Ayr | Barry Island | Bognor Regis | Clacton | Filey | Minehead | Mosney | Pwllheli | Skegness
Ever since the Bognor Camp opened in 1960 the front of the camp housed the outdoor pool with the main reception building sat behind it.
The building housed the main reception and Beachcomber Bar (later converted into the Gala Bingo hall) downstairs and the Butlins head offices, call centre and archives upstairs and was once a hive of activity, particularly on a Saturday afternoon when hoardes of campers would arrive on camp and check in at reception.
However, by 2008 the building had slowly fallen into disuse with the check in having moved into the Skyline and the head office and call centre now in Hemel Hempstead. The building was therefore demolished and the outdoor pool filled in as part of the construction work for the Ocean Hotel. The new hotel and car park were built on the site of the old boating lake. The sports green and site of the reception building were then landscaped to provide "activity gardens".
Whilst the back of the building retained a lot it's original look throughout it's life, the front of the building saw several face lifts over the years, some of which are recorded here.
The building no doubt holds many memories for many people. Not just for the many holiday makers checking in at reception every Saturday but also for the employees working in the offices upstairs. Butlins Memories Forum member "wearecity" recalls some of his holiday memories of the building and surrounding area from the 70's to date here. If you have more memories to share then please send us an e-mail.
Read some personal memories of the building here.
