Nostalgia: When Paignton’s holiday camps were the heart of the seaside

Holiday camps were once an important part of the holiday scene in Paignton

Now they are mostly replaced around the country as caravan parks where static caravans can be hired  and touring vans can be accommodated.

Some of the best known in the area are Hill head and Wall Park in Brixham, Beverley Park in Goodrington and Widdicombe farm on the ring road. There are many others in the surrounding area which offer excellent facilities and good quality accommodation.

One of the first Holiday camps was The Nest, also known as the Paignton Holiday Camp situated near the junction with Colley End Road and Kings Ash Road. Replaced now by housing it operated from 1925  to 1988. Facilities initially were minimal although it is said that many people came back year after year to spend their holidays here, who can blame them?

Paignton Holiday Camp, The Nest, 1937

The Nest 1931

During the war the camp was taken over and housed people who were resident in this country but who were deemed to be a security risk.

After the war which had left the camp in poor condition, it was taken over in 1947 by Pontins. They set about modernising and improving the facilities and in 1955 a magazine advert stated the camp had a heated swimming pool, good food and comfortable chalets, friendly bars and a TV lounge  and special facilities for children. 

The camp expanded adding brick-built chalets to the existing wooden chalets with better facilities. It could accommodate up to 800 people and offered communal dining. The variety of accommodation offered a range of holiday costs as the older wooden chalets were offered at a discount. In 1959 a ballroom several bars and a lounge were added to the complex.

Sadly in 1963 it was destroyed in a huge fire.  Remarkably a complete replica was built in 11 weeks at a cost of £75,000.  It was reported at the time that visitors could not tell the difference from the old building.

Pontins in 1970 in its heyday

In the early 1980s new kitchens were added but sadly this was not enough to save the camp and in 1988 with very little notice Pontins South Devon closed. Soon to be replaced by housing.

Several other camps existed perhaps not as well documented.  Devon Coast Country club in Smallcombe road opened in the 1930s as a Butlin style holiday camp, thriving for a number of years it was sold to Ladbrokes in 1970s who sold it on to Shearings. The camp closed in 1990S  and replaced by housing.

Meadowside camp alleged to opened in 1861 close to Churston Railway station for the convenience of travellers to the area, details are vague and the site is now incorporated into Beverley Park caravan site.

Ayreville holiday camp on the Totnes Road opened in the 1930s and was known to exist until 1969. After that date details are vague, it was no longer being advertised as a holiday cam, it was trading as Southcoast world. From 1987-1998 so it would appear it was still part of the holiday scene.

Ayreville Holiday Camp in the late 1960s

Paignton Heritage Society is delighted that our president Nick Pannell will talking at our meeting tonight about his new book. The Real Abbots Way. The talk will be followed by tea/coffee and Christmas nibbles. Entry £5 ( £4 to members of PHS) Everyone welcome  Meetings are held at Gerston Chapel in Torquay Road and start at 7pm

This has been an excellent year for Paignton Heritage. The two very successful books written in collaboration with Oldway School were published early in the year.

This has led to the society working with the school on history projects. The members of the society who have been involved in these projects have found the experience extremely valuable are grateful to the school for involving us. 

A very successful summer at Kirkham, good visitor numbers concluding with a party from Hamelin who thankfully spoke good English as none of the guides spoke german.  The opening of our Heritage room in the library staffed by our Archivist and a fantastic group of volunteers. Why not drop in you will be amazed at what you see.

The Heritage room is open on Monday, Thursday and Saturday 11am to 3pm