A UK beach in one of the country’s “worst” rate seaside towns has been called “a dump” by disappointed visitors.
The Telegraph’s “seaside gentrification index” last year (2023) ranked Rhyl beach in Wales as the worst in the British Isles. The beaches were scored out of 100 based on different factors, and Rhyl only managed to score a measly five percent.
Rhyl’s pier was destroyed in 1973, which was a big blow for the area. Plus, British seaside spots have struggled due to cheap flights and all-inclusive deals abroad in recent years.
Whether you agree with the ranking system is up to you, but recent TripAdvisor reviews may come as a massive blow to the north Wales seaside town, the Daily Star reports.
Many visitors were not impressed with what they saw at the location. One review from earlier this month said: “We went to Rhyl last Sunday. What a dump of a place with sand over the promenade making it impassable for able-bodied persons so disabled people have no chance.”
A second added: “The public toilets are permanently closed and have been so since the summer of 2023. This is disgraceful. Many empty shops and boarded-up premises. Don’t bother going it is not worth it.”
One review, titled “Filthy place,” said: “Took the kids there and left after 20 minutes, disgusting, dirty place, I felt like I wanted to sanitise my hands with acid after going there and have felt nauseous since I got home.
“I can’t fathom why anyone would go there on holiday it’s the worst place I have ever been and being from Wales I’m ashamed that it is a part of Wales, the whole place needs knocking down and rebuilding, the cafes I wouldn’t risk my health eating at and the carpets in the arcade looked like something out of the 50s my feet were sticking to them. Absolutely vile”.
Another review called “Horror” said that “Rhyl is such a dump it’s depressing. Would not advise visiting at all.”
But, even with these bad reviews from 2024, the average ratings are still pretty good, with four stars out of 325 reviews, and 125 of those are five-star compared to just 36 one-star reviews.
Even though there are some unhappy visitors, as recently as December 2023, people have left happy five-star reviews, with one saying: “I will always love this place and never get bored of walking along the sea wall on the beach”.
Another happy visitor in February 2023 shared: “5/5 best experiences ever I have had in my whole life! Came with my husband and my 2 children ages 13-10 they both loved it! Travelled from London and was really worth it would definitely come back! Would just like to make a comment on the people here in lovely Rhyl so nice and polite people!”
