Skip to content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer

< Visitor’s guide to Rhyl

Exploring the seafront

Good things need protecting. Rhyl has been a famous seaside resort since Victorian times. It still attracts many thousands of visitors every year to its magnificent beaches and vibrant attractions including the SC2 water park.

But climate change and ageing sea defences have made it vulnerable to flooding. Now an ambitious multi-million-pound coastal flood defence scheme is underway. It will improve sea views, make it easier to reach those golden sands and make Rhyl’s splendid promenade more dramatic than ever.

Better still, it will keep the town safe for future generations of fun-seeking families. It’s a big job and it does mean that some sections of the promenade will be closed for a while. But you can still reach the beaches – and the fantastic attractions and places to eat on the seafront are open and welcoming visitors.

So what exactly is happening?

The Central Rhyl Coastal Defences Scheme covers about 2km from Splash Point to the west to just beyond the crazy golf course opposite John Street.

It’s broken into two sections:

  • The eastern section from Splash Point to the Events Arena. Here huge boulders will protect the existing defences, mostly buried beneath the existing beach level, with walkways through the rocks to the sand. It should be finished by about March 2024.
  • The western section from the Events Arena to opposite John Street. This will feature a new stepped “revetment”, or retaining wall, and a new seawall. The promenade will be raised and widened and there will be better access to the beach via steps and a ramp. It should all be ready by October 2025.

Where is the promenade closed?

Currently the promenade is closed on the eastern section between Old Golf Road and the Pavilion Car Park.

On the western section it’s closed between Butterton Road and the Events Arena.

Following the successful installation of new security gates, the part of the promenade which has been closed between the Pavilion Car Park and Old Golf Road to allow for coastal defence works, will now be opening at weekends.

This will allow uninterrupted access for both cyclists and pedestrians between Splash Point and the Events Arena.

Access to the prom for heavy plant will still be required during the working week, including tidal working hours, therefore the gates will be closed Monday-Friday.
The Beach is accessible from the west of Butterton Road and behind the events arena.

There are lots of signs to help you find your way. You may need to make the odd detour but it’s a great way to discover all the other attractions and places to eat along East Parade, West Parade and into the town centre.

What about the beaches?

Contractors Balfour Beatty will be working on the sands when the ebb and flow of the tides allow. Their team of marshals will keep everyone safe and ensure that most of the beach remains accessible to all.