The WORST RATED Holiday Park In Wales? 

WORST Rated Seaside 👉 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KfEQGLcN7FE.html WORST Rated Holiday Park 👉 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--dxRhOrtDUw.html

Imagine charging £69 for a small room and thinking "hmm, lets make them pay for bed linin and electric as well"

How utterly depressing. I feel so sorry for families who save up all year and are met with this when they arrive. I cannot imagine how heart breaking it must be for the parents when their excited children finally see where they are staying for their holiday.

I can't believe that in 2022, they expect 'guests' to pay for electricity as a separate commodity. What a bizarre business model. Into the bargain, they tell their visitors that they're regarded as potential thieves, with a dismal warning about stealing £10 worth of pretty ancient televisions with a fantasy 'tracking chip' that even Cash Converters would guffaw at.. That would be enough for me to walk away and demand a refund.

It's horrifying to see the owners leave the site in such such such horrific conditions. Someone needs to takeover, destroy and rebuild a brand new holiday park. Also the broken concrete with sticking out rusting rebar is really dangerous and could fall down/break.

*Thought I was watching an abandoned urban exploration video by the state of the place*

No idea how £69 is justified for this when I've stayed in pleasant little hotels for £35 a night with breakfast included. I'm also amazed that its legal for them to advertise activities in the park when they are almost always shut or permanently closed down.

Reminds of my visit to Chernobyl a few years ago. Everything desolate and frozen at a moment in time. So sad. I feel sorry for the local kids who work hard here. Must be so disheartening. They need to demolish it and start again not die by a thousand cuts like this. For God's sake don't let them build another housing development though!

People actually class this as a holiday?! Damn, I'm extremely hard up but would rather not go on holiday than go anywhere like this...

I’ve had loads of holidays at Pontins as a kid growing up and then with my own family, so for me Pontins hold a special place in my heart. The management of this park is a disgrace, and it’s been this way for a number of years. Total neglect and disregard for the conditions…. So sad

I love these videos as I’m oddly fascinated with hotels. One common theme though, among ALL the videos I have watched so far for terrible and dirty hotels/parks. Britannia. Hotels. They are one of the most shocking companies in this country. So cynical and they take nice but struggling hotels or chains like Pontins. And ruin them by doing the bare minimum and everything on the cheap.

I always considered the fact that my family never holidayed in a place like Pontins a real disappointment but after seeing this I’m delighted 😂

I worked part-time at Pontins in 2006-2008. The staff there really did bring some life into the park for a while. Before I handed in my notice for personal reasons, the place was starting to transform into what you see now. If a bit of money was thrown into giving this place a facelift, the staff would not need to work so hard to justify the poor quality of the park. Too much time and effort is being put into keeping this rotten corpse of a place alive XD

I think we had a sun holiday there as a child and my father wrote a strongly worded letter to the management and we got a refund. We bought some plates, cups and cutlery from a local charity shop to have something decent to use and I think we left it there...

How the hell can Pontins let those chalets out thinking that its acceptable I'm shocked,as for the wee stained matress and vile linen I don't know which was worse the state of it or the fact you sniffed it 🤢🤢 you are very brave .

I worked there once as a cleaner. Think I probably lasted a fortnight working there. Their mentality was to clean as many rooms as possible in a day to a sub-par standard than to spend actual time on cleaning fewer properly. The things I found when cleaning though... dear god! :| Condoms, human feces smeared on walls, drugs!! The only way you fix a problem like this place is to have a complete overhaul and spend at the bare MINIMUM a whole winter season hiring people to fix what's broken, but seen as they want to spend as little money as possible regardless of how it impacts the customer's experience, and so long as people keep spending their money there, this place won't see any improvement because complaints never reach the top (especially when the inquiry place is hardly ever open!) :D

I live near the Southport Pontins and it's such a shame. Butlins have completely refurbed/rebuilt their camps to a much higher standard and now are doing really well. Brittania Hotels never put a penny into their properties and now the Pontins brand has been left to rot. Such a shame as with the right investments there definitely is still a market for holiday camps imo.

The CEO should hang his head in shame, so it's a cheap getaway for a couple of days but doesn't excuse the fact that no-one is responsible for checking the housekeeping essentials. I would be totally embarrassed if I was the manager of this place and I most certainly would not have stayed given the scenes you filmed.

It used to be magic here as a child (45 years ago) The kids were split into 2 groups & would compete against each other ..the groups were called Embassy or Castelllo!! sponsored by cigarette companies!! 😂 but it was so much fun! Best childhood memories here 🎉

I remember a report on BBC Watchdog on Pontins, where they had wired their street lamps up the wrong way, so they'd shock anyone who touched them! But the Hemsby one at the end was like something out of Silent Hill!

I can't imagine how the various local health and safety departments even allow that place to remain open when it's literally/structurally falling apart. Is the local economy that dependent on them they give it the Nelsons eye?

I'm about halfway through so far and all I can think is what would it look like without that gorgeous weather?!

Some of the entertainment places look OK but wow that chalet. I would definitely be sleeping in the car. Id be worried I'd catch some disease from the mattress or the ceiling would fall in! Was that message in the cupboard a cry for help? Now I really dislike camping, but I'd prefer being in a tent to staying there 😅

Two ex-girlfriends of mine used to work as Chalet Maids there in the late 80's, early 90's and the stories they use to tell me about the working conditions there would shock you. I've said it before on your previous videos that The Britannia Hotels Group are solely responsible for running & ruining each and every hotel and camp site they own. Everything they own has turned to crap, and that's curbing my language and being polite. Prestatyn is a beautiful small seaside town. The beach there is always clean, and you can have a lovely relaxing walk along to Rhyl on the promenade. It sickens me that something that was once so bustling with holidaymakers, and was one of the UK most popular holiday parks, now looks like something out of Colditz. The site itself used to have many more chalets too, but they've knocked them down over the years, and grassed the area. I agree with what you said about the entertainment they have there. It's brilliant, and when they used to host an Ibiza Reunion weekend the place was absolutely buzzing, and the same with Southport Pontins too. With regards to spending a bit of cash on each chalet your looking around £300 per room to bring it up to date? A set of cutlery, £1-£2. A new double mattress, maybe £150. A kettle, toaster and microwave around £100. A lick of paint for around £40. It's not a lot of money to invest and make the place liveable again is it, yet I'm sure Britannia Hotels are waiting for the place to fall down and sell the land to a developer, because this one in Prestatyn is a prime location. Keep up the excellent videos Tim!

can't believe I'm seeing this!! last year about 4 of us booked for this place for about a week. the first night we were there we could hear arguments and fights breaking out in the room nearby. We never really figured out what happened but we know police were involved. After staying there for the night (we booked for a week or so) we immediately packed our bags headed for McDonald's and started searching for a new place to stay. many things in the park looked abandoned and looked as if they shouldn't be opened.

Sad to see these kind of places slowly falling to pieces. When families save up all year and they get this it's disappointing. These places are still important for many families as they offer an affordable holiday and give the communities much needed work opportunities. The owners won't care as long as the money is still coming in. Another excellent vid Tim, keep up the great work. 🙂🍻

You are a brave man, Tim. I'd be sleeping in the car! Or coming armed with hospital grade disinfectant and rolls of paper towel (have done this and left them, when I checked out., as a hint to the staff, or a warning to the next unfortunate registered guest!)

I was brought up in Prestatyn but now live in NZ. It's always nostalgic and amusing when videos pop up on RU-vid now and again showing the bad side of Prestatyn's Pontins. It makes you wonder why they don't either close it or do it up. Surprised how few people were outside but then surprised when you went inside and one of the rooms was packed. Maybe they get enough customers that Pontins feel it's worth keeping it ticking over. Thanks, though, for the comprehensive tour which was fascinating.

We’re from California and have never heard the term Holiday Park. Pontins is completely new to us, but has now become a byword of what you don’t want for a vacation. We are enjoying your channel very much, thank you! You know, I guess Disneyland is a holiday park. Hmmm.

Recently closed . Someone told me it was like being homeless, but inside. Toilets, with no doors, self catering apartments, with no working, cooking facilities, absolutely filthy et cetera

One of my first ever holidays here as a kid, brings back some memories! Used to be busy and full of life...lots to do etc! Sad to see it now! I guess time has moved on 😔

I worked there for a couple of seasons in the 1990's. That chalet you stayed in looked like one of the chalets that the staff used to live in. The chalets are dirty because they are under staffed, and the chalet cleaners are only given a short amount of time to clean them. The camp is in a terrible state, but only because the government allow the companies who own these places to let them get like that. The blue coat shack is where all the blue coats sleep. There's 18 bunk beds in there.

Let's be honest, the rear end dropped out of British holiday camps years ago when you could get cheap all inclusive holidays to Spain, Greece etc...Not much of a contest now

If I had to go on holiday to a place like this I would be turning around and going back home; It's in a horrible condition and being a compulsive cleaner I would be unable to use those kitchens and bathrooms because even after washing all the dishes & utensils they wouldn't be clean enough. I'd be spending the entire holiday cleaning.

That concrete rot on those access balconies is absolutely terrifying. No wonder they've closed them all off, but with rot that bad it's just a matter of time before one of them falls off!

Hi Tim. Wow so sad to see how they have let the park deteriorate. I am showing my age again but back in about 1968 when I was 9 me and some of my cousins and aunties all went to Butlins at Pwillheli. The holiday camps in those days were good fun and clean. Thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend.

What’s really sad is this place was amazing 9-10 years ago because I remember going all the time…. my auntie and uncle went last year and got a refund because it was quite bad and they have 3 small children and nothing was open and everything was dangerous back in the day everything was open and lively it was very busy its such a shame to see what’s happening now

Being an American these places are truly fascinating to me. Love your channel. Always interesting to see the places you stay in for our entertainment. Cheers!

How depressing! I went there about 12 years ago on a Sun £9 holiday. Glad we didn't pay any more than that! It was pretty dire even back then but it looks even worse now.

When you went into the queen vic it suddenly brought back a few memories. The queen vic was a wacky warehouse type of place in 1991 when I worked there in the cleaning department. We were called over to there, and when we got there we were told that a young boy had done a poo in the ball pond. We had to put tens of thousands of plastic balls into huge nets, take them to our cleaning compound, pressure wash them, then dry them in the sun before taking them back. Good times though. I loved working there, especially working in the kitchen in 1990. It was the best job I ever had. I'd go back and work in the catering department again if I didn't have so much stuff at home. I can't bring myself to put my space invader machine and my golf clubs into storage.

Omg how on earth can you put your head down on that bed knowing how disgusting it is and how does pontins get away with it this is 2022? Good review 🍻🙏

The closing shot of the film reminds me of a story I once was told working there in the 80's, when they filmed one scene, Reg's character backed his bus into the gate post at the then security office at the main gate, and damaged it. The damage was never repaired, and slightly cracked the cement on the stone gate posts. Probably is still broken.

I can remember when I was extremely poor and had no choice but to holiday in places like this... That's probably why they never change and know they've always got a line of people who will holiday there... Thankfully now, I can afford the finer things in life and 5 star accommodation but this brings back a few nightmares.

It doesn't look aesthetically pleasing on the outside, Tim. Never been to a Pontin's as a child, only Butlins the one time. To be honest, this kind of holiday has never appealed and much prefered self-catered in the past. Nowadays... Log cabins 😅

Stayed here last month and had a great time, we were in block 16 and we had a sea view from our kitchen, the entertainment was brilliant and we all enjoyed ourselves. Sadly it does need a lot of TLC but it didn’t effect our holiday

my partner and i and 2 friends have just come back from pontins prestatyn and we had a great time the appartment was good the beds were adequate the only fault was no free wi-fi in the appartmenrs the food was excellent and very tasteful i will be going back no problem

As others have said, went here with my parents and sisters back in around 2002, before TripAdvisor etc and as kids we loved it. However, it hasn’t changed one bit by the looks of it. Apparently, the week we went, we were the only family on the whole park that had payed to stay there. Everyone else used vouchers provided by either the council or DWP. God knows if that ever had any effect on their revenue but they clearly haven’t spent a penny on the park’s upkeep. Shame.

when you were doing the room inspection, I think you may have unwittingly found out the true origin source of covid.....

I remember in the 90s wish you were here did a review, pretty much everything was cleaned and renovated in preparation. I'm afraid it looks like that was the last time any work was done. I worked there myself for laundry services, some of the bedding we collected was in a horrific state, staff didn't care, felt like mutual apathy...

Worked on building these chalets in the early 70,s when Fred pontin owned the company, then it was very good and always full, in fact we worked on the chalets they used for filming we’d to make certain changes so that the cameras could move around, got a wave from sir, Fred one day when he landed in his helicopter, unfortunately the Britannia brand is very poor for customer satisfaction stayed a few times a while back and would rather sleep in the street than go inside and stay

I imagine a lot of action goes in that bed 🤣🤣😎 how are these places still open? It's mind-blowing

I took my two kids to bean sands pontins a few years ago (£68 for two nights for all three of us) while it was a bit shabby and run down our accommodation was clean and all in good working order . Kids loved evening entertainment and we went out in the day, I'm not sure I would rush back but saying that my experience there was ok although I've heard horror stories too!

I'd watch out for subsidence at this place caused by holiday makers digging escape tunnels.

This is actually peeing me right off! How dare these people think it is ok to rent these dilapidated buildings out to poor families who have no option but to holiday there! Depressing and disgusting! How can there not be a minimum standard! Appalling!

I spent a weekend there in 2009. Payed for the ' silver ' accommodation. It was depressingly dated, I don't think it had seen any paint since 1970 judging by the curtains & bedding. The shower and sink were coated in limescale, even the carpets were stained with goodness knows what. I've never been back.

Stalag Prestatyn, looks like you weren't there long enough to be asked to join the escape committee. I had to endure a holiday there once about 15 years ago when my wife thought it would be fun way to see in the new year. The room was cold and electric meter is an obscene con, even then the place was too depressing for words. We left early.

I’ve been to Chernobyl. I think it was safer there

The Pontins in Prestatyn, Camber Sands and Southport have closed down, I’m glad they’ve closed because of the bad reviews, rude staff, filthy chalets etc, poor food and drink and poor service During Covid it was a nightmare and the chalets are supposed to be cleaned and sanitized but the ad was a lie they were filthy dirty and some people tested positive for covid after coming back home from Pontins Now the other Pontins need closing down

I remember staying there about 40 years ago and it didn't seem too bad then, although we mainly used it as a base to tour north Wales. Great video Tim.

I stayed at a different pontins a few years ago and this place is a PALACE compared to the room I had!! Absolute filth, mouldy windowsills, one of the tap handles was missing, to name but a few … Walking to the main ‘entertainment’ centre across the car park was an assault course of avoiding vomit. All the bed linen is thrown away after each guest which is shameful. I just don’t understand how this place is allowed to remain open!

This format did well in the 90s. However, we have moved on so far from then. In order to stay relevant they would need to bulldoze the whole thing and make a whole bunch of tree houses or hobbit-like residencies and an enclosing and enchanted forest. With smart robots as butlers and obscure electric golf carts with numerous activities to do. This type of army barracks style with mess area is completely dead in the water.

Me and my partner stayed there for cheap accommodation while we climbed Mount Snowden, looking back now I would have spent more and definitely stayed somewhere else. Absolutely filthy and the and whole place looked like it hadn't been updated since 1990.

I‘ve never been to one of these and they are obviously loved by many who where able to visit them during their peak time but this looks dreadful. The whole area looks like it’s waiting for a disaster to happen. Paying for sheets is one thing but for electricity? I’m almost shocked that water is included. Really interesting video tho.

Discusting!!!!!!!!!!!🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

If I went to that place I would bring a ciws weapons system for those sea gulls bloody things.

I remember as a kid me and my family stayed in 2 different pontins and both were awful. One was so bad that we actually went to the main office afterwards and was going to hand in the key and head home because the room had holes in the wall, the beds were mouldy and there was burn marks on the carpets. We only stayed because they changed our room but even that wasn't all that good. Later when we checked the pool it smelled awful. So bad none of us even wanted to risk swimming in it. After that we never stayed at one again and I'm honestly amazed the company hasn't shut it's doors yet.

how can this place be legal? so dilapidated it looks dangerous not to mention repulsive. You could not pay me to stay there.

tragic, I still feel excited seeing the park, then seeing the state of those chalets is heartbreaking. I used to go there as a kid and took my youngest kids there until it just became too much, I'd pack my steam mop and all cleaning stuff and send them out to play, whilst i made the chalet habitable, but it just got too bad. as you said though cant fault the entertainment, just those chalets and general feeling of the park being so neglected.

I remember that on the buses movie with this location. What a disgraceful way to treat People. Makes my blood boil when I see accommodation like this. Those poor families having their holidays ruined by a company with zero respect. Thanks for exposing this lot Tim. I hope others watch this video. As always a great vid. 👍

I cannot watch this video. I got as far as the mattress and had to leave it there. OMG the deep feelings of depression in my soul. How the hell can this be allowed to happen? £59 per night to have your psyche damaged forever?

I happened to watch Holiday On The Buses recently so was very happy to see this review. It is such a shame to see it in such a poor state. Be amazing for it to get new owners and do a retro restoration.

Used to work at pontins in Blackpool and when it closed in 2009 all the furniture and rotten mattresses were shipped off to Prestatyn and Southport pontins..they should have been skipped years before blackpool shut as they were grim..looks like they are still in use today...lovely 😍

Has all the atmosphere of a post apocalyptic family-themed penal institution. Just fence it in and you're good to go 😂

Oh wow, when my parents divorced in the late 80’s my Dad would take me and sister to a Pontins or Butlins ‘holiday’ every year. Jeeze they were grim. Always damp, mouldy walls, 50p coin electricity meters. Itchy infested beds, freezing cold. Just horrible and depressing like a concentration camp. Doubt the TV has got a tracker 😂

Omg 😳 it’s falling to bits! I stayed here in 2014 and I didn’t enjoy our holiday we came home after 1 day I won’t explain as it will take me a week to explain! But let’s just say NEVER again!!!!!!

I live in the U.S. and I can't believe that you have to pay for electricity!! That's ridiculous.

what a dump! it's depressing & dangerous. it should be closed down before someone has an accident. how health & safety have passed this is beyond comprehension.

Spent many a slightly twisted weekend there when Tidy were doing weekenders there in the 2000s....if it weren't for some heavy chemical interventions I don't any of us would have made it out without serious depression and that's with a serious comedown as well 🤣 heavyweight gulaag vibes!

I visited Prestatyn in 1986. As I drove past Pontins I asked my friend why they had a POW camp in their town.

i also grew up watching on the buses and i loved the holiday one... now in my mid 30s it hurts me to think how people could let such iconic places go...

I went here with my family once years ago. One of our bedroom windows was shattered and was never fixed even after we called someone over to have a look, the cupboards were dusty and the toilet was covered in shredded newspaper for some reason, it was bizarre. We were also put in one of the apartments directly behind one of the party rooms so there was bright light behind us all the time and at nighttime it was horribly loud. We ended up leaving a day early because we just felt awful. Thank you so much for doing a video on this, it feels so cathartic seeing a video about it after all this time! P.S. for those that were looking at going to this, get sun vouchers or save up a bit of money and go to Presthaven instead. It's so much better and more pleasant than this, plus it's just around the corner from pontins

There’s no way those TV’s are fitted with tracking devices 😂

Me and my family stayed here a few years ago and your room looked like the Ritz compared to what we had. When you complain and point things out, they are not interested and basically say that you get what you pay for. We had never stayed in a holiday park before and didn't really know what we were getting. We have not stayed in one since. I hardly slept at all while we were there. The sad thing is that they just don't care. You can leave bad ratings as much as you like, and we did, it just makes no difference. One good thing, you are very close to the beach.

£69 is quite a lot for one small room ! I wouldn’t pay it lol

It doesnt look too different from the one in Hemsby thats been abandoned for 10+ years 😂

I stayed there about 5 years and it was awful. Our apartment had cigarette ash over the furniture & floor, we complained and got moved. They provided my partner and I with single sized bed linen for a double sized bed and didn’t have any linen that fitted, ridiculous. The whole place felt grubby & unkept.

I've never been to Pontins but I remember seeing the adverts as a kid and how hyped up they made it look. I'm 23 now and I also remember seeing one (don't know which ones still exist apart from Prestatyn) that was on Watchdog. How time has a way of changing things.

10:40 was more zombie apocalypse movie than holiday park.

I've actually booked in with a couple of friends to go in September, not going to lie I'm actually really looking forward to it but we're treating it as a bit of a sh*ts and giggles trip just to see how fun we can actually make for what we paid. but of course I'm aware of all the issues and watched this video prior to booking. It only cost me £99 for the 3 of us for 4 nights, and for me if it's run down and a bit lacking in facilities I don't mind, for £8.25 per night if I get a bed, a roof and four walls, then that's still a bargain. Me and my mate both said though, if I was a kid I probably would hate it haha. But I've been spoiled as I grew up on Haven, park resorts and Butlins, and all 3 had pretty high standards at the time, I had never actually been to a Pontins and when I go in September it's going to be the first time going to one. I think it's ok if you go into it not expecting or indeed paying too much.

You have to pay for your own bed linen and your own electric? What kind of con is this? 😂

That place is a wreck. How does it even get licensed. Isn't there a health and safety dept to regulate these vacation spots. It isn't really safe or clean.

You are always very fair Tim. Like you I would love to see these lovely old hotels and retro holiday camp sites survive, However that mattress was really gross! Burning would be too good for it! Pontins should be ashamed. Once again a great vid. Thanks :-)

All you need is a car park right outside the housing and then its a motel that drug addicts go to

How are they allowed to stay open?! Surely trading standards or Health and Safety can shut them down.

that is so grim. I'd rather pitch a tent in the woods.

Looks like decomp stains or something on the mattress 😂 how gross

My Brass Band did a contest there once. My husband and I, along with our friend, refused to stay there and went to the local Travelodge. I’m sure people thought we were snobs but I’m so glad we didn’t stay there. My friend actually caught hand foot and mouth that weekend too…😳

I spent one holiday here, we usually went to Pontin's Blackpool, it was the year they filmed Holiday on the Buses. I cannot believe that they still charge for electricity. I last paid for electricity at a camp in 1994, Butlins Skegness.

It’s wild to think in a post Covid world that anyplace is allowed to charge guests to stay in their Petri dish. That mattress and kitchen were vile.

Electricity is not standard? What is that?!