Prestatyn is the first proper 'resort' moving along the North Wales coast from the border. Prestatyn's origins stretch back to
prehistoric times, and the Romans also set up home here. Prestatyn lay on a route linking Chester and
Caernarfon, and a fort is believed to have been built here, although the only
trace of this now are the ruins of a Roman bathhouse on the outskirts of the
town. The town became popular as a
resort after the arrival of the railway, and by the end of the 1930s a holiday
camp had been established there. This
was commandeered during the war for use as a billet for servicemen, who also
stayed in the houses of many of the locals.
Prestatyn's popularity has no doubt been helped along by the extensive
trio of sandy beaches with their dunes on either side of the town: Ffrith Beach,
Central Beach
and Barkby Beach.
Barkby Beach is home to the Prestatyn Sailing Club, so swimmers need to be aware of the boats using the slipway. Ffrith
Beach offers family fun at the Ffrith Beach Festival Gardens. The 4-mile promenade joining the three
beaches has been incorporated into the National Cycle Network. Views from the promenade take in an
impressive vista from Snowdonia in the west to the Wirral in the east, and on
clear days the Isle of Man and the mountains of Cumbria can be made out on the
horizon. Prestatyn is the northern
terminus of the magnificent Offa's Dyke Path, a long-distance trail which
roughly follows the border between England
and Wales,
finishing up in Chepstow. The recently
completed Wales Coast Path also passes through here, so walkers are spoilt
for choice. Other popular activities
include pitch and putt at Barkby
Beach, while for more
serious golfers there is the Prestatyn Championship Golf Course. The Nova Centre offers swimming, and there is
10-pin bowling and indoor bowls, and the Prestatyn Circuit for car racing
enthusiasts.
The big event of the year is the Prestatyn Carnival, held in July. For
a list of other events in Prestatyn and neighbouring Rhyl follow this link.
Map of the area.
 | |
| On the Offa's Dyke Path near Prestatyn Hillside - geograph.org.uk - 541328. Photo by Mike Harris, via Wikimedia Commons. |
No comments:
Post a Comment