The Hidden History of Hillside Gardens, Prestatyn
Two lonely figures stare out to sea, one representing the past, one representing the now. Surrounded by landscaped gardens cut into the rocky hillside, hardy flowers and fresh sea air, they stand atop something even more remarkable.
Hillside Gardens, overlooking Prestatyn, is a place visited by many, but I do wonder how many people realise what it is, and how significant it was to the history of the world.
The figures I mentioned above were actually carved by award-winning local chainsaw artist Simon O’Rourke. The hiker, located at the east of the structure, represents the thousands of feet which cross this way today walking the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail and enjoying the North Wales countryside. The lady to the west represents the era the structure at Hillside Gardens was built and the gardens created.
Hillside Gardens were built in the 1920’s, transforming a former quarry into a place of beauty and leisure.
The huge, creamy coloured building at the site is quite simply a ‘viewing platform’. It was built and opened in 1929, funded by a local benefactor. It was located here as it was the highest point in Prestatyn which could be reached by ‘motorcar’, to enjoy the glorious views of the sea and the new resort town of Prestatyn.
The building is historically important, and even listed, as it is one of the earliest known structures to be built out of concrete!
I visited on a beautifully sunny day to have a look around, and delve a little deeper into the history and stories of the site. Watch my video here to find out more about one of Prestatyn’s lesser known, but incredibly interesting and important, historic sites:
