Llandudno
Llandudno is set on a rugged coastline, nestling between the Great and Little Orme, overlooking the Irish Sea. The resort lies at the foot of Snowdonia National Park and just a short distance away from the Isle of Anglesey. Llandudno is Wales' largest resort with a magnificent crescent of hotels, broad tree-lined streets and elegant shops. Llandudno has a kaleidoscope of diverse activities with something for everyone. There are two golf courses, bowling greens and tennis and badminton at its sports centre. A Victorian tramway and a spectacular cable car offer a route to the summit of the Great Orme, offering incredible views and fascinating wildlife. There is an abundance of historic and cultural sites, including Bronze Age mines, Roman roads, Druidic ruins and medieval castles as well as art galleries and exhibitions, such as the Oriel Mostyn. With its festivals, events, concerts, fairs and special displays, Llandudno guarantees that there is never a dull moment for the visitor. The resort is surrounded by places of natural beauty, as well as bustling towns and picturesque villages. Snowdonia with its mountain range and deep valleys is a contrast of breathtaking panoramic views, teeming wildlife and intriguing rivers, lakes and streams. The coast is a mixture of bustling harbours and historical treasures such as the imposing medieval castles at Conwy and Caernarvon and their walled towns.
Town Centre
The town centre consists of carefully preserved architecture placed within a superb natural setting. The Victorian Shopping Centre, one of the largest indoor shopping centres in Wales, offers both quality and value as well as award-winning restaurants and tearooms.
Beach and Gardens
The resort boasts two superb bathing beaches and spectacular gardens. The lively north shore has a shingle beach and Victorian pier whilst the west shore boasts golden sands and panoramic views. The Bodnant Gardens, set above Llandudno, have magnificent plantations and command excellent views across the resort and surrounding coastline.
Activities and Attractions
Tourist Information Tel:01492 876413
www.llandudno.com
Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mines
Tel:01492 870447
The oldest metal mine open to the public in the world. Explore the 3,500 year old passages leading to the amazing prehistoric cavern.
www.greatormemines.info
Alice In Wonderland Centre
Tel:01492 860082
Llandudno celebrates its connection with the 'real' Alice - Alice Liddell - who was the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's classic children's story.
www.wonderland.co.uk
Great Orme Country Park
Tel:01492 874151
Dramatic limestone headland so renowned for its wildlife and history that much of it been designated a Special Area of Conservation, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Heritage Coast. The refurbished Visitor Centre includes interactive displays and video introductions.
www.greatorme.org.uk
Happy Valley Gardens nestles in a sheltered hollow on the eastern side of Great Orme, with spectacular views of the surrounding coastline. Contained within the gardens are many rare and tropical plants, as well as picnic areas, coffee shop and observation platforms.
www.totaltravel.co.uk
Welsh Mountain Zoo In a spectacular setting overlooking Colwyn Bay and Snowdonia, the zoo is home to many interesting species. A seasonal free minibus operates from Colwyn Bay railway station.
www.welshmountainzoo.org
Great Orme Tramway
Tel:01492 575275
Britain's only cable-hauled, public road tramway (and one of only three still in existence in the world) still uses the original Victorian carriages.
www.greatorme.org.uk
Llandudno Cable Car
Tel:01492 877205
Enjoy spectacular views of Llandudno, the Little Orme, the Conwy Estuary and beyond.
www.greatorme.org.uk
Llandudno Ski Centre
Tel:01492 874707
Provides facilities for skiing and snowboarding.
www.llandudnoskislope.co.uk
Oriel Mostyn Tel:01492 879201
A blossoming art gallery with exciting exhibitions of contemporary art from around the world.
www.mostyn.org
Bodnant Gardens Tel:01492 650460
One of the most beautiful gardens in the UK, with over 80 acres of terraces and plants from all over the world.
www.bodnantgarden.co.uk
Events
Llanduno Victorian Extravaganza
Tel:07774 475300
The town recreates - through period dress, funfairs and parades - the atmosphere of Victorian Llandudno.
www.victorian-extravaganza.co.uk
Llangollen International Eisteddfod
Tel:01978 862000
Taking place in early July, this is a world-renowned festival of music, song and dance with competitors from over 50 countries taking part.
www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk
Llangollen Fringe Festival Tel:01978 860600
Music, dance, comedy and celebrity guests, held in July.
www.llangollenfringe.co.uk
Llandudno Transport Festival Held in conjunction with the Victorian Extravaganza, the festival showcases over 1,000 vehicles, including classic and vintage cars, buses, agricultural machinery and military vehicles.
www.llantransfest.co.uk
Abergele Carnival is held over the first weekend in July and features stalls, a street parade and fun fair.
Victorian Week Tel:01654 710472
The town of Tywyn, along with Talyllyn Railway, presents a five day Victorian extravaganza.
www.victorianweek.co.uk
Conwy Classical Music Festival takes place over a week in July and presents lunchtime and evening classical concerts in St Mary's Church, Conwy.
Conwy River Festival Tel:01492 596253
Nine days of on and off shore activities and entertainment.
www.conwyriverfestival.org
Denbigh Midsummer Festival Tel:01745 814646
One of North Wales' most established festivals features a week of music, drama, exhibitions and poetry at a number of venues around the town.
www.visitdenbigh.co.uk
Celtic Winter Fayre is held in November and features over 100 stalls selling a range of authentic foods and crafts.
www.celticwinterfayre.co.uk
For further details on events in the area see:
www.visitconwy.org.uk
Excursions from Llandudno
The details below are intended as a general guide only. For specific tour details, first check Availability and then follow the link from the Tour Description.
Llangollen An ancient town on the River Dee, home to the International Eisteddfod, with narrow streets and a number of interesting shops.
www.llangollen.com
Caernarfon, situated at the foot of Snowdon, is dominated by its magnificent castle where Edward VII was made Prince of Wales. There is also a bustling harbour, numerous craft shops and some fine restaurants.
www.caernarfon.com
Betws-y-Coed A delighful journey into the Vale of Clwyd arrives at the heart of Welsh woodland and the picturesque beauty spot of Swallow Falls.
www.betws-y-coed.com
Rhyl and Prestatyn Rhyl is a typical seaside town with an excellent shopping centre and the well-known Pavilion Theatre which stages top summer shows. Prestatyn offers a lovely promenade which links the town's four beaches, as well as the remains of a Roman bath house.
Conwy Castle Tel:01492 592358
Built by Edward I, the majestic castle towers imperiously above the medieval walled town of Conwy.
www.castlewales.com
Anglesey Tel:01248 713177
The island offers beaches, wildlife and history as well as a flavour of the unique modern Welsh culture and language. Anglesey is also home to Llanfair PG - the village with the longest name in the British Isles.
www.anglesey.info.co.uk
Bangor is an ancient university and cathedral town with a unique character. Explore magnificent Penrhyn Castle with its panoramic views over Snowdonia, which has arguably one of the finest private art collections in Wales. Relive over 2,000 years of history with a visit to Bangor Museum and Art Gallery, or take a leisurely stroll along the 1,500ft Victorian pier.
