Malta Cottage started life in the 1700s as a small thatched house but over the years it was extended and enlarged to become quite a big house. In 1912 it was purchased by Ada Reeve, an actress and comedienne, who lived there for 8 years and enlarged the house even further by adding a whole new wing.
The house was later acquired by Jack & Dorothy Deeks who converted it into a holiday hotel in 1937 and renamed it the Savoy Country Hotel. A number of wooden chalets were built in the 10-acre grounds and the site became known as Savoy Holiday Camp and described as “well equipped chalets with running water, all sports, dancing, bathing, physical culture, jolly company.”
During the war the house and gardens were taken over by the military and, along with nearby Norton Grange, was known as HMS Manatee.
During the 1950s the site changed hands and Ada Reeve returned for a brief visit. She was not too impressed “it is now a holiday camp for working class people. The lovely grounds are dotted with small huts….it was sad in a way to see my beautiful home disfigured”.
During the 1960s a new outdoor pool was built along with a ballroom for evening entertainment. Throughout the 1970s most of the chalets were rebuilt in brick including some luxury ‘Solent’ and ‘Medina’ units. Those staying on full board would be served their meals in the large communal dining room Self catering apartments were also available. All accommodation was fitted with a radio intercom system. Rooms were still available in the mansion which also housed a quiet room, card room and colour TV lounge.
In 1996 the park was sold to the Richardson’s Group based in Norfolk and was operated under their New Horizon name.
The camp closed at the end of 2004 and plans were announced to convert the site into a new holiday village to be known as The West Bay Cottages. Some of the old chalets were refurbished but most were tore down and replaced. Many of the older camp facilities were removed including the dining room and ballroom. The outdoor pool became an indoor pool. The mansion was demolished in 2014 after a historical assessment deemed it unworthy of saving.
Today the park is much quieter and contains over a hundred holiday houses and apartments.
