Butlin's Pwllheli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Butlin's Pwllheli |
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| Location | Pwllheli, Wales |
| Coordinates | 52°55′00″N 4°20′0″W / 52.91667°N 4.33333°W |
| Established | March 1947, 01 |
Butlin's Pwllheli was a popular holiday camp located near Pwllheli in Wales. It was a fun place where families could go for holidays. Today, this site is used by Haven Holidays as a caravan park. It has been renamed Hafan y Môr, which means "Sea Haven" in Welsh. The camp first opened in 1947 as Butlin's Pwllheli. Later, in 1990, it was known as Starcoast World.
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What Was Butlin's Pwllheli?
How It Started
During World War II, the British Admiralty (the part of the government in charge of the navy) asked Billy Butlin to build new camps. He found a large area of farmland in Wales. This camp opened in 1940. It was used as a training camp for the navy, called HMS Glendower. After the war ended in 1946, Billy Butlin got his camp back. He then worked to get it ready for holidaymakers.
Opening to the Public
Butlin's Pwllheli officially opened to the public in 1947. Over the next few years, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, the camp grew a lot. More chalets (small holiday homes) and fun facilities were added. At its busiest, in the late 1960s, the camp could host 12,000 people at once! About 1,500 staff members worked there to make sure everyone had a great time.
A Royal Visit
A very special event happened on August 9, 1963. Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh visited the holiday camp. It was a big day for everyone there!
Fun Activities at Butlin's
Butlin's Pwllheli had all the classic things that made Butlin's camps famous.
- Redcoats: These were the friendly staff members who entertained everyone.
- Funfair: There were rides and games for all ages.
- Swimming: Both indoor and outdoor pools were available.
- Dining Hall: A big hall where everyone ate together.
- Sports: You could play tennis, or join in races like the three-legged race and egg and spoon race.
- Games: There were places for table tennis, snooker, and an amusement arcade.
- Entertainment: The camp had a theatre for shows and a ballroom for dancing.
- Shops: You could find various shops for souvenirs and treats.
- Unique Features: It even had a chairlift system and a miniature railway to explore the camp.
Fire at the Complex
In 1973, a large entertainment building at the camp caught fire. Luckily, no one died, but some campers had small injuries. The fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring.
Tornado Damage
In 1989, a tornado hit the camp during the summer. It damaged many of the chalets. About 3,500 guests had to leave early because of the damage. This event played a part in the camp later becoming part of Haven Holidays.
Penychain Railway Station
The camp had its own railway station nearby, called Penychain railway station. It was also known as Butlin's Penychain. This station is still open today. It's a small stop on the Cambrian Coast Railway. Trains can take you to towns like Pwllheli, Porthmadog, and Shrewsbury. Trains only stop there if someone asks them to.
Butlin's Becomes Haven Holidays
In 1999, the camp changed hands and became part of Haven Holidays. This happened because both Butlin's and Haven were owned by the same company, The Rank Group. Later, in 2000, a new company called Bourne Leisure bought both Butlin's and Haven.
When Haven Holidays took over, the camp was renamed Hafan y Môr. The way the camp worked changed a lot. Instead of mostly chalets, it became a place mainly for static caravans. Many of the old attractions, like the chairlift, miniature railway, and funfair, were removed.
