Seaside breaks are supposed to be calming. And most of the time they are – but there’s nothing serene about a holiday in ‘Blackpool after a neutron bomb’ has gone off.
That damning description was a review of the Welsh town Rhyl, which has been named one of the worst beach towns in the UK by various people, including the Telegraph. But is it really that bad?
Its council says no, and that plans are currently in the works to give the entire town a million pound facelift which will put Rhyl back on the map. This is part of an ongoing project – in fact, £200 million has already gone into protecting Rhyl from coastal flooding. The final bit of the ‘sea defence’ project is due to be completed this summer, a brand new children’s play park has already been constructed, and the pavilion has had a £2.4 million cash injection which allowed it to add a restaurant and bar to its site.
Speaking to the Mirror, a spokesperson for the local Denbighshire County Council said that there are ‘exciting’ things ahead for Rhyl, adding that future plans ‘could include a mixture of developments to support tourism, employment and economic growth’.
A total of £12 million has been earmarked by the council for ‘improvement projects in the town centre and central promenade’. Most of the money comes from the previous government’s levelling up scheme, which was set up to give ‘forgotten’ towns a much needed boost.
One of the main proposals we do know about would see the Queen’s Market building in the centre of town turn into a multi-use venue with a food hall and space for shops, eateries, and events. This project is still in its early stages, but construction could start within the next 12 months.
In total there are eight current proposals which range from the Queen’s Market regeneration to just simply tidying up the main promenade. If all of them end up as reality, Rhyl could end up a very different place.
Will the allegations of ‘worst’ seaside town subside once Rhyl’s masterplan is complete? The town’s council definitely thinks so. Who knows, maybe soon Rhyl will even be topping lists of Britain’s best seaside towns.
Getting Outdoors with Time Out
There’s no joy quite like getting out of the house and exploring all the amazing places this little island has to offer. While you wait for Rhyl to finish its glow-up, check out Time Out’s lists of the best wild swimming spots, the most beautiful natural wonders, the most exciting extreme outdoor activities and best UK music festivals to book for 2025.
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