The Victorian seaside town of Llandudno, with its iconic pier and remarkable scenery, is situated on the beautiful North Wales coastline, between the two picturesque headlands of Little Orme and Great Orme.
Llandudno is said to have inspired the world-famous classic, ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Depending on who you ask, this was either when author Lewis Carroll spent time here or via the real-life Alice who inspired the eponymous tale and often holidayed with her family here.
Either way, whether you are seeking inspiration or relaxation, Llandudno has it all. The perfect escape with stunning coastline and unspoilt scenery, Llandudno is steeped in history, with a rich heritage, good food, great shopping and plenty of entertainment and activities to tempt all types of travellers; vacationers, stay-cationers, globetrotters, golfers, backpackers, families and happy campers all.
Why Choose to Visit Llandudno for a Holiday?
The list of reasons to choose Llandudno is far longer than the number of days in your average holiday. For every taste and season, there is a reason to come stay in this wonderful coastal town.
The largest seaside resort in Wales, it was specifically designed, in the Victorian era, as a resort destination. So the popularity of Llandudno dates all the way back to the mid 19th century and it remains a firm favourite amongst holiday-goers to this day.
What Is Special About Llandudno?
The timeless coastal town marries modern convenience with Victorian and Edwardian architecture with style and a nostalgic elegance. There are many unique elements to Llandudno that endear this seaside resort to visitors’ hearts. Making it not just a special place to holiday but ensuring people come back again and again. Here are just some of the attractions Llandudno has to offer, ranging from the ‘Curious to Curiouser’ to borrow a phrase from Alice.
Pristine Beaches
If you love a good beach day, you are likely to fall head over heels for this stretch of North Wales coastline. Llandudno is home to not one but two fantastic beaches. Located on the stretch of coast running from the striking landmark of Great Orme to the West of Llandudno bay, a limestone headland that rises spectacularly from the water to a height of 679 feet, all the way to its more diminutive sister, Little Orme, to the East of the Bay.
The North Shore is the main beach. Often referred to as Llandudno beach, it is a sheltered sand and shingle beach, featuring a Victorian Promenade, known as ‘The Parade’ that follows the curve of the beach all the way to Llandudno Pier.
The quieter of the two beaches of Llandudno, the West Shore Beach, is one of Wales’s 17 Blue Flag beaches. The status, awarded in 2021, is the gold standard quality mark for clean, accessible and well-managed beaches.
For travellers accompanied by their four-legged friends please take note that dogs are banned from the beaches of Llandudno between May 1st and September 30th.
The Iconic Pier
Famously the longest pier in Wales, Llandudno measures in at an impressive 2,295 feet or 700 metres in length and is one of the finest extant examples of a Victorian seaside pier.
Off-season, when a quiet calm descends upon this North Wales town, there is nothing quite like a bracing walk above the restless winter waves beneath Llandudno pier. While in the long days of Summer, the promenade is abuzz with activity. The ornate lattice iron workings and the Victorian era kiosks the length of the pier lend an old-world charm.
Old steamships on occasion still pay a visit here. On a warm day, the Llandudno pier brings about nostalgia for melting ice cream cones, clutched tightly in small fists.
Upon reaching the end of the pier you are rewarded with great views of the famous Llandudno seafront with its many old hotels and of course the splendid sight of the Great Orme to the West and the Great Orme Tramway. More about that later.
The clamour, bustle and excitement of the amusement arcades and amusements may not be for everyone, but there’s no denying they are magnetic to children. The combination of young children and the host of funfair rides and amusements on the pier, won’t be long lightening your pockets so it will soon be time to head for the wilds of nature for the sake of your ears and your wallet.
Hiking and the Great Outdoors
The towering limestone headland of Great Orme, overlooking Llandudno, offers hikers and pleasure strollers a variety of trails for all abilities. The trails to the summit station atop Great Orme will get the blood pumping and thoroughly compensate for your exertion with stunning vistas out to the Irish sea, over the town of Llandudno, and the neighbouring villages, with castles and old churches, dotted over the landscape. For weary, hungry or thirsty hikers there are refreshments available at the café at the summit all summer season.
The Great Orme Nature Trail will take you on a circular route around the headland, which is a designated Special Area of Conservation and a Country Park, taking in all the flora and fauna that this wonderfully unspoilt landscape has to offer. Keep an eye out for the free-roaming Kashmir goats, (yes those goats of cashmere sweater fame), that have made Great Orme their own playground.
History buffs will appreciate the Great Orme Historical Trail. Bronze Age Copper Mines, Iron Age Fort, Bishop’s Palace, the 6th century St Tudno’s Church and the Lighthouse, precariously perched on 300ft high cliffs, are just some of the gems amongst the 400 or so archaeological and historical sites of interest on Great Orme.
Tramway and Cable Car
You certainly don’t have to break a sweat to summit Great Orme. In fact, there are two unique alternatives to reach the top that provides a thrill of adventure. In Victoria Station in Llandudno you can jump aboard the funicular train, the Great Orme Tramway, that will bring you on a gentle ride to the top with an opportunity to alight midway to visit the historical sites en route.
Alternatively, you can choose to take the cable car from the pier which accommodates four people per car, and offers fabulous views of Llandudno and beyond throughout the mile-long ride.
What Is It Like to Live in Llandudno?
With a population of a little over 20,000, and on average a quarter of a million visitors each year, as you can imagine Llandudno is a very different place depending on the season. There is a palpable change in energy from the summer silly season into the quieter, more relaxed winter in Llandudno.
Many of the same attractions that bring visitors here in their thousands, like the beautiful landscape and charming seafront, are just as enjoyable off-season as a resident. Winter walks along the promenade and pier are breathtaking, sometimes quite literally.
The town is well serviced by public transport, with good bus and train services. In summer when Llandudno is heaving with visitors parking is at a premium.
While there may be fewer nightlife options in the winter months, Llandudno’s Venue Cymru hosts a wide variety of concerts, theatre shows, dance shows, films and workshops throughout the year.
Places to Eat in Llandudno
There is a great variety of dining experiences and styles of food available to you in Llandudno. From hot food fare to buy while strolling on Llandudno Pier to more fine dining options in the town and further afield.
While visiting Llandudno it’s worth popping into Dylans Café to enjoy some culinary delights. This award-winning eatery uses local produce and is right near the seafront. While the Loaf Coffee and Sandwich Bar on Gloddaeth Street offers tasty simple fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, great fish and chips and many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Alternatively, you can enjoy the perfect afternoon tea at Llandudno Bay Hotel.
Places to Stay in Llandudno
From luxury spa getaways to budget hotel breaks there is a fantastic array of accommodation styles available in Llandudno to suit all needs. The seafront is chockablock with Hotels, Guesthouses and B&Bs. Sitting astride Pydew Mountain the Bodysgallen Hall and Spa, at the fancier end of the scale, with its 600 years of history and its 200 acres of mature parkland, promises charm and character and great spa facilities.
There are a host of more budget-friendly options all along the seafront and with hotels in Llandudno costing an average of £95 per night this seaside town is one of the most affordable in the UK when it comes to hotel breaks.
For independent travellers, the award-winning Llandudno hostel offers a great selection of private rooms, shared dorms and family accommodation in a charming Victorian house.
Camping in Llandudno
If you’re longing to reconnect with nature and enjoy some off-grid adventures in the great outdoors, there are plenty of options from romantic glamping getaways to family-friendly, fully serviced caravan and camping sites on offer around Llandudno and Conwy County borough.
If luxury pods with private hot tubs are your style, Three Streams Glamping, is just under 8 miles outside of Llandudno, at the foot of the Carneddau Mountains. While Wern Farm Caravan Park and Manorafon Farm Touring and Camping will both give you and your dog a warm welcome.
These are just a few of the many campsites and you can find many more providing anything from simple tent pitches to luxury accommodations. Check out https://www.campsites.co.uk or https://www.pitchup.com for all campsite listings.