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| Prestatyn | |
|---|---|
 Overview of Prestatyn, 2020 | |
  Prestatyn Location withinDenbighshire | |
| Population | 19,085 (2021) |
| OS grid reference | SJ065825 |
| • Cardiff | 171.9m |
| • London | 233.9m |
| Community |
|
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PRESTATYN |
| Postcode district | LL19 |
| Dialling code | 01745 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
53°19′52″N3°24′18″W / 53.331°N 3.405°W /53.331; -3.405  Map of the community | |
Prestatyn (/prɛˈstætɪn/;Welsh pronunciationⓘ) is a seaside town andcommunity inDenbighshire,Wales.Historically a part ofFlintshire, it is located on theIrish Sea coast, to the east ofRhyl. Prestatyn has a population of 19,085.[1][better source needed]
The name Prestatyn derives from theOld Englishprēosta (thegenitiveplural ofprēost 'priest') andtūn ('homestead'), and thus means 'the homestead of the priests'. It was recorded in theDomesday Book asPrestetone.[2] Unlike similarly derived names inEngland, which generally lost their penultimate syllable and becamePreston, the village's name developed a typicallyWelsh emphasis on the penultimate syllable and a modification of 'ton' to 'tyn', as also happened atMostyn.[3]
There is evidence that the current town location has been occupied sinceprehistoric times. Prehistoric tools found in the caves ofGraig Fawr, in the nearby village ofMeliden, have revealed the existence of early human habitation in the area.
Among a housing estate in the north of the town, there is aRomanbathhouse which may have been part of afort on theroad fromChester toCaernarfon. It was probably built by theTwentieth Legion around 120, and expanded around 150, as shown by stamped tiles with either the legion's name, or its boar insignia. Its cold plunge-bath was fed by a woodenaqueduct channel, while, nearby, the traces of timber buildings, as well as three bronze-smiths' workshops, have been found. The bathhouse was found in 1934, and when the housing estate was built in 1984, it was excavated and preserved.[4] However, much of the rest of Roman Prestatyn has been destroyed as houses have been built over unexcavated land, so that the "Prestatyn Roman Bathhouse" is the only visible remnant of it.
Prestatyn was included in theDomesday Book since it was at that time under English control. An earth mound, visible in fields to the east of the railway station, beyond Nant Hall, marks the site of an early woodenPrestatyn castle, probably built by theNorman Robert de Banastre about 1157, which was destroyed by the Welsh underOwain Gwynedd in 1167.[5] The Banastre family then moved toBank Hall inLancashire.
The town appears to have been primarily a fishing village for hundreds of years. The beginning and end of High Street today mark the location of two 'maenolau' (ormanor houses) called Pendre (translated as "end of" or "top of town") and Penisadre ("lower end of town").
The town's population remained at less than 1,000 until the arrival of therailways and the holidaymakers 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 healthy by city-dwellingVictorians. During theSecond World War theholiday camps were used as billets for British soldiers, many of whom were also sent to live with locals.
Prestatyn was the home of the first UKKwik Savesupermarket in 1965, as well as the firm's business headquarters. The Kwik Save store was renamedSomerfield following a takeover in 2007, and was finally demolished in 2008 when surrounding land was bought byTesco.
TheNorth Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm was opened in 2003. Situated inLiverpool Bay, 5 miles (8 km) off the coast of Prestatyn, it was the UK's first major offshore wind farm. It has 30wind turbines with a combined maximum capacity of 60megawatts – enough to power 40,000 homes.
Although Prestatyn remains a tourist destination andresort town, the town is diversifying in response to the decline of the British seaside holiday.
The town is at the northern end of theOffa's Dyke Path, although not onOffa's Dyke itself. It also marks the eastern end of theNorth Wales Path, a long-distance coastal route toBangor, and the western end of theClwydian Way. Other attractions include the remains ofRoman baths and the nearbyNeolithic mound,the Gop.
Pontin's Holiday Centre was the location for a 1973 film of the popularBritish TV series,On the Buses.
The national trust owned limestone hillGraig Fawr.
Previously named the Lido, this leisure and entertainment complex was established in 1923 with an outdoor seawater swimming pool and ballroom.[6] A £4.4 million pound investment in 2015 has seen the redevelopment of this complex to include a new facade, entrance and reception area as well as a new bar/restaurant, 60 station fitness suite and children's soft play area.[7]
There are two tiers of local government covering Prestatyn: PrestatynTown Council[8] andDenbighshire County Council.
For elections toDenbighshire County Council the town is divided into fiveelectoral wards, namely Prestatyn Central, Prestatyn East, Prestatyn Meliden,Prestatyn North and Prestatyn South West.[9] For elections to Prestatyn Town Council the town is divided into six wards (with Prestatyn North county ward being subdivided into North and North West). Eighteen town councillors are elected.[10]
The town was in theDelyn parliamentary constituency from 1983 to 1997, then inVale of Clwyd until 2024, when it became a part ofClwyd East.[11]
Prestatyn was formerly part of theancient parish ofMeliden (also called Meliden with Prestatyn) in the historic county ofFlintshire. When elected parish and district councils were established in 1894 Meliden was given a parish council and included in theSt Asaph Rural District.[12] A separateurban district called Prestatyn was created from part of Meliden parish in 1896.[13] The urban district council built itself a headquarters on Nant Hall Road in 1903. Prestatyn Urban District was abolished in 1974, with its area becoming a community instead. District-level functions passed toRhuddlan Borough Council, which was in turn replaced by Denbighshire County Council in 1996.[14][15]
Prestatyn railway station is on theNorth Wales Coast Line which connects the town withHolyhead to the west andChester to the east. It is run byTransport for Wales.[16]
Bus services are provided byArriva Buses Wales, which visitRhyl,Flint,Chester,Colwyn Bay andLlandudno.[17]
Prestatyn is on theA547 andA548 roads, and is about 6 miles from theA55.
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Prestatyn Flower Show is an annual event held in Prestatyn town centre on the last Friday and Saturday of July. It has traditionally been held within the grounds of Cerrig Llwydion, High Street, Prestatyn, which was formerly a vicarage. The event also includes a small display of classic cars and vintage motorcycles on Saturday.
Prestatyn Carnival is an annual summer event in the town, and features field events, competitions and a procession. The traditional Carnival Parade takes place on the Saturday, and is followed by a Carnival Baby Competition later in the day. In 2008 the carnival became a two-day event, with the Sunday designated "Fun on the Field" day, with many events including a talent show and dance competition. In 2011 the event reverted to its original one–day format.[18]
In 2008, Prestatyn Carnival Association revived the 'Miss Prestatyn' title.
The largest free classic car show in North Wales with over 400 vehicles taking part in 2019.[19] The show is an annual event taking place on the last Bank Holiday Monday in May since 2000. It usually takes place on Ty Nant car park in Prestatyn town centre, but expanded in 2019 to include the majority of the High Street. In 2020, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, there was a virtual show.[20]
Philip Larkin wrote a poem entitled 'Sunny Prestatyn'. In it he describes a poster advertising the resort that is progressively defaced by vulgar graffiti.[21]Roddy Frame and Jeremy Stacey wrote most ofAztec Camera's 1995 albumFrestonia during a three-week retreat at the Sands Hotel in Prestatyn. Frame later blamed the overcast and grim weather conditions there for the album's melancholy and gloomy tone.[22]
The town also appears inThe Royle Family 2009 Christmas special "The Golden Egg Cup", in which the family visits Prestatyn to celebrate Jim and Barb's fiftieth wedding anniversary.
The town is host to two majorfootball teams within the Welsh football league pyramid,Prestatyn Town and the recently formed Prestatyn Sports.
Local football side Prestatyn Town gained promotion to theWelsh Premier League having been crowned champions of theCymru Alliance League 2007-08 season. As of 23 April 2008, planning permission forfloodlights and seating had been granted[23] in order to meet the Welsh Premier grading requirements. The deadline for these upgrades was 1 May 2008[24] and, having passed these requirements, their promotion was ratified by the Welsh Premier League on 15 May.[25] They currently play in theCymru North, the second tier of Welsh football.
Many qualification rounds insnooker were once held atPontin's Holiday Camp here; this included all the major snooker tournaments, and theWorld Championship. The qualification rounds have since moved to the World Snooker Academy inSheffield.
Founded in 1895, Prestatyn Cricket Club has recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. As of 1 November 2020 they play inLiverpool and District Comp (LDDC) 1st XI division.[26]
Media related toPrestatyn at Wikimedia Commons
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