The town of Ryhl is just one of many of the gorgeous seaside resorts that dot the landscape of Wales' coast. The county of Denbighshire is in particular a great place for a town to find itself and, while Rhyl isn't the only coastal holiday town in Wales, it is easily among the most sought after and coveted. Rhyl has been beloved and desired for many years now and today it is easily accessible by nearly every way imaginable including air, sea, and railways. Rhyl first rose to prominence during the Victorian era as one of the earliest seaside resorts in Wales.
Back in the 1800s, the wealthy elite of England and especially London had control of not only the economy but general life as well. It was a different time and, though we can laugh at the aristocracy now, it is also true that many of Britain's finest cities were crafted because of the vast amount of wealth that was being funneled into them by the rich members of society. Funnily enough, much of this income was derived from making these aristocrats think that they could cheat death, if only for a little while longer. In the 1700s it began to be stated by doctors that bathing in natural hot springs was therapeutic and could extend longevity. Rich people began to flock to any town that had natural springs and that is how towns like Bath became the large cities that they are today. Most of these spring locations were meager hamlets but as the rich of England began to visit expensive hotels and spas sprang up all around. By the time the 1800s came around the spa craze was a dying fad but another even larger craze was around the corner: Seaside resort towns.
The doctors changed their tune and now said that it was salt water and not hot spring water that would allow people to live happier, fuller lives. Towns like Blackpool exploded into prominence almost overnight and it is in this category that we find our dear Rhyl. As rich people visited Ryhl constantly the town managed to obtain all of the architectural treasures that still enthrall visitors today. The Rhyl Pavilion, for instance, was one of the most beloved landmarks in Wales and it was a stunning five dome edifice that was sadly torn down in the 1970s. This was a bit fitting, though, because it signified the death of the seaside resort town craze. In all truth the seaside spa town fad was in a death knell for long before but this bit of symbolism was all too fitting for the time. At any rate, one needn't think that Ryhl is suffering in any way at all! Attractions like the SeaQuarium and the Suncentre are newer, more exciting diversions that offer far more thrills than a building with a bunch of domes. Rhyl has managed to emerge out of the resort town craze unfazed and even better than before. As such, visiting the town today will invite all kinds of thrills and adventure.
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