Have fun on the North Wales Coast

Looking for family time on the sand or a refreshing coastal walk? Rhyl and Prestatyn boast miles of wide, golden beaches ideal for sandcastles, swimming and seaside play. Zoned bathing areas are patrolled by lifeguards from mid‑May to early September, making them safe and enjoyable for all ages. You’ll also find plenty more inspiration in our guide to North East Wales beaches, packed with ideas for relaxing coastal days and fun-filled seaside breaks.

Set beside the River Clwyd, Rhyl's Marine Lake is a calm salt‑water lagoon - a perfect setting for a family day out. Bring your own craft and set off for a gentle sail or canoe, or keep your feet on dry land and enjoy an easy wildlife‑spotting walk around the water’s edge. Little explorers will love the play area, and there are plenty of benches to sit and enjoy an ice cream and take in the coastal views.

Right next to the lake the Rhyl Miniature Railway keeps more than a century of tradition alive. Heritage engines, including Railway Queen, Billy and Clara, steam along the track, parts of which run beside the play area. After your ride, the small museum provides the opportunity to learn more about Britain's oldest miniature railway.

For more family fun, Rhyl’s SC2 Waterpark brings classic seaside energy up to date with family‑friendly flumes, splash zones and soft play - perfect for a day out by the coast whatever the weather.

Rhyl’s Marsh Tracks cycling centre has a road cycling track stretching more than a kilometre in length and a BMX race track replicating the London 2012 course. The Olympic team have already given it a go, and you can take on the Olympic-standard challenge for the price of a casual ride.

Beyond the coast, North East Wales has even more for families - especially in Wrecsam (Wrexham) and the borderlands, with fun days out, top attractions and a lively city centre for all ages.

Planning a family trip? This packed four‑day family itinerary is full of ideas to get you started.

About three miles to the east of Prestatyn, Gronant Dunes provides a quieter haven for nature lovers to explore. This Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is home to rare species such as the sand lizard and the natterjack toad and is the last major (surviving) example of the former large dune system that covered the North East Wales coastline.

Along the northern coast between Rhyl and Towyn, Kinmel Bay offers easy access to Horton’s Nose Nature Reserve. Just a short stroll from the seafront, this peaceful oasis is laced with smooth wooden boardwalks that wind through the dunes. It’s the kind of place where children can race ahead, exploring freely on the way to the viewing platform, where spectacular views stretch westward towards the Great Orme at Llandudno.

Follow part of the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail across the Prestatyn Hillside for wide views before descending into town - a route steeped in the legacy of King Offa and the ancient borderlands.

Towyn and Kinmel Bay are ideal for easy, scenic coastal cycling. Long, flat promenades link the two resorts, giving riders relaxed routes along the sands. Kinmel Bay’s seafront path leads into the Kinmel Dunes Nature Reserve, where you can follow cycling‑friendly tracks through wildlife‑rich dunes. From here, it’s an effortless ride over the striking Pont y Ddraig pedestrian and cycle bridge, connecting Kinmel Bay to Rhyl Harbour for wider adventures along the North Wales coast.

Further inland, Moel Famau is the highest summit in the Clwydian Range, where you'll be rewarded with views across North Wales, it's a perfect picnic stop! The Jubilee Tower Circular trail begins at the car park and climbs steeply but steadily through the forest to the top of Moel Famau and the remains of the tower.

The Horseshoe Pass remains one of the region’s most iconic ascents, popular with cyclists and day‑trippers alike. Nearby, experienced cyclists can take on the steep climbs to Bwlch Pen Barras, Moel Arthur, and The Shelf, each offering panoramic views across heather‑clad hills. If you’d prefer to explore with a little help, Ebike Hire North Wales in Mold offers electric tourers, perfect for discovering the region’s roads and trails.

A short distance away, Coed Llandegla provides some of Wales’ best mountain biking, with graded trails for all abilities and excellent on-site facilities. Start planning your adventure with our guide to the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.

Whether you prefer Madam Butterfly or Strictly Come Dancing, a risqué comedy or contemporary theatre, this is the place to see a performance. The current Pavilion Theatre – the third one built in Rhyl – opened in 1991, 90 years after the first one burnt down. Originally founded by a local cinema lover in 1913, the Scala Cinema and Arts Centre reopened in 1999 and is now a fantastic place to relax and enjoy a film. Designed as a stylish, modern cultural centre, it hosts everything from the latest blockbusters and opera screenings to much-loved classic movies and pantomime.

Just a short journey away in Yr Wyddgrug (Mold), Theatr Clwyd is another of Wales’ important cultural hubs. Its programme runs all year‑round, showcasing drama, comedy, music, dance and film. Each season celebrates Welsh creativity and the talent that makes this theatre so special.

North East Wales is dotted with welcoming towns and villages, each with its own culture, history and natural beauty. Here are a few highlights to visit in each location. For more inspiration, visit our guide to adventure, culture and history in the area.

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos (Rhos-on-Sea) is a charming coastal village with a sandy beach, splendid new prom and quirky boutiques and cafés to visit.

Must see highlights:

• St Trillo’s Chapel - It's said to be the smallest church in Britain with room for just six people!
• Hickory's Rhos - A popular barbeque-style restaurant perfect for a relaxed seaside dining.

Towyn is a lively seaside destination known for its family‑friendly attractions, sandy beaches and classic holiday‑park charm.

Must see highlights:

• Towyn Beach – A long, sandy shoreline ideal for paddling, picnics and relaxed coastal walks.
• Tir Prince Showground – One of North Wales’ biggest open‑air markets, with a traditional funfair alongside.

Coastal charm meets family fun in Abergele, with heritage and outdoor adventures close by.

Must see highlights:

• Manorafon Farm Park - Animal encounters and activities for all ages.
• Pensarn Beach - Ideal for peaceful seaside strolls.
• Gwrych Castle - An iconic hillside castle undergoing restoration and recently the filming location for 'I'm a Celebrity'.
• Kinmel Park Golf - Ideal for the beginner or if you just want to have a fun day golfing

Prestatyn is a lively seaside town with Victorian roots, sandy beaches, and excellent walking routes.

Must see highlights:

• Three Sandy Beaches (Central, Barkby, Ffrith) - The promenade runs along the beach joining all three - ideal for families and water sports.
• Offa’s Dyke National Trail - the end-point of this 177-mile trail
• Talacre Beach - loved for its lighthouse and dunes.

Treffynnon (Holywell) is known for its spiritual heritage and of one of Britain’s oldest pilgrimage destinations.

Must see highlights:

• St Winefride’s Well - A sacred healing site for over 1,300 years, featuring a star‑shaped spring and atmospheric chapel.
• Greenfield Valley Heritage Park - it's a peaceful woodland, home to historic buildings and hands‑on family activities.

The coastal town of Y Fflint (Flint) is known for its role in medieval defence and dramatic estuary views.

Must see highlights:

• Flint Castle - Edward I’s first Iron Ring fortress, famed for its unusual detached circular keep.

For more inspiration, watch Robbie Roams explore the area: