Holiday Camp Tradition Begins on Hayling Island

1930s

Hayling Island's holiday camp tradition began in the 1930s, when the island's sandy beaches and seaside setting made it a natural destination for the growing working-class holiday market. The site at South Hayling was originally developed by Warner's Holiday Camps, one of the pioneers of the British holiday camp movement. Butlin's later acquired and operated the site, expanding it over the decades into a full holiday camp with chalets, entertainment venues, and swimming pools. The camp brought thousands of visitors to the island each summer and was a major employer. The holiday camp defined South Hayling for much of the twentieth century, and it was the single most significant economic presence on the island. The relationship between the island and the holiday camp was not always easy, with some residents welcoming the employment and custom while others resented the crowds and the transformation of the seafront.