Marine Lake

The Marine Lake is one of those features of Rhyl that the town takes for granted but that visitors frequently find delightful. Created in 1895 by building an embankment across a tidal inlet, the twelve-hectare lake provides sheltered water for watersports, a peaceful circuit walk, and the setting for Britain's oldest miniature railway.

History

The Marine Lake was designed as part of the Victorian development of Rhyl's western seafront. When it opened it immediately became a centrepiece of resort life, surrounded by boatyards, a bandstand, and various pleasure facilities. In the twentieth century it hosted a modest zoo at one point and various other attractions have come and gone around its perimeter. What has remained constant is the lake itself and the miniature railway that has circled it since 1911.

Today

The lake is used for watersports including kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Its sheltered nature makes it suitable for beginners and children. A play area and picnic facilities on the lakeside make it a popular destination for families seeking something quieter than the main beach and promenade.

The lakeside walk is a pleasant circuit of around a mile, flat and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The views south across the lake to the Clwydian Hills on a clear day are genuinely beautiful — it is easy to forget you are in the middle of a large seaside resort.

Foryd Harbour

At the western end of the Marine Lake, the Foryd Harbour is where the River Clwyd meets the sea. The Foryd Harbour Bridge is a popular spot for watching the river traffic, wading birds, and the occasional seal. Kite surfers launch from the beach on this side when the wind direction allows. It's a different, quieter part of Rhyl that many visitors never find — which means those who do have it largely to themselves.