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.
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.
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’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!
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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 .
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.
Oh bless, Im over 50 and am from Anglesey. Summer holidays for us included either Butlins in Pwllheli or a trip on the CoastLiner Crossville Bus from Bangor to Rhyl with my mum, nan and cousins, going to the Suncentre, the original one and or the old large funfair which would have been somewhere round the start of your video. For me, smiles all round. Shame its changed so much but I have a soft spot for Rhyl.
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.
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.
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 .
@@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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
We was in Rhyl last Tuesday, thought we'd pop in as we were staying at pontins in Prestatyn. Bit of a wasted journey unfortunately not a lot going on, I must say that Prestatyn is very clean and pretty👍👍
I wasn’t around in the 80s but in the 2010s in Rhyl were I live the was markets everywhere fairs open to everyone deronimos and everyone was soosooo nice
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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!
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
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!
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.
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 😍
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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
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 !
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!
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.
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 😍
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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'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.
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.
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 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!
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 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!😊
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
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.
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.
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 place was booming when I was a kid, with rock shops everywhere, dirty postcards, and kiss me quick hats, a big fairground with thousands of people.
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 :)
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...
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.
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.
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
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. 😀
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
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.
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.
I leaned a few things I didn't know about Rhyl so thanks for that... I have a lot of memories of going to Rhyl with my late father and I would go back there in a heartbeat. I would also have my ashes scattered on Rhyl beach when the time comes!
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. 😉
I remember Rhyl in the 50s…full of scousers in their best suits with kiss me quick hats..its nicer now ..but im missing the pleasure beach..and the wall of death and the mad mouse..the bicycle circuit and the outdoor pool..i usually go once a year on a day trip now..super..the trouble is there’s nothing to get nostalgic about now…its all been improved..
Back in the 70's Rhyl was a mini Blackpool with a big fair up towards the harbour, great memories. Sadly now It probably is the worst seaside in the U.K.
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 :(
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!
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.
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.
I went to Rhyl a few months ago. The front looks nice and new but empty. But the main issue was the shopping area is mainly closed and the shops that are open sell junk. And its surrounded by really rough residential estates which you probably have to walk through due to parking being scattered. And every where we looked had beer cans thown on the floor.
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.
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.
@@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”🤓🤓🤓
I live here with my family. We moved up from Kent, four years ago. I appreciate the fact that it would be difficult to judge a location based on its present merits if you have bygone memories but judging Rhyl by the standards set in other places - and I've been around - it's definitely not the worst. Those open spaces become very full during the holiday seasons, and you didn't mention the free air show in August.
We agree, these wide open spaces are very helpful during summer periods as it still does get very busy. Especially when events are on at the arena and also the airshow. I love Rhyl with it being my home town but it does need improvement to catch up with other thriving seaside towns.
I have lived near Rhyl since late 2001 and in that time it's changed so much and not in a good way. The fair closed in late 2007 and the grounds stood empty for ages. They built a retail park on the site AND it's up for sale already 🫤 Most of the arcades along the front have closed, a few pubs on the front closed and a lot of the seaside shops on the prom closed too? They tried to modernize Rhyl and it has not gone to plan in my opinion
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.
What an amazing area love the open spaces.Some of the most beautiful beaches in Britain I will recommend this lovely seaside to all my friends on the crowded beaches in Bournemouth (did you see mad mega spreading covid summer on the south coast.We have booked a beautiful hotel for our return in the Easter hols.
Great video brought back a few memories, they spoilt it yrs ago with 4 million tonnes of concrete on the sea front . With nothing to show for it . Must admit looks slightly improved in this video . Might have a visit .
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.
Fabulous memories for me. The beach is still beautiful and family friendly. The concrete nonsense of the town planners is a mess. Very poor council decisions. The 20mph makes people avoid the seafront and passing trade. Still a lovely town with friendly people overall. They have been let down by the local councils misappropriation of investment
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
I've travelled the length and breadth of Wales, from Llandudno to Broadhaven. Best experience being the climb up Snowdonia and the descent down on the mountain railway. Worst experience, nearly going over Swallow Falls in Betswy Coed. To be honest, I've never visited Rhyl but if it's anything like the rest of Wales, it'd be amazing 👏 Cheers, Tim! 👍😁
This is me of course putting a positive spin on Rhyl as I cannot judge a place I've never visited and experienced. I'm sure there's room for improvement just like many towns. I love Wales all the same 👍
@@franceskronenwett3539 if you were a child, you’d have to learn Welsh. Wonderful initiative as you can learn what the old ladies are saying about you in the bus to town in Liverpool …”too much make-up … skirts too short … wonder what they’re teaching them in schools today?” Welsh!!!
@@lindylou7853 I am a Brit and haved lived in Germany for many years Naturally I learned the language and speak it perfectly. If I lived in Wales I would learn Welsh. However I do not know whether I would have much success as it is reputed to be extremely difficult, but I would stick at it.
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!
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.
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 .
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!
@@bowlingbill9633❤
E😅
Maybe a moronic Labour council?
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’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 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.
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
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
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.
I take it they knocked the sun center down
Just came back from the Lyons robin hood camp fantastic 4 days with my family.
Been coming now 3 years love it 😁😁👍
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
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
What a nice place, love a bit of Wales especially in the sunshine.
Agree
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
Oh bless, Im over 50 and am from Anglesey. Summer holidays for us included either Butlins in Pwllheli or a trip on the CoastLiner Crossville Bus from Bangor to Rhyl with my mum, nan and cousins, going to the Suncentre, the original one and or the old large funfair which would have been somewhere round the start of your video. For me, smiles all round. Shame its changed so much but I have a soft spot for Rhyl.
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...
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.
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 …
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 😱
I spent a lot of childhood holidays in Rhyl 1960's ....Loved the place then
Wow
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.
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
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
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
We was in Rhyl last Tuesday, thought we'd pop in as we were staying at pontins in Prestatyn. Bit of a wasted journey unfortunately not a lot going on, I must say that Prestatyn is very clean and pretty👍👍
I wasn’t around in the 80s but in the 2010s in Rhyl were I live the was markets everywhere fairs open to everyone deronimos and everyone was soosooo nice
😍
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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
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!
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.
:-(
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 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 😍
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 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
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
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.
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.
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 …
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!
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.
Rhyl has got a lot of history. Rumours say it has an old underground canal system in the old market place dating back to 1900.
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 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.
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
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
Thanks for sharing!
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.
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'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
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.
:-(
Hanging baskets and planted tees and bushes and a lock of paint would make a major difference and water features.
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 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!😊
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
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.
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.
🏖🤗
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.
Rhyl is one of Britains Best seaside towns lots of things to do and see, I miss the lovely people . Barbara
The place was booming when I was a kid, with rock shops everywhere, dirty postcards, and kiss me quick hats, a
big fairground with thousands of people.
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...
Looks great to me. A shame t piers gone but, that beautiful beach! The fact that it’s quiet is a win for me. Thanks for the great vid.
I know it needs a pier lol
nice and clean NO LITTER ABYWHERE but not many people of course after season
;-)
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.
I'm from Liverpool.but I love Wales.always have.I know north wales very well.a very nice place.
agree
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'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
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.
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.
I leaned a few things I didn't know about Rhyl so thanks for that... I have a lot of memories of going to Rhyl with my late father and I would go back there in a heartbeat. I would also have my ashes scattered on Rhyl beach when the time comes!
You are welcome thanks for watching Andy
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
@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 remember Rhyl in the 50s…full of scousers in their best suits with kiss me quick hats..its nicer now ..but im missing the pleasure beach..and the wall of death and the mad mouse..the bicycle circuit and the outdoor pool..i usually go once a year on a day trip now..super..the trouble is there’s nothing to get nostalgic about now…its all been improved..
yes good times
Back in the 70's Rhyl was a mini Blackpool with a big fair up towards the harbour, great memories. Sadly now It probably is the worst seaside in the U.K.
agree
I've been coming here since I was a child this is paradise
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
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!
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.
We loved our holidays in Rhyl, we always hired a beach hut for 2 weeks which was great. Lots of pubs with basement discos for family nights outs.
good day
I love Rhyl stay in the Premier in when i go to see my family.😍
Good location
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.
I went to Rhyl a few months ago. The front looks nice and new but empty. But the main issue was the shopping area is mainly closed and the shops that are open sell junk. And its surrounded by really rough residential estates which you probably have to walk through due to parking being scattered. And every where we looked had beer cans thown on the floor.
Loved the video tim I stayed in that hotel near that roundabout and Nice tram tour as well
Nice, thanks for watching Stuart
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 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.
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”🤓🤓🤓
@@sgl0d10n 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 live here with my family. We moved up from Kent, four years ago. I appreciate the fact that it would be difficult to judge a location based on its present merits if you have bygone memories but judging Rhyl by the standards set in other places - and I've been around - it's definitely not the worst. Those open spaces become very full during the holiday seasons, and you didn't mention the free air show in August.
Yes I forgot about that
I live just outside Rhyl come on by honest its really bad
@@skye8493at least they're trying to improve the area and spending money,after all not much has been spent in 30+ years
We agree, these wide open spaces are very helpful during summer periods as it still does get very busy. Especially when events are on at the arena and also the airshow.
I love Rhyl with it being my home town but it does need improvement to catch up with other thriving seaside towns.
@@skye8493 I live in Rhyl it’s really not that bad at all. Try living in a city Where the crime is absolutely through the roof then tell me it’s bad.
I have lived near Rhyl since late 2001 and in that time it's changed so much and not in a good way.
The fair closed in late 2007 and the grounds stood empty for ages. They built a retail park on the site AND it's up for sale already 🫤
Most of the arcades along the front have closed, a few pubs on the front closed and a lot of the seaside shops on the prom closed too?
They tried to modernize Rhyl and it has not gone to plan in my opinion
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.
What an amazing area love the open spaces.Some of the most beautiful beaches in Britain I will recommend this lovely seaside to all my friends on the crowded beaches in Bournemouth (did you see mad mega spreading covid summer on the south coast.We have booked a beautiful hotel for our return in the Easter hols.
Yes big sky's open air
Great video brought back a few memories, they spoilt it yrs ago with 4 million tonnes of concrete on the sea front . With nothing to show for it . Must admit looks slightly improved in this video . Might have a visit .
You should
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.
Fabulous memories for me. The beach is still beautiful and family friendly. The concrete nonsense of the town planners is a mess. Very poor council decisions. The 20mph makes people avoid the seafront and passing trade. Still a lovely town with friendly people overall. They have been let down by the local councils misappropriation of investment
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
I've travelled the length and breadth of Wales, from Llandudno to Broadhaven. Best experience being the climb up Snowdonia and the descent down on the mountain railway. Worst experience, nearly going over Swallow Falls in Betswy Coed.
To be honest, I've never visited Rhyl but if it's anything like the rest of Wales, it'd be amazing 👏
Cheers, Tim! 👍😁
Lol
This is me of course putting a positive spin on Rhyl as I cannot judge a place I've never visited and experienced. I'm sure there's room for improvement just like many towns. I love Wales all the same 👍
I love Wales and if I lived there I would at least try to learn Welsh.
@@franceskronenwett3539 if you were a child, you’d have to learn Welsh. Wonderful initiative as you can learn what the old ladies are saying about you in the bus to town in Liverpool …”too much make-up … skirts too short … wonder what they’re teaching them in schools today?” Welsh!!!
@@lindylou7853 I am a Brit and haved lived in Germany for many years
Naturally I learned the language and speak it perfectly.
If I lived in Wales I would learn Welsh. However I do not know whether I would have much success as it is reputed to be extremely difficult, but I would stick at it.
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.
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
Loved your video on Rhyl Tim,looking forward to your upcoming Scarborough video tonight
Thanks 👍