazel. More to come

[@trevorrobinson8577]

Very interesting video. The then and now shots were excellent. Thank you...

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Trevor

[@craigsouthwell]

Really enjoyed this video. Was a really interesting insight into an institution that like many others is now sadly gone. Can't wait for part 2

[@stevenwade7466]

This camp should of been saved ! The kind of place that we really need now entertainment pools chairlift competitions etc . Much has been lost by demolition of these ever so special places. It's the same with the Phwelli camp . All the sites are now are houses or caravan parks WOW . I wonder what Sir Billy would think ? . GREAT VIDEO WELL DONE .

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. It goes back to that old saying though, use it or lose it. It was very quiet towards the end and couldn't compete with package holidays.

[@stevenwade7466]

@@AdventureMe The Filey camp was busy so I've been told . Although it was scaled down . The Phwelli camp certainly was ,I went a few times. It was a lovely mixture of old & new Butlins caravans too . I think Butlins wanted to build a big tent thing a Sky pavillion . It was turned down by the council & so Butlins pulled out . It saddens me to this day . My friend Doug Stuart of Doug Stuart photo Photography took photos of the remains of the Filey camp in the 1990s . He had no idea till later that it was the remains of a holiday camp . The pool couldn't be filled in for a while as grey crested nutes were in the pool . These are a protected species. Please visit Dougs site the pics a great please let me know what you think if you take a look ?

[@sixtysecondsofstephens2386]

Great research. Looked like a great holiday destination with loads to do.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. More to come

[@victorsilvester78]

Another beautiful video. I love your enthusiasm and fascinating for Britain's past.

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you very much!

[@victorsilvester78]

@@AdventureMe Thanks. I'm guessing you know about this? Holiday Camp from 1947 & filmed at Filey. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYjXg5qAa66fh68

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

I was an AA Patrolman back in the days when it was open, it was so busy on the Saturday morning when all the guests were trying to get their cars started after being parked up for a week, it was crazy, you could go on the camp after the Saturday breakfast and not come off again until the middle of the afternoon, just going from one car to another to get them started.

[@bunkerboy02]

That’s a great story, thank you for sharing.

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

@DBHD Not quite, 1977 onwards until closedown.

[@paulp8230]

@MIND No - But if I remember correctly you had to get a ticket, or apply to leave the camp whilst you were there. I know when I was there with my parents our car stood, like Steve says for the entire week (however i think Dad did go and run the engine during our stay). Thanks for sharing Steve - I do recall it was always a hasty exit to meet the checkout time!

[@patrickstarnes2355]

Nature has taken back the area and wildlife thrives once again.

[@aligiff17]

I love these kinds of videos, they're so fascinating, you've researched well, pinpointing all the exact locations, looking forward to the next one, just subbed, many thanks for sharing.👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Alison. Plenty more like this on my channel and to come.

[@Stahlkorps101]

Fantastic video. I went to Butlins Filey with my family when I was only 4. Can't remember much about it, but what sticks in my mind the most is the cable cars and the Hawaiian Bar. The Hawaiian Bar had an indoor waterfall which seemed like real magic when I was 4. The cable cars took you up so high, you could see over the whole camp. I remember looking down onto the chalets from what felt like a dizzying height at 4 years old. I'm actually remembering more as I'm typing. Like the inside of our chalet was painted a pastel green. I can remember going to the dining halls for meals, and we were given a little souvenir keyring with a colour slide of my family and me at our dining table. I was also in this little activity club for kids. I think it was called the Butlins Beaver club or something. Magic memories.❤😊

[@AdventureMe]

Great memories

[@derelictCHEESEBURGER]

Really enjoyed this! Have stayed at primrose valley a couple of times and had no idea butlins used to be there until recently. Brilliantly put together!

[@oldmanvlogger9259]

Thank You, great video. I was there in 1969 as a present as I had passed my 11 plus exam. Remember some of it like the chair lift, But even then, it was changing , the tennis courts had gone as had the around the lake railway. Half of the the original chalets had been demolished to make way for self catering flats, we were in L22!!. However, still a great holiday, even though I was sick after too many rides on the free funfair!!

[@quickclipsbyjmj]

Really liked the photo-shoppery, Darren. Especially, you at the 1945 opening night ball. Always sad to see places developed beyond imagination of what was there before. The entire lake could easily have remained, tennis courts updated and at least the rock garden and a concrete fountain as a tribute to the original site's use. Looking forward to seeing Billy Butlin's house.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes I agree. I had to do that photo lol

[@willbee6785]

‘77 I was there with family, auntie, uncle, cousins and my aunties friends. Brilliant time. One of the best holidays of my life.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Will

[@reinhard0069]

So interesting and well done. We never went to stay there as we were in my late Dads caravan but we had a day pass. I remember the indoor swimming pool that seemed positively tropical!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. More to come

[@JamesGreen-l1c]

Absolutely obsessed with Butlin’s over the years . I think lots of us would love you to do a ‘now and then’ series of the three current sites so much has changed … Skegness was always our local . Love your work mate

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

In some ways the old Butlins looks much more fun than acres of static caravans with not a lot else going on.

[@carlh429]

They have done the same to the old Butlins Pwllheli site in North Wales. I have many fond childhood memories of that Butlins camp which is now sadly unrecognisable.

[@PaulAJacksonMusic]

Fascinating. I was there in '84

[@jasonscott567]

I remember as a local of Clacton, going to Butlins as a young boy. I’ve seen Butlins back when it was a fully functioning camp, when it was a derelict shell, and then it’s complete eradication from its site. It is now a housing estate situated by sea. I don’t know if Filey found itself in the same predicament but Clactons woes were compounded by the alleged refusal of the local council to give the camp rate relief to the tune of £216000 for one year, in order to invest in the camp. With that the camp was subsequently closed resulting in the loss of around 60 full time and around 900 seasonal jobs. Butlins format for entertainment had remained roughly the same over the years, leaving it lagging behind due to package holidays and differing tastes. It is sad to the these titans of the great British holiday industry fall by the wayside. The question is though, would they be viable in today’s world?

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Jason. Hopefully I'll get to cover the Clacton camp soon.

[@waynecheshire7878]

Nice one Darren I’m looking forward to the rest of the series 🐘

[@AdventureMe]

They're all online. Enjoy

[@modshark6671]

I used to go here often in the 70s 80s I used to enter the talent competition where I won it 4 years in a row, I was like a mini celebrity there as I kept winning free holidays there. My mam went in for the glamourous granny contest when she came 2nd, we used to eat in the Beach Coma restaurant where we'd eat cockles and mulses, it had a big pond inside and nets up holding plastic marine life, lobsters and crabs etc. I used to sit and put my hands in the water, and the staff used to say there was sharks and dolphins in there lol....we had so amazing times as a family there. Unfortunately it's just not the same now, that sense of family fun is gone. Back then kids could go off and play with no worries, now we can't let our kids out of sight...the breakdown of society over the years can be blamed on the government, it's too expensive to run this kind of operation now, no one's interested in spending time with other families anymore, because there's no trust in the community anymore, and that's thanks to the government that's sold us out to the middle East years ago, and slowly our heritage has been squeezed out, people say it's times move on etc, but it's not....it's all part of the taking of British values, culture out of the UK replacing It with everything non British, slowly but surely one by one, our heritage and sense of fun has been overtaken by multiculturalism, pc bullshit, and corrupt government s owned by the middle East.....

[@willbee6785]

My mum won the glamorous granny & my nephew won the beautiful child. Summer ‘77. 😎

[@elainethomson5826]

I loved my holidays at butlins Filey The swimming pools were my favourite places the middle pool was the deepest. With the diving platforms either side was shallow . I had my first Chinese meal at butlins in the beachcomber bar I was 8 lovely beach as well and the cable cars were great fun happy days thanks for showing

[@garymalia7363]

Love these videos...we been holidaying In Scarborough for over 20 yrs a d we stay at Reighton.....everytime i go down that road i say to my family the old butlins railway is behind them trees...and always say about butlins Filey... Keep them coming mate....great vids...

[@bunkerboy02]

Never let the history fade and keep sharing!

[@ericdetarot]

Went in 1960s remember the train from Scarborough and I loved the chairlift to the beach. We had an upstairs chalet , think it had a bathroom.Shame it closed we went to several Butlins holiday camps and Filey was the best followed by Minehead..loved your film

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. More to come

[@pauljohnson1491]

Loved the video. I worked there in 1983 just before I joined the navy, many happy memories

[@AdventureMe]

Last season then before it closed.

[@pauljohnson1491]

@@AdventureMe I worked in Kent kitchen as a "Jackson man"...basically handing out meals from Jackson steamers to the girls serving

[@stevejones9740]

Whoa! I found that a bit eerie as well as very moving. My parents took me and my younger brother to Butlins' a few times in the mid-to-late 60s; twice to Filey and twice to Skegness. We loved it, of course, and I have many happy memories but I wasn't quite ready to have my childhood resurrected so vividly. Had to watch it a second time to fully appreciate the quality of the presentation and commentary. The then-and-now photo transitions, and the accompanying mood music are very well done. Thanks for making and sharing these fascinating videos.

[@AdventureMe]

No problem Steve. Enjoy the second part online now.

[@Nik-8it5p]

The opening ball photo reminds me so much of the Jack Torrens photo at the end of Kubricks The Shining!! Great work !!

[@AdventureMe]

It was supposed to be a nod to that. I did it on purpose. It's the same photo with my face on it.

[@Nik-8it5p]

@@AdventureMe DOH, stupid me!! 😁

[@alanreeves2081]

I love to watch then and now videos, the first Filey one was fascinating..please keep them up.

[@catman2007]

This is a remarkable and well thought out video. I stayed at the Haven caravan park in early Oct 23, £59 for 4 nights in one of the caravans adjacent to the modern houses. A really lovely site altogether. adjacent to the England Coast Path, which I now have documented from Bridlington to Bamburgh. So it was intriguing with some sadness to learn of its history. I had not heard of Billy's art deco house before not the plaque on the pub.

[@jackym61]

I remember visiting Butlins Filey when I was about 16 while living in Bridlington. It was a day trip with the Brownies and Guides. We had a fantastic time and enjoyed the pool and the miniature railway. Strangely, even though I must have travelled on the Brid to Scarborough railway hundreds of times, I never knew about the camp branch line. Love your videos, you get to do all the exploring I would love to but can't. Thank you!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. More to come.

[@cosmos7492]

Enjoyed that love these before and after video's glad I found you looking forward to seeing more Thank you

[@AdventureMe]

Awesome, thank you!

[@OmarAlohaDude]

Great video, thank you for your thoughtful video