Discover Rhyl’s nature gems

Did you know there are a number of nature spots across Rhyl where you can put your best foot forward to explore?

From the coast to the town there are areas full of blossoming wildlife and sights to discover that can provide you also with a great drop of physical activity.

County Voice takes you on a whistle stop tour around what nature areas Rhyl has to offer.

In the east of Rhyl nestles a young nature reserve in easy reach of the local community. Maes Gwilym Nature Reserve was created as part of the Council's Woodland creation project. There’s over 2,500 trees growing at the site and the existing woodland was enhanced to improve the habitat for nature.

Paths that will take you into the reserve were constructed using recycled material and finished with limestone dust.

A special sight at Maes Gwiliym nature reserve is the wetland area containing an Ephemeral wildlife pond, which is designed to hold a low level of water providing a great habitat for many species.

You can also stop off at the bird hide on the site enabling visitors to enjoy the local wildlife in the area which includes several red and amber listed bird species.

Hedgerows planted are growing strong at the site alongside colourful wildflower meadows. Walking around you can take advantage of seating areas introduced in the area.

Hedgerows were also planted alongside encouraging existing and new areas for wildflower meadows. Seating areas were introduced and damaged fencing and gates were replaced.

A short hop up the road is the new Llys Brenig Community Nature Space, nestled in the Pak View Estate. Created in 2024, 1,885 trees were planted on site along with the creation of a pond and wetland area to support local wildlife, installation of new fences around the pond and around the site boundary, and, to allow local residents to connect with nature on their doorstep, construction of footpaths and installation of benches.

It’s a great small area to visit on a sunny day, you might catch a sight or two of the feathered friends that have taken up home in the ponds on the site.

Bruton Park Nature Reserve offers a good chance to stretch your legs around a circle route or exploring paths cutting through the lands while enjoying great views of the Clwydian Range.

You will find a diverse landscape of woodland, hedgerows, wildflower meadows and even fruit trees while exploring this great gem and alongside the varied plant and trees, keep an eye out for the many local wildlife members.

Another great circular walk to sample nature can be found by visiting Brickfield Pond Nature Reserve.

Countryside rangers and volunteers supported by Nature for Health have carried out work that has seen a community orchard and pond opened up with a new path and bridge leading to this site in the quit corner of the reserve.

The team has carried out improvements to the walkways, removal of dead trees and the tidying up of the viewpoints around the main waters.

And you could catch site of a rare UK mammal whilst walking as areas have also been improved around the nature reserve to encourage more water voles to make their home at the site.

This summer more colour will be on offer around the in the area next to the cycle path leading into the nature reserve from the Ysgol Tir Morfa side.

During autumn and winter, work has taken place to clear bramble. Dead trees were removed to allow more light into the area to support the surviving nature, new spindle and lime trees were planted and a mix of yellow rattle, red bartsia and woodland wild flower mix seeds were sown to support pollinators.

Best of all to soak up the sights of the wildlife on the waters new viewpoints have been opened up along the circular route, some including newly created hazel hurdles as fencing, allowing visitors the time to stop and take in life on Brickfield Pond.