Rhyl's promenade is the spine of the resort — a seafront boulevard stretching east and west, shaped by 170 years of holiday-making, regularly battered by the Irish Sea, and still very much alive. It's honest and unpretentious. You won't find Michelin stars or artisanal candle shops, but you will find candy floss, a remarkable Victorian miniature railway, and views across the sea that haven't changed in a century.
East Parade
The eastern end of the promenade is the busiest and most traditional. The original Marine Hotel site and seafront hotels still line the road, and the distinctive wedge shape of the Pavilion Theatre anchors the central promenade. The Travelodge that now occupies the old Sun Centre site is, architecturally, what it is — but it marks where Rhyl's most famous twentieth-century attraction once stood.
Arcades and amusement operators continue to trade on East Parade, carrying on a tradition that stretches back to before the Second World War. They are part of the honest reality of a traditional seaside promenade.
Central Promenade and the Pavilion
The New Pavilion Theatre (opened 1991) is the anchor of the central promenade and the town's main cultural venue. The 1891 Restaurant and Bar operates inside the Pavilion building, making it one of the better dinner options in town with sea views. The theatre's programme runs year-round — touring musicals, stand-up comedy, tribute acts, pantomime — and the building is a genuine asset that is often underrated by those who dismiss Rhyl without visiting.
West Parade
Heading west, the character of the promenade shifts. SC2 Waterpark sits on the West Parade behind a distinctive building, followed by the Rhyl Children's Village — a free outdoor play area that is exactly what it says it is, much loved by families with young children. The Sky Tower, once a rotating observation tower, now stands as an illuminated landmark rather than a ride. The approach to the Marine Lake and the Rhyl Miniature Railway is along this stretch.
A Walk Along the Front
End to end, the promenade walk from the Foryd Harbour Bridge in the west to the eastern car parks is around two miles and takes the best part of an hour at a leisurely pace. The Foryd Harbour — where the River Clwyd meets the sea — is worth a detour at the western end; the bridge is a popular spot for watching boats and wading birds. Kite surfers use the beach immediately west of here when conditions allow.