Pontins Holiday Park in Southport abruptly ceased operations in 2023, leaving would-be vacationers and locals reeling from the sudden closure. The once-vibrant resort now casts a forlorn shadow over the area as silence takes over where laughter and joy used to echo.

The holiday apartments, complete with their furnishings and facilities, remain oddly intact, casting a ghostly aura over the abandoned space. Local urban explorer Matt from Rochdale stumbled upon the desolate scene. Sharing his adventures on social media as 'Exploring with Matt', he's made a name for himself delving into derelict buildings and lands left to memory.

While he typically favours the corridors of long-forgotten hospitals, Matt couldn't resist the allure of the deserted Pontins park. Recounting his visit, he mentioned: "I'd saw that it closed online and I just happened to be in the area, so I checked it out along with my best mate No Limits Urbex, a great guy."

He said: "There are big misconceptions about what I do. I am not trying to encourage people to put themselves in danger or take any risks. I am doing that on behalf of people, to give people an insight into the amazing history of some of these buildings that they see every day and don't think about," reports Lancs Live.

"Trespass is a civil matter, so it is between the explorer and the landowner. Often, these buildings have been left for so long it is almost impossible to find out who that land owner is or where they are," Matt said.

He also shared his method for finding such places: "I find places to go by looking at online websites dedicated to abandoned buildings and there is a huge online urban explorers community. For me, I am just so interested in buildings with a lot of history, such as old theatres, hospitals or abandoned colleges or high schools. They are like time capsules. It is so fascinating to me.", reports the .

Matt described the now-closed Pontins in Southport as a place where "time had stood still", with holiday apartments frozen in time, their kitchen gadgets and furnishings still inside. The site also features an idyllic outdoor play area, complete with wooden swings and a picnic table, set against a backdrop of communal greenery.

The closure of the beloved holiday park has sparked a wave of nostalgia among former guests. One individual fondly recalled: "As a child we went here for our family holiday. It was the best, I have so many memories of Pontins, the bluecoats, donkey derby, the boating lake, miss Pontins competition, miss lovely legs competition, the goodnight children song, captain Croc, the party dances. Such a shame its closed."

Another person lamented the loss for the Morris dancing community: "The Morris dancing world will heavily miss it. A lot of us spent our championships here every year so it holds some great memories, it will forever be missed."

A third chimed in with a nostalgic note, commenting: "It's a shame it's closed and looks really tidy and clean! This place has probably made so many memories over the years with children making friends and people meeting their life long partners!".

Another person expressed regret over the closure, sharing their experience: "I was a contractor for a number of years and enjoyed working for Britannia and Pontins and seeing so many holiday makers enjoy their break away! Sadly last year it was quiet and this is mainly down to the cost of living crisis!".

Someone else took a trip down memory lane, noting: "Such a shame it's come to this, Southport was the flag ship for family holidays in the Pontins group."