National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Welsh Model Village Rhyl
Diminutive Denbighshire ‘des reses’ - the Land of Song scaled-down, slate-roofed and spotless
From the collection of:
Overview
The clipped voice on this advert for Rhyl’s mini village is at odds with its aim of enticing visitors – being more barking than beckoning. But the village itself is charming, with olde worlde stone cottages, shops and church – there is even a stream and a waterwheel. Scale is shown by a Welsh-hatted lady, sat with three kids among the dwarf houses and trees – and some very un-Welsh paddock fencing.
Pentre Bach Welsh Model Village was an outdoor attraction in West Parade, Rhyl, from 1970-1975. Colin Jones’s ‘Rhyl Life’ blog states that it was created by Rhyl Amusements Ltd. (who owned the funfair) and designed by their structural draughtsman Ronald Towler, who later worked as a technical assistant for Trusthouse Forte and at Alton Towers. Among Pentre Bach’s miniature attractions were a castle, a pub, a school, a slate quarry and a farm called T_ Gwyn. All the roofing, according to Colin Jones, was of Welsh slate.
Related
Watch for free
Fun at Rhyl Fun at Rhyl
Advert 1962 0 mins Location: Rhyl
Cinema advertisement for Marine Lake & Ocean Beach, Rhyl, a popular destination for crowds set on a day's fun on free rides.
Watch for free
Children on Beach 1898 Children on Beach 1898
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
Seaside play at Rhyl - charmingly filmed by Wales' first filmmaker
Watch for free
Hwn Yw Fy Nyffryn I Hwn Yw Fy Nyffryn I
Amateur film 1954 21 mins Location: Moel Famau
Hwn yw fy nyffryn I - This is my valley: proud inhabitants of Dyffryn Clwyd illustrate its bounty and its ancient and religious buildings.
Watch for free
Seal Ashore at Foryd, Rhyl Seal Ashore at Foryd, Rhyl
Non-Fiction 1920 1 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
A good deal for a stranded seal - fishy handout for Rhyl’s sleek and adorable visitor
Watch for free
St Asaph v. Rhyl Jolly Boys St Asaph v. Rhyl Jolly Boys
Non-Fiction 1920 2 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
Jollyboys’ japes v St. Asaph’s antics – this is more foolin’ around than football!
Watch for free
Prince Arthur of Connaught Arrives at Rhyl Station Prince Arthur of Connaught Arrives at Rhyl Station
Non-Fiction 1920 5 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
It’s all feathers, flags and finery at Rhyl for the welcoming of posh Prince Arthur
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.