Barkby Beach

Barkby Beach is Prestatyn's quieter, more characterful second beach — east of the town centre, dominated by the Prestatyn Sailing Club and boat launching activities, and popular with dog walkers, anglers, and those seeking something a little less constructed than the main Central Beach.

Character

Where Central Beach is the family destination, Barkby Beach feels more working. Boats are launched from the slipway, the sailing club is active, and the atmosphere is that of a coastal margin still in use for its original purposes rather than purely dressed for tourism. Swimming is not recommended here due to the vessel traffic, which is a genuine practical consideration rather than bureaucratic caution.

The beach itself — sand, grassy dunes, seagrass — is exactly what this stretch of coastline looks like before anyone has done anything particular to it. The views along the coast towards Rhyl to the west and towards Flintshire to the east are extensive. On a grey November afternoon it is the kind of place that makes coastal photographers happy.

The Beaches Hotel

The Beaches Hotel & Spa sits directly behind Barkby Beach, offering accommodation and food to non-residents. It is one of Prestatyn's better options for a sit-down lunch with sea views, and it gives the beach area a facility that purely residential stretches of coastline lack.

Practical

Parking is available on Barkby Road. The beach is a short walk from the eastern end of the High Street. Dogs are welcome here year-round. Toilets are available at the hotel for customers; bring your own provisions for a longer stay. The walk along the coast from Barkby towards Talacre is one of the best stretches of North Wales coastal walking — relatively undeveloped and correspondingly peaceful.