History of Holiday Parks

Holiday parks in Britain have become very popularHoliday parks in Britain have become very popular
over the last century and even more so in recentover the last century and even more so in recent
years. Holiday parks started to appear around theyears. Holiday parks started to appear around the
1930s, and were created as a way to give the1930s, and were created as a way to give the
British holiday maker a cheaper alternative toBritish holiday maker a cheaper alternative to
holidays abroad or in hotels and B&Bs.holidays abroad or in hotels and B&Bs.
Many different operators of holiday campsMany different operators of holiday camps
started to spring up, with operators such asstarted to spring up, with operators such as
Pontins leading the way. They were mostlyPontins leading the way. They were mostly
situated in seaside resorts around the UK, withsituated in seaside resorts around the UK, with
the emphasis being on good family entertainment,the emphasis being on good family entertainment,
cheap accommodation and self catering.cheap accommodation and self catering.
By the 1970s holiday parks were in their prime,By the 1970s holiday parks were in their prime,
with hundreds of different parks located aroundwith hundreds of different parks located around
the country.the country.
As the British holidaymaker started to holidayAs the British holidaymaker started to holiday
abroad more during the 1990s with flights andabroad more during the 1990s with flights and
foreign holidays becoming cheaper, many of theforeign holidays becoming cheaper, many of the
smaller holiday parks were closed or sold off.smaller holiday parks were closed or sold off.
Some holiday park operators decided toSome holiday park operators decided to
concentrate more on a select few locationsconcentrate more on a select few locations
rather than trying to spread themselves toorather than trying to spread themselves too
thinly. Pontins for example refurbished their holidaythinly. Pontins for example refurbished their holiday
parks in the mid 1990s, reducing the number ofparks in the mid 1990s, reducing the number of
parks to further ensure that their holidaymakersparks to further ensure that their holidaymakers
had the best quality holiday experience possible.had the best quality holiday experience possible.
There are now a select few major holiday parksThere are now a select few major holiday parks
in the UK offering affordable family holidays.in the UK offering affordable family holidays.