Prestatyn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Prestatyn | |
| Population | 18,496 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Principal area | Denbighshire |
| Ceremonial county | Clwyd |
| Constituent country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PRESTATYN |
| Postcode district | LL19 |
| Dial code | 01745 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | Vale of Clwyd |
| European Parliament | Wales |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Denbighshire | |
Prestatyn is a seaside resort in the administrative county of Denbighshire, North Wales, lying on the north coast. According to the 2001 UK census, it had a population of 18,496.
Contents |
[edit] Attractions
The town is located at the northern end of the Offa's Dyke Path, although not on Offa's Dyke itself. It also marks the eastern end of the North Wales Path, a long-distance coastal route to Bangor. Other attractions include the remains of Roman baths, the Scala Cinema (now closed due to structural damage), opened in 1913, and the nearby Neolithic mound, The Gop.
[edit] Transport
A railway station is located in the town, connecting it to Holyhead to the west and Chester to the east via the North Wales Coast railway line. Bus services are provided by Arriva North West and Wales.
[edit] Famous people
Famous people from the town include Neil Aspinall, John Prescott, Mike Peters (The Alarm), Carol Vorderman (who was brought up here) and author Emyr Humphreys. It hosts the qualifying tournament for many snooker tournaments at the Pontin's Holiday Centre, which was the location for a 1973 movie of the popular British TV series, On The Buses.
[edit] Wind farm
The North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm was opened in 2003. Situated in Liverpool Bay, 7.5km off the coast of Prestatyn, it was the UK's first major offshore wind farm. It comprises 30 turbines with a combined maximum capacity of 60 megawatts - enough to power 40,000 homes.
[edit] Trivia
Philip Larkin once wrote a poem loosely about the town, called 'Sunny Prestatyn.'
Prestatyn was the home of the first ever Kwik Save in 1965.
[edit] History
[edit] Prehistory
The town is believed to be one of the oldest inhabited places in north Wales. Tools found in the caves of Graig Fawr have revealed the existence of cavemen in the area.
[edit] Roman
The Roman bathhouse is believed to be part of a camp/military base on the route march from Chester to Caernarfon. However, much of 'Roman Prestatyn' has been destroyed as houses have been built over unexcavated land.
[edit] Medieval
An earth mound, visible in fields to the south of the railway station (near Nant Hall), marks the site of a wooden mound and bailey castle, destroyed by Owain Gwynedd's men in the 9th century. The town was primarily a fishing village for hundreds of years. The beginning and end of the high street today marks the location of two 'faenols' (or manor houses) called Pendre (translated as "end of" or "top of town") and Penisadre ("lower end of the town").
[edit] 19th century to present
The town's population remained at less than a thousand until the arrival of the railway and the holiday-makers in the 19th and 20th centuries. "Sunny Prestatyn" became famous for its beach, clean seas and promenade entertainers, and visiting for a bathe was considered very "healthful" by city-dwelling Victorians. The town's popularity lasted well into the late 20th century. During the Second World War the holiday camps were used as billets for British soldiers, many of whom were also sent to live with locals. Despite being close to Liverpool, the area was not bombed, and many evacuees came to Denbighshire from various northern cities.
[edit] Present day
Although Prestatyn remains a tourist destination, the decline of the British holiday means the town is diversifying. The NHS is to open new offices and a new elderly care facility in the town to serve north Denbighshire, and the opening of big name shops and supermarkets look set to increase the town's status as a shopping district.
[edit] External links
- The Parish of Prestatyn - news of Prestatyn's parish churches
- Friends of the Scala - Information, history, new plans and forums promoting the Scala Cinema and Arts Centre.
- Prestatyn's Evangelical Church, Deva
- Prestatyn Town Council
- Rhyl, Prestatyn and Abergele Journal, local paper
- BBC Wales's Prestatyn website
- Local Community Forum
