Situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking the North sea, Kessingland Grange was previously the summer residence of writer Sir Rider Haggard. Rudyard Kipling took family holidays at the house.
Haggard died in 1925 and the house was acquired in 1928 by London businessman George Catchpole, who was mayor of Bermondsey from 1926 to 1927. He built some huts in the grounds and the following year it opened as Kessingland Holiday Camp. Rooms were also available in the house itself.
It was soon renamed to Catchpoles Kessingland holiday camp and it grew rapidly through the 1930s to cover an area of 16 acres. Facilities included a dance hall, dining hall, games room, bowling green and 4 tennis courts. In common with most other camps it was full board with all meals being taken in the communal dining hall.
The camp hit the national headlines in 1937 when 52-year old bricklayer William Mallett became trapped in a well that had collapsed while under construction. A huge rescue operation was launched involving 40 people and after 17 hours Mr Mallett was successfully brought to the surface and later recovered from his injuries.
During the 1950s a new 100 foot long outdoor swimming pool was built and the camp took over the adjoining 15-bedroom Cliff House Hotel which was added to the accommodation choice. Starting in the early-1960s the camp was sometimes referred to as Catchpole’s Holiday Camp.
At the end of 1974 rumours began curculating that camp would not reopen the following year. In January 1975 it was sold to two businessmen from Thetford trading under the name of Chim (Leisure) Ltd. They soon announced plans to refurbish and improve the site. At the time of the sale both Kessingland Grange and the Cliff House Hotel were still in operation, along with 128 chalets.
The camp enjoyed a successful 48-year run and closed at the end of 1976. The land was sold for housing. Where was it located? Search out Kipling Close and Strowger’s Way.
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