Rhos Promenade, Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy County, Wales,

Street View of Rhos Point | Map of Rhos Point location

Rhos Point is a small promontory on the North Wales Coast, it being the east point of Penrhyn Bay and the west point of Colwyn Bay. Battered by the Irish Sea it can appear a barren landscape but look closely and you will be surprised at the abundance of wildlife on Rhos Point. Birdwatchers (Birders or Twitchers) may be the largest creatures to be seen, but their numbers pale into insignificance once your eyes adjust to the light and you realise that many of the beach pebbles are in fact extremely well camouflaged feeding sea-birds including Ringed Plover, Turnstones, Oystercatchers, and Purple Sandpipers. (The hour either side of high tide can be the best time to view the birds from the promenade as it concentrates them close to the shore.) But a walk out to the point at low spring tides can be even more rewarding. With mussels crunching beneath your feet you pass the remains of the ancient fishing weir. Look carefully and you might see the tops of the wooden stakes protruding from the beach that once formed the wooden fencing used to entrap the fish. These ancient weirs were so successful that they were banned for decimating the fish stocks..Rhos Fishing Weir escaping the ban as it was proved to be in service before the time of the Magna Carta! Follow the receding tide to the very tip of the Point and the remains of the Rhosneigr Paddle Steamer come into view. Still impressive after over a hundred years the drive shaft and the paddle wheel protrude from the depths of the Irish Sea at the lowest of tides. But stay awhile at the low tide point and you will discover the wildlife of the underwater variety. Starfish, crabs, sea anemones and seaweeds lye forlornly waiting for the tide to return them to Davy Jones's Locker.....Ah-har Jim Lad. A cold east wind on a winters evening can generate a haunting atmosphere out at the old wreck but fear not as no one was harmed when the Rhosneigr went down. Fortunately its sister ship was close at hand and all the passengers and crew were rescued and put ashore at Rhos Pier. Yes Rhos-on-Sea once had a magnificent Pier and if you return to shore by heading toward the Rhos Point Cafe you might find remnants of the old Pier that was blown apart in the early 1950's. Outside what is now the Rhos Harbour Bistro can be found the anchor of the Rhosneigr, and inside you will find good food and drink and a chance to view the seabirds from the warmth and comfort of the restaurant. ....