Butlin's Ayr
 |
|
Overhead view in 1985, prior to refurbishment
|
|
 Butlin's Ayr
|
|
| Location | Ayr |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°25′55″N 4°41′06″W / 55.432°N 4.685°WCoordinates: 55°25′55″N 4°41′06″W / 55.432°N 4.685°W |
| Subsequent names | Butlins Ayr (1946–1987) Wonderwest World (1987–1999) |
| Chain | Butlins |
| Opening date | 1946 |
| Closing date | 1998 |
| Management | Butlins |
Butlin's Ayr was a holiday camp located near Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. When originally opened in 1946, it was named Butlin's Ayr, but in 1987 was renamed Wonderwest World. It closed in 1998 and re-opened in 1999 under the management of Haven Holidays who renamed it Craig Tara.
During the Second World War the Admiralty, who had already taken over his camp at Filey, asked Billy Butlin to construct two new camps; one in North Wales and the other in Scotland. Butlin found 85 acres (34 ha) on the coast neighbouring the Heads of Ayr.
In 1946 after the war had ended, Butlin took back ownership of the camp from the Admiralty and Butlins Ayr was opened to the public after some reconstruction work.
Heads of Ayr holiday camp contained all of the tried and tested Butlins ingredients: the famous Butlins Redcoats, a funfair, early morning wake up, a dining hall (with the cheers going up when a waitress dropped a plate), indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a ballroom, a boating lake, tennis courts, a sports field (for the three legged and egg & spoon races and the donkey derby), table tennis and snooker tables, an amusement arcade, a medical centre, a theatre, arcades of shops, a chairlift system and a miniature railway.
The camp continued to be successful, and in 1987 a £25 million investment programme was announced. Work began in 1988 with £12 million used to construct a new swimming pool and upgrade the accommodation. A further £13 million investment followed over the next 5 years. Once the renovations were completed the camp was renamed Wonderwest World.
...
Wikipedia