Selsey has always been a popular holiday destination; situated to the south of the Manhood peninsula, with beaches on both sides and a temperate climate, it makes for an obvious seaside retreat. So it was a shrewd move from John Simons in 1932 when he purchased a plot of land to the southeast of the village and set about developing it into a holiday camp. Named after a lone thatched dwelling which had long occupied a position within the plot, Broadreeds Holiday Camp made the most of its enviable location close to the famed headland known as ‘Selsey Bill’ and became a thriving business.
The camp briefly changed uses during World War II and the holiday accommodation was used to house some of London’s evacuees. However, the site was vulnerable due to its coastal position and sadly, in August 1940, an enemy bomb hit the camp killing four people. The evacuees were then relocated elsewhere.
Some years after the war, before holidays abroad became more accessible to the general public, the popularity of seaside holiday camps around the UK grew hugely. In 1962 Broadreeds was purchased by Pontins, a large UK holiday company, who continued to successfully run a camp there until the great storm of 1987.
By this time, foreign package holidays were becoming more affordable and the UK holiday market was in decline. During the storm itself, the site sustained irreparable damage and unfortunately the fate of the camp was sealed. Shortly afterwards the decision was taken to close the gates to Broadreeds Holiday Camp for good.
In 1997 work began to redevelop the site into a modern housing estate. Broadreeds Park now comprises an attractive mix of houses, town houses and bungalows set amongst neatly landscaped green spaces. Residents enjoy close proximity to the beach, with many even having a view of the water from their homes, just as the generations of holiday makers who flocked there in their droves used to in times gone by.
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We currently have two properties available within the Broadreeds Park Estate. Follow the links below to see the full details:
9 Jones Square - https://bit.ly/3VUrE1l
A spacious townhouse with four bedrooms and sea glimpses
37 Beacon Drive – http://bit.ly/3CVdGWh
A generously proportioned family house with four double bedrooms and sea views