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Prestatyn is a seaside resort in Denbighshire, North Wales. Located on the Irish Sea coast, to the east of Rhyl.
The town is believed to be one of the oldest inhabited places in north Wales. Prehistoric tools found in the caves of Craig Fawr, in the nearby village of Meliden, have revealed the existence of early human habitation in the area.
Roman
The Roman bathhouse is believed to be part of a fort on the road from Chester to Caernarfon. However, much of 'Roman Prestatyn' has been destroyed as houses have been built over unexcavated land.
Medieval
An earth mound, visible in fields to the south of the railway station (near Nant Hall), marks the site of an early wooden motte and bailey castle, destroyed by Owain Gwynedd's men in the 9th century. The town was primarily a fishing village for hundreds of years. The beginning and end of the high street today marks the location of two 'faenols' (or manor houses) called Pendre (translated as "end of" or "top of town") and Penisadre ("lower end of the town").
Pic. Strand Prestatyn
The name Prestatyn derives from the Old English preosta ("priest") and tun ("farm"), and was recorded in the Domesday Book as Prestetone. Unlike similarly derived names in England, which generally lost their penultimate syllable and became Preston, this village's name developed a typically Welsh emphasis on the penultimate syllable and a modification of "ton" to "tyn", as also happened at Mostyn.
19th century to present
The town's population remained at less than a thousand until the arrival of the railways and the holidaymakers in the 19th and 20th centuries. "Sunny Prestatyn" became famous for its beach, clean seas and promenade entertainers, and visiting for a bathe was considered very healthful by city dwelling Victorians. During the Second World War the holiday camps were used as billets for British soldiers, many of whom were also sent to live with locals. Despite being close to Liverpool, the area was not bombed by the Luftwaffe, and many evacuees came to Denbighshire from various northern cities.
