Craig Tara - Ayr

[Karen]

Does anyone have any opinions on the park ? I'm off there next month to see how it's all changed. I've read a few reviews & it doesn't come off very well.

[Jules67]

Hi Karen!
I've not been there since 1979..so I'm not a lot of help!! But my Mum went two years back with my brother and his family and they had alovely time. She did say it was unrecognisable to the old Butlinland tho.

[sarah]

We went last year for a week and had a great time that we also went for a weekend break!
The swimming pool is still there! The bowling green near the beach gate has kiddie rides on it now which you have to pay.
The dinning room is still in the same place but you go in from the front now. The bar upstairs which was the showboat was only open at the weekend for adults only we didn't have a look in.
We had a good time and we are thinking about going again in the summer!
And when we were there it brought back a lot of memories!

[Karen]

Thanks Juliet & Sarah.

I'm really expecting to feel quite sad when I see it. I had loads of happy times there when it was Butlins. I just can't imagine walking up that long road & not seeing The Stuart building at the top of it. I've seen pics of it but imagine it'll be different once I'm there.

[Jules67]

I imagine it will be bitter sweet Karen. It is for me still every time we go to Hafan-y-mor...the old Pwllheli site. You'll no doubt walk around thinking @the Roller rink used to be here, this used to be the.....' etc.
But...I'm sure todays camp and facilities have many good points...so heres hoping you have a fab time!!

[Karen]

Thanks Jules, hopefully we will enjoy it but I'll be exactly like you say & the kids have been warned I'll be like that lol

[sarah]

We're off to Craig Tara Ayr tomorrow.
We had a great time last year, just hope the sun comes out!

[catmad]

Does anyone have any opinions on the park ? I'm off there next month to see how it's all changed. I've read a few reviews & it doesn't come off very well.

looking thru these old threads i just wondered how you felt about the old camp, or lack of it.

[keno051]

Any that has been to craig tara,what did you think of it now that it is a Haven camp?

Also what is on the land that was previously the fair?

[ayrfan23]

The place is quite bare, in comparison to when it was Butlins. The main buidings are centralised, and the rest of the site is pretty much just caravans. Caravans cover the site of the old funfair. The buildings / facilities still there have all been upgraded and are very modern compared to when it was Butlins.

[keno051]

To many caravans and not enough amunities then it sounds

[deelieta]

.. is there anything that is still original Butlins at Craig Tara, Ayr?
outdoor pool? prince's building? funfair? redcoats? (ok, well just a thought!)

Here is a latest google pic of the site, and the main buildings still look really Butlinsy to me! It also looks like there are some original chalets there still.
Is it worth a visit? Are there any original Butlins features to be seen?

10936

A Curious Dee

[ayrfan23]

Yeah there quite a few Butlins features there. In fact most of what is left was put there by Butlins. A few original buildings / chalets as well as newer Wonderwest World buildings and chalets. Would be worth visiting and noting all the original Butlins features.

[Gorf]

Ooooh, I dunno! Maybe things have changed for the better now but I was put off.

It must've been a while back now.. maybe 4/5 years ago.. I went there with my partner and we were both disappointed, nay, I'll say it, disgusted with what we saw.

Maybe, for my part, I was hoping it was going to be much like the Ayr Butlin's camp as it was.

We were there for about a week, off peak, late in the season as I remember...
It was raucous in the bars and there was little to no entertainment.

The worst moment came when we visited the Harry Ramsden fish and chip bar.
It was FILTHY! To a deeply unhygienic extent. I wouldn't have allowed a dog to eat there!
We made our complaints and left, two days early.

I think if Mr Ramsden had seen what we had he'd be doing pirouettes in his grave!

.. is there anything that is still original Butlins at Craig Tara, Ayr?
outdoor pool? prince's building? funfair? redcoats? (ok, well just a thought!)


In all seriousness, there was the chalets as ayrfan23 says but other than that, the one and only thing we saw was near the chalets... one disconnected, rusty and forlorn looking Tannoy on a pole.
I don't mind admitting.. 'fair brought a tear to my eye.