I liked Pontins Camber Sands back in 2006. There is one thing to explain why these campsites are so shit. My brother worked in Britannia hotels in 2007 and he was treated like a slave. Britannia htels bought Pontins out right in 2011 hence why I am not suprised they are fucking run down into the apocalypse.
as someone who lives outside the UK, these parks have a so bad it's good old world charm. we have caravan holiday parks here in Australia but they usually just have maybe a pool or play equipment. this offers way more than anything I've seen here.
If uk holidays were genuinely cheap they would be greT but they are not,I could get a cheap holiday in Greece. Three days in a nice park in Dorset £400.
It baffles me how these Pontins resorts are still open and how they don’t get a public health and safety inspection every so often , no amount of money would get me to stay there
Stayed here literally a week ago with my family. On the day we arrived one of the rooms caught on fire due to electrical faults and they sent the distressed family to our room instead, double booking it. To make matters worse, they refused to give the family any compensation/refund and didn't even offer them a glass of water or anything! Not to mention that the room that me and my family finally got given was filthy, rusty and infested by spiders. Wouldn't recommend.
I actually feel so sorry for people who can't always afford 'better' holidays and save and save to take thier family away and end up here for it to be as grim as this. I live not far from here, still a considerable drive away and had to do two trips over. One to see my mates and another to pick them up later in the day as they couldn't face a second night here. Hey ho, the beach is nice. You could always sleep there overnight 😅
What I've learned from watching your videos is anything owned by the Britannia group is a complete shambles and that the owner doesn't give a damn about all these historic parks and buildings within his portfolio and would rather they all fall into some state of repair. Absolutely tragic scenes.
@@wolfeflambe That's what crossed my mind, are they not running these as long term businesses? Are they just "land banking", in view of selling them off?
After having watched several of your Pontins videos. I have been convinced that they have decided to go with the "Abandoned for a decade after the zombie apocalypse" ascetic.
You notice how everything that might require people to spend extra money is open and available- amusement arcade, bar, bingo...anything that doesn't generate income is left closed and badly maintained. It's lucky for this holiday park that they have such a fine beach nearby.
I remember, as a kid in the 80’s, staying at a couple of Pontins (middleton towers was one of them). For my mum, as a single parent, they were probably fantastic. The bluecoats really looked after the kids. So many activities to keep us occupied all day.Then great entertainment in the evening. So sad that the new owners have run the brand down to this. This is no longer Pontins. Awful.
As a kid, I can see actually having a fun time here. Kids don’t do the cooking, so they don’t care about the appliances or the fridge and cooker, they don’t see dirt in a bathroom, or even really care where they sleep (bring sleeping bags and the problem is solved). As long as the parents aren’t helicopters, then the kids would have great fun racing around the park and spending time in the main hall. It’s obvious where they spend the money with all those game machines and such. I know as a kid I would have spent every second in there, even once I ran out of the few dollars my parents gave me. That and the mini golf. BUT kids also don’t write the reviews. Usually Mom does. And Mom notices the gross appliances, the cold room, the gross mattress and linens. I think this is why lots of us have good memories of these parks from our childhood, but going as an adult you see all the stuff you never cared about as a kid.
@@Sara-xc9xo I suppose it depends on the surroundings and the kids. I know we went on a “holiday” to a shack in the middle of nowhere that was so sandy, wet, and cold, with no electricity and nothing to do, I was so miserable I actually felt in pain being there. Just the cold, trying to stay out of the drafts, trying to get sand off everything… We begged and begged to leave until my stupid step dad finally relented. But I’ve definitely also stayed places like this as a kid, with even less to do, and we had a great time and certainly never really noticed anything wrong with the accomodation, or if we did we didn’t really care.
We stayed in a gross motel when we were younger, and my sister (8) and I (11) were definitely disturbed. My brother was about 5 at the time and he didn’t seem to mind. Older kids can definitely see dirt. I’m sure it depends on the kid and the environment they’re used to as well.
For example Butlins. Butlins Minehead, surfer's point, Doesn't look good, and DOESN'T have much appliances, but kids would just care about the activities, but to be honest Minehead is completely honest about theite back buildings, and are still working for you.
Pontins are really missing a trick here. Camber Sands reminded me of that film, The Hills Have Eyes - they could very cheaply turn the resort into the set of a nuclear accident. I think people would buy that kind of experience and love it.
Used to occasionally do some maintenence work there. Place is horrific, can't see how it's open. People nearly always come out with the whole "but if it's all you can afford for holiday". Sorry, if this was all I could afford I just simply wouldn't have a holiday, I'd be happier at home.
No way I'd stay beyond unlocking the door. But, i feel really sorry for those poor beautiful birds in that aviary. I wouldn't allow any creatures being there.
I felt sorry for the birds in the aviary too. The one in the middle of Stafford (Victoria Park) is nicer than that and so are the parks here with an urban gym, skate park, zip wire etc and they are free! The whole place is disgusting, it is terrible that Britannia thinks it is okay to advertise this as a holiday; they should be paying their guests to go there!
All that rust in the kitchen (like the spots outside the fridge) is called the "Clorox-effect". When cleaning with improperly diluted chlorine products, the hydrochloric acid actually stays on the cleaned area and does its acidy job. ;)
My goodness!! Thank you for showing this!! We booked to stay here in June. We had an upgraded 2 bedroom apartment. We couldn’t even see out of the windows they were covered in seagull poop!!! We sent an email about the state of the apartment.. and we’re told what do you expect we are only a 2*accommodation!! The place was filthy we didn’t even unpack!
You also inspire me and my friend of places where not to go to this summer, hahaha I do love how honest you are when you visit those places! You dont try to be all negative about it and also point out some positive parts about those kinds of holiday parks:)
the only electrical appliance I saw in that entire apartment with a P.A.T test sticker on it was the radiator in the bedroom. The concerning thing is that it was blank. Now unless Pontins change their appliances before they get a year old, do they actually P.A.T test anything? As that would be a major health and safety hazard. I won't start on the loose asbestos cladding that you were poking at!!
Yep because pat testers test EVERYTHING.... they sit in the van sign off a reel of stickers and slap them on then go sit back in the van. Yes. They. Do.
PAT is, rather counter-intuitively - not a requirement. Rather than being tested every year, devices are supposed to be tested based upon the risk that they pose. So a deep-fat fryer should be assessed more than (say) a vacuum cleaner. PAT itself isn't mandatory. It's up to the business to decide whether or not items are safe and PAT is one way of doing this - albeit a a good and standardised way. I'm not saying that those items are safe or fit for use, just that the lack of a PAT sticker is not a sign of non-compliance to anything. I used to do PAT and it's one of the most tedious things you can possibly do.
The guests drop excavated soil from their trousers as part of the tunnel escape plan project. If you're caught the punishments are harsh. The last captured escapee had to endure the all you can eat buffet and bingo for two nights running. I thought the Geneva Convention had outlawed this kind of inhumane captivity and torture.
This one looks luxury compared to the last one! The memories that these videos evoke of my childhood summers at parks like this, almost make me want to go again!
Another place you’ve covered I stayed in my childhood for summer holidays! Such a shame they’ve let pontins crumble to nothing but filth and ruin. Hopefully they will see some funding in the coming decade!
Nice work Tim , that stirred some memories. I visited here with my grandparents for a weekend break when I was around 6 years old. I’m nearly 49 and it still looks the same . Shame it never moved on with times . Keep the vids coming 👍
All the pontins sites just look abandoned! When I went to the brean one three years ago we had ants all over the floor, mould everywhere and everything was full of crumbs i think the only good thing about the pontins sites is the entertainment at night time. Great video once again😊
You should go to parkdean resorts camber which is next door to pontins. Such a big difference clean, lovely options and generally how a caravan park should be run.
First impressions didn’t last long then, crumbs; then the electrical inspection labels were not dated. An improvement on Brean Sands, but by no means remarkable. The bags of laundry on the well manicured lawns was a bit odd as well. Thanks again Tim for daring and sharing so that we don’t have to. 🤜🤛 Rog. 😀👍
Could you imagine if Gordon Ramsay went to stay at one of these Pontin's resorts to try and fix the problems there like in Hotel Hell? I wonder how he would react to the run down sites?
@@WalkWithMeTim But I bet that Gordon would get his sleeping bag out if he saw how disgusting the mattresses on the beds and the bedding were though! lol😂
What I don't understand is why people don't read the reviews? I just checked the reviews myself and one of the first I came across was from a woman who said she booked up and THEN decided to take a look at the reviews.But despite them being terrible she decided to still give them the benefit of the doubt. Are these people mad or something? When a place has over 2800 terrible reviews, alarm bells should be ringing! I ALWAYS check out the reviews BEFORE we book, no matter where we go, be it a Premier inn for £39 or a Luxury villa for £5k a week. People need to stop giving this company their business, and hopefully they will be forced to properly revamp these places or just shut up shop for good. Anyway, great video! And keep these worst sites and hotel videos coming.
To a point, but I have gone to places with terrible reviews and been treated well and for a bargain, and places with glowing reviews that cost more and been the worst experiences of my life I haven't been to a Pontins in about 12 years and went to one that cost literally next to nothing and it was a great holiday, but it has been taken over since then. I would hate for the sites to close for good as they are quite historic.
id say the bags of laundry are from cleaners doing the upstairs apartments , prob throw them down instead of carrying them. The main building with amusements looked well kept , The go kart and skate parks look unused prob havnt opened for the summer season yet , I think in general the place is not the worst , it just needs a load of paint and a load of decent cleaners and maybe some cheap bed mattress/linen which can be disposed regular
It's sad to see these holiday camps in a run down state. When I was a kid, we often used Pontins in the 60s and they were buzzing with happy people and activities. Obviously, society has changed and I guess these camps will eventually be consigned to history. Hi-dee-hi!
I wouldn't be so sure. As part of the great reset, air travel will be severely restricted for ordinary people. I think over the next 5 years.......as cheap flights get phased out, we'll see a renaissance of the great British holiday.
Me and my family often go to camber sands but we stay at the parkdean site which is about a 5-10 minute walk from here. We always go in to pontins and go to the entertainment part and check out the arcades and that always seems really good. Im not sure i would stay on site though, the apartment complex look like something from the 60's
We used to go there for 5 days in the summer in the early 90s with the kids, and use it as a base while visiting relatives in Kent. While it was certainly nothing special and quite basic, it was adequate for what we wanted, especially with the chippy just along the road (which I believe is still there) Such a shame to see it, and others, reduced to their current state. Ironically, my sister worked a season at the other holiday park further along the road in 1984!
@@WalkWithMeTim I'd been going since the late 60s with mum and dad and grandparents. Then my mates in the early 80s, then my kids in the 90s/early 2000s. Now I just take my old mum a few times a year!
Years ago my family went on holiday to this place, I remember the first apartment we were in the toilet started to overflow when flushed and flooded the place. We were moved to a new apartment, and after a few days the door wouldn't unlock and we had to get someone to open it. Not a great experience.
Great honest review again Tim. Thanks for always giving the ents team a good review. I feel for those poor sods, saying that, the one and only time I did go to a pontins (we didn’t stay, we just visited a friend!) the show lounge was buzzing and everyone looked like they were having the best time!! (That was the Prestatyn one you did the other week!). Cheers 🍻
Hello Tim. What a crying shame. We had a couple of fantastic holidays here with our grandkids just 15 years ago. We stayed in one of the single story chalets. It was nice and comfy. Someone wrote that Pontins are missing a trick here, well to add to that it’s a shame that foreign travel knocked the daylights out of our own holidays. Again, a crying shame.
There’s some really nice places up here in Scotland. Not holiday parks or hotels though. If you’re wanting a relaxing holiday then there’s some really nice log cabins up here you can stay in and some places have outdoor activities during the summer months. I’ve been on a few trips up here and done everything from fishing to rock climbing. I’d much rather look about for something different, than head to any holiday park, even when I go abroad.
I remember going here when I was younger, our apartment had a huge crack in the main living room window which was looking about ready to burst if someone didn't tip-toe past! Another time I also went there, it was very often in the apartment block we were in for the pipes to get clogged, had ourselves and several neighbours calling the maintenance people on the daily due to dirty blocked sinks. When you're young you don't really realise how bad these places really were! It's quite sad to see previously loved places turn into this.
I am now totally addicted to this video series! Having stayed at several current a former Pontins sites including Brean Sands, Wall Park and Hemsby it startling to see many that you have visited are just as bad as I remember them in the 90s and even the early 2000s when the decor and quality of the sites are concerned. What has improved in most cases is the main entertainment complexes, these seem far better than I remember them. Such a shame as they can offer great value holidays for those who need them if they just invested in the sites. Could it be an exercise to run them down to sell the land for bigger opportunities as someone mentioned below?
Sadly the owners of Pontins aren't prepared to invest in the company. Britannia Hotels owns Pontins, and their own branded hotels have pretty terrible reviews. If Pontins got sold to another company then change might very well happen.
That wildlife garden looks like an allotment when it is first taken on, or an allotment that hasn't been touched for six months. If you want a wildlife garden, you do need to do some management, otherwise you will end up with a garden full of aggressive perennial weeds like couch grass, bindweed, creeping buttercup, nettles, dandelions and brambles.
Amazing to see this again after about 55 years when I went there with my old mum, we joked about the POW aspect even then! They once had a small boating area with small boats with a paddle on each side, I got in one that had only one paddle working so I went around in circles, out in the middle and couldn't get to the side, it was cold and raining at the time.
Great review, I went to the same park with the kids when they were younger for a long weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing to be careful of is the rip currents in the sea. The beach is lovely when the tide goes out and leaves nice little pools of water for the kids to splash about in. The RHD narrow gauge railway is lovely too. Hope you had a lovely time too.
A nice & honest review on the holiday park tim, i am amazed holiday park's like this one are not closed down, they are must be breaking a number of building reg's, regardless to say the fire reg's which they breaking
Awesome video Tim, bought back memories of 2009 when I went. Quite a while ago now. The surrounding area once off the site is lovely, mind you it seems Camber Sands maybe the better of the three Pontins? Nice beach at Camber too. 🙂👍👍
My dad almost died here from sun stroke in the 70s or early 80s. Said he had blisters the size of tennis balls and couldnt move his arms. Love these vids btw they help me wind down to sleep
People pay for this experience and call it a holiday ? Looks like a cross between a concentration camp and a high security prison with themed exercise yards. Those beds.....please tell me you left after the video and didn't sleep there 🤢
@@frauleinbird ....no need , I know my history but thanks for the pointless comment 👍 It wasn't a flippant remark but meant to highlight the fact that for many this would be no holiday and a total nightmare and pure hell. I'm sure pure hell would sum up a concentration camp by anyone's definition. Think about what others are saying and you won't get so easily offended .
Many moons ago I used to live in Camber, and remember you could purchase a day pass or similar to access the park and facilities without actually staying there. From memory there used to be a boating lake with pedalos for hire but that must have gone a long time ago. Having looked on Street View, the crazy golf and all the arcades near the main car park are no longer there either. Perhaps the biggest shame is the wonderful seashell decorations on the beach keepers bungalow have been mostly lost and only a small part on the garden wall seems to remain, one man's lifetime of work covered over which would have now (for better or worse) been a huge pull for the Instagram generation. It also looks like many of the houses that locals once owned are now holiday lets or Air BnB. With so many changes and the closing of the traditional sea side attractions apart from the dunes there can't be many other reasons to visit, and the lack of year round residents must make it feel like a ghost town out of holiday season.
Yes, they did have a boating lake at Camber Sands. I remember my parents taking me there in the early / mid 1980's and clearly remember the boating lake and the swans that would constantly hiss and chase us as young children. Terrifying!! I have fond memories of this place back then and the resort seemed a lot nicer back then but maybe I was viewing it through child eyes. I also learned to swim here and have good memories of being taught to swim by former British swimmer Duncan Goodhew. Then 30 years later as a parent myself and having a family of my own, I decided to take my children there on a break and could not believe how much this place had changed, and not for the good either... I remember as a kid one of the blue coats was called "Blockhead". He was one of these angry (in a comical way) characters and all the kids loved him.. When I went as an adult, I shared my memories to one of the Blue Coats and apparently, blockhead is still spoken about to this day.
Britannia have a lot to answer for don’t they? Camber Sands is right by a fabulous beach and is in a lovely part of Sussex with lots to explore and yet they give accommodation that’s not fit for habitation! They need to renovate their apartments to at least the club standard and then actually clean them! Very interesting once again, Tim!
They are purposely running it into the ground, no saying how I know & the reasons behind it but that's what they are doing... The best part of this place is the staff & the history of the site itself.
I know this is an older video and you've probably heard it before, but the clothing and duvets in bags could be for killing bed bugs. They die in heat which is why it's suggested to put soft fabrics in a dryer on high for 40 minutes but a "hack" that's not always successful is putting them in a bag under direct sunlight for a day or two. Not always successful but hey if you're desperate
I remember staying here as a kid! Definitely under 10 years old. Only things I remember from our stay there were 1) Having to move rooms because ours was infested with ants and the bathroom was covered in feces. 2) Majority of the time things were cancelled, not sure what or why but I do remember having to walk around the resort with my mum and brother, desperate to find some sort of entertainment.
I work in the conservation sector and can tell you that usually overgrown places are good for wildlife although it looks as if it shouldn't be that overgrown. So I guess it's unintentionally great for fauna!
You'd think the health and safety would inspect the build. There could be a law suit waiting to happen. They want the business then they should look after the place and cut the grass. It also looks like there hasn't been much activity there
New to your channel and enjoying these series. It makes me laugh each time you get excited about GoKarts and so far, all the videos I've watched the GoKarts haven't been running!
With a little bit of TLC including cleaning I'd say I'd love this park, I have been to quite a few Haven parks that are clean but the complex area have been just terrible and overpriced, as a cheap holiday if I brought my own cleaning materials and maybe bedding i'd enjoy this.
We stayed there during1976 when I was a kid which, at the time, was the hottest summer on record. My mum got ill with heat stroke so stayed in the chalet for a couple of days while we all spent most of the time in the swimming pool to cool off. The beach was so hot you couldn't stand in the sand for more than a second. I was on a mission to collect autographs from all of the Bluecoats at the resort. Apart from my mum, we had a very enjoyable holiday there. It's a shame it has sunk down to this level of degeneration 😕
We went there a few years later, I remember the Noddy Train which stopped outside the reception, the Paddle Boats next to the reception and the Boot Hill arcade game inside the reception, which became the first video game I ever played. Great times back then, shame to see it all go down the pan. :(
I remember coming here myself no more than 6 years ago. The place was run down and I specifically remember the chalet floor to have been covered in sand. But I have good memories of this holiday and me and my sisters still have inside jokes that came from this place.
I’m at camber sands right now and I’m really enjoying it I come here every year as a tradition in our family and it is not as bad as he says it is. Technically for 5 nights for a family of 4 it’s roughly £200 so it’s obviously not gonna be luxurious but a quick sweep and a quick wipe down it’s amazing especially how you are usually out on day trips around camber sands. This is a message that is not to be hated every has there own opinion and I don’t want to show hate I just really enjoy camber sands pontins ❤️🔥
I had a caravan in the caravan park next door and when we walked passed pontins we never saw anyone using the facilities. Most people who used the shop didn’t stay at pontins. This was over five years ago so it seems it’s never been upgraded in ten years.
I did two seasons here as a blue coat. While the experience was amazing the way we were treated was awful. Cut pay all the time. Worked to the bone and our accommodation was infested with mice. But I must admit from your video it has definitely improved since then for guests just hope it’s the same for the staff!
Worked, there 30yrs ago in the kitchen, for a year. Very hard work, for little pay, my chalet, okay, though. Little Canada isle of wight, best I worked at
Went a few years ago, never again. Go karts weren't there then either, the wall to the outside in the bathroom was actually coming away and sand was everywhere in our apartment. From our 5 days we spent the middle three offsite visiting Rye, Hastings and took the train to Brighton!
I looked at how much this would be for 4 of us 3rd October for 4 nights. Comes out at £133!! I’ve just booked butlins Bognor same dates in the wave hotel for £145!! I wouldn’t go to any pontins if I was paid to 😂
Place looks like hell. Never understood why anyone would stay at these type of holiday parks. If you have a family and want a cheap holiday, go camping, out in the beautiful British countryside, there are many wonderful campsites and it’s a great experience for children, especially if you stay at a site that allows camp fires and has hot showers, toilets etc.
I've stayed here a few times (I usually shell out a bit more for the club apartment) and you really do get what you pay for. All it is, is a place to rest that is near the beach. My kids also love the courtyard layout as they just play with the other kids all day then waste their money in the arcade later. My advice, bring your own bedding (including pillows), cleaning kit and some cutlery.
When I was younger (about 15-20 years ago) we came to this pontins every year in summer for about 5 years with my cousins. I remember the main building and go karts, but all the other attractions have gone, there was archery, fencing, rock climbing and abseiling, rentable pedal carts, shame to see it gone, but the crazy golf and main building look the same if not similar which is nice
Why are people paying for this? Illegal immigrants are put up in 4 star hotels with all meals paid a d weekly allowance. Why not get them to stay here?
Only was recommended a video of yours a few days ago and I’m hooked👍😂 a lot of what you show is all true but the truth is you get what you pay for and these places are budget holidays
Looks to me as if they haven't got enough cleaning staff and have run out of money for replacing and fixing things up, but I was expecting a lot worse after seeing the reviews.
Amazed it’s taken so long but it’s finally been shut down. The place was a cesspit and a complete health and safety hazard. It was used (up until now) for events I go to such as the Rockabilly Rave and the Rhythm Riot. Great weekends with brilliant bands and friends from all over the world attending. The events will certainly be missed but not the place itself. Couldn’t imagine staying there on a regular day.
Love these videos, even at the expense of poor Tim having to spend the night there! Have you ever spoken to anyone staying at these places whilst your there/ to the staff on their own views of the state of the place?
I lived and worked here...the awful refurb of the main building makes me cry.. where they now have the Queen Vic and Lunar is what used to be The Rye Bar.. it was so warm and comfortable back then.. the whole place just looks like it's made of plastic now... how I'd love to go back and convince them the redesigns are such a bad idea.
Yeah, the whole place looks like what my mum used to call 'a million quid spent at Woolies'. Probably (drawing on my own memories on holiday parks in the 80s) the original decor, furnishings etc were likely ated but much higher quality than the current nightmare of plastic chairs and B&Q laminate flooring, none of which is designed with heavy traffic or regular cleaning in mind.
I stayed here a few weeks ago. The apartment was not very clean and a lot of the furniture was broken. Not many of the staff were very helpful and fellow guests could not care less about others staying at the facility. The carpet in the main hall was sticky and this was lunchtime. We had 1 key between 3 of us which wasn’t always convenient and their was no shower in the apartment. The only saving grace was the lovely beach just down the road. This is not a place I would ever stay at again and I certainly wouldn’t want friends and family to stay there.
@@WalkWithMeTim the police contacted the council and the council pay for me to live there for my safety. I've been moved all around the country to different accommodation but I keep getting attacked by the public. I'm well known if you Google me. People just believe lies about me and think it's ok to attack me. I just want a normal life.
Omg can’t believe you were so close, I work at the large park next door and we get a lot of guests from here driving to us asking to stay due to the nature of the accommodation here.
Nice. Used to work there and regret so much. The staff I worked with were just rude and the staff accommodation was way worse and the fact the 'did it up' a few months ago
We made a mistake of staying there a few years ago. Two and a half bin bags of rubbish was in the rooms, urine and faeces in the bathroom, floors were so dirty. But it cost not a lot.
Honestly I remember going here with my grandparents about 5 yrs ago now. And yeh I remember it being quite similar to this. But the entertainment side of things was rly good, great weather and in great proximity. Also, the staff were real nice and everyone else as well. Sometimes in a weird way it's refreshing to have a basic holiday
When I was there a few years ago on "holiday". The apartment we stayed in had a huge gap between the door and the frame you could see daylight which meant it wasn't exactly insulating us from the harsh February cold windy weather. The best part was they had tried to fix part of the frame where I can only assume someone had kicked the door through as there was a fresh bit of 2x2 stuck on with what looked like toothpaste where the latch was, unpainted so looked an eyesore. Luckily the meter was unlimited so we had the heater on full blast for 5 days. It never got any warmer I just kept the cold at bay. We booked it through sun holiday, it wasn't even worth the £9.50 we paid
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I liked Pontins Camber Sands back in 2006. There is one thing to explain why these campsites are so shit. My brother worked in Britannia hotels in 2007 and he was treated like a slave. Britannia htels bought Pontins out right in 2011 hence why I am not suprised they are fucking run down into the apocalypse.
I was caravan cleaner and it is dirty
as someone who lives outside the UK, these parks have a so bad it's good old world charm.
we have caravan holiday parks here in Australia but they usually just have maybe a pool or play equipment. this offers way more than anything I've seen here.
What happened to covid compliance?
Seriously they need to be closed down
If uk holidays were genuinely cheap they would be greT but they are not,I could get a cheap holiday in Greece. Three days in a nice park in Dorset £400.
It baffles me how these Pontins resorts are still open and how they don’t get a public health and safety inspection every so often , no amount of money would get me to stay there
lol
Ikr and I went 20 years ago, it was horrible back then. Wth have they been doing in all these years and how are they still open??!
Brown envelopes filled with cash.
Corruption and bribes I’m guessing. What else? County & town officials taking sweeteners.
BANGFACE
Stayed here literally a week ago with my family. On the day we arrived one of the rooms caught on fire due to electrical faults and they sent the distressed family to our room instead, double booking it. To make matters worse, they refused to give the family any compensation/refund and didn't even offer them a glass of water or anything! Not to mention that the room that me and my family finally got given was filthy, rusty and infested by spiders. Wouldn't recommend.
I actually feel so sorry for people who can't always afford 'better' holidays and save and save to take thier family away and end up here for it to be as grim as this. I live not far from here, still a considerable drive away and had to do two trips over. One to see my mates and another to pick them up later in the day as they couldn't face a second night here.
Hey ho, the beach is nice. You could always sleep there overnight 😅
in a tent . . .
You'd rather stay at home wouldn't ya
What I've learned from watching your videos is anything owned by the Britannia group is a complete shambles and that the owner doesn't give a damn about all these historic parks and buildings within his portfolio and would rather they all fall into some state of repair. Absolutely tragic scenes.
well you might be surprised
Do you know how much money and time it would take to completely redo just 1 of these parks? They're clearly making improvements gradually
Think of the land it’s on. That’s the value.
@@wolfeflambe That's what crossed my mind, are they not running these as long term businesses? Are they just "land banking", in view of selling them off?
Maybe there is no money and they are just holding on.
After having watched several of your Pontins videos.
I have been convinced that they have decided to go with the "Abandoned for a decade after the zombie apocalypse" ascetic.
Aesthetic
@@92Joshlee 🤓
You notice how everything that might require people to spend extra money is open and available- amusement arcade, bar, bingo...anything that doesn't generate income is left closed and badly maintained. It's lucky for this holiday park that they have such a fine beach nearby.
❤
@@toriladybird511literally the beach is right next to it and it’s amazing your right or people would t even go there anymore
"Daddy, where are we going on holiday this year"?
"Pontins Son"
"Daddy, why don't you love me"?
LOL
I remember, as a kid in the 80’s, staying at a couple of Pontins (middleton towers was one of them). For my mum, as a single parent, they were probably fantastic. The bluecoats really looked after the kids. So many activities to keep us occupied all day.Then great entertainment in the evening. So sad that the new owners have run the brand down to this. This is no longer Pontins. Awful.
so sad
@@WalkWithMeTim that must have been a different pontins because everything but the floor and couch were ok
As a kid, I can see actually having a fun time here. Kids don’t do the cooking, so they don’t care about the appliances or the fridge and cooker, they don’t see dirt in a bathroom, or even really care where they sleep (bring sleeping bags and the problem is solved). As long as the parents aren’t helicopters, then the kids would have great fun racing around the park and spending time in the main hall. It’s obvious where they spend the money with all those game machines and such. I know as a kid I would have spent every second in there, even once I ran out of the few dollars my parents gave me. That and the mini golf. BUT kids also don’t write the reviews. Usually Mom does. And Mom notices the gross appliances, the cold room, the gross mattress and linens. I think this is why lots of us have good memories of these parks from our childhood, but going as an adult you see all the stuff you never cared about as a kid.
yes you see things different as a kid
@@Sara-xc9xo I suppose it depends on the surroundings and the kids. I know we went on a “holiday” to a shack in the middle of nowhere that was so sandy, wet, and cold, with no electricity and nothing to do, I was so miserable I actually felt in pain being there. Just the cold, trying to stay out of the drafts, trying to get sand off everything… We begged and begged to leave until my stupid step dad finally relented. But I’ve definitely also stayed places like this as a kid, with even less to do, and we had a great time and certainly never really noticed anything wrong with the accomodation, or if we did we didn’t really care.
We stayed in a gross motel when we were younger, and my sister (8) and I (11) were definitely disturbed. My brother was about 5 at the time and he didn’t seem to mind. Older kids can definitely see dirt. I’m sure it depends on the kid and the environment they’re used to as well.
Thats no excuse for this. No one wether your a second old or 100 years old should be in a dirty environment, wether they care or not
For example Butlins. Butlins Minehead, surfer's point, Doesn't look good, and DOESN'T have much appliances, but kids would just care about the activities, but to be honest Minehead is completely honest about theite back buildings, and are still working for you.
Pontins are really missing a trick here. Camber Sands reminded me of that film, The Hills Have Eyes - they could very cheaply turn the resort into the set of a nuclear accident. I think people would buy that kind of experience and love it.
good point lol
Or a concentration camp
Or one of those zombie paintball places
Nuclear power station right next to it to lol
Or turn it into Mariupol. Wouldn't take much.
"Pontins, the only park company who felt that the Soviets USSR was too ritzy."
I am absolutely obsessed with this series, I cannot get enough of it!
lol thanks , make sure you give my other videos a chance too ;-)
They could try to pay me to go on holiday there and I still wouldn't take my family anywhere near it. That's disgusting!
lol
Used to occasionally do some maintenence work there.
Place is horrific, can't see how it's open.
People nearly always come out with the whole "but if it's all you can afford for holiday". Sorry, if this was all I could afford I just simply wouldn't have a holiday, I'd be happier at home.
Oh what a dirty kip
No way I'd stay beyond unlocking the door. But, i feel really sorry for those poor beautiful birds in that aviary. I wouldn't allow any creatures being there.
random tho right
I felt sorry for the birds in the aviary too. The one in the middle of Stafford (Victoria Park) is nicer than that and so are the parks here with an urban gym, skate park, zip wire etc and they are free! The whole place is disgusting, it is terrible that Britannia thinks it is okay to advertise this as a holiday; they should be paying their guests to go there!
just so odd .. they look like they are taken care of
All that rust in the kitchen (like the spots outside the fridge) is called the "Clorox-effect". When cleaning with improperly diluted chlorine products, the hydrochloric acid actually stays on the cleaned area and does its acidy job. ;)
My goodness!! Thank you for showing this!!
We booked to stay here in June.
We had an upgraded 2 bedroom apartment.
We couldn’t even see out of the windows they were covered in seagull poop!!!
We sent an email about the state of the apartment.. and we’re told what do you expect we are only a 2*accommodation!! The place was filthy we didn’t even unpack!
You also inspire me and my friend of places where not to go to this summer, hahaha
I do love how honest you are when you visit those places! You dont try to be all negative about it and also point out some positive parts about those kinds of holiday parks:)
thanks yes and I don't fake anything either I see it I say it lol
the only electrical appliance I saw in that entire apartment with a P.A.T test sticker on it was the radiator in the bedroom. The concerning thing is that it was blank. Now unless Pontins change their appliances before they get a year old, do they actually P.A.T test anything? As that would be a major health and safety hazard. I won't start on the loose asbestos cladding that you were poking at!!
yes I did notice
Yep because pat testers test EVERYTHING.... they sit in the van sign off a reel of stickers and slap them on then go sit back in the van. Yes. They. Do.
Definitely AIB cladding used there I know that for a fact it’s my job to remove it.
PAT is, rather counter-intuitively - not a requirement. Rather than being tested every year, devices are supposed to be tested based upon the risk that they pose. So a deep-fat fryer should be assessed more than (say) a vacuum cleaner.
PAT itself isn't mandatory. It's up to the business to decide whether or not items are safe and PAT is one way of doing this - albeit a a good and standardised way. I'm not saying that those items are safe or fit for use, just that the lack of a PAT sticker is not a sign of non-compliance to anything.
I used to do PAT and it's one of the most tedious things you can possibly do.
I was going to mention the asbestos walkway ceiling..but you beat me to it.. :)
The guests drop excavated soil from their trousers as part of the tunnel escape plan project. If you're caught the punishments are harsh. The last captured escapee had to endure the all you can eat buffet and bingo for two nights running. I thought the Geneva Convention had outlawed this kind of inhumane captivity and torture.
lol
This one looks luxury compared to the last one!
The memories that these videos evoke of my childhood summers at parks like this, almost make me want to go again!
:-)
Another place you’ve covered I stayed in my childhood for summer holidays! Such a shame they’ve let pontins crumble to nothing but filth and ruin. Hopefully they will see some funding in the coming decade!
Nice work Tim , that stirred some memories. I visited here with my grandparents for a weekend break when I was around 6 years old. I’m nearly 49 and it still looks the same . Shame it never moved on with times . Keep the vids coming 👍
Thanks Gee
All the pontins sites just look abandoned! When I went to the brean one three years ago we had ants all over the floor, mould everywhere and everything was full of crumbs i think the only good thing about the pontins sites is the entertainment at night time. Great video once again😊
yes you cant knock the entertainment, thanks for watching Leah , hope you subscribe too
@@WalkWithMeTim already subscribed 😌
I stayed in a downstairs flat at pontins,camber.. only stayed one night ! Ants crawled all over us at night,barely slept.. ants everywhere ...
You should go to parkdean resorts camber which is next door to pontins. Such a big difference clean, lovely options and generally how a caravan park should be run.
I bet
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
My family stayed a few weeks back and the caravan was filthy. A power cut, no water for a bit. Not as dated as Pontins though x
First impressions didn’t last long then, crumbs; then the electrical inspection labels were not dated. An improvement on Brean Sands, but by no means remarkable. The bags of laundry on the well manicured lawns was a bit odd as well. Thanks again Tim for daring and sharing so that we don’t have to. 🤜🤛 Rog. 😀👍
lol
Could you imagine if Gordon Ramsay went to stay at one of these Pontin's resorts to try and fix the problems there like in Hotel Hell? I wonder how he would react to the run down sites?
like me still find some beauty in it
@@WalkWithMeTim But I bet that Gordon would get his sleeping bag out if he saw how disgusting the mattresses on the beds and the bedding were though! lol😂
He probably doesn't have swear words strong enough!! He would probably just collapse on the floor if he saw this place!😮🤣
@@2760ade Really? I wonder if he would complain that he feels like if he's sleeping in a dump?
What I don't understand is why people don't read the reviews?
I just checked the reviews myself and one of the first I came across was from a woman who said she booked up and THEN decided to take a look at the reviews.But despite them being terrible she decided to still give them the benefit of the doubt.
Are these people mad or something? When a place has over 2800 terrible reviews, alarm bells should be ringing!
I ALWAYS check out the reviews BEFORE we book, no matter where we go, be it a Premier inn for £39 or a Luxury villa for £5k a week.
People need to stop giving this company their business, and hopefully they will be forced to properly revamp these places or just shut up shop for good.
Anyway, great video! And keep these worst sites and hotel videos coming.
yes very good point!
To a point, but I have gone to places with terrible reviews and been treated well and for a bargain, and places with glowing reviews that cost more and been the worst experiences of my life I haven't been to a Pontins in about 12 years and went to one that cost literally next to nothing and it was a great holiday, but it has been taken over since then. I would hate for the sites to close for good as they are quite historic.
wow
id say the bags of laundry are from cleaners doing the upstairs apartments , prob throw them down instead of carrying them. The main building with amusements looked well kept , The go kart and skate parks look unused prob havnt opened for the summer season yet , I think in general the place is not the worst , it just needs a load of paint and a load of decent cleaners and maybe some cheap bed mattress/linen which can be disposed regular
yes I thought that but hrs later they are still there
It's sad to see these holiday camps in a run down state. When I was a kid, we often used Pontins in the 60s and they were buzzing with happy people and activities. Obviously, society has changed and I guess these camps will eventually be consigned to history. Hi-dee-hi!
I know shame
Run down country thats why
I wouldn't be so sure.
As part of the great reset, air travel will be severely restricted for ordinary people.
I think over the next 5 years.......as cheap flights get phased out, we'll see a renaissance of the great British holiday.
@@jamesscott2002 please stop believing conspiracies you see on facebook and twitter
@@jamesscott2002 Don’t try make light of extremely depressing conspiracies.
Me and my family often go to camber sands but we stay at the parkdean site which is about a 5-10 minute walk from here. We always go in to pontins and go to the entertainment part and check out the arcades and that always seems really good. Im not sure i would stay on site though, the apartment complex look like something from the 60's
I can honesty say that’s the first time I’ve ever seen rust on cutlery 🤣.
Lol
We used to go there for 5 days in the summer in the early 90s with the kids, and use it as a base while visiting relatives in Kent. While it was certainly nothing special and quite basic, it was adequate for what we wanted, especially with the chippy just along the road (which I believe is still there) Such a shame to see it, and others, reduced to their current state. Ironically, my sister worked a season at the other holiday park further along the road in 1984!
90's the days when i first started going to holiday parks!
@@WalkWithMeTim I'd been going since the late 60s with mum and dad and grandparents. Then my mates in the early 80s, then my kids in the 90s/early 2000s. Now I just take my old mum a few times a year!
Years ago my family went on holiday to this place, I remember the first apartment we were in the toilet started to overflow when flushed and flooded the place. We were moved to a new apartment, and after a few days the door wouldn't unlock and we had to get someone to open it. Not a great experience.
wow
Great honest review again Tim. Thanks for always giving the ents team a good review. I feel for those poor sods, saying that, the one and only time I did go to a pontins (we didn’t stay, we just visited a friend!) the show lounge was buzzing and everyone looked like they were having the best time!! (That was the Prestatyn one you did the other week!). Cheers 🍻
lol Thanks for watching!
Hello Tim. What a crying shame. We had a couple of fantastic holidays here with our grandkids just 15 years ago. We stayed in one of the single story chalets. It was nice and comfy. Someone wrote that Pontins are missing a trick here, well to add to that it’s a shame that foreign travel knocked the daylights out of our own holidays. Again, a crying shame.
So sad
There’s some really nice places up here in Scotland.
Not holiday parks or hotels though.
If you’re wanting a relaxing holiday then there’s some really nice log cabins up here you can stay in and some places have outdoor activities during the summer months.
I’ve been on a few trips up here and done everything from fishing to rock climbing.
I’d much rather look about for something different, than head to any holiday park, even when I go abroad.
I remember going here when I was younger, our apartment had a huge crack in the main living room window which was looking about ready to burst if someone didn't tip-toe past! Another time I also went there, it was very often in the apartment block we were in for the pipes to get clogged, had ourselves and several neighbours calling the maintenance people on the daily due to dirty blocked sinks. When you're young you don't really realise how bad these places really were! It's quite sad to see previously loved places turn into this.
omg
I can’t stop watching your videos, keep up the good work, hopefully one day I’ll be able to do what you do watching your videos give me motivation 🙌
:-) go for it!
I am now totally addicted to this video series! Having stayed at several current a former Pontins sites including Brean Sands, Wall Park and Hemsby it startling to see many that you have visited are just as bad as I remember them in the 90s and even the early 2000s when the decor and quality of the sites are concerned. What has improved in most cases is the main entertainment complexes, these seem far better than I remember them. Such a shame as they can offer great value holidays for those who need them if they just invested in the sites. Could it be an exercise to run them down to sell the land for bigger opportunities as someone mentioned below?
thanks Paul
Sadly the owners of Pontins aren't prepared to invest in the company. Britannia Hotels owns Pontins, and their own branded hotels have pretty terrible reviews. If Pontins got sold to another company then change might very well happen.
That wildlife garden looks like an allotment when it is first taken on, or an allotment that hasn't been touched for six months. If you want a wildlife garden, you do need to do some management, otherwise you will end up with a garden full of aggressive perennial weeds like couch grass, bindweed, creeping buttercup, nettles, dandelions and brambles.
lol
It's only there as a token. People see the brochure and say, "oh it has a park as well."
ur actually jokes tim "was the cleaner eating a packet of crackers" hahah
Lol
My first thought was that you were walking round an old abandoned hotel! Then I realised it’s probably open to the public if your staying there 😱
lol
Amazing to see this again after about 55 years when I went there with my old mum, we joked about the POW aspect even then! They once had a small boating area with small boats with a paddle on each side, I got in one that had only one paddle working so I went around in circles, out in the middle and couldn't get to the side, it was cold and raining at the time.
Great insight Tim,my stomach churned when I saw the fridge rust etc. Great vlog thanks keep them coming,take care 😀
Yes and it smells
Oooh stop it yuk lol 😆
;-)
Great review, I went to the same park with the kids when they were younger for a long weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing to be careful of is the rip currents in the sea. The beach is lovely when the tide goes out and leaves nice little pools of water for the kids to splash about in. The RHD narrow gauge railway is lovely too. Hope you had a lovely time too.
A nice & honest review on the holiday park tim, i am amazed holiday park's like this one are not closed down, they are must be breaking a number of building reg's, regardless to say the fire reg's which they breaking
who knows Neil
Awesome video Tim, bought back memories of 2009 when I went. Quite a while ago now. The surrounding area once off the site is lovely, mind you it seems Camber Sands maybe the better of the three Pontins? Nice beach at Camber too. 🙂👍👍
yes so far ...? ;-)
I've just discovered my new favourite word mate....stainage....lol....
Great vlog again....👍💪♥️
Nice one
Laughed at the barbed wire & security fences, guessing that's to keep the guests from escaping. I seriously doubt anyones wanting to break in LOL.
from my understanding, most people pay only £10 from The Sun vouchers to stay there...so that's all its worth...not sure what more you'd expect 🤷♀️
My dad almost died here from sun stroke in the 70s or early 80s. Said he had blisters the size of tennis balls and couldnt move his arms. Love these vids btw they help me wind down to sleep
People pay for this experience and call it a holiday ?
Looks like a cross between a concentration camp and a high security prison with themed exercise yards.
Those beds.....please tell me you left after the video and didn't sleep there 🤢
no I had to get back home so didnt
It's like living in "the projects". I'd never relax there.
I know it was meant as a joke but I think you should have another look at what being held in a concentration camp was like...
@@frauleinbird ....no need , I know my history but thanks for the pointless comment 👍
It wasn't a flippant remark but meant to highlight the fact that for many this would be no holiday and a total nightmare and pure hell.
I'm sure pure hell would sum up a concentration camp by anyone's definition.
Think about what others are saying and you won't get so easily offended .
Many moons ago I used to live in Camber, and remember you could purchase a day pass or similar to access the park and facilities without actually staying there. From memory there used to be a boating lake with pedalos for hire but that must have gone a long time ago.
Having looked on Street View, the crazy golf and all the arcades near the main car park are no longer there either. Perhaps the biggest shame is the wonderful seashell decorations on the beach keepers bungalow have been mostly lost and only a small part on the garden wall seems to remain, one man's lifetime of work covered over which would have now (for better or worse) been a huge pull for the Instagram generation.
It also looks like many of the houses that locals once owned are now holiday lets or Air BnB. With so many changes and the closing of the traditional sea side attractions apart from the dunes there can't be many other reasons to visit, and the lack of year round residents must make it feel like a ghost town out of holiday season.
Good point
Yes, they did have a boating lake at Camber Sands. I remember my parents taking me there in the early / mid 1980's and clearly remember the boating lake and the swans that would constantly hiss and chase us as young children. Terrifying!!
I have fond memories of this place back then and the resort seemed a lot nicer back then but maybe I was viewing it through child eyes. I also learned to swim here and have good memories of being taught to swim by former British swimmer Duncan Goodhew.
Then 30 years later as a parent myself and having a family of my own, I decided to take my children there on a break and could not believe how much this place had changed, and not for the good either...
I remember as a kid one of the blue coats was called "Blockhead". He was one of these angry (in a comical way) characters and all the kids loved him.. When I went as an adult, I shared my memories to one of the Blue Coats and apparently, blockhead is still spoken about to this day.
Britannia have a lot to answer for don’t they? Camber Sands is right by a fabulous beach and is in a lovely part of Sussex with lots to explore and yet they give accommodation that’s not fit for habitation!
They need to renovate their apartments to at least the club standard and then actually clean them!
Very interesting once again, Tim!
yes they should maybe they will .. but then will have to make club even better
They are purposely running it into the ground, no saying how I know & the reasons behind it but that's what they are doing... The best part of this place is the staff & the history of the site itself.
JURASSIC KINGDOM? I’m sold!
thought you might!
I know this is an older video and you've probably heard it before, but the clothing and duvets in bags could be for killing bed bugs. They die in heat which is why it's suggested to put soft fabrics in a dryer on high for 40 minutes but a "hack" that's not always successful is putting them in a bag under direct sunlight for a day or two. Not always successful but hey if you're desperate
older video its couple of months old
I remember staying here as a kid! Definitely under 10 years old. Only things I remember from our stay there were 1) Having to move rooms because ours was infested with ants and the bathroom was covered in feces.
2) Majority of the time things were cancelled, not sure what or why but I do remember having to walk around the resort with my mum and brother, desperate to find some sort of entertainment.
I work in the conservation sector and can tell you that usually overgrown places are good for wildlife although it looks as if it shouldn't be that overgrown. So I guess it's unintentionally great for fauna!
I thought that
Why are these places not being reported to the health and safety executive? Please report and send them this video.
You'd think the health and safety would inspect the build. There could be a law suit waiting to happen. They want the business then they should look after the place and cut the grass. It also looks like there hasn't been much activity there
yes would be interesting
New to your channel and enjoying these series. It makes me laugh each time you get excited about GoKarts and so far, all the videos I've watched the GoKarts haven't been running!
thanks for subbing Alice , I hope u did :-)
With a little bit of TLC including cleaning I'd say I'd love this park, I have been to quite a few Haven parks that are clean but the complex area have been just terrible and overpriced, as a cheap holiday if I brought my own cleaning materials and maybe bedding i'd enjoy this.
Totally agree!
We stayed there during1976 when I was a kid which, at the time, was the hottest summer on record.
My mum got ill with heat stroke so stayed in the chalet for a couple of days while we all spent most of the time in the swimming pool to cool off. The beach was so hot you couldn't stand in the sand for more than a second. I was on a mission to collect autographs from all of the Bluecoats at the resort. Apart from my mum, we had a very enjoyable holiday there. It's a shame it has sunk down to this level of degeneration 😕
wow yes memories when you are younger always seem better than the present lol
We went there a few years later, I remember the Noddy Train which stopped outside the reception, the Paddle Boats next to the reception and the Boot Hill arcade game inside the reception, which became the first video game I ever played. Great times back then, shame to see it all go down the pan. :(
I just want to say thanks for another wonderful walking tour. Enjoyed watching it 😍
Our pleasure! LOL LOL
We went here in the 70s when I was at primary school. Looks like it hasn't been cleaned since!
Ha ha
‘was the cleaner eating a packet of crackers’ Had me absolutely howling 🤣🤣🤣🤣
lol
On second thoughts was it sand as we had that saharan wind down south a couple of months back.
I remember coming here myself no more than 6 years ago. The place was run down and I specifically remember the chalet floor to have been covered in sand. But I have good memories of this holiday and me and my sisters still have inside jokes that came from this place.
I’m at camber sands right now and I’m really enjoying it I come here every year as a tradition in our family and it is not as bad as he says it is. Technically for 5 nights for a family of 4 it’s roughly £200 so it’s obviously not gonna be luxurious but a quick sweep and a quick wipe down it’s amazing especially how you are usually out on day trips around camber sands. This is a message that is not to be hated every has there own opinion and I don’t want to show hate I just really enjoy camber sands pontins ❤️🔥
Much of the park looks abandoned, and most of it is poorly maintained. I can't imagine spending a holiday here.
1 word comes to mind… BULLDOZER!!
lol
I had a caravan in the caravan park next door and when we walked passed pontins we never saw anyone using the facilities. Most people who used the shop didn’t stay at pontins. This was over five years ago so it seems it’s never been upgraded in ten years.
I did two seasons here as a blue coat. While the experience was amazing the way we were treated was awful. Cut pay all the time. Worked to the bone and our accommodation was infested with mice. But I must admit from your video it has definitely improved since then for guests just hope it’s the same for the staff!
Oh wow!
Bluecoat 95.
Worked, there 30yrs ago in the kitchen, for a year. Very hard work, for little pay, my chalet, okay, though. Little Canada isle of wight, best I worked at
What years were you there, Mark?
@@GuildfordGhost 2015/2016 I believe
Went a few years ago, never again. Go karts weren't there then either, the wall to the outside in the bathroom was actually coming away and sand was everywhere in our apartment. From our 5 days we spent the middle three offsite visiting Rye, Hastings and took the train to Brighton!
omg
I looked at how much this would be for 4 of us 3rd October for 4 nights. Comes out at £133!! I’ve just booked butlins Bognor same dates in the wave hotel for £145!!
I wouldn’t go to any pontins if I was paid to 😂
Place looks like hell. Never understood why anyone would stay at these type of holiday parks. If you have a family and want a cheap holiday, go camping, out in the beautiful British countryside, there are many wonderful campsites and it’s a great experience for children, especially if you stay at a site that allows camp fires and has hot showers, toilets etc.
each to there own i guess some people still love the old fashion holiday camp
I've stayed here a few times (I usually shell out a bit more for the club apartment) and you really do get what you pay for. All it is, is a place to rest that is near the beach. My kids also love the courtyard layout as they just play with the other kids all day then waste their money in the arcade later. My advice, bring your own bedding (including pillows), cleaning kit and some cutlery.
lol
My advice would be to keep driving past it
When I was younger (about 15-20 years ago) we came to this pontins every year in summer for about 5 years with my cousins. I remember the main building and go karts, but all the other attractions have gone, there was archery, fencing, rock climbing and abseiling, rentable pedal carts, shame to see it gone, but the crazy golf and main building look the same if not similar which is nice
Why are people paying for this?
Illegal immigrants are put up in 4 star hotels with all meals paid a d weekly allowance.
Why not get them to stay here?
That nature garden had me thinking of the MYSTERY POND episode of This is Jinsey.
OMG can you imagine turning up for a weeks holiday and finding that. Looks like a prison camp, so dirty and unkempt
I know right!
Happened to me and my family a few years ago, we turned up and it was so dirty we left after a single night and went somewhere else
The layout of the apartments reminds me a bit of PGL!
Great video by the way. 🙂
thanks
Only was recommended a video of yours a few days ago and I’m hooked👍😂 a lot of what you show is all true but the truth is you get what you pay for and these places are budget holidays
Awesome, thank you! hope you subscribed :-)
Just a bit of cleaning but I love this park all of the lovely characters this is an a amazing park
Looks to me as if they haven't got enough cleaning staff and have run out of money for replacing and fixing things up, but I was expecting a lot worse after seeing the reviews.
really?
Amazed it’s taken so long but it’s finally been shut down. The place was a cesspit and a complete health and safety hazard. It was used (up until now) for events I go to such as the Rockabilly Rave and the Rhythm Riot. Great weekends with brilliant bands and friends from all over the world attending. The events will certainly be missed but not the place itself. Couldn’t imagine staying there on a regular day.
Love these videos, even at the expense of poor Tim having to spend the night there! Have you ever spoken to anyone staying at these places whilst your there/ to the staff on their own views of the state of the place?
yes and they would not want to be on camera lol
I lived and worked here...the awful refurb of the main building makes me cry.. where they now have the Queen Vic and Lunar is what used to be The Rye Bar.. it was so warm and comfortable back then.. the whole place just looks like it's made of plastic now... how I'd love to go back and convince them the redesigns are such a bad idea.
wow
Yeah, the whole place looks like what my mum used to call 'a million quid spent at Woolies'. Probably (drawing on my own memories on holiday parks in the 80s) the original decor, furnishings etc were likely ated but much higher quality than the current nightmare of plastic chairs and B&Q laminate flooring, none of which is designed with heavy traffic or regular cleaning in mind.
I like how you don't overreact to stuff and rate it relatively to what it is.
yep exactly
I stayed here a few weeks ago. The apartment was not very clean and a lot of the furniture was broken. Not many of the staff were very helpful and fellow guests could not care less about others staying at the facility. The carpet in the main hall was sticky and this was lunchtime. We had 1 key between 3 of us which wasn’t always convenient and their was no shower in the apartment. The only saving grace was the lovely beach just down the road. This is not a place I would ever stay at again and I certainly wouldn’t want friends and family to stay there.
I live in a Pontins full time. It's grim.
how?
@@WalkWithMeTim the police contacted the council and the council pay for me to live there for my safety. I've been moved all around the country to different accommodation but I keep getting attacked by the public. I'm well known if you Google me. People just believe lies about me and think it's ok to attack me. I just want a normal life.
@@WalkWithMeTimTim, you should block this man, he’s a convicted child predator
Oh my god . They need to close that place down ASAP. I would never ever stay there
😂
Omg can’t believe you were so close, I work at the large park next door and we get a lot of guests from here driving to us asking to stay due to the nature of the accommodation here.
oh wow
Loved the slightly passive aggressive note they left about the water tank lol
Nice. Used to work there and regret so much. The staff I worked with were just rude and the staff accommodation was way worse and the fact the 'did it up' a few months ago
Wow
We made a mistake of staying there a few years ago. Two and a half bin bags of rubbish was in the rooms, urine and faeces in the bathroom, floors were so dirty. But it cost not a lot.
omg
Honestly I remember going here with my grandparents about 5 yrs ago now. And yeh I remember it being quite similar to this. But the entertainment side of things was rly good, great weather and in great proximity. Also, the staff were real nice and everyone else as well. Sometimes in a weird way it's refreshing to have a basic holiday
yes you cant knock the entertainment
The holes in your trousers match the sofa, so that’s a plus for continuity.
LOL
Hi thanks for the stream. not much for the mattress little bit better than the last place of pontins look forward to the next Yvonne 😊
Totally agree
When I was there a few years ago on "holiday". The apartment we stayed in had a huge gap between the door and the frame you could see daylight which meant it wasn't exactly insulating us from the harsh February cold windy weather. The best part was they had tried to fix part of the frame where I can only assume someone had kicked the door through as there was a fresh bit of 2x2 stuck on with what looked like toothpaste where the latch was, unpainted so looked an eyesore. Luckily the meter was unlimited so we had the heater on full blast for 5 days. It never got any warmer I just kept the cold at bay. We booked it through sun holiday, it wasn't even worth the £9.50 we paid
lol wow .. thats a statement