The WORST RATED Holiday Park? - Pontins Southport 

I swear if this footage was showed to me without commentary, I would 100% say this is an urbex video of an abandoned theme park. I have seen better condition buildings in the local steelworks that's been abandoned for 20+ years!

Stopped there 4yrs ago because my mother in law thought she would treat us to a long weekend away. There’s basically two types of people that go, one is the chav families that have the parents getting drunk every night/day whilst their kids run riot and smash the place up and the other is the absolutely bewildered family who obviously like us didn’t read the reviews and went whilst reminiscing about it back in the early 90’s, to end up in an open style borstal/prison. We went Friday morning and came back late sat night and trust me I’m no snob and hate wasting money but it was the wrong kind of dirty weekend away for me 😂

This is heartbreaking as a single mum who struggles to make ends meet I’ve been desperate to take my little boy on his first holiday/staycation. I would be so upset if this what I was presented with after saving up to take him away, absolutely shocking!

I understand some parents can’t afford fancy holidays so these are an option for them so that they can at least take their kids somewhere. If I owned this place I would want the families that visited to have a clean, safe and comfortable place to stay. That rot on the frames is unforgivable. Having said that the price isn’t much different to some camping places where all you get is a patch of grass. I wish an investor would come in and buy these places up and create something nicer for children to stay.

How can great companies like Woolworths and Debenhams shut down yet somehow Pontins still exists?!

I wouldn’t take my dog here let alone my family. The fact they’re letting this happen is disgusting, they should not be happening especially when it’s a holiday park.Thank you for sharing and letting other people know of their disgusting unhygienic premises

That is beyond embarrassing, disgusting and disgraceful. How on earth the tourist board and the council don't force them either to refurbish it or sell it... They should get their license suspended... It looks like a Salford rundown council state....

I'm a taxi driver in Southport. This place is actually in Ainsdale which is outskirts of Southport. The amount of trouble going on with this place is mad, police is there all the time - constant fights, stabbings, drug deals etc, that tells you what sort of "customers" goes there. Most taxi drivers ( including me) avoiding this place after 8pm. Stay away.

My parents took me to Southport Pointins when I was about 5 years old, so around 1985. I won a talent contest (no idea what my talent was) and was crowned Prince Pointins (true story). I'm pleased to see my kingdom is as wonderful as I remember

I am surprised that some of these haven't been condemned! Another thing that concerns me is I just don't think I would feel safe staying there. There doesn't appear to be any staff or security. Whoever owns Pontins really needs to invest and upgrade. Great video.

As someone still haunted by a trip here as a child nearly 40 years ago I thought this might give me the closure I needed but I now feel like I've just unlocked the cube from Hellraiser and unleashed a new batch of horror :) Thanks for continuing to do these so that that (hopefully) others don't have to. I was relieved to see that the in-ground trampolines with gaps around the side where the springs are and nettles growing through seem to have gone.

Has a definite Chernobyl feel about the place . Always did. Stayed there ,Grand national weekend '83 . I think the highlight of that cosy little getaway was the entertainment ,consisting of late night drunk race goers, running along the upper landings smashing windows as they went. Fun times ! Glad we booked early to avoid disappointment ,eh Fred.

How can you visit these places and not wear latex gloves or something, they're absolutely horrendous! Amazing video as always Tim 👍

How do the local council health and safety dept not get involved with these disgusting parks, the company that owns Pontins ( we know who you are) and some of our seaside heritage hotels needs to be taken to task at the state of these buildings.BTW Tim you are more easily pleased than i would be.

The 'monster truck' area used to be a go-kart track. I think it was accessible for everyone, not just Pontins visitors. There used to be a Lido down the road too but I think that's closed down now. Many of these types of parks are used by contractors working on big projects. So you'll find a Pontins with a car park full of BT Connect vans, or a Butlins full of builders and plumbers working on the Wimpey Homes development down the road. Cheap accommodation, particularly out of season.

I took my son to this park about 20 years ago, and although it was a bit shabby, I was impressed by the bluecoats and other staff who facilitated the kids' activities. For example, there was quite a long wait for the climbing wall, but every child who climbed was securely fitted with the safety equipment and encouraged to climb as high as they could, none of the children were rushed off the wall. The people of Southport were very friendly, on our first evening staying there my chalet neighbours were having a birthday celebration for one of their kids and their Mum asked me, "Is your little boy allowed to play out? Can he come over and have a piece of birthday cake?" which was a lovely surprise and very much appreciated.

Why would anyone waste their money on a Pontins? Just go for a walk around the local council estate. Same buildings, same people, same atmosphere

Lived in Southport most of my life and always wondered how bad it was in Pontin's after hearing nothing but horror stories about how bad it actually is, and this confirms everything I've heard. The running joke to us Southport locals is the barbed wire perimiter fence isn't there to stop people from breaking in, it's there to stop the guests from escaping. The whole place needs to be bulldozed and levelled to the ground, it's an absolute eyesore.

Good grief! I'm moving back to this area next month after working in Jersey for the last 6 years, and applied for a Night Manager role a few days ago at this Pontins in Southport. I have since read the Tripadvisor reviews and was laughing in shock, although it's sad at the same time. Then I saw this video as confirmation. Safe to say, I immediately retracted my application. How places can be allowed to operate like this is beyond me!

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WOULD TAKE THEIR CHILDREN TO A PLACE LIKE THAT. I'D RATHER STAY AT HOME THAN GO THERE WITH MY FAMILY.

This actually makes me really sad... My Family used to Holiday here regularly before the standard dropped significantly and I will say that we made some fantastic memories at Pontins (and Butlins) camps. To see it like this, I don't know, just hurts to see places that made my childhood fall into almost un-inhabitability.

Hi Tim. Cannot believe how a company as big as them have accommodation in that state. During lockdown surely they could have done a massive refurbishment. Thanks as always for the content

Thanks for this video Tim. So shocked to see how bad it was before you even got inside. Looks a bit of a health hazard inside as well. The whole park needs to be demolished. As someone else said if they paid me to stay would say no thanks. Debbie

I’m ashamed to say that I took my family on holiday here in the late 70’s and it was shabby even then.

Abysmal for a holiday...PERFECT for the BANGFACE Weekender! Seeing the rundown horror again makes me feel all warm inside, shout to any 2022 Hard Crew lurking in here 😛

OMG You'd be mortified if you paid good money and turned up to it looking like this. I expect when I go on holiday to have something better than I have at home. This accommodation looks like it needs tearing down!

This is heartbreaking. I have so many happy memories from childhood at Pontins Southport and Pwehelli; it was never luxurious but clean and there was always plenty to do. To see it in this state of disrepair is devastating, to say the least.

That was insane… I would cry if I had to stay there for a night 🫣

Could have been worse - you could have been there when it was busy. I worked a weekend there a few years ago. The whole place had been booked out of season to host a music event, the idea being that enough people would turn up for this weekender to fill the chalets. As it happened the ticket sales weren't great, so the park decided to open the rest of the complex up to the public that weekend to make up the numbers. They put adverts in the local papers up and online, so that a whole family could come and have a chalet for just a few pounds. My god. You should have seen them. It looked like Jeremy Kyle's waiting room.

My parents brought me here 15 years ago on my first ever holiday along with my younger sister, it’s so nostalgic to see this and to recognise the complex layout. Though we had a great time because of the park mascots and swimming pool and the pure joy of a first family trip! I guess we went at a peak time :) lovely video

I think this place would feel miserable even if the accommodation was completely done up. It’s all well past it’s time and people on a budget shouldn’t have to settle for staying in somewhere that quite frankly looks more like a prison than a holiday destination.

This is such a shame. We went to Southport Pontins every year when I was a kid (in the 80s) and it was wonderful. everything was clean and safe. how it has been neglected is terrible to see 😔

Stayed at the north wales pontins 2 years back, other than the windows weren’t so rotten it was exactly the same. Like a week in a 80s council flat

All these 'Pontins Holiday Parks" should be compulsory bought (well under value) and build affordable homes on them, they are an utter disgrace.

Loving the hotel/park exploration videos, Tim! I'm not sure if the 90s count as part of Pontins' glory days or if it was already on the way out, but as a wee 'un back then, I saw Bluecoats on the telly and thought only the well-off could afford to holiday at one of these places. Quite sobering to look at it now.

RIP Pontins, Southport, Prestatyn and Camber and get well soon Brean

I'm nearly 30 and I remember going here growing up, it's turned into such a run down holiday park which is a shame to see. I have 2 boys myself and I take them on the £9.50 sun holidays to haven and parkdean holiday parks like southview in Skegness, we LOVE that holiday park and love the fact there's so much to do on site for days you don't want to go out and about. I can't believe pontins sites have all got into this state, such a shame !

I think it's time the board of directors had a good look at themselves. Make that decision to continue or simply give up and allow Britain's ever increasing homeless to have a roof over their head

The tyres were for the quad bike trail. I worked there about 25 years ago as an outdoor pursuits instructor, and helped to put those tyres out. I would love to know where the climbing and abseil tower has gone. The place is even worse than I can remember, hasn't changed much, still a dump.

My OCD would go through the roof if I stayed there. Would love to ask the manager if he thinks the whole place is acceptable. The apartments looks like they’ve been standing for years left untouched just like a nuke town that can’t be entered. Thanks for another great video. You are brave going to these places.

Pontins upper management should be made to watch your series on their parks. It might persuade them to get their act together and hire someone to perform some basic maintenance and decoration! I don't think I'd go to one of their parks if you paid me. Loving your videos since I found your channel the other day, looking forward to the next!

I stayed here for a weekend for a clubland event, and it looked like this but even worse as many other people had smashed up their rooms and went a bit wild. Nothing was open for food except a burger van and the shop. The event was great but very suited for old style ravers so the accommodation wouldn't have bothered anyone but I cannot believe it is still open for family's to stay at.

It looks like they are doing the bare minimum to keep the place open. It must be demoralising for the staff who work there.

Looks like they patched up the internal paintwork with silk emulsion when it should have been matt. In the bedroom, I wonder if previously it had been bunk beds? Outside, to be charitable, perhaps not bothering painting and repairing woodwork as intending replacing with new doors and upvc double glazing? They definitely need it! Those outside tires remind me of what you put on a race track for crashing and with health and safety it was deemed too unsafe years ago and got abandoned.

Just to let you know people I went on to this site with thermal imaging scopes the amount of rats was the most amount I have ever witnessed in any area that wasn't a docks, I provide pest control to local golf courses free of charge and offered Pontins to do the same for them and highlighted to them that the risk of Weil's disease to their guests was massive, rats were even nesting in the Stuffed animal prizes for the children, surprisingly Pontins denied that they have a rat issue and declined the offer of fully insured free pest control on their site, the whole site is utterly disgusting and you have a very high chance of falling ill staying at this holiday park

Love these videos, stayed at this park more than once, admittedly probably around 40 years ago and have very found memories of this camp, the Prestatyn one, Morcambe one and the camp they had in Jersey. Many happy summer holidays spent at Pontins such a shame to see how they have been let to get to the state i see them in.

It’s like going on a run down council estate holiday

I have just watched a documentary about an open prison in Norway, on Bastoy Island. The island looks beautiful, the accomodation, in individual houses with other inmates, awesome! They even come with heated floors! I would rather stay there for a couple of weeks than at a Pontin's, in spite of the compulsory chores/labour on the prison island!

Wow, I'd be embarrassed and ashamed to take my children there, what a rundown mess of a place. And they dare to charge people for staying there!! I'm tempted to send an email to pontins to ask them what they're playing at.... I mean seriously even 80% of the activities are closed it's madness. I'd never take my children there they deserve better. You don't actually sleep there do you Tim?? Who knows what's on those filthy mattresses and duvets??

Thanks for the walk around, I live in southport but haven't been in Pontins since the 80s, I feel you did a respectful review and could've been a lot crueler. I didn't even know it was still open, thanks again.

I worked there 40 years ago and if anything it was worse then! The chalets were slightly less decayed but there was even less for kids to do. It always made us staff laugh that the barbed wire fencing pointed inwards, as if it was there to keep the holidaymakers in. Shame the pool wasn't open, it was the ONLY facility it had worth having.

Thanks Tim. I feel ashamed of what exists in my country! It looked like something out of an apocalypse movie!! 😱

Tim's fab at presenting. He's as good as anyone I've seen on the television!

Fifty thousand people used to live here.... Now it's a ghost town.

Good video Tim. I feel so sorry for those people who have to accept substandard accommodation like this.. Disgraceful how ( Pontins ) are just ripping poor families off like this. I hope they go bust! Keep up the good work.👍

If they cant make ends meet, they should hand it over to the government to house the cross channel migrants, instead of giving them 4 star hotels.

As a housekeeper seeing the state of this place FREAKS me OUT 😵

It's actually really sad to see Pontins now. I really want them to do well but the only possible way would be to demolish every park and start again. Then again, it does not surprise me that Britannia Hotels are incapable of renovating they're a very selfish company. Give it 10 years and Pontins will likely be in administration or just closed anyway. I think it's for the best

As someone who lives local, Potins has been a sh*t hole for at least 30 years! 🤣

I really cannot believe people pay good money to stay here, I would be seriously concerned for my health and safety. I don't think I could work there either, not with a clear conscience anyway. 50 years ago I bet it was great, time to move on now.

Never mind repairing things - the whole place looks like it needs blowing up!!💣

"Hey boss, we've got a bit of money in the budget for some fixing up. I was thinking maybe a garden service in, get the grass bits an extra cut? Or maybe we can stretch it to an extra cleaner, we could get the flats just that little bit nicer..." "Nah, none of that. I want to get some new signs. Like the one above the entertainment center." "But boss, what about the windows? They're so dirty people are writing rude things on them with their finger. An extra cleaner could..." " _NEW. SIGNS_ ."

We visited this park in 1987 and it was bad enough back then! Our apartment was filthy with broken furniture and curtain rails in the living area. We had chipped plates and bowls. There were no light bulbs in the bedrooms, not enough bedding and one of the single beds was broken. There was much more and I had a long list which I took to the manager and asked for a different apartment. Thankfully we were moved because this was September, so plenty of room. It wasn’t great, but a definite improvement on the first one. Oh, and the barbed wire on the perimeter wall……we took a photo of the kids pretending to scale that and we’ve called the place Colditz ever since.

I've been here a few times for a music festival, and that 'New Pontins' logo cracks me up every time - that rebrand's got to be about three decades old by now.

Im from the US and don't understand why why people from the UK call this a family vacation. It's bland, boring and absolutely depressing. I wonder what kind of place there getting away from 😮

I went here a couple of months ago, the nightlife was really good but the accommodation is genuinely horrendous. The door stop in our bathroom was so rusted if you had caught ylurself you would have needed to get tenus jab. People kept saying oh what do you expect when you pay such a cheap cost but no matter how cheap somewhere is it should be at the very least clean.

Look if you don't have money to go on vacation, don't try to do it anyway or you'll end up at this hell. Just take your family buy some cheap snacks and go for a walk, literally anywhere but this place. This is not worth it in fact you should pay NOT to stay at this sad sad place.

Literally like going on holiday to a run down council estate.. 😬 given the recent closure of 2 other Pontins site unless there's a major investment in new accomodation i can see this going the same way..

No wonder this place has been sequestered by the Home Office to house 3000 illegal migrants. God help Southport though when 3000 young, bored men descend on the town.

Oh no Tim, that was so bad, it was depressing. Imaging being there on a rainy cold Monday. Everything was closed, there was nothing to do. The few survivors in there must have been hardcore. No way would I pay to have a holiday there. I wouldn’t even sleep there. The door looked so insecure you could get robbed in the night. Fenced in with concrete posts and barbed wire. It’s a NO from me this time. Thanks once again for being skilled and daring, overcoming fear and anxiety. Even the chairs were eagerly awaiting escape. 😀

Why has the owner allowed the accommodation to get into such as state?? It literally seems they've just stopped caring.

By golly, these places make Soviet-era work camps look pretty decent.

I think i remember staying here when I was a kid when on a weekend out on my parents! It was absolutely awful. It looks like a council estate, its ugly, unclean and there were so many druggies just pretty much living there. It should be illegal to call this a family friendly holiday park. There also wasnt enough beds, there was two single beds and a pull out couch, which were both disgusting and smelly. We didn't end up staying, and left. Absolutely abysmal.

Been here and it’s really bad. Noise all night too from kids running about till early hours, parents shouting. Worst holiday ever!

“No limescale” aye lad, you’re in the north now. Life might be hard but at least our water is soft 😎

Cant wait for this one Tim , went there about 6 years ago , I fail to see how it could get any worse , but Im sure you are going to show us 🤣🤣 ...👍

Disgusting. What if you’re a fairly low income but hard working family; you spend your money and get excited to take the kids away; and this is where you arrive. Such a shame.

I just don't know how Pontins can still be allowed to hire these nasty chalets out and think it's acceptable 👎👎👎

We went there when ie as younger. The apartment was absolutely disgusting with mould and blood dried in everywhere. They offered us an “upgrade” and it was even worse!! We never even stayed one night, left and drive back to Scotland immediately!!

I left the Royal Marines in 2020, and that room reminds me of the transit accom you would get punted into on your first night at a new unit 😬

It looks disgusting Tim. I admire your willingness to check out these squalid places. I'd rather stay at home than waste my money going to Pontins.

I love that they think they need a fence to keep people from sneaking in 😂😂

I stayed here as a little kid (i'm 25 now) and can remember how disgusting it was back then - if these parks had some money and care put into them they'd actually be really nice affordable family holiday places

The Rave festivals that go on there are nuts. But we don't go for the accommodation! Not a lot of sleep at all over the weekend.

The balcony frame is the bit that always shocks me the most in these videos, health hazard clear as day

I went here in the 80s as a boy. Never went back. It looked dated back then even(the chalets)... The chalets need leveling. Replace them with statics. It's at ainsdale iirc. The longest walk from the beach to the sea I've ever seen. The sea is miles away from the promenade

I’m sorry but how can anyone be mad enough to spend their hard earned money on a holiday park like that? 😂😂 look at the state of the buildings, literally falling apart. Love these videos mate. Keep it up

Do you actually spend the night and eat there? Would be good to see a review of the food & drink at these places.

Stayed at Prestatyn last week and although it wasn't good it wasn't this bad and we didn't get a fridge in our room for some reason. But the kids loved it

I’m sure these places used to be immaculate when I was a kid. I have no memory of filth and dilapidation at all. I’d love to see a video of night time noise levels please Tim 😬

Such a tragedy. You can tell this place is built to run on the bare minimum and for people who probably can't afford lavish vacations, they advertise as a solution but when you get there it's almost abandoned and uncared for.

I went there in the 70s it was a jewel in the crown. I got lost trying to find my room, very scary

I can’t fathom why anybody would want to stay here? It’s a complete and utter dump. The amount of contempt they have for customers leaving the accomodation in such an appalling condition is shocking. Not only do you have to pay to stay in the chalet, but then you have to pay for electricity and all the on site activities which aren’t even open. It’s bizarre. I just comprehend it. You don’t even get clean bedding. How does Pontins even remain financially viable to remain open?

I used to live in Southport, and they used to say that if you were naughty as a child, they would send you to Pontins down the road and live there. It is an awful sight and should be pulled down.

Me and my daughter bought a Groupon deal Friday till Sunday, as a surprise for the kids. We arived at 5pm, we only live half an hour away. We have been a few times, so we took cleaning stuff, mattress protectors and sleeping bags. After we cleaned and unpacked we went to McDs up the road for tea. Back on site the kids enjoyed the entertainment, we went back to the chalet, settled the kids and went to bed ourselves. Saturday we enjoyed Breakfast with the Crazy Crew, swimming, a walk on the beach, played on the playground and went to the evening entertainment. By 10pm there'd been some fights, someone had been glassed, police were there, some in riot gear. We could smell weed everywhere as we walked back to the flat. By 11pm we were packed, kids in the car and on the way home. We stopped at the security lodge to hand in the key, we weren't the only ones leaving and the security guard said he didn't blame us. To be fair we enjoyed the entertainment, an Arianna Grande tribute act, the kids liked the amusements and play areas, and the pool was ok. Just the state of the accommodation and the chaotic people staying there spoiled it once too often.

The intro reminds me off Chernobyl! Great video as always.

Tim always come across in your comments so positive, if I went there I would be horrified at the state of the place.

Love your videos mate, real shame as both Butlins and Pontins were great in the 70's when i was a lad.

I can't believe places like this actually exist in the UK. You'd think they'd get so little custom that they'd just have to close.