An Adventure on the "Other Side" of Prestatyn: History, Nature, and a Quest for a Mine
- Nic Breeze
- Sep 21
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 20
When people think of Prestatyn, the nearest town to Windward Retreats and home to Emlyn's Coppice Woodland Glamping, they often picture a typical seaside resort—caravans, sandy beaches, and ice creams! Not that there’s anything wrong with that (mmm, ice cream!). But just beyond the town, which, by the way, boasts a fabulous high street and shopping park, lies a whole other side to the area. It’s a stunning landscape rich with history and teeming with nature. Our latest mini-hike was a perfect example of this—a journey that proved Prestatyn is far more than just a place for sand and sea.
Discovering the Hidden Gems of Prestatyn
This particular adventure was a quest to find the "Fish" mine, a quirky local landmark we first stumbled upon years ago when we moved to the area. Starting from the free car park at the edge of the hillside nature reserve and Bishops Wood, my trusty companions—Caroline and Axel the dog—set off on our ascent.
The first leg of our walk took us along a leisurely incline on a disused rail line. After this, we headed up through Prestatyn hillside nature reserve. While it wasn’t a huge climb, the narrow paths traversed a steep hill skirting the top of Bishops Wood. We were grateful to have chosen hiking boots instead of trainers for this one! While there are easier routes around here, if you choose to follow our path, you need to be sure-footed and maybe bring a hiking pole.
A Chance Encounter on the Trail
Our path then joined up with the famous Offa's Dyke National Trail. It was here that we encountered two American hikers on the last leg of their epic journey. They had walked the entire 177-mile trail and were finally almost in sight of the end! We cheered them on, pointing out that it was all downhill from here and that they’d soon be able to dip their feet in the sea at the end of their incredible adventure, where Offa's Dyke terminates at Prestatyn Nova Beach. We should have mentioned they could finish by staying at Emlyn's Coppice and soothing their aching muscles in one of our hot tubs!
After a gentle climb through the wooded landscape, the path emerged to reveal breathtaking views. We were greeted with extensive vistas over Prestatyn, the Vale of Clwyd, and the stunning North Wales coast. It’s a vibrant area, with a lovely limestone escarpment criss-crossed by shaded footpaths. We enjoyed the tranquillity of the sessile oak, hawthorn, and sycamore trees.
The History Beneath Our Feet
The circular route, approximately 2.4 miles with a manageable elevation gain of 381 feet, eventually led us to the "business" end of our adventure. These hills are steeped in history, particularly their heritage of lead mining. The limestone rock that forms the escarpment contains rich veins of lead, and for centuries, this area was a key part of North Wales' mining industry. Today, all that remains are hidden entrances and spoil heaps—remnants of a forgotten time now quietly reclaimed by nature. It was one of these relics that we were determined to find.
The Thrill of Discovery
We had all but given up hope of finding the mine, having seen what we thought were the last of the old mine working building ruins. But on the lower, return leg of our walk, we spotted a promising-looking crag in the hillside. I ventured in (Caroline did not!!), and it went deep, with water dripping down the walls. The high-sided walls slowly turned into a tunnel, hewn from the rock. It was a fun find, but the water got too deep for my hiking boots, so I had to turn back before getting my feet soaked and having to walk the rest of the way back to the car squelching.
A little further on, we finally spotted it—the plaque for the "Fish" mine, visible up a scree through the trees. Not wanting to miss it, we scrambled up. We later realised there was an easier path just a bit further on, which we gratefully used on our way back. Having finally found it, I had to explore. The mine, named after the fish-shaped spoil that was brought out of it, is very low, forcing you to crouch to get through.
It was also very wet underfoot, and just like before, I reached a point where I needed wellies rather than hiking boots. I had to turn back, but as a big kid at heart, it was a lot of fun!
This walk was more than just a hike; it was a successful quest filled (as I think the grin attests to 🤣) with beautiful scenery, a friendly encounter, and a rewarding exploration of a hidden piece of local history.
Plan Your Own Adventure
For a detailed map of the route, you can refer to our route on the Outdooractive link.
If you have more time and fancy a longer hike, you can link up with this walk directly from Emlyn's Coppice by taking the route that links to Offa's Dyke. So, what are you waiting for? Lace up those boots and get out there!
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