Butlins Filey Holiday Camp

Captain Cuttle · June 14, 2021

Pete the Elaner · June 14, 2021

I was always interested by this site, but I never went to Filey until about 4-5 years ago.

The station is hidden from view from the road by a hedge & I have heard that land owner does not like trespassers (which is entirely reasonable).

I found the area around Filey (Scarbororough) a lot more pleasant than Ingoldmells (Skegness) so it is a shame this one got the chop. I guess Skeg was more popular? Filey was also the biggest of the Butlins camps, so probably more expensive to maintain.

The closure of the station was another product of society. The train journey would have been part of the holiday for most people but the majority travel by car these days.

Alcanman · June 14, 2021

I travelled there by train from Northumberland in the 1950s. Direct train from Newcastle Central to Butlins Filey station. Although, I was only 5 or 6 years old my memory recalls a large loco with smoke deflectors. I like to think it would have been an A1 pacific.

After a couple of days, my parents discovered that I developed chicken pox. I was immediately dispatched home in an ambulance with my very disgruntled dad!

Pete the Elaner · June 14, 2021

4 hours ago, Alcanman said:

I travelled there by train from Northumberland in the 1950s. Direct train from Newcastle Central to Butlins Filey station. Although, I was only 5 or 6 years old my memory recalls a large loco with smoke deflectors. I like to think it would have been an A1 pacific.

After a couple of days, my parents discovered that I developed chicken pox. I was immediately dispatched home in an ambulance with my very disgruntled dad!

I feel I'm dragging this off-topic but...

You went on a family holiday at 5-6 years old which went wrong but you remember the train journey. It must have left a strong impression.

May I ask: is that what period & era you model?

PatB · June 14, 2021

Last time I looked, on Google Earth, it was still possible to discern marks on the ground left by various features of the camp. Felt a bit odd that something that was there well into my lifetime now looks like something Time Team might feature.

MarkC · June 15, 2021

Plenty of interesting gen here

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/f/filey_holiday_camp/

And here

and also here

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/103125-photos-of-east-yorkshire-railways/page/3/

I know a family who have a holiday home on the old Butlins site - it's still a busy place

alastairq · June 15, 2021

I briefly drive for Primrose Valley Coaches in the early/mid '70's. Mostly doing the 'camp' buses...a stage carriage service between the various holiday camps either side ofFiley.

I remember the Butlins station being used.

[Primrose Valley Coaches' depot was right next to it, in the centre of a triangular road junction from Hunmanby to the main road, by Royal Oak crossing?]

Later, driving for United, regular Saturday overtime consisted of driving old deckers [they were less old then]....from Filey Station to Butlitz, full of campers, full of anticipation. Even removed seats to increase the luggage space!

I also recall the miniature railway, which could be seen from the main road....

russ p · June 15, 2021

4 minutes ago, alastairq said:

I briefly drive for Primrose Valley Coaches in the early/mid '70's. Mostly doing the 'camp' buses...a stage carriage service between the various holiday camps either side ofFiley.

I remember the Butlins station being used.

[Primrose Valley Coaches' depot was right next to it, in the centre of a triangular road junction from Hunmanby to the main road, by Royal Oak crossing?]

Later, driving for United, regular Saturday overtime consisted of driving old deckers [they were less old then]....from Filey Station to Butlitz, full of campers, full of anticipation. Even removed seats to increase the luggage space!

I also recall the miniature railway, which could be seen from the main road....

Funny you call it Butlitz! When I was a kid in the early 70s we used to go on holiday to Filey in holiday flats but I was convinced bultins had armed guards and was very uneasy one evening when we walked along the cliffs near it !

Alcanman · June 15, 2021

9 hours ago, Pete the Elaner said:

I feel I'm dragging this off-topic but...

You went on a family holiday at 5-6 years old which went wrong but you remember the train journey. It must have left a strong impression.

May I ask: is that what period & era you model?

Yes. I guess I've loved trains from an early age. I also remember, again around the age of 5 or 6, being taken on the footplate of a steam loco, (probably a J27), by my uncle who was an engine driver at North Blyth. I remember the roaring fire in the firebox and the noise and mixed feelings of fear and excitement.

I currently model BR Blue, early 1980s.

Edited June 15, 2021 by Alcanman

Legend · June 15, 2021

Nice one . Really enjoyed video . Billy Butlin also had a site at Heads of Ayr , also railway connected . Also now gone and replaced by Caravan Site .

I suppose the "camps" were of their time and maybe now a little out of fashion . That said I am heading to Great Yarmouth in a couple of weeks for the weekend (from Scotland!) just to see what its like now . Happy memories from 50-54 years back when every year the family headed south . A massive undertaking back then with overnight travel , would we get over the hills of the A66? Now the map tells me 6 hours and 50 mins , although I think thats adventurous !

But these are the memories that stick with us .

Kier Hardy · June 15, 2021

We had a family holiday at Primrose Valley holiday park in 1999 (next door to the old Butlins site) and over the course of a couple of evenings managed to get over the fence and take a tour of the old camp site, and the station. These images were taken on a early digital camera, so the quality isn't that great.