What Happened to Rhyl? - Seafront Tour, Wales
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 เม.ย. 2022
- Rhyl was once named as one of the worst places to live in the UK.
Has Rhyl still got it or has it lost its charm? Join me as I walk along the seafront and see what's open and what's here?
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Share your memories of Rhyl below 👇
I remember coming as a child and being freaked out by the old abandoned buildings near the front. Would have been around the late 90s
Oh and I’m sure there was an outdoor paddling pool near the prom!
In the 70s ??? ..needed to go more often than that ...
Does anyone know what happens on the outdoor arena in 'normal times'?
We has a large family from Manchester spent all our holidays in sunny Vale holiday camp. Dad ended up with a caravan on the camp. Great times. Picture house on site super market swimming pool bingo. Fishing in the harbor a great prom.
What helped kill Rhyl was bringing in chargeable parking. Meanwhile, next door in Prestatyn, they built a huge retail park with free parking - and guess what? All the major stores in Rhyl shut down and relocated to Prestatyn. How the council didn't see this coming is beyond me.
a common theme across all towns and citys across the uk, charging for parking is a guarranteed way to push people away and onto retail parks that dont charge...will local councils ever understand this...nope, they'll just sit there as the local towns die on their arses and more and more shops close down.
@@madgebishop5409only interested in lining their own pockets!
because councils are run by people who have never had a job in the field and aren't business minded
@@bowlingbill9633❤
E😅
I went to Rhyl in 1977 to start my nurse training. I remember walking to Princess Alexandra hospital along the prom from the nurse's home every shift. Many times the buses or taxis would stop and give us a free lift. I was so grateful for those lifts. I now live in Perth Australia, thank you for a trip down memory lane. Rhyl still has a beautiful beach.
indeed Gail I love the beach!
My Mum used to work there! I live in the town just next door in Prestatyn, go to Rhyl a fair amount. I’ve only heard of it’s charm back in the day though
I was born in Llandudno in the 60’s and we often visited Rhyl, the fairground, Sun Centre, monorail and shops. How far it has fallen since then :(
They have only recently knocked down the Queens Market, they last bit of traditional soul Rhyl had left. Likely to turn it into another bland concrete shopping centre soon enough.
I’ve lived just on the outskirts of Rhyl all of my life, and during the 1950’s and 60’s it was a vibrant town with excellent shops and a superb busy seafront and promenade.
Decline started in the 1970’s as overseas holidays took over from trips to the seaside.
The demolition of the original Pavilion and pier were a sad decision - along with the destruction of the beautiful Floral Hall. The funfair sites at Marine Lake and the harbour end of the prom’ have been demolished too - making way for Aldi, B&M and other stores.
Many of the guest houses that were once pristine and busy, fell into decline as they became flop houses occupied by unemployed people from out of the area. Drug use and rising crime levels didn’t help the town’s reputation either.
The town centre and High Street shops have suffered like so many throughout the country. Out of town malls have taken over - along with internet shopping, Amazon and EBay.
Housing development has stolen many green space areas too - but that’s an ongoing problem throughout U.K. with a rising population.
However, if you want sunshine and beautiful big beaches… Rhyl is the place - they don’t call it sunny Rhyl for nothing!
Yes why they choose to get rid of such history I'll never know
Overseas holidays didn't cause any decline in British seaside tourism. That's a myth that's been blown away completely by statisticians and data science.
Different resorts have had very different fortunes and haven't all undergone the same changes. Overall, seaside tourism grows steadily.
The issue of town centres and high streets is unrelated to this subject, and that's also something of a myth. It's peculiarly a UK thing to have high street closures and for everyone to blame it on Amazon.
Good morning Campers 😜Billy Butlins camp 🤣🤔long gone HAPPY holidays fof many families 🥰
Growing up in seaside town myself I think your comments are true for, not just Rhyl but probably every seaside town in the UK that relies on tourism, too much focus on taking the holiday makers pounds and not enough focus on building community and spirit of place.
@@modelnaturephotography What's happened to Rhyl hasn't been seen in resorts in general. For example, in the 1980s, Rhyl and Skegness, similarly sized, were very similar resorts, in general. But now, visit them both and they're two very different places from each other. Out of interest, which seaside town was it that you grew up in?
I remember Rhyl in the 60s, beautiful, the smell of candy floss, buckets and spades and lots of bingo stalls, the sun was always shining 😎
I don't have much memory of the '60s, but it was great in the '70s and '80s. Started going wrong in the '90s.
Yes!
Lol
I’ve never been so I won’t bother to comment.
My first family holiday was in Rhyl and I loved it
Can’t believe you did a vid on Rhyl! Had many a family holiday there when I was growing up (I’m an 80s child!). I recall the place was buzzing and I always loved a trip to the Sun Centre and the famous wave machine coming on. Brings back memories of eating fish & chips & walking along the front & the constant sounds & excitement of the amusement arcades opposite at night. A far cry from what it is now. Don’t think it’s the worse seaside town but certainly lost a lot of its charm and does seem quite soulless & empty now
Rhyl is one of Britains BEST seaside towns, I miss the lovely people.Barbara
Rhyl got ruined when they took the funfair away for more shops. It would've been better making that more modern instead of demolishing it,
Agree
Agree, remember having a job from 12 years old every school holidays. Super busy seafront full of open shops.
We used to love coming up to Rhyl on the fair and arcades . The dodgems were our favourite and the jet scream
Many fond memories of Rhyl as a child in the 60's and 70's.
We took our own children for a day trip in the early 90's and although they had a great time we noticed a severe decline in the town.
Children all flown the nest and we decided to take a trip down memory lane just a few years back , it was such an empty mess we didn't even get out of the car.
wow
same here
Wise decision unfortunately 😔
The OG sun center was the highlight of a school summer holiday in the 90s. The new one looks like an Amazon warehouse.
What KILLED Rhyl was Edwin Lake from the council treasury which was £15 millioin which couldn't be accounted. Then they knocked down the 2 theatre's that were there including the pier out door swimming pool and the butterfly gardens. Then when they did the underground car park which left a big pile of mud along the promenade for about a mile . That is what killed Rhyl .
Why did they do that
@@WalkWithMeTim As the council then Tim thought of making Rhyl better with a underground car park . that took 2 years to do and it lost summer trade big style and you couldn't walk on the beach either Tim . Also when you walked by the stone is by near the clock is the wrong way round as well Tim.
@@WalkWithMeTim Tim if you want to know alot more about Rhyl leave me your email address.
I would say what killed Rhyl (and many other seaside towns) was affordable package holidays to places with guaranteed great weather, and nothing at all to do with any dodgy financials.
Lived in Rhyl all my life & most of my family have, my nan tells me how good it used to be but not its kinda depressing.
The council tried to modernise the promenade so it would attract tourist but didn't bother to invest in the rest of Rhyl.
As much as I complain, it has a soft spot in my heart. Class to see a video on it.
I know so sad
What a nice place, love a bit of Wales especially in the sunshine.
Agree
It was great fun as a child. went to plenty of Welsh resorts on holiday: Tenby, Llandudno, Pwllheli , Rhyl, portmeirion. Decay everywhere now in Britain
Some people just haven’t lived if u have never been to Rhyl . I love Rhyl loads so many happy childhood memory’s from this amazing lil place.
Rhyl used to be such a great place to visit in the 70's and 80's. Now unfortunately it's a soulless place, all the new buildings on the front are uninspiring boxes with graffiti strewn concrete everywhere. It no longer feels like a British seaside holiday destination. Such a shame as I like you have wonderful childhood memories of holidays spent in Rhyl.
good days
My parents live in Rhyl, it really has gone downhill but tbf it seems they are making an effort to do it up, as far as my parents tell me.
Funny you are only talking about the front too, most of the inner areas are drug fuelled run down wrecks with chavs on every corner. I pity my sister who lives there.
Hi all I have lived in Rhyl now for 10 years, before that I was born and lived in kings lynn Norfolk. All seaside towns have there up's and downs as far as living in Rhyl it's not bad at all. It's better than being in a big city in land. Lovely walks and places to go, it's just my opinion .
Thanks andy
@Tom Foster cob and pen great night out 🍻👍
Rhyl's quieter than other seaside towns in terms of visitors, but rowdier in terms of anti-social behaviour and crime. It's pleasant if you love the seaside but other resorts are much nicer.
@@basylpeterjones yes I agree with that 👍
Yep I remember Rhyl as a kid,I had so many amazing happy fun memories of it.The fair was huge and awesome at night.And heart warming to see it
I have worked as a volunteer in Rhyl nearly every week for over 10 years now and some of the crazy ideas the local councillors come up with to improve the seafront and town are so badly thought out it has made Rhyl this soulless place.
By far the best asset is the beautiful rustic beach and when you drive down the seafront road you cannot see the lovely beach for all the bad and poor developments and monstrosities that have been built. The beach front is a mess of stupid ideas and bad decisions by the local council when they have funding and can’t think of anything constructive and just go with bad and poorly executed ideas!
Just look at Llandudno as a great example of a beautiful and simple seafront not ruined by horrible ugly buildings where you cannot see the beach…
I think they've always been a bit like that, anyone remember the monorail XD
I agree Llandudno is a much nicer place. Theres one big problem with Llandudno though......Parking. By far the worst seaside town to find a place to park. On many occasions we've planned to spend the day there but after 30 mins to 45 trying to get a space and just given up.
@@adrianprice533 Just park outside the centre of the town and walk 5-10 mins and you will find plenty of spaces unless it’s Extravaganza weekend…
Sad but very true, Rhyl is in my heart from my childhood, counted down the days til we came up from Brum for the week or fortnight my Dad had worked so hard all year to pay for, loved every second, Uncle Eric’s, the roller rink, Floral Hall with George and Georgina the macaws.. the outside paddling pool, arcades and the magnificent fair…. Then the icing on the cake was coming up to see the Sun Centre finally finished… magical times with lots of tears when we had to go home.. my kids shared the same magic for Rhyl, my parents retired to here and we had many more magical holidays and memories made…. Then I brought the grandkids… we did the arcades and the little fair.. there was literally nothing else to do… they never wanted to come back which broke my heart… the truest words in the video were ‘such a big waste of space’ and sadly that’s exactly what it is…. I come up by myself now but a day trip is enough.. I come up because my heart lives here from the happiest childhood memories but I go home so very deflated. It doesn’t have to be like this.. Skegness is alive and buzzing.. Rhyl could be again too 🤷♀️ heartbreaking really 💔 xx
I didn't notice that it was twinned with any European resort - did the camera flash over it too quickly?
@ Ian Smith
Went to Rhyl every year in the early 70's. It use to have three theatres. The Coleseum, The Pavillion and The Gaiety all fully packed during August. It also had a Floral House and lots of garden areas. The Paddling pool was not far from where the band stand is and just up from that was a kids cycling track. In the 70's it was a very busy holiday resort.
my nan lives in rhyl, went to visit her a few months ago. she lives in a tiny little bungalow on the seafront. as run down as the place can look, i have so many fond memories of it as a kid! especially the funfair and the arcades! it has its own unique charm to it, kinda like blackpool. when i visited her a few months back, i met her daughter in law for the first time and she owns a HUGE plot of land by the sea front and also has her own cafe there! it was towards the end of summer when i visited so the weather wasn’t amazing and it was very quiet but i could only imagine how busy it would be in hot temperatures. but just being able to sit there and gaze out at the vast ocean, it was lovely.
My Nanna had a caravan just next to Rhyl in Towyn so we used to go into Rhyl quite often. Where the old fun fair was up by the harbour, at the back of the fair across the road there was/is a massive boating lake that used to have a miniature railway that went around the edge and boats you could hire. Also do you remember The Sun Center, used to love going there. I actually got a posting to Rhyl when I was in the Army, I was based at the Army Career's Office in John Street. My Dad lived in Runcorn so I used to catch the train from Runcorn East Station every morning, it was a great way to get to work.
If you're going to Prestatyn again any time have you ever been to the waterfall at Dyserth, it's just up the road from Prestatyn if you've never been! Great video, it's a shame Rhyl declined for so many years but there's lots of investment now, and I'd say Jaywick is a much worse place by the sea although I wouldn't class it as a resort.
The sun centre was the best
Lake and miniature railway is still there
Yeah, we use to stay at the robin hood camp, i have very very fond memories as a child, even worked in wales, caught a fish of that bridge harbour, government let these wonderful places go down, more support some be given
I've got lots of wonderful memories of holidays in Rhyl when I was a child and then when my children were small. It's a shame that nothing much seems to be going on there now
I know 😐
There's plenty going on with 2 theatres, the cinema, arcades and bingo for those that want it, the marine lake has water skiing and the miniature steam train, there's the coronation and botanical gardens, there are plenty of clubs and activities for all ages, plus the events arena and the Air show, the only thing that has changed since the 80s is the promenade and fairground but there is still lots going on
@@cherylroberts1839 good to know but nil seems to be being promoted …
Always remember seeing adverts for Rhyl the sunniest place in Britain,a few years ago I got the opportunity to visit.I'd never been so was quite open to what I'd find,but walking with dogs stops you wandering around the town centre but the seafront was made for us ,such a lovely walk flat and straight,I can imagine wheelchair users would find unappealing.Your video brings back memories of a sunny September not too long ago.
thanks Derek!
False advertising existed back in the day as well. The south east coast is the sunniest place in Britain. Rhyl is nowhere near.
I passed through Rhyl a few years ago when I was in North Wales popped in for nostalgia’s sake and I must say it is heavily deprived similar to Wrexham. Like yourself Tim I had fond memories as a child of the place but doesn’t feel nice or safe anymore.
:-(
Such a shame. Our family holidayed here for many years when I was a child in the 1970's. We always stayed at Sunnyvale Holiday camp just over the blue bridge. Back then Rhyl was vibrant and bustling with visitors and it really came to life in the evenings
That’s where we always stayed
I lived in Rhyl in the early 1980's and still revisit occasionally. Very fond memories of the place. I remember the monorail that didn't last long. I think it failed on it's maiden run and passengers had to be recued. The Suncentre next to the theatre ,really popular in it's day. The harbour area has obviously had some money spent and looks lovely especially on a nice day. Also the B&M store used to be Woolworths. About 1983 Don Estelle ( It ain't half hot Mum ) was singing and selling his music tapes in the store. Thanks for posting. Very good indeed.
Wow. Thanks for sharing
I saw Don there as well.
Don Estelle had a very sad end, too. Retired to New Zealand, then needed a liver transplant (alcohol dependency). Came back to UK for the transplant. Too ill to have it. Died aged 70. BBC went all woke and refused to show any replays of, “It ain’t half hot mum”, which would have supported him the rest of his life. (It was always weird to have a white man in black make-up.) So sad. He had a marvellous singing voice.
Monorail? Failed on its first outing? Are you sure you didn’t just watch that Simpsons episode?
I didn’t know there was ever a monorail. Perhaps it’s something the powers would rather we forgot.
Yes. A monorail. I definately remember there was one there years ago...
I remember Rhyl from the late 50s and early 60s. It was a nice seaside place then. It’s very sad to see how much it has declined since then.
Such a nostalgic video for me, I use to go to Rhyl as a child and always remember it being so busy. I actually did some work for The Bright Spot Arcade and PKS Watersports a few years ago. Zip World is supposed to be building a 'Sky Rider' attraction on the huge field next to the Pavilion Theatre
My Uncle was the Mayor of Rhyl years ago, I think he would be upset at the way the town has gone down.
Wow
From Bootle Aka Merseyside
Would go to Rhyl for the day in the late 50's Charabang of course
It was awful then
Everything was in black and white
You brownie fans will remember
I remember the huge hovercraft on the beach
I think it went to the River Dee and back
The whole of the N Wales coast was blah
Live in Surrey BC now I have better views from my windows
Those were not the days
@@denniscain5738 same!!! Bit later. Church trips to the N Wales coast. Sunday services in a field with a wall paper pasting table as the alter …
We always took out holidays in Rhyl each August, starting about 70 years ago. There were two pleasure beaches, one on the sea front and one on Marine Lake, with the miniature steam railway. The old Pavilion Theatre with its domed roof, used to have Prince's International Circus every summer, and Rhyl Silver Band played most evenings. Little did I think then that I would be leading the orchestra in the Pavilion Theatre for my first summer season in 1967 with Richard Hearn as "Mr. Pastry". I also remember an amusement arcade near to the Pavilion which had a sign "ucancumoninanavsumfun", as well as Robin's Corner Cafe. Rhyl was at its height then and they were good days, The only thing that I saw in the video that I remember is the clock!
I used to live near Rhyl and spent most of my childhood there. Watching your video I think it doesn't actually look too bad now, I think it is slowly improving.
The biggest problem was around 25 plus years ago when the newly formed and underfunded Denbighshire council decided to modernise Rhyl. The massive fun fair was deemed too expensive to maintain and was eventually demolished and a new children's village built further along. This was essentially retail units which by and large still remain empty. The council also couldn't afford to maintain the flower beds and the Theatre that was also on the promenade. I think at that time the general idea of a British seaside holiday was seen as old fashioned so investment was seen as a waste. More recently the Sun Centre was deemed beyond economic repair (again lack of money for upkeep) and closed. The High Street suffered the fate of many others, Marks and Spencer pulled out along with others and went to a cheaper retail park in Prestatyn.
It's a real shame as I have fond memories of the place. Times have changed but to me it definitely looks like it's improving slowly. Thanks for a great video.
thanks for sharing Duncan!
If the council was underfunded, how has so much investment been granted for gargantuan schemes no other resort has? Rhyl has completely transformed, made possible by plentiful EU grants and lobbying from Cardiff and Peter Hain and Chris Ruane. Problem is, they're not tourism experts and they ignored everything tourism academics told them.
Some people think the promenade is looking better, but where are the attractions you see at other resorts? Everything is less than 30 years old (redevelopment began in 1992). Rhyl was doing fine until the '90s; seaside holidays have never declined, whatever some say. And your comment about high streets is pointless when you say every high street has been affected the same - that's just adding something unrelated just for the sake of saying it.
Loved Rhyl as a kid in the 60's, so many great memories, we always stopped in a caravan site Sunny Vale (I think it was called), remember the old fair with the rickety wild mouse ride, thanks for bringing back some great memories of what was once a thriving seaside town which had so much to do 👍
Sunnyvale Caravan Park still exists! Me and my family went a few years ago omg nothing but problems with our caravan VERY old caravans onsite it was crazy
Not much open like the onsite chippy wasn't open the shop wasn't open it was like it was derelict.
Nice long walk down the front to ASDA for the shopping
We went to sunny vale a few times in the late 70’s early 80’s when I was a kid. We always stayed in the wooden chalets . Loved the arcade and the club on site. Good times !
It was called the Mad Mouse ride.
Sunnyvale camp I loved it has a kid, we went here every year loved all the chalets and the outdoor swimming pool I always remember loads of rabbits running around that lived under the chalets. The clubhouse was brilliant full of scousers and us Manchester lot. I use to report myself missing in the office on there so they would shout my name out on the tannoy around the camp. A walk up over the big blue bridge and Rhyl seafront . going on the fair looking for a bird didn’t go on any rides because my family was skint just loved watching others on the rides and the go karts etc going in the arcades knocking the two pence gambling machines so the money would drop down Rhyl in the old days was a poor man’s holiday resort with kids that run around with snotty noses and ripped trousers that came from places like Oldham and Manchester on the yellow ways coaches. Fantastic place then and still is . Thanks for the happy memories Rhyl long may you stand .
@@ca5cada4eva OMG its still going? lol we stayed there in the 80s when live aid was on ....didnt tell us that when mum and dad booked they had to sign up for the entertainment / pub onsite places in advance and by the time we arrived were NOT allowed sign up on site so never got into the onsite pub etc ..Also the outdoor swimming pool had a wall around it like stalag 13 and was closed you could just peep through the big wooden gates at it and it was rancid with alge etc OBV hadnt been used in yrs THE WORST HOLIDAY I EVER HAD! PLUS as it was Live aid dad would not rent a tv off them (yes you had to do that) i saw about 10 mins of live aid on the tv in the onsite chippy! being a teenager i was not a happy bunny and prob one of only a handful in the uk that never actualy watch live aid!
I loved rhyl sun centre. Now that’s closed and been replaced with the first water park without water.
I grew up in old colwyn used to go to sun centre when I was 10 11 12
Lol
I think you summed it up when you pointed out the soullessness of the place and the fact there are huge random empty spaces between crass brutalist developments. It looks like the planning officers at the local council either don’t know what they’re doing in regards to protecting the unique heritage of a place or they’re ideologically fixated on brutalism and they’re quite happy to impose it on the town, its people and tourists.
There’s no flow to the place as well. It’s all piecemeal developments that sit cheek by jowl apart from each other with nothing linking them together.
I don’t know if it’s the worst seaside resort in the country but it has to be one of the worst. So disappointing to see Man’s lack of creativity unable to provide a sea front built environment to match its beautiful surroundings!
Agree
I've not been to rhyl since leaving the uk 10 years ago. But I always had a fond spot for it, for no other reason than BECAUSE of it being a bit awful.
Always gives me a weird "chill" visiting there, almost kinda post apocalyptic. And for that reason, It's always fascinated me and i always have had a love for it.
I used to LOVE the awful pleasure beach, I had MANY a fun day out there...
It is a strange old place Rhyl nowadays, it’s like frozen in time. Also agree with the weird massive open areas with nothing linking any of it together
Thanks for the video. i didn't recognise Rhyl from my memories of 65yrs ago when we stayed (4of us) in a nine-foot caravan and got great joy from the bench-seat four-wheeled cycles. i had ripped my leg open at home just previously and spent a lot of time on a narrow top bunk but the holiday was great. As dad was on the railway, we got free passes or privilege tickets to Conway and other spots. Otherwise, we could never have afforded to travel so far from P'boro'.Rhyl and Prestatyn were buzzing back in the mid 50s - noting posh but a lot of happy faces.
Sadly thing have not always changed for the better. In those 50s, caravan sites included individual private vans of all shapes and sizes that could be hired from tiny vans to converted back halves of single decker buses, with many in between. Now they are sanitised ranks of boring cloned boxes that cost a lot more and give as much character to the sites as concrete pill boxes - actually less so. To me a holiday is to do something entirely different - not to take every home comfort and luxury to make a home from home. Today folk seem to wither and die if they can't get a good signal in their wi-fi. Heaven help us! Maybe I'm just nuts.
Had so many found memories of Rhyl when I was a kid. The Sun centre and the pier. Went back there a few years ago I was so shocked on how much off a shit hole it became. We planned a day trip there but ended up spending around 30min before driving to Llandudno, where we stopped a few days. As for Rhyl such a same the local council as let it gone down hill. As for the sky tower or whatever it’s called what the point in leaving it standing if not working.
I lived in Manchester most of my life but my grandparents retired to Rhyl and I have to say it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I fell in love with Rhyl but I fell in love with north Wales more. Rhyl had been on a steady decline, unfortunately due to the fact that all of the local representatives live in Denbigh and care little for Rhyl. Rhyl has the potential to be a major tourist magnet, unfortunately it’s only clients are benefit claimants and the powers that be don’t care. I’ve moved on from Denbighshire partly due to the fact that the mp and the local council don’t care but I would love Rhyl to return to its splendour but it’ll never happen with the local government being based in Denbigh.
Let's hope it will change in the future
Council reck the place its concrete jungle to much waste of space put paddling pools back in and skate park kids would love it Council not got a clue what they are doing no wonder its got that title now 80s rhyl was better
I live and work in Rhyl. It's a beautiful place and very welcoming and sociable. Disappointed that you didn't cross Pont Y Ddraig and show how beautiful Rhyl Harbour is. Lots to see and do there. Cafe, Bike Hire Shop, nature reserve, boats, fishing trips, free parking. Rhyl has so much to offer. Great video's. 😉
Thanks Rob .. I still love the place
Sounds boring still 😂 the most enthusiasm shown would be free parking 😂🤭
@Encrypt That's what I came looking for! Tim said he has great memories of Rhyl but never mentioned the Sun Centre!
@Encrypt it was rebuilt as SC2 and is included in the video . That's the water park that he walks past .
I grew up as child in Rhyl, now it’s been a very long time since I’ve been back. Thank you mate for the walk about of memories. 🏴
I've been coming here since I was a child this is paradise
Such fond memories of this place. Remember going several times from 85-90ish. Vague memory of splashing about in the open pool. I went on the Skytower, was a lovely view, shame it no longer functions. Something really sad about how this place has fallen from grace. I actually think the advent of powerful games consoles/computers helped (in small part) to tip the balance as the arcades used to be heaving.
Going to Rhyl for the day was always a massive treat for me as a kid in the late 70s/early 80s. I always remember a 'House of Horror' type attraction near the funfair. Over it's entrance there was a large, scary looking head and a couple of hands holding bars as if it was breaking out of the building. The head slowly turned from side to side as if looking down at the people on the prom. Proper gave me the creeps that thing did!
omg! me too
@@WalkWithMeTim Ha! Most people I mention that to remember it! It must've had an affect on a lot of kids at the time!
I remember that well. As a smile child I used to walk along the prom with my granddad and when we got near that giant, growling, moving head we'd have to go down onto the beach as I was too afraid to walk past it.
Rhyl used to be great in the 60s and 70s. It was known as Little Blackpool and even had lights all the way down the prom. The fair was on the end of the prom, just the same as Blackp00l and the one thing it did wrong was get rid of the pier and go modern.
I spent 53 years going to Rhyl every summer staying at the same holiday park ( Golden sands ), just got so much love for Rhyl it saddens me to see it so bleak and soulless, it saddened me so much when the fair was taken away as I spent many many days on that fair during my holidays, the Bright spot and Les Harkers amusements were a highlight of my holiday, going in both of those arcades were great fun back in the day, thinking back some of the best times in my life were spent in Rhyl.
thanks for sharing Keith
I'm sure it was the Golden Sands we stayed at a few times, the name rings a bell, and 've been trying to remember, thanks. I think 1961 was probably the last time. Fond memories, but I didn't recognise anywhere :-) Where have those big jellyfish gone, I remember those!
@@henrydarker4314 it all changed after Arthur retired it was bought by some big name company, hoseasons I think, they added the lighthouse on the club, took away all the chalets and extended the camp halfway down to knightleys fair on the swamp ground, it’s completely changed now it’s nothing like it was back in it’s hay day sadly it’s not for the better, the old style of entertainment has gone and the club interior is now in 5 separate sections, the pool, the adult club, the dining room, the kiddies play area and the amusement arcade, it’s still a great camp for kids, but it’s far more expensive than it used to be, in the height of the season your looking at £1000 plus a week for a platinum caravan, other than that, the shop and Chippy are run by Vanessa she is a lovely lady with a heart of gold and her food is amazing,it’s always hot and served with real friendliness, if you haven’t been for a while you should go back even if it’s just one time it will take you a few days to get used to it now.
Used to stay robin hood loved it actually had a summer then
@@lordkeith.4350 £1000 a week. No wonder families go to Spain. My neighbour has been twice this year already with her two toddlers.
Loved Rhyl as a kid ...visited about 10 years ago . Didn't even get out of my car ! It looked like the council were using the hotels and BnBs to house people applying to take up residence in the U.K. . Basically the place looked a dump , very sad . Your video just proves one thing ....when the sun shines things look better lol . It's not on my bucket list to go back .
your allowed to say illegal immigrants but apparently not allowed to say dinghy boat illegals
@Dazz Hughes good for you dazz your some dazz
We had a lovely walk on the front on Saturday and really impressed how nice it actually was. Went inside the theatre and it's fabulous Décor, the weather obviously helped the pleasant walk x
indeed
The dragon on top of the lazer zone is actually there as the building used to be a horror walk through tour...there are still some elements of it inside the game and it's interesting to see how they adapted it instead of getting rid of it all together.
Yeah i remember that, it was like a dungeon thing 👍👍👍
oh is it!
Before the horror tour it was Knight's Caverns in the 90s, themed around Welsh myths and legends.
I am sure the horror crypt was just outside the entrance to the fairground. It also had a big gorilla outside not a dragon. I think I have a picture somewhere. Will try to post.
@@CORWEN2001 Please do Nick. I used to go to Rhyl in the 70's and early 80's and took my kids in the 90's. Any photos of how it was would be most welcome.
I went in the late 90s/early 00s on days out with my Nan and late grandad, very happy memories! There was an outdoor splash pool even then (was shallow), and the arcades and a much bigger fair 😍
yes those were the days
I live in Rhyl and have done for 2 years. It has declined over the years, but there are still stuff to do. Marina Lake is lovely, with the miniature train. Most weekends they have events in the town.
Rhyl funfair is bigger than what you've seen in this video. They have added more rides since April.
They're currently in the process of building a new indoor market.
The downside is where the outdoor pool is next to SC2 (the indoor waterpark) there was a free public pool that was beautiful, it has sprinklers on the floor and coming out the side, it was gifted to the town but the council has made it part of SC2, which now you have to pay for. There also use to be loads of events in summer on the arena but since covid there hasn't been many. They need to do more in the arena area, there's plenty of area to organise something, same on the beach/prom area. The beach is beautiful though, can't deny that.
RHYL DOES NOT HAVE A FUNFAIR. ITS TOWYN. DIFFERENT PLACE AND DIFFERENT COUNCIL
@@MrsRhianne1996" RHYL DOES NOT HAVE A FUNFAIR" ? it absolutely does.
I've not been to Rhyl for many years. My two main memories are firstly going there with my hubby to be on the day the monorail was opened by Terry Wogan, I think that was 1979. Didn't go on it though, too expensive! Second main memory is taking our kids there in the early 90's and going up the revolving tower while listening to Oxygene, their eyes were like saucers as they'd never been up high like that before. It doesn't look too bad now, I'm sure there are worse places, thanks Tim.
Agree
Who the heck decided that Rhyl is the worst resort in the UK? Makes zero sense to me, the place looks like it has plenty of charm and the beach? Wow. Ok so a bit of TLC wouldn't hurt but I think it has a lot going for it and I would certainly visit. Great work as ever Tim for showing us this lovely place.
Thanks Jeff.. agree
Great memories of Rhyl in the early 80s, the mono rail running down the sea front , the sun centre with the famous wave machine and arcades and the famous 99p shops
Yes Richard
Great days, I remember the monorail too
Brings back memories of childhood holidays there where we always used to stop at the Robin Hood Holiday Park (I wonder if it's still there) and my did in his Reliant Robin would drive up here from Birmingham via the A Roads because he didn't like moterways and we'd always stop halfway at the same place in Whitchurch.He used to drive into Rhyl and up the coast to Prestatyn and Towyn as well as Abergele. We always used to bump into lots of fellow Brummies, as well as people from Liverpool and Manchester. Dad sadly is no longer with us but this brings back happy memories.
Lyons Robin Hood is still there. It became bigger when they acquired the neighbouring camp. They opened a very good minigolf at the entrance, a few years ago.
Sorry to hear that Mark, thanks for watching
When i went on holiday to the caravan just outside Prestatyn with my grandparents, we used to stop at Whitchurch too. Great memories.
A fact often overlooked is that in the 1980s as cuts were brought in by the Tory government, a great number of people with significant drug and alcohol problems were housed temporarily in struggling B&B’s in Wales.
When this support ended it led to a lot of people with significant problems being abandoned in these towns.
I lived there in the 80s that wasn’t the problem. I enjoyed it there in the 80s. It didn’t decline until the late 90s. I watched it go down hill and moved away as crime rates went up. Labour getting rid of customs caused a lot of it. The issues with drugs became very apparent. Also schools in Wales perform lower than in any other are of the UK with children achieving 30% lower than other areas of the UK. Many of these children leave education early with no qualifications. So poverty becomes an issue as job opportunities become more limited. I moved away to get an education because there were no opportunities for me in North Wales.
So very true.
@@claudiaphillips7063 stop trying to make things political. It’s not a game to score points. 🤓🤓🤓”actually it was LABOUR haha my source was I made it up”🤓🤓🤓
@@shufflethemtrufflesbabey if it wasn’t political, why mention the Tories?
@@claudiaphillips7063 because it’s a matter of fact that it was one of the leading factors in the decline of these towns
I went to Rhyl in 1994. From America, I graduated high school at 17 and spent a few days in Rhyl with cousins during my high school graduation trip. I liked it. Lots of jelly fish to avoid though on the beach, I remember.
The only positive thing I can say about Rhyl is that the lovely Llandudno is just a short drive away from there haha. As a 30 something year old I do have some good childhood memories of Rhyl and Towyn though. South Wales is more my thing, around the Saundersfoot and Tenby area. Lovely part of Cymru.
Agree
That was interesting but also very sad it looks very old and tired there was nothing that got me thinking I’d love to visit the place
You still should .. great beach
Everything about the seafront is modern developments, so "old and tired" is a poor description. It has changed too much since the '80s and there are threadbare seaside attractions. It's not the same place.
Rhyl has changed a hell of a lot over the years for the worst. Every summer holiday in the 80s I went & stayed with my auntie & uncle there. I absolutely loved Rhyl back in those days. Funny how different I feel about the place now.There was plenty to do,things to see & of course the marvellous sun centre ..can anyone else remember that awesome place. Fun times for sure. Thank you for sharing your vlog with us Tim.
You are welcome, hope u can sub to the channel 😊
Born in the mid 70s and lived in chester, Rhyl was the goto seaside resort during the school holidays. Remember after spending the morning, early afternoon on the beach we would walk up to the fairground. There was a builing with the incredible Hulk on that moved and roared as people walked past. Every part of you as a child couldn't wait to get to the fair but finding the courage to walk past that animation added to the adrenaline of the fair. We went at least 3 times a year and always enjoyed the day out there. So sad to see it now
I remember going to Rhyl just for the day, in the 80/90 and was horrified at this huge pink monstrosity of a building with various activities inside. It blocked off part of the sea view. There were just few bucket and spade shops but nothing else. It’s so sad when you can remember it as it was just after the war, it was busy, clean, and everyone was neat and cleanly dressed! I think maybe there was a street photographer too! Staying in a boarding house meant you had to leave after breakfast and you could only return around 5pm regardless weather!! Happy days!
My fiance is from rhyl and we lived there for a few months while we saved for a house. The town is quite dingy but in summer the promenade and beach is really lovely, it looks so good for holiday makers- it really comes alive when they arrive in their droves! And of course prestatyn is close by, which is also quite lovely.
Loved Rhyl as a kid, went a few times in the 70’s, unfortunately now can’t stand it, shame as it used to be wonderful. ❤️
Agree
Happiest days of my life in the 60's. Marine Lake, donkey ride, paddling pool, hiring a bike just going round & round. Bathing beauty competition. Gran playing bingo.
I'd be too upset to go back.
:-(
Thanks for posting. Very nostalgic to see the town where I was brought up in the 1970s. Good to see the amusement aracade still going. Surprised how few people were out and about in April.
Yes me too
I've seen far worse! I visited for the day with my parents when we were staying in Llandudno (only some 16 miles away) around 1980/1. I think the Water Centre had only recently opened at that time. TBH, I preferred Llandudno, which seemed to be wearing its Victorian heritage much better. Apparently, the 'Skytower' was originally an attraction at the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival (which, coincidentally, we also visited, again for the day, this time while staying in Edinburgh). It was then relocated to Rhyl but was decomissioned in 2010. I think it should be removed - after all, it's hardly Blackpool tower!
Very good point
I also have happy memories of going on holiday/day trips to Rhyl. The last time I went was probably in the late 80's and I think it looks miles better today. Thanks Tim really enjoyed that
Thanks Tony
The promenade was colourful with lots of attractions in the '80s. It went into decline after that and the redevelopment schemes that began in the early-90s, as visitor numbers declined. I think it held up for a short time but has been in free-fall since around the turn of the century.
Rhyl looks beautiful. if the weather was like it is in the vid more often then I'd sell up a d move there. what a beautiful beach.
It really is!
I'm from the West midlands this looks like paradise 🏝
Where you from? 🤣🤣
Lol. This comment wins the internet today!😂😂😂😂😂
Im From the midlands and moved here 10 years ago. It's not as bad as everyone makes out and its still a step up from the midlands :D
@@mattfaza where abouts in the Midlands are you from because I'm from the Midlands and this is a step down
@@Scoobiewrx295 Walsall, you? I don't think this is anywhere near as bad as people think, west end is not great but everywhere else is fine.
I've never been to Rhyl Tim, but I once stayed at Pontins at Prestatyn with my dad many years ago where he took me on my first driving lesson, (not inside the camp I might add) That brings back some memories. Thanks for the video Tim.
Thanks john
Awful place that Pontins, we stayed on a short break about 10 years ago, possibly a couple of years less. Had to move rooms after a few hours as the toilet was leaking everywhere, paid extra to use the pool and club but the staff were letting all the locals in, probably their mates
Towyn and Rhyl was fantastic in the 70s
I've lived in Rhyl my whole life, my family is seen as old Rhyl families. Rhyl is good, it naturally has everything, it just has low lifes ruining the town.
As kids this is where we used to holiday.. a few years ago I went back and was shocked as It didn't resemble my memories at all 😱
as a child in the 1970s and 1980s i loved rhyl we always went there every year for holiday seeing it like this breaks my heart i love this town
Tim can make anything look good even thyl 😂 good video tim
RHYL
Just want to echo what others have said, I have fond childhood memories of Rhyl in the 80s. The place has so much potential, but seems so abandoned from its past.
I love Rhyl stay in the Premier in when i go to see my family.😍
Good location
Great video! I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and I’ve got to say they’re really good!
I appreciate that!
I've lived in North Wales for many years and watched the town decline over that period, though Llandudno just along the coast has held up pretty well by comparison. Even so Rhyl never compared with the beauty of Snowdonia, The Clwyd Hills, Llyn Peninsula, Anglesey and The Menai Straits, The Berwyn Hills, Barmouth and The Mawddach Estuary and many other beautiful places in North Wales. If you've never travelled along the North Wales coast further than Rhyl you have missed so much.
I never really got why so many people never go further than Rhyl, Prestatyn, Talacre and that area, not that much further is the magnificent scenery of all you mention. Anglesey beaches are amazing. the water is clear and has interesting coves and reefs, Snowdonia has so much to offer from beautiful woodlands, mountains and rivers, plus the picturesque villages and also the mining history. Still, i suppose big expanses of sand are great if you have kids.
Thanks for the tips, I really want to take my daughter to Wales for a 4 night break in half term, wasn't sure where would be a good place, you've given me a great list to try.♥️
@@CH-pp2sg Newborough beach on Anglesey is stunning.
@@Taylor1997 Thanks, looks lovely, I'm going to have to take a visit, so many beautiful places in the UK, we are lucky.
Shush dont tell them, its our secret
I’ve lived here my whole life and there’s totally nothing wrong with it. People can put it down and slag it off but they wouldn’t like it if we slagged their home town off
Agree
Where have all the visitors and tourists gone?
@@dasdasdatics420 at the time of the video being filmed it was after/ at the end of the Easter holidays. It gets jammed in the summer with the air show happening around that time.
Happy to sl*g the English off though. Wales' reputation for rudeness and bad manners is a big problem. You'd be amazed at the number of people returning from Wales comment on the bad attitudes they encountered.
You can slag my home town off as much as you like. Rhyl is horrible.
I’ll take Spain or Greece please 😂
It’s slowly on its way back up. Lots of demolition at the moment but making way for some very nice additions to the promenade. The high street needs sorting, maybe in time it’ll get there.
If you just want a beach weekend away, Rhyl is the perfect place to go. If you want a week long holiday, maybe not!
Very true!
We had a family fortnight holiday in Rhyl every year from 1962 until I got married in 1978 we had the same caravan at Robin Hood every time we went.
A literal walk down holiday memory lane for me :) In common with many Staffordshire folk of my age, Rhyl was where *everyone* went during Potters Fortnight - you'd go on holiday and most of the time you'd see your neighbours and schoolmates on the Front :D
When I was a child in the late 60's early 70's all the buildings opposite the beach were hotels and bed and breakfast places. You mentioned the open air swimming pool, I swam in that, I also used to favour the old outdoor roller skating rink and the fairground which was just before the bridge as you go towards Towyn. Last time I was in Rhyl was September 2020. One thing I do miss is the market stalls that used to be on the main street in the town centre.
I bet it was great
@@WalkWithMeTim It was, the best holidays ever!
;-)
I have vivid childhood memories of Rhyl with my grandparents. I remember going to the waterpark and then there was a 'Dungeon' amusement which was close to the mini golf, seems to have disappeared now :(
I know shame
I have great memories of Rhyl, with my mum and sisters back in the late 60s and 70s,happier times
good days Jane
Our family used to drive up here nearly every weekend during the summer for a day out and it used to be busy from top to bottom but it died a slow death unfortunately. One of the most annoying things is the large amount of things closed and the lack of toilet facilities.
I remember we'd stop off in Rhyl on the way back from Ireland as kid in the early 70's. I don't think it was ever eye candy, but my god, what a depressing soulless "seafront improvement plan" they've implemented. It's like a disjointed business park built on the beach. It smacks of councillors being given huge improvement grants with no coherent plan to create any sense of character or community. Very depressing. 😟
Oh wow! I was there with mum and dad in circa 1982. My dad has pictures of me on the mini motorbikes near what was the 'Sun Centre?' Great vid Tim.
My late father loved that Sun Center it's like being abroad him and mum used take butties a paper and a fewstubbies lager while i played. I was fed up with it after a few days.That must have been 84 ish
Wow! Same as me
Wow
We went on a family holiday to rhyl from the 9th of April to the 16th, loved it! Can't wait to go back we was sad to leave, we was on golden sands in kinmel bay near towyn.
🏖🤗
It's empty-hardly anyone around...less noise, less rubbish, less pollution....what's not to like! Open spaces, no crowds....nature...sounds good to me
I used to go to Rhyl with my family when I was a kid, I used to love it, there was a lot more going on on the seafront in the 70s but the thing I loved the most was the beach I have fond memories of sitting on the sand eating our packed lunch then paddling in the sea, it's so sad to see it like this now
I know! :-(
Nice video, I've been living in Rhyl all my life(31) and it's nice to see it pop up with someone saying about the beauty of the massive beach, also the mountains south of Rhyl and Prestatyn are beautiful.
The new pillar things may not light up but there are lights in the floor around them.
The dragon used to be part of a haunted house thing years ago, I forgot what it was called but it used to be quite popular, the lazer tag used to be nearer Kinmel bay but there was a fire in the 90s, which also reminds me of the fire at marine hotel which is nearer prestatyn side of the massive promenade road.
Also this video does not do that bridge near the sea life any justice, that bridge is quite larger than it looks and is so fun skating down.
Extra also is that the building I live in appeared several times which is pretty exticing :)
I thought it was something like a haunted house
It was originally called Knight's Caverns...had a bunch of animatronic and "Special" effects...kinda, as you say, Haunted House™ feel...
The Front™ is a pale shadow of what it was, even in the early 80s - I first saw Empire Strikes Back, in the cinema, there...but I still have much affection for the town, fer defo...
was born and raised on the Wirral and so used to go to Rhyl for our summer holidays, vivid memories of the original sun centre and wave machine!
I lived here when it was a seaside resort. The council's love of concrete has ruined Rhyl. The fairground and Marine Lake were a huge draw for tourists. Now the Marine Lake lies empty and the crowds flock to Towyn where the fairground has brought the visitors with it. Nobody comes to Rhyl to walk down the prom to visit The Range and Aldi. They could stay at home if they wanted shops!
I love Rhyl as a kid. The funfair. I loved the large Floral Hall with its exotic plants and birds. The cyclorama was great and the roller rink. Loved the paddling pool. All the green areas long the front were pretty. I loved the big Woolworths by the clock and the little indoor markets tucked away. I miss the old Rhyl. Rhyl now is too concrete. Such a shame. Xxx
it was good in late 60s and 70s went there a lot back then still go now and again
The original Sun Centre was a big attraction as a kid. And the Big Woolies where B&M is now. Do you remember what the big pub was at the end of the promenade, before 8t bends right?
Yes agree
Me too
Think so .. sun center was brill
I was a housing officer in Rhyl for about five years until 2005, and from your video, it looks to've improved quite a bit there. Obviously the sunshine helps, but it seems like the council have put a bit back into the place, especially the sea front. I'd like to see what the town itself looks like now because it was utterly desperate back then! Good to see the improvement happening!
Yes agree .. and sun always helps
To've?? Ha ha surely not a real word
It’s still not much better. Probably worse. I’ve lived in Rhyl for so far 42 years. Ask the shops have left, just a million coffee shops, barbers and charity shops. It’s a shame. My memories of Rhyl from when I was younger are amazing. Its just a shame my kids won’t get the same feeling and will move on. Rhyl is in my skin and I’ll never move. Everything on my doorstep. The council definitely need to maintain the sea front. They just don’t give a shit. Excuse my French.
@@theo847sqn I like it 😁 .. to have ..
@@theo847sqn Quite legitimate these days!! ‘to’ve’ is as much a real word as the abbreviations ‘should’ve’ and ‘could’ve’ as far as i’m concerned! There again i’m too busy enjoying reading the comments to be bothered by grammar-nazism🤣🤣🤣 Have a nice day!😊
I lived in St Asaph in the 1970’s and used to go to Rhyl on Saturday mornings for my ballet class! My treat was to go to the indoor market and buy a new Enid Blyton book each time…. Happy memories 😍
Great vid! Loved it in the past
Sorry I missed you Tim.Great to see this place . Beaches are huge. Thanks Tim for another wonderful walk. So much to see . Lovely place for a long walk. ☀️👏🏻
You are welcome Melissa thanks for watching
Rhyl is one of Britains Best seaside towns lots of things to do and see, I miss the lovely people . Barbara
I'm 42 and we used to have all our holidays at Rhyl and Loved it. The Sun Centre was fantastic and shortly passed that you used to be able to ride go carts and bikes on an old carpark. 😀
Same as me