Inside the abandoned Pontins holiday park where squawking seagulls have replaced thousands of tourists
For nearly six decades a holiday park in Wales was a premier seaside destination, with visitors flocking to enjoy its pools, entertainment and lively atmosphere.
It now stands empty, serving as a shelter for the seagulls who break the silence with their squawks.
Pontins Prestatyn’s sudden closure of its doors in November 2023 marked the end of an era for families and groups who flocked to the North Wales town to enjoy themselves at a very low cost.
The site, which hosted up to 3,500 guests in its heyday, was transformed in 1971 from a former speedway into a sparkling new self-catering camp comprising 820 chalets arranged in two-storey apartment-style blocks.
It was the largest Pontins camp in terms of capacity that ever existed.
At the time of its opening it was described as ‘the culmination of over a quarter of a century of experience in meeting the demands of all tastes and ages and offering the best value on holiday’.
Now, rows of empty chalets lie abandoned on the outskirts of the town; an eerie shadow on the sunny days of the past.
The 40-acre park offered a variety of activities designed to delight the whole family, with several swimming pools, a children’s playground and daily entertainment provided for spectators by the iconic Bluecoats.
In November 2023, Pontins Prestatyn closed its doors for good. The beloved park has since been ‘left to rot’, prompting calls for it to be reopened
For now the future of the park is unknown, but Britannia has made overtures to an unknown company to discuss the possibility of revitalizing the site
The site opened in 1971 as a self-catering campground on what was formerly a stock car racing track.
The holiday park prospered for a while; until it escaped administration in January 2011, when Britannia Hotel Group acquired the Pontins brand for around £20 million.
At the time, the company, which had a successful track record of transforming neglected properties, promised to restore all five purchased Pontins properties to their original condition.
However, the alleged underinvestment soon led to a barrage of complaints and damning reviews from dedicated regulars; They were left devastated when Britannia abruptly ordered the park to close in November 2023.
Giving little explanation at the time, Britannia cleared the park and locked the gates, which are now manned by a security team working to keep trespassers out.
Although the facility appears to be in adequate condition, Pontins Prestatyn is already seeing the effects of gradual deterioration marked by overgrown fields, wilting trees and rusting playgrounds.
While Britannia has generally remained tight-lipped about its future plans, talks are currently ongoing with an unnamed company regarding the redevelopment of the site.
Accordingly Wales OnlineProposals have been drawn up to revitalize the park as a top family holiday destination, but significant investment is needed for this to work.
Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins met with Britannia executives last autumn and confirmed talks were ongoing with the unnamed company.
The abandoned area shows slight signs of deterioration, with stairs left to rust and overgrown grass.
At its peak, the park accommodated up to 3,500 guests in 850 chalets; guests flocked to enjoy the pools, entertainment including the iconic Bluecoats and lively atmosphere.
He also said significant investment was being considered to reopen the site as a family holiday park.
There is no suggestion that the Home Office plans to use the site to house asylum seekers; Britannia reiterated that the sole purpose of the proposed development plan is to turn this place into a family holiday destination.
Ms Gittins, who hopes to meet Britannia representatives for a follow-up meeting this month, said: ‘Britannia assured me that the sole purpose of the future development would be a family holiday park.
‘I continue to press for a swift and positive solution.’
For now, the chalets lie idle, seabirds perch on empty slides and Prestatyn residents, along with thousands of loyal guests who have returned for decades, are no closer to learning the fate of the once-beloved resort.
