by Antony J Waller

Created on: February 23, 2011

Any visitor to Llandudno will be delighted by this charming ‘Queen of the Welsh Resorts’ which lies on the North Wales coast and by the sheer elegance and splendour of its Victorian and Edwardian heritage. Situated on a sweeping crescent shaped sandy bay Llandudno lies between the twin headlands of the Little Orme and the Great Orme, the latter rising to a height of nearly 700 feet and giving magnificent panoramic views over the Irish Sea and surrounding area.

Dating back to the 12th century and with evidence of earlier settlements going back to the Stone Age, Llandudno came to prominence following the arrival of the railway during the mid 1800s and then under the Mostyn family who began to develop the town as a Victorian holiday resort. This legacy can be seen today in the magnificent hotels lining the promenade, the main central shopping area formed by Mostyn Broadway and Mostyn Street, and the four mile marine Drive.  There is also a three day ‘Victorian Extravaganza and Carnival’ held annually over the May Bank holiday weekend with parades, vintage vehicles, funfairs, amusements and entertainment for all.

As you would expect from such an established seaside resort Llandudno has much to offer the ‘day tripper’ and those visitors who decide to stay longer. The town’s many attractions include:

The Victorian Pier. Built in 1878 in an Indian Gothic style with cast iron lacelike brackets and balustrades the pier is 2,295 feet long and somewhat unusual in that it has two entrances with a later extension built abutting the promenade.  

The Great Orme and Great Orme Tramway. Towering above Llandudno is the limestone headland and cliffs of the Great Orme. The sumit at 679 feet can be reached by the United Kingdom’s longest tramway or street funicular which was completed and opened in 1903 and one of only three such cable operated street tramways operating in the world today. Trams run daily. As an alternative to taking the tram there is a mile long aerial cable car which makes the journey too.

The Happy Valley Gardens. Starting point of the aerial cable car the Happy Valley Gardens are a former quarry landscaped and developed to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1897. Now these popular gardens also boast an artificial ski slope and toboggan run.

Llandudno, like all good seaside resorts, also boasts a complete range of hotels and accommodation, coffee shops, restaurants and bars, with food and drink to suit all tastes and pockets. There are Museums, a theatre and cinema, the original ‘Punch and Judy’ show, boat and fishing trips and a golf course. For visitors looking slightly further afield the historic walled of Conwy is only five miles away and the beauty and scenery of the Snowdonia National Park less than 30 minutes drive.

All in all Llandudno makes for a great destination and place to visit. You will not be disappointed.

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