Caister Holiday Camp
Caister Camp is one of the oldest camps in the United Kingdom, opening in 1906. Originally opened by John Fletcher Dodd, the camp was called Caister Socialist Holiday Camp. Interestingly, the camp would have tents with campers having to help out with certain chores. As time went by, John Fletcher Dodd would continue to run the camp by 1951. By this time, the camp had chalets and huts with enough room for eight hundred campers. The camp had rules such as lights had to be out by 23.30 and no loud talking after 23.00 hours.
The campers had to wear badges and wear certain clothes whilst on the campsite. Another rule in place was banning alcohol and babies from the campsite. Sadly, Mr Dodd passed away in 1952 aged 90 with the camp continuing to do well. The rules that Mr Dodd had in place were no longer being exercised by the first year, such as the ban on alcohol. In the 1970s, the campsite would have new owners as Ladbrokes Group had purchased this from the previous owners.
New accommodation was introduced to the site with new entertainment and bars. It was said that the Prince of Wales would visit the park every year from 1984 to 1992. The camp was then sold to the Warners camps, which later became Haven under the ownership of the Rank Organisation. Today, it remains after 100 years of entertaining campers.
Under the ownership of Bourne Leisure Limited, the camp is now called "Caister-on-sea holiday park" with the static caravan and deck houses. Interestingly, the deck houses look very similar to the West Lake chalets in Butlins Minehead. Click on the button below to see an article by the Daily Mail showing you photos of the former owner. Click on the button that has "current owners" to see the site today on the Haven website, have a look at the Deck houses and see what you think.
