Think of the Denbighshire coastline and traditional seaside images of candyfloss and caravans may spring to mind, writes Sue Austin.

Looking out across the town of Prestatyn, Denbighshire

The seaside towns of Prestatyn and Rhyl have long been known as much for their amusement arcades and nightlife as they have for their beaches.

But while the traditional attractions are still there and the area is still a firm favourite with families, the stretch of coastline is enjoying a new popularity, with culture and history at the heart of a revival.

Visitors from Shropshire and Mid Wales can enjoy a drive right through the very heart of Denbighshire to reach the county’s coastal strip in just over an hour, making it an ideal mini-break destination.

The A5 will take you as far as Llangollen where you take the spectacular Horseshoe Pass road before dropping down to the pretty market town of Ruthin, and St Asaph with its grand cathedral.

The Oriel hotel and spa on the outskirts of St Asaph

We based our stay at The Oriel hotel and spa on the edge of St Asaph, just a short stroll from the town.

The Oriel is popular for business use and for tourism as well as being a popular choice for weddings. It was also obviously popular with the local community with an incredibly busy leisure centre and spa.

I was treated to a relaxing massage which really put me in a holiday mood, even with the early spring wind and rain.

It would have been easy to stay in the comfort of the hotel’s conservatory or literally dive into its impressive leisure facilities.

Boats on the sea at Rhyl

But armed with a decent coat and boots we set off to explore.

We sought refuge inside beautiful Bodelwyddan Castle. The history of the house and estate extends to before 1460, although the castle as seen today is a creation of Sir John Hay Williams, dating from between 1830 and 1852. The castle is brought to life thanks to its fascinating audio guide which is given through the “voice” of Sir John himself.

As well as the castle there is parkland, a National Portrait Gallery collection and the fascinating World War One training trenches.

From there it was onto Rhuddlan Castle, the second of King Edward I’s great Welsh fortifications. It is now open again for a new season and still picturesque enough for photo opportunities before retreating to The Oriel for a couple of hours in the leisure centre.

A workout in the gym, swim and a sauna was such a great way to work up an appetite for the excellent restaurant meal at the hotel. The AA rosette winner offers international cuisine with home-grown Welsh produce and an impressive wine list.

Evenings on the Denbighshire coast have far more to offer than the old-fashioned bingo or the pub.

There are fashionable pubs and restaurants and also the Pavilion theatre with its packed programme of concerts and plays.

Then there is the Scala at Prestatyn. As Wales’ first fully digital cinema, the Scala represents a whole new experience for local cinema-goers. The two 150-seat screens feature state-of-the-art high-definition digital projection systems offering a quality and flexibility to the cinema unrivalled by any other in Wales.

It has teamed up with the National Theatre to show live screenings of plays, and with the Bolshoi Ballet for their performances.

The swimming pool at T­he Oriel

A weekend or midweek break gives you chance to explore the Denbighshire coastline and countryside in more depth.

Walking has become a top leisure pursuit, nowhere more so than here where the famous Offa’s Dyke path begins – or ends! Walkers could even start in Shropshire and finish here, taking in hotels or bed and breakfast places on the way.

There are great coastal walks too, whether at the Rhuddlan end of Rhyl, along Prestatyn’s golden sands. Prestatyn and the surrounding countryside offers walks in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, nature reserves and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the town has been awarded the “Walkers are Welcome” accreditation.

Further east is Talacre. Here there is a 17th Century lighthouse and an RSPB nature reserve where you can spot not just a varied bird population but in the sand dunes the rare Talacre toads. It is a haven from the busier resorts.