A town that was once home to one of the UK’s largest Butlin’s resorts has now transformed into an ultra-luxury holiday village. Following the Second World War, the trend for staycations was at its peak, with millions of Brits flocking to the seaside each summer.
Filey, tucked between Scarborough and Bridlington in North Yorkshire, was a popular choice for holidaymakers. Here, visitors could indulge in long stretches of sandy beaches, numerous fish and chip shops, Victorian-style fairground rides, and a vast holiday complex.
Previously a military base, Billy Butlin’s Filey campsite drew over 150,000 guests annually, perfectly encapsulating the post-war holiday spirit. Holidaymakers would delight in nights of cabaret, dancing, swimming, and amusement arcades, all under the watchful eye of the iconic Red Coats.
However, the advent of cheap flights to sun-soaked destinations like Spain and Greece (known as the Benidorm boom) quickly eclipsed Butlin’s success. Indeed, the site fell out of favour rather rapidly, eventually shutting its doors in September 1983.
For years, the deserted site remained abandoned, attracting urban explorers and aspiring graffiti artists. It was a stark contrast to the 50s, with decades of family fun replaced by empty swimming pools filled with rubbish and half-demolished buildings left in an almost apocalyptic state, according, reports Bristol Live.
Richard Bailey, a retired lecturer and former Butlin’s enthusiast, shared his fond memories of the site with Chronicle Live in 2021. “When I visited in 2001 there was still plenty of evidence of what had once been a holiday camp, including the chalets, fountains and remains of the outdoor and indoor pools,” he recalled.
However, in 2007, an ambitious project costing around £25million was launched to completely overhaul the site. The Bay, which describes itself as a “purpose-built holiday village on the clifftops”, cleared the debris and began constructing apartments and cottages.
The first beach house was erected in 2012, and the site expanded even further in 2021 with the addition of a new ‘Meadows development’. Today, the complex boasts around 500 properties, many of which are rented out by private owners.
Filey Bay Direct says on its website: “The developers paid great attention to the look and feel of The Bay, including boules courts, courtyards, grassed areas all around the development to make it a lovely setting.
“Gardens are not enclosed partly to make it easier for our gardeners but also makes it a lovely communal holiday village.
“In the [village] centre, you will find a 20 metre pool with baby splash pool, poolside sauna and steam room. There’s also a fitness suite and a beauty room where you can book treatments.
“The John Paul Jones pub serves food and drink all day, with inside and outside seating.
“In the internal courtyard you will also find an arcade, also known as the Family Entertainment Centre, a shop selling groceries, household items, alcohol, beach items, souvenirs, and more.”
Other facilities in the swanky complex include a pharmacy, tennis court, and an ‘adventure’ playground for children under the age of 12.
There’s a wide variety of accommodation in Filey Bay, making it ideal for those on a budget – as well as travellers wanting to really splash out.
For instance, a two-night stay (Friday, June 6-8) in a two-bedroom flat will cost you £380, at the time of writing.
Filey is around an hour away from the nearest city of York, with the town accessible by train.
