Jump directly to the content
TOWN & OUT

We live in UK seaside town dubbed ‘Blackpool after a neutron bomb’ – but critics don’t know what they’re talking about

It's not the first time the seaside town has faced criticism
a construction site with a large orange crane in the middle

RESIDENTS have been left furious after critics dubbed a seaside town as one of the worst in the UK and likened it to "Blackpool after a bomb".

The 27,000 inhabitants of North Wales' Rhyl have been left at a loss after cruel comments suggesting "everything" the town has to offer is a disappointment.

Amusement arcades used to be one of the biggest pulls for tourists in Rhyl but now many have closed down
8
Amusement arcades used to be one of the biggest pulls for tourists in Rhyl but now many have closed downCredit: fpnw.co.uk©2024
The town is found in North Wales and is not far from Liverpool
8
The town is found in North Wales and is not far from LiverpoolCredit: fpnw.co.uk©2024
Earlier this year the majority of the beach that visitors would normally use was closed off to the public due to a new walkway and sea defence wall
8
Earlier this year the majority of the beach that visitors would normally use was closed off to the public due to a new walkway and sea defence wallCredit: fpnw.co.uk©2024
Many residents have disregarded the negative comments about the area being sparse
8
Many residents have disregarded the negative comments about the area being sparseCredit: fpnw.co.uk©2024

One visitor left little to be envious of, describing the area as "Blackpool after a neutron bomb", and the criticism has hit residents hard.

It's not the first time the former staycation destination has been branded with backlash.

The Telegraph previously listed it as one of the worst seaside towns in the UK.

While crimerate.co.uk marked the region as Clwyd's most dangerous spot, with 206 crimes per 1,000 people last year.

Read more News

HOGG GUILTY

Stuart Hogg convicted of five-year domestic abuse campaign against wife

TRAGIC END

Body found in search for missing artist, 31, last seen leaving flats at 3am


Crime and safety in Rhyl

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Rhyl, with 2,563 offences last year, giving a crime rate of 103.

This is 8% lower than 2022's figure of 2,771 offences and a difference of 8.34 from 2022's crime rate of 111, according to CrimeRate.

Rhyl's least common crime is theft from a person, with 18 offences recorded last year down by 28% from 2022's figure of 25 crimes.

Yet, many who live there have plenty of positives to add and disagree with the criticism.

Amongst a Facebook group for local residents, a host of various activities, workshops and craft stalls are regularly advertised with the slower paced lifestyle lending itself to a community feel.

Some have even taken to social media to share their thoughts.

One user said: "Rhyl is a lovely place... with a lovely beach."

Most read in The Sun

Archbishop of Canterbury RESIGNS over 'heinous' church abuse scandal
'PROFOUND SHAME'

Archbishop of Canterbury RESIGNS over 'heinous' church abuse scandal

Husband lay dying in ambulance as 'pregnant wife directed lost driver to hospital'
999 HELL

Husband lay dying in ambulance as 'pregnant wife directed lost driver to hospital'

Moment driver ploughs into pedestrian sending him flying 20ft into the air
SMASH SHOCK

Moment driver ploughs into pedestrian sending him flying 20ft into the air

TV star’s husband dies suddenly 2yrs after her suicide leaving children orphaned
TRAGIC END

TV star’s husband dies suddenly 2yrs after her suicide leaving children orphaned

Another put: "It's good for the family and we recommend it to others."

Someone else wrote: "Rhyl has a lovely golden sandy beach, that stretches all along the prom.

I visited the UK's 'worst seaside town' - it's got a bad reputation but has a huge beach & no seagulls to fight for food

"There is an underground car park by the clock tower, one by pavilion theatre and one by the Marsdens pub."

A fourth commented: "Lovely spot - arcades, sandy beaches, little funfair.

"Lots to do with the family - clean and tidy - easy parking. Welsh seaside fun."

Despite small seaside towns across the UK often receiving negative attention, it seems many appreciate what Rhyl has to offer.

From its proximity to beautiful locations, cheap house prices and even classic fish and chips, holidaymakers put off by the unwanted feedback for the town may want to reconsider.

According to Rightmove, average house prices in the area were £172,791 over the last year - far lower than the national average of £288,000.

Town residents have rejected the harsh narrative for many years.

A large number of the fairground attractions on Rhyl promenade have closed down at due to the lack of paying visitors
8
A large number of the fairground attractions on Rhyl promenade have closed down at due to the lack of paying visitorsCredit: fpnw.co.uk©2024
Cranes and diggers replaced the visitors on Rhyl beach earlier this year due to construction work taking place
8
Cranes and diggers replaced the visitors on Rhyl beach earlier this year due to construction work taking placeCredit: fpnw.co.uk©2024

Chad Jones previously told the : "I'm biased but I believe Rhyl is the best place in the world.

"I was born and bred here - I even refused to move to Benidorm with my dad because I love it here so much."

The negativity surrounding the region has been whipped up by social media users, with their comments brandishing the small seaside town with extreme judgement.

One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: "That one time we went to Rhyl, expecting a quaint seaside town, it was like that scene in National Lampoon's vacation where they get lost in a ghetto."

READ MORE SUN STORIES

NO MAUR!

I’m A Celeb star Maura Higgins slammed by ex Curtis Pritchard

TOUCH DOWN

Coleen Rooney lands in Oz ahead of I’m A Celeb and reveals Wayne’s parting words

Another wrote: "Having visited both places several times, can confirm Chernobyl / Pripyat is far more of of an appealing place to go to than Rhyl, and most UK seaside resorts in all honesty."

Someone else said: "From a visit 9 years ago to the seaside oddity that is Rhyl, it's partly atmospheric and partly run down."

With a high crime rate, some have suggested the town needs a total revamp and money injected into the centre
8
With a high crime rate, some have suggested the town needs a total revamp and money injected into the centreCredit: fpnw.co.uk©2024
Tim Lloyd, 59, from Rhyl complained about the lack of investment in the town
8
Tim Lloyd, 59, from Rhyl complained about the lack of investment in the townCredit: fpnw.co.uk©2024

Full table of the best UK seaside towns

The full table created by Which? of the UK's best seaside towns and their overall customer scores.

  1. Bamburgh, Northumberland - 86%
  2. Portmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales - 83%
  3. St Andrews, Fife, Scotland - 82%
  4. Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear - 81%
  5. St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales - 80%
  6. Dartmouth, Devon - 79%
  7. Rye, East Sussex - 79%
  8. Southwold, Suffolk - 79%
  9. Llandudno, Conwy, Wales - 78%
  10. Swanage, Dorset - 78%
  11. Aldeburgh, Suffolk - 77%
  12. Crail, Fife, Scotland - 77%
  13. Lyme Regis, Dorset - 77%
  14. Whitby, North Yorkshire - 77%
  15. Blakeney, Norfolk - 76%
  16. Criccieth, Gwynedd, Wales - 76%
  17. Portstewart, Co. Londonderry/Derry, NI - 76%
  18. Sidmouth, Devon - 76%
  19. Bally Castle, County Antrim, NI - 75%
  20. Frinton-on-Sea, Essex - 75%
  21. Nairn, Highlands, Scotland - 75%
  22. Sheringham, Norfolk - 75%
  23. St Mawes, Cornwall - 75%
  24. Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales - 74%
  25. Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales - 74%
  26. Bude, Cornwall - 74%
  27. Conwy, Conwy, Wales - 74%
  28. Deal, Kent - 74%
  29. Lytham St Annes, Lancashire - 74%
  30. North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland - 74%
  31. Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire - 74%
  32. Amble, Northumberland - 73%
  33. Beer, Devon - 73%
  34. Cromer, Norfolk - 73%
  35. Dungeness, Kent - 73%
  36. Falmouth, Cornwall - 73%
  37. Lymington, Hampshire - 73%
  38. Lynmouth, Devon - 73%
  39. Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales - 73%
  40. Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear - 73%
  41. Fowey, Cornwall - 72%
  42. Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland - 72%
  43. Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire - 72%
  44. Weymouth, Dorset - 72%
  45. Aberdovey, Gwynedd, Wales - 71%
  46. Broadstairs, Kent - 71%
  47. Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland - 71%
  48. Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland - 71%
  49. Seahouses, Northumberland - 71%
  50. Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland - 71%
  51. Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland - 71%
  52. Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk - 71%
  53. Exmouth, Devon - 70%
  54. Filey, North Yorkshire - 70%
  55. Mevagissey, Cornwall - 70%
  56. Looe, Cornwall - 69%
  57. Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales - 69%
  58. Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, Wales - 69%
  59. Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland - 69%
  60. Ventnor, Isle of Wight - 69%
  61. Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland - 68%
  62. Budleigh Salterton, Devon - 68%
  63. Clevedon, Somerset - 68%
  64. Whitstable, Kent - 68%
  65. Easbourne, East Sussex - 67%
  66. Grand-over-Sands, Cumbria - 67%
  67. Shanklin, Isle of Wight - 67%
  68. Southsea, Hampshire - 67%
  69. St ives, Cornwall - 67%
  70. Teignmouth, Devon - 67%
  71. Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales - 66%
  72. Brixham, Devon - 66%
  73. Portrush, County Antrim, NI - 66%
  74. West Bay, Devon - 66%
  75. Dunbar, East Lothian - 65%
  76. Felixstowe, Suffolk - 65%
  77. Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland - 65%
  78. Appledore, Devon - 64%
  79. Bournemouth, Dorset - 64%
  80. Padstow, Cornwall - 64%
  81. Plymouth, Devon - 64%
  82. Salcombe, Devon - 64%
  83. Abersoch, Gwynedd, Wales - 63%
  84. Brighton, East Sussex - 63%
  85. Hunstanton, Norfolk - 63%
  86. Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales - 63%
  87. Torquay, Devon - 63%
  88. Poole, Dorset - 62%
  89. Scarborough, North Yorkshire - 62%
  90. Worthing, West Sussex - 62%
  91. Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales - 61%
  92. Folkestone, Kent - 61%
  93. Porthcawl, Bridgend, Wales - 61%
  94. Swansea, Swansea, Wales - 61%
  95. Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire - 60%
  96. Minehead, Somerset - 60%
  97. Penzance, Cornwall - 60%
  98. Barry Island, Glamorgan, Wales - 59%
  99. Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire - 59%
  100. Colwyn Bay, Conwy, Wales - 58%
  101. Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset - 58%
  102. Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland - 57%
  103. Dawlish, Devon - 57%
  104. Morecambe, Lancashire - 57%
  105. New Brighton, Merseyside - 57%
  106. Newquay, Cornwall - 57%
  107. Seaton, Devon - 57%
  108. Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales - 56%
  109. Herne Bay, Kent - 56%
  110. Ramsgate, Kent - 56%
  111. Ilfracombe, Devon - 55%
  112. Littlehampton, West Sussex - 55%
  113. Southport, Merseyside - 55%
  114. Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire - 54%
  115. Lowestoft, Suffolk - 54%
  116. Margate, Kent - 53%
  117. Southend-on-Sea, Essex - 53%
  118. Fleetwood, Lancashire - 51%
  119. Great Yarmouth, Norfolk - 51%
  120. Blackpool, Lancashire - 49%
  121. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex - 48%
  122. Skegness, Lincolnshire - 48%
  123. Bognor Regis, West Sussex - 47%
  124. Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset - 47%
  125. Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire - 46%
  126. Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales - 42%
Topics
YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU