 Prestatyn-Dyserth Way |
Roughly parallel to the Way and about one third of a mile to the east is the northern section of the Offa's Dyke National Trail. Between the two paths lie Bishopswood and Graig Fawr. Bishopswood is owned by Denbighshire County Council and is an important wildlife area, part of it officially designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The limestone hill of Graig Fawr is owned by the National Trust and managed as an open space.
The railway was originally built to serve the lead mines and limestone quarries around Meliden and Dyserth. Many of these sites can still be seen, together with a wide range of other archaeological remains spanning thousands of years of fascinating history.
Walk 1 - Introductory Trail (3.25 miles) |
Geology and Archaeology
Walk 3 - Geology Trail (6.25 miles)
Walk 4 - Archaeology Trail (8 miles)
From the Prestatyn end of the Way, the view is dominated by the limestone hills rising above the flat coastal plain and the broad mouth of the Vale of Clwyd. For much of its route, the Way follows the edge of the steep hills.
Many of the archaeological remains in the district are strongly linked to the area's geology. Prehistoric people took advantage of the commanding position of the hill behind Dyserth for the Moel Hiraddug hill fort. In more recent history the emphasis was on exploiting the area for its mineral wealth. Veins of minerals (lead, zinc, silver etc.) occurring in the limestone were mined probably from Roman times until the late nineteenth century. The limestone itself was also dug from various quarries along the side of the hills, the last of which closed in 1981. These industries were the prime reason for the growth of the villages of Meliden and Dyserth. They were also the main influence behind the construction of the Prestatyn-Dyserth railway.
Further information on the geology of the Prestatyn area, and the industry associated with it, is available on the Geological History page.
Walk 5 - Railway Trail (7.25 miles)
The opening of the Chester & Holyhead Railway (later part of the London & North Western Railway) in 1848 brought prosperity to the aspiring seaside resort of Prestatyn.
The Dyserth branch was opened by the LNWR in 1869. The line was built to carry mineral traffic from the local mines and quarries and was both busy and profitable.
A public campaign for passenger trains resulted in the introduction of a railmotor service in 1905. The railmotor was like a normal carriage, with a small steam engine in a compartment at one end and could be driven from either end. Folding steps were fitted for passengers to climb aboard from ground level, so platforms did not have to be built along the line. However, this meant that the railmotor could not use the normal platforms at Prestatyn, so passengers had to get on and off from a patch of gravel beyond the end of the bay platform.
Railmotors were later replaced by more normal locomotives and carriages, but they faced increasing competition from buses. Because the railway was built for freight it was not particularly convenient for passengers. The passenger service was therefore withdrawn in 1930.
Dyserth was the terminus of the line. There was no runround loop so the locomotives had to push the trains up the line from Prestatyn. The goods shed and the warehouse for the Vale of Clwyd and District Agricultural Society still stand, although they are now privately used. The quarry sidings were originally shunted by horses and later by tractors belonging to the quarry company. The now empty site was also occupied by limekilns and with a narrow gauge tramway linking them to the quarry via a bridge over the main road. Dyserth quarry provided the last traffic for the railway, which was eventually closed in 1973. The quarry kept going, using road transport, until 1981.
During the late 19th century H.D. Pochin, a local landowner, tried to persuade the LNWR to extend the railway a further one and a half miles east of Dyserth to Newmarket (Trelawnyd). This village had been the subject of an 18th century scheme to turn it into a market town for the area. In 1884 Pochin constructed, at his own expense, the first three quarters of a mile of route for the railway as far as Marian Mills. Unfortunately the railway company were not interested. The rest of the route was never built and the rails were never laid, although the earthworks can still be seen.
Wildlife
 Prestatyn-Dyserth Way |
An interesting wetland area can be seen beside the start of the Way in Prestatyn. This was originally marshland. Drainage ditches were dug at one stage to improve the land's agricultural value, but it remains fairly damp. The pasture areas and ditch edges have been colonised by a range of grasses, growing abundantly in the moist conditions which are inhospitable to many other plants. The tall thin shape of the grass is designed to catch the wind which spreads their pollen.
The disused railway has become an important habitat in itself. Since the last weedkilling trains in the 1970s, nature has been able virtually to take over. In many places this has allowed thick hedgerows to develop along the trackside. These consist of a variety of shrubs and trees which provide food and shelter for small birds and animals. With the help of the Forestry Authority, Denbighshire Countryside Service manages this woodland reserve. In some areas, scrub and small trees have been cleared. It is hoped to re-establish rare plants and increase the range of habitats. Through built-up areas, the trackside is often dotted with plants which have escaped from nearby gardens. The walkway is important as a wildlife corridor along which animals can safely pass from one area to another, and plants can also be seen gradually spreading along the route.
At Meliden, there has been a programme to cut back hazel, so encouraging limestone flowers and hopefully, a habitat for dormice. At Dyserth there has been a similar scheme to remove some of the ash from the flower rich limestone grasslands around the old station yard. This area was once noted for its orchids. Perhaps they will return.
Visit the Natural Environment Page for more information on the countryside surrounding Prestatyn.
  
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Virtual Prestatyn Website Prestatyn Business Association, Tai Tywyn Business Centre, Sandy Lane, Prestatyn, LL19 7SF, UK. Tel. +44 (0)1745 887755 Fax +44 (0)1745 889704 E-mail mail@prestatyn.org.uk | |||
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