Pontins Adults-Only Seaside Breaks at Sand Bay
Pontins does not currently offer a specific NHS discount, and as of 2025 the brand’s family holiday parks are not open to the public. All remaining Pontins family parks are either closed or being used to house construction workers on nearby infrastructure projects, with no confirmed date for public reopening. NHS staff looking for a UK holiday park break should consider the alternatives listed at the bottom of this page.
Pontins holiday parks: current situation
Pontins has been significantly reduced in scale over recent years. Prestatyn Sands and Camber Sands closed in December 2023, and Southport closed in January 2024. Brean Sands in Somerset has been closed to guests since 2023 and is being used to house workers building Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, with the closure expected to continue until at least 2026. Pakefield in Suffolk closed to the public from January 2025 for a similar purpose, housing workers on the Sizewell C project.
The only remaining Pontins-associated site open to the public is Sand Bay in Weston-super-Mare, which operates as an adults-only venue rather than a family holiday park. The Pontins website currently redirects to the Sand Bay holiday village site.
What is Pontins?
Pontins was founded in 1946 by Fred Pontin and grew to become one of the UK’s best-known budget holiday park brands, at its peak operating around 30 seaside resort destinations. The company was acquired by Britannia Hotels in 2011. Pontins specialised in half-board and self-catering holidays with on-site entertainment, primarily in chalet-style accommodation.
Pontins and Sand Bay
Sand Bay in Weston-super-Mare is the last Pontins-affiliated site currently open to the public. It operates as an adults-only holiday village, hosting themed adult weekends covering music events, dance events, and adult entertainment weekends throughout the year. Booking information for Sand Bay is on the Sand Bay holiday village website rather than the old Pontins site.
Other UK holiday park alternatives for NHS staff
For confirmed NHS discounts at UK holiday parks, the Parkdean Resorts NHS discount gives up to 7% off with code PZPDR57 at 66 parks across the UK. The Shorefield Holidays NHS discount gives 15% off with code BLUELIGHT15 at parks in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Butlins Blue Light Card discount gives £30 off stays at the three Butlins UK resorts. For a holiday abroad instead, the TUI NHS discount gives healthcare staff up to £100 off package holidays.
