I have three Welsh pubs to tell you about before I get back to comparing notes on Northampton with Messrs Mudgie and Coldwell again, and one of those is one of my Top 3 Pubs Ever, Ever. If you can tell me what it is before I get there I’ll send you a bottle of Wrexham Lager.
On our last night of touring, we searched for a free spot to dump our campervan on the Costa del Rhyl. Unfortunately the actual Search for Sites directory directed us to a car park with a barrier exactly where our heads are i.e. 2 feet too low.
So (for a small fee) we ended up in the staff car park of Beaches Hotel (aka the Grand) in Prestatyn. #LivingTheDream indeed.
For £12 you get to stay as long as you like, apparently, and wake to views like this,
plus some attractive dunes at Gronant,
and the prison camp themed Pontins across the road.
We stayed in a caravan park at Presthaven Sands just east of here in 2003, emerging surprisingly unscathed by spending all but 20 minutes away from the on-site attractions. We haven’t spoken to the family we went on holiday since, mind you.
Prestatyn lacks the reputation of Rhyl, with a more modest High Street and a push for the lucrative Offa Dyke trade.
They’ve made an effort to smarten the town up. I’m easily impressed by shiny things.
The High Street has an attractive old church but lacks old pubs, instead stocked with the sort of café bars you find in Essex towns like Brentwood or Billericay.
They don’t spell China like this in Brentwood though.
I’d got within 10 yards of my new GBG tick when a half-starved Mrs RM fell into Archies.
Luckily, this is in the Beer Guide and I gave the beer my top rating in 2014, so a reassessment was useful.
Last time here the entire population of under-25s were drinking Prosecco on the outside decking, now the entire population of over-50s were here for Steak Night.
2 steaks and a bottle of Merlot for £19.95.
“Will you help me drink the wine ?” said Mrs RM.
“No”
“OK then, we’ll have it”
My phone battery was dead, so I bring you pictures courtesy of Mrs RM. whose photographic instincts are at odds with mine.
What is this ?
Anyway, decent and generously proportioned food, George Michael soundtrack overkill, top service and the best pint of Flintshire Bitter in the kingdom of Flint (NBSS 4.5). The barman talked enthusiastically about his beers, which always terrifies me. Top place.
But no, after a bottle of Merlot it wasn’t going to end well.
retiredmartin 
Steak Night in Prestatyn – wouldn’t the most appropriate drink have been a Wit Pale?
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Last time I was in Prestatyn it was early morning before the pubs opened so I just set off walking south for six days to Chepstow.
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Hope you found what you were looking for after 6 days (Bass ?)
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Yes, Draught Bass in Monmouth’s Kings Head, that’s long before Tim acquired it.
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Steak night half the price it was in Moreton in the Marsh -looks nice too.A whole bottle of wine for Mrs RM ? Shocking -you would never catch me doing that (winks ) -did she snore in the van ?I would !
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I had a glass ! Would drink a proper Malbec but that’s all. That offer was great value. I would sleep through a hurricane so no idea on snoring !
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“I’ll send you a bottle of Wrexham Lager.”
That bottle of Bass is for something super duper special I guess. 🙂
“Beaches Hotel (aka the Grand) in Prestatyn. ”
(looks at map)
Is it ironic that the Woodland Park seems to be all houses? 😉
“I’m easily impressed by shiny things.”
That looks like something out of Dr. Seuss.
“What is this ?”
Just a guess but… fire exit? 🙂
Cheers
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You can have the Bass, Russ. I’ll throw it in the sea at Southport with a note saying “Russ, Canada”.
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“I’ll throw it in the sea at Southport with a note saying “Russ, Canada”.”
I think there’s more than one Russ in Canada. Better be safe and put “Russ, West Coast, Canada”. 🙂
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Good thinking Batman.
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Those strange coathooks are weirdly reminiscent of the figures climbing the side of the tower in Prague. Never worked those out as all.
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BTW, found a picture of the sort of place Simon may never have the pleasure of visiting in his quest – https://twitter.com/74frankfurt/status/997508691095117825
I’m sure those are anti-Revitalisation activists manning a picket line outside.
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I thought that was Simon sitting outside by the fire.
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It might have been a Hull pre-season friendly.
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