Trail ideas by the people who live and work here. No 5 and 6-based around Rhyl
Our next offering in our series of trails for May which comes from the brilliant staff at the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) based in the West Parade, Rhyl.
*please note despite essential coastal defence work happening in Rhyl and Prestatyn this summer it is still open for business as usual.
Tony Vitti and Janette Tomes have worked at the TIC in Rhyl for many years and so are very experienced in answering all your tourism related questions.
Our first one is Tony’s trail from Foryd to Rhuddlan. Tony has worked at the Tourist Information Centre for seventeen years. He spends a lot of time exploring the countryside and has a great love of local history. Tony enjoys visiting sites of historic interest and also the wild landscapes of some of the hidden parts of north Wales.
“I grew up in the west-end of Rhyl, close to the harbour. In those days, you had to walk across the Foryd bridge to get onto the harbourside but now you can use the new pedestrian bridge, Pont y Ddraig which opened in 2013 and forms part of the wider Foryd Harbour regeneration. In the evenings, it’s lovely to watch the bridge’s light display. I stop here for coffee before work (especially in the height of the season when we know it will be busy.) I sit here and watch the fishing boats going out or coming in. If you’re lucky, you can see the bridge opening and closing for taller boats. Pont y Ddraig connects Y Foryd with Rhyl Promenade, crossing the River Clwyd estuary. The harbourside has a nature reserve called Horton’s Nose, the Harbour Hwb café and a bike hire shop. Cross the bridge and walk through Marina Quay retail park. When I was young this was Ocean Beach funfair. My grandmother and her sisters worked here on fairground stalls owned by my Uncle Mike and Auntie Pam.
Pont y Ddraig at night
Cross Wellington Road to Marine Lake and its Miniature Railway. The railway opened in 1911 and I have great memories of riding this train. The lake is filled from the sea, and is a popular place for crabbing.
Marine Lake
Running alongside the East side of the lake is Westbourne Avenue, which leads to a footbridge over the railway. Step-free access is gained by following the cycle route 84 signs. From the other side of the bridge, on your right, is the entrance to Glan Morfa – a community woodland with trails which lead onto the riverside path.
Glan Morfa
We’re going to take the riverside path, which forms part of Cycle Route 84 and leads to Rhuddlan. This route used to be our school’s cross-country route, which I hated, but now it’s one of my favourite walks! It’s also my route to work, as I live in Rhuddlan and work on Rhyl promenade. The path is suitable for all users – it is flat and wide, so walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users and people with prams or pushchairs would have no problem navigating it. Occasionally, there are gates along the path but these are wide and easy to open.
Rhuddlan Castle
Arriving in Rhuddlan you’ll find yourself with a great view of the castle Rhuddlan Castle is one of Edward I’s – and one of his earliest, building started in 1277.
Crossing the footbridge over the river, you’ll see a small retail park where there are several options for refreshments, and directly across the road from here is Rhuddlan Nature Reserve. My grandson Wilf loves this nature reserve – it’s one of his favourite places. We feed the ducks here and he was really happy when the swans laid six eggs last year.
Wilf
The nature reserve is fully accessible: there is a sensory garden, two ponds (one of which is great for pond dipping!) and lots of places to sit and enjoy the space including lots of picnic tables too – ideal if you’ve brought your own lunch.
Rhuddlan Nature Reserve
In all, this trail is around 2¾ miles. It takes about an hour without stopping to take in the views (at one point you can see three castles: Rhuddlan, Bodelwyddan and Gwrych!).
To return to Rhyl, retrace your steps along the river, walk through the village and back along the main road, or use the bus: From Rhuddlan, use service 51 which is direct into Rhyl Bus Station.
Our second offering is from Janette- Prestatyn To Dyserth Walk. Janette has worked at the Tourist Information Centre for eighteen years, and spends much of her time off out and about in north Wales. She particularly likes agricultural shows, with the Denbigh and Flint Show in August being one of the highlights of her year.
“The walk that I am doing is the Old Railway line that runs between Prestatyn and Dyserth. The walk starts at Gas Works Lane in Prestatyn, this is the lane that runs between Home Bargains and the Bus Station. The bus from Rhyl is the 35/36 Arriva bus, which runs every 30 minutes, and takes about 20 minutes.
The first part of the walk runs behind Lidl, this is a short stretch leading to a road that you have to cross. The path runs behind a Vets and through an entrance at the side of a gate. There is a sign telling you that this is the Prestatyn to Dyserth Walk.
It is very easy to get onto this part of the walk. This is a multi-use path. It runs under two bridges where you can join or leave. The paths leading to the first bridge are flat, the paths leading to the second bridge are uphill. There are other paths leading off this walk but not all are suitable for anyone who may be pushing a pram or in a mobility scooter.
When I am walking on this path I hear and see a lot of different birds. There are a lot of wild plants and flowers which are in bloom at different times of the year. It is especially colourful in the autumn when the leaves are changing.
As the path goes on it leaves the town of Prestatyn behind and goes on towards Meliden. I can see more fields now and even the occasional grey squirrel. The path opens up at Meliden Golf Club where I can sit and enjoy the view or even get a drink. The view from here is overlooking the sea towards the mountains with the trees and golf green in front.
A short distance from here is Y Shed: This is the old Meliden Goods Shed that is now a café and community hub. This is another place to sit and enjoy the view and get a drink. The view opens up from here and it is well worth stopping to look across the sea towards Llandudno and the Carneddau Mountains. Come off the path between the Golf Club and Y Shed and walk down to the main road to catch the bus (35/36 bus).
Upon leaving Y Shed the path runs along the base of Graig Fawr and on towards Dyserth. As I round the corner I get the best views of my walk looking towards Llandudno, the Carneddau, and Moel Siabod. I can come off the path just after here, but the road is very steep down to the main road.
The rest of my walk is through trees and fields, under the occasional bridge, there are benches placed along this stretch where I can sit for a while and listen to the birds. I can come off at one of the bridges which is signposted towards the waterfall at Dyserth, this is a steep walk down the steps to get to the bottom of the waterfall. There are sheep and horses in the fields on this stretch of the walk. The end of the path goes over the stream that feeds the waterfall, you can also walk in the woods there. It’s 2 1/2 miles, so about an hour. If I am getting the bus then I get off at the crossroads at Dyserth and walk up the hill (35/36 bus). ”
Dyserth Waterfall
Rhyl Tourist Information Centre is a One-Stop-Shop for Travel, Coach, Event & Theatre Tickets, Holidays, Accommodation and Information. It is the best place to go for advice on all aspects of your visit to the coastal area of Denbighshire. The staff will be delighted to assist with:
– booking accommodation in advance or whilst here
– provide you with information on places to visit, things to do, places to eat
– routes and itinerary planning
– information and tickets for national and local events
– tickets for the National Express bus
They also sell crafts, maps, guides and books.
Tel: 01745 355068 email :rhyl.tic@denbighshire.gov.uk based at The Village, West Parade LL18 1HZ Rhyl
Opening Hours until Wednesday, June 30th
(Thursday, June 1st: Closed)
Monday: 13.00 – 16.00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 09.30 – 16.00
Friday: 9.30 – 12.30