This stretch of coastline takes me back to my childhood. One of the highlights of our trips back up north to Cheshire to see my Aunties and Uncles on my Dad’s side of the family was day trips to the seaside like Rhyl and Colwyn Bay.

Many of the beaches along this part of the coast were popular with working families that came from Manchester. The bust A55 expressway seems to bypass these places now as they whisk people further afield like Anglesea or Abersoch.

One such place is Colwyn Bay with its Victorian pier looking rather shabby and neglected. It seems that the owner was in dispute with the local council which led to him being declared bankrupt. Despite this, the bay does have a wonderful beach.

One of the sites you do see as you pass along the A55 is a jetty with some heavy lighting gear and a conveyor belt which passes over the road. This is Llanddulas where limestone was quarried and conveyed to the jetty to be loaded onto ships. I think the quarry is now closed.

The environment Agency together with local councils have improved the sea defences. This is made up of strange shaped blocks of concrete that seem to sit in a tangled formation along the coastline. There is also an excellent cycleway along this stretch of coast, so if you like cycling on the level with a sea breeze then try this one.

There are also quite a few holiday parks along this stretch mainly consisting of static caravans. Some are quite well laid out whereas others look like refugee camps wedged between the sea defences and the railway line.

Rhyl has not got the best of reputations, but a lot of work has been done to improve the harbour area and the promenade. I also notice quite a few apartment blocks being built. Whether this improves it’s reputation remains to be seen.