Holiday Park in unexpectedly shut its gates for good in 2023, leaving holiday-goers and residents in shock. The site, once brimming with life as a popular getaway destination, now stands eerily silent, its structures and interiors hauntingly reminiscent of happier times.

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 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 , 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."

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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 .

"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.

"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."

Matt said the Pontins in Southport appeared as if "time had stood still", noting that the holiday apartments remain untouched, complete with kitchen gadgets and furnishings inside each flat. Beyond the flats, the visuals capture a quaint outdoor play space, featuring timber swings and a picnic table against a backdrop of communal greenery.

People have been reminiscing over their cherished times at the Holiday Park, with one person sharing: "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 nostalgia-filled user said: "The Morris dancing 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 added their voice to the chorus of memories: "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!".

Sighing at the closure, another recounted: "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!".

Reflecting on bygone days, someone lamented: "Such a shame it's come to this, Southport was the flag ship for family holidays in the Pontins group."