The SC2 in Rhyl is the latest attraction in Wales to achieve a Gold Award from Visit Wales for the all-round quality of the visitor experience.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Visit Wales Attraction Awards throughout Wales list exceptional attractions.
The £15 million flagship attraction which opened earlier this year has been supported by the Welsh Government through £720,000 of Tourism Investment Support Funding.
Councillor Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire County Council’ lead member for Well-being and Independence, said:
“This is fantastic news for SC2, Rhyl and Denbighshire. With its exciting new waterpark and the first Ninja TAG arena in Wales, SC2 is already one of Wales’s most exciting attractions and attracted 10,000 visitors a week in its first summer season. We would like to congratulate the staff at SC2 for all their hard work to ensure visitors have the best possible experience at this wonderful new attraction. This award is recognition of the great offer at SC2 and is a benchmark for the quality visitors can expect.
The Attraction Awards are for attractions which are already part of the Visit Wales’ Visitor Attractions Quality Scheme but who make an exceptional effort to create an enjoyable and memorable experience for their visitors. In addition to the Gold Award, attractions can also be awarded for Best Told Story – for attractions that achieve excellence in conveying their ‘story’; Quality Café – for attractions that achieve excellence for their food; and Hidden Gem – quality attractions/places of interest with visitor numbers under 20,000 visitors per year.
Attractions which have been recognised for Best Told Story include; Cardiff Castle; Amgueddfa Wlan Cymru; City Sightseeing Cardiff; Dangerpoint, Granary Court Business park; Anglesey Sea Zoo; national Coal Museum – Big Pit and Castell Aberteifi – which has also been recognised for its quality café.
Ruthin Gaol; Milford Haven Heritage & Maritime Museum; Penrhos Cottage Pembrokeshire; Byd Mary Jones world; Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, Caernarfon and Myddfai Community Hall & Visitor Centre and Llyn Maritime Museum / Amgueddfa Forwrol Llŷn are among those awarded a Hidden Gem accolade.
In addition to being a Hidden Gem, Glansevern Hall Gardens received an accolade for Quality Café, as well as Dr Beynon’s Bug farm, St Davids; Harlech Castle and Canolfan Rhiannon, Tregaron.
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said:
“Wales has such a wealth and range of attractions and things to do, our visitors and communities are spoilt for choice, especially as many of our attractions provide an all-weather option which gives people a reason for a day out in Wales – whatever the weather. The Attractions Awards recognise those businesses which go the extra mile and also give visitors a further insight to the story of Wales or a local area and highlight some less well known gems – I’d like to congratulate all those which have been listed.