The Francis Frith Collection.
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Rhyl

Rhyl photos (98 available)

Old photo of Rhyl

Rhyl maps (2 available)

Old map of Rhyl

Rhyl memories

Days Out

Rhyl, the Promenade c1955

We would visit Rhyl quite frequently when my daughters were growing up. We enjoyed walking along the Promenade and occasionally going into the Amusement Arcades.
Contributed by Brenda Vanderwert

At the Skating Rink

Rhyl, the Promenade c1955

I have a copy of this postcard and believe my sister and I are skating in the bottom left corner of the picture (unfortunately under the Frith logo on the image).  The gentleman in the grey jacket leaning on the railings watching I believe to be my late father.  Happy days!  We were born in Rhyl and lived there until I was 10 years old.  I still visit often but sadly the town is much changed - most of the beautiful prom is long gone - including the rink.  However Rhyl still feels like home to me.  
Contributed by Ann Hayes

Memories of an Eight Year Old

Rhyl, Botanical Gardens c1965

This pond was known to local kids as The Newt Pond, as that's where we used to go 'newting', catching newts and putting them in jam jars and putting them back after seeing who had the biggest (newt!)...

We used to hire tricycles from the Bike Track, next to Rhyl FC and opposite the Grammar School (now Rhyl High School). I'd love to see any old images of the Bike Track as that was a really special place to me, full of happy memories..

Living 100 yards away from the Coronation Gardens (or Corruz as we called it), my entire childhood was virtually spent there, with the fantastic "Swings", where there were, among other play things, a rocking horse, ...read more here
Contributed by Nick Oldham

Clwyd memories

Memories of an Eight Year Old

Rhyl, Botanical Gardens c1965

This pond was known to local kids as The Newt Pond, as that's where we used to go 'newting', catching newts and putting them in jam jars and putting them back after seeing who had the biggest (newt!)...

We used to hire tricycles from the Bike Track, next to Rhyl FC and opposite the Grammar School (now Rhyl High School). I'd love to see any old images of the Bike Track as that was a really special place to me, full of happy memories..

Living 100 yards away from the Coronation Gardens (or Corruz as we called it), my entire childhood was virtually spent there, with the fantastic "Swings", where there were, among other play things, a rocking horse, ...read more here
A memory of Rhyl contributed by Nick Oldham

Extracts From Rhyl & Clwyd books

Rhyl, Donkeys on the Sands 1891

This is how a guide to seaside resorts of 1895 described Rhyl: ‘Not many years ago there was no town here at all, but merely a few fishermen’s huts upon the shore. The sands, which are extensive enough to give the full benefit of ozone to those who avail themselves of its health-giving properties, form an excellent bathing-ground, entirely free from danger. Hence Rhyl has become noted for the number of children that visit it, and these little ones find an inexhaustible fund of pleasure on its beach.
An extract from from"Times Gone By".

Rhyl, Donkeys on the Sands 1891

This is how a guide to seaside resorts of 1895 described Rhyl: ‘Not many years ago there was no town here at all, but merely a few fishermen’s huts upon the shore. The sands, which are extensive enough to give the full benefit of ozone to those who avail themselves of its health-giving properties, form an excellent bathing-ground, entirely free from danger. Hence Rhyl has become noted for the number of children that visit it, and these little ones find an inexhaustible fund of pleasure on its beach.
An extract from from"Countryside Poems".

Rhyl, Donkeys on the Sands 1891

Rhyl is famous for its great windy expanse of beach facing Liverpool Bay. Here, donkey boys and their mounts are awaiting the arrival of the day's holidaymakers on the beach, watched by a fisherwoman in a tall hat. She would wander the sands hawking freshly-caught cockles and other shell-fish to the visitors.
An extract from from"Welsh Address Book".

Rhyl, the Beach and the Pier 1913

The sands, which are extensive enough to give the full benefit of ozone to those who avail themselves of its health-giving properties, form an excellent bathing-ground, entirely free from danger. Hence Rhyl has become noted for the number of children that visit it, and these little ones find an inexhaustible fund of pleasure on its beach. The iron pier was built in 1867.
An extract from from"50 Classics - Seaside".

Rhyl, the Pavilion 1954

The Pavilion, built in 1906 as the North Wales resorts sought to improve their entertainment facilities, has become a firm Rhyl favourite over the years. The paddling pool in front of it is a precursor of the modern day Sun Centre, perhaps. The coats and the empty pool reveal few takers for its delights – it must be a cold day. Prince’s International Circus is billed to appear at the Pavilion.
An extract from from"Wales Living Memories".