Rhyl beach in Wales was ranked the worst in the British Isles by The Telegraph’s seaside index, and some TripAdvisor visitors called it “a dump” – and not much has changed several years later
In 2023, Rhyl locals were in uproar after it’s beach was branded the worst in the UK – and but seeimngly nothing has change in the three years since that day. The Telegraph’s “seaside gentrification index” of 2023 (and actually the only one produced since that year) placed Rhyl beach in Wales as the worst in the British Isles.
The beaches were assessed out of 100 based on various criteria, and Rhyl managed to scrape together just 5%. Rhyl’s pier was demolished in 1973, dealing a significant blow to the resort. Moreover, British coastal destinations have taken a battering due to budget flights and all-inclusive packages abroad in recent years.
TripAdvisor reviews at the time proved devastating for the north Wales coastal resort. Numerous visitors were left unimpressed with what they encountered at the destination. One review from earlier this month stated: “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 remarked at the time: “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, headlined “Filthy place,” declared: “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”.
And now, in the year 2026, the reviews are really not much better, with some visitors even telling people to go elsewhere for any sand-based fun they want to have.
One said: “The town itself is of a dump, a lot of boarded up shops. More happy to go in one of the pubs or arcade. Would rather go back into Towyn and spend my money than this place. Marine lake was an absolute eyesore overgrown and run down.”
Another scathed: “The whole place is scruffy. Trip advisor shows lovely resteraunts and cafes but these pictures are misleading. One street back from the high street the bins are over flowing and buildings are very run down/in disrepair. There must be a refuse collection problem because most business bins are on display and over flowing. I saw my first dedicated rat in the middle of the high street just outside KFC.”
And a third fumed: “People go here on holiday or day trips? For what? Honestly shocked this is even rated as a seaside destination!
There is nothing there. Two arcades and about three shops on the seafront, the beach was lovely and clean but that’s about the only positive. Left after an hour and paying £5 parking! The car park stunk of wee and was in a shocking state.”
Another review from April last year claims that the sea was full of “effluent” – which is basically raw sewage to you and I – while another in the long line of bad review calls it hte “last place you want to visit”.